what size (cuft) of tank to get and new or used

[madprops]

hey ill be doing all of my diving in vancouver canada (cold water ocean) using a farmer john style 7mm wet suit with another 7 mm long arm sleeve shorty on top (no money for a drysuit) and i would like to know if i should just get AL 80s or Catalina 100 cu ft Compact AL tanks? i was thinking about steel but its just to much money. i found a place on the net where i can get the Catalina 100 cu ft Compact AL for $229 plus shipping.

if i get two i can dive dubbles later with the same tanks

now here is the thing i don't know anyone that dives and i'm going to be doing alot of diving this summer so i'm going to have to meet some people off of this board and i don't want them to not dive with me cause i don't have enough gas so am i shooting myself in the foot only getting 100 cuft tanks? maybe i could find i used pony and suck it dry at the start of the dive (this was a joke but does anyone do this?)

the tanks come with a yoke fitting and so did my reg ( i know i know i'm going to switch to din 300 bar ) this lets me get wet right away and not have to spend more money

and used tanks around here are like 140 bucks for AL 80s so i'm thinking new ill get more bang for my buck

let me know what you think.
cheers
Darcy Hinds

 

[Van Isle]

Hi!
starting out in the west coast I'd recommend getting used alu 80s. Great bang for buck; you should be able to get them for about $80-$120 each. Air consumption will improve with time in water. There will always be someone better and someone worse than you on air, so don't stress about it too much. If it really becomes a problem (i.e. after 20+ dives you really are an air hog) save your money and buy a steel tank. Way nicer tank, generally, for cold water diving.

Cheers.

VI

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Over the past few years, I've purchased a couple of used HP steel tanks locally. The first was a PST HP100 that cost $75. The second was a PST HP120 for $50. Both were out of hydro but in fairly good condition. Hydrotest cost me about $15 at the place that actually does the hydrotest. It would have cost a few bucks more to go through a dive shop. I'd recommend learning how to read tank markings on steel tanks, doing some research on the cost of hydrotesting/VIPs/tumbling, and keeping an eye on Craigslist for used HP steel tanks. Be patient and a good deal might present itself. Happy hunting...

 

[madprops]

hi van isle its not Air consumption I'm worried about. i was free diving way before scuba so for a new scuba diver i sip air
its more if i meet divers that have steel hp 130s then they will not want to take me on the more fun longer dives with only AL 80s or 100s

hi bubbletrubble i have been looking on Craigslist and kijiji and i can't find much. i put a wanted add up and so far one person has tried to sell me an AL 80 for 140 bucks. and if thats the best right now then i'm thinking it would be better to buy new.... unless you want to part with one or both of those steel tanks you have found in the past two years

i always seem to find people that are asking way to much for used stuff.
that last two things i need to pick up are tanks and a spg .....maybe fins or i could just keep using my free dive fins (feel the power!!!!) . would love to get them used and save cash but i have my AOW coming up in 3 weeks and i need the stuff by then. yes i could just rent tanks but why not buy some if i am going to anyway?

 

[diver 85]

I'd get a steel HP 100(or greater).......used you should be able to pick one up for about that amount---keep checking here( http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/classifieds-tanks-valves-bands/), SB's used equipment section.........

 

[Scared Silly]

For cooler/cold waters IMHO steel cylinders are better because of their buoyancy characteristics. they cost more but then you not need quite as much lead.

A while backed I picked up a Faber 98 and 108 for under $150 each - they did not have valves which was not a problem as I had some. They make great singles and for some doubles.

 

[Van Isle]

I'm still gonna recommend the alu 80's. Most divers have or use alu 80s, so you won't be disadvantaged with them. For the divers that have bigger tanks and are willing to dive with a newer diver, guess what: they are cognizant of the fact that you have less gas than them. They are in fact quite used to it. They are often the divers that "need" the extra gas so don't be surprised if you're good on air and they aren't, and you both end up with 500 psi at the end.

Also, it may have been me trying to sell you an alu 80 on usedvictoria! Heh heh! The market around here is usually 75-95 for an alu 80 that is not in hydro ($35) or vis ($15). Add up the cost of those, plus air fill ($7) and the risk of failure, and $150 asking for ready-to-go tank is very reasonable.

Buying used steel tanks is much riskier if you haven't done your homework due to rust, tumbling, corrosion, pitting, and a higher rate of failure on the hydro.

Cheers!
VI

 

[TSandM]

The resale market for Al80's is much better than that for Al100s, because they have more uses.

If you are a bigger person (not fat, but for example, 6' or taller adult male) 80 cubic feet of gas is going to start to get limiting, once you begin to do deeper and longer dives.

I'd HIGHLY recommend saving and springing for steel tanks. They are much more advantageous in terms of total weight carried (an issue in our cold waters) and easily available in larger sizes.

 

[madprops]

I'm still gonna recommend the alu 80's. Most divers have or use alu 80s, so you won't be disadvantaged with them. For the divers that have bigger tanks and are willing to dive with a newer diver, guess what: they are cognizant of the fact that you have less gas than them. They are in fact quite used to it. They are often the divers that "need" the extra gas so don't be surprised if you're good on air and they aren't, and you both end up with 500 psi at the end.

Also, it may have been me trying to sell you an alu 80 on usedvictoria! Heh heh! The market around here is usually 75-95 for an alu 80 that is not in hydro ($35) or vis ($15). Add up the cost of those, plus air fill ($7) and the risk of failure, and $150 asking for ready-to-go tank is very reasonable.

Buying used steel tanks is much riskier if you haven't done your homework due to rust, tumbling, corrosion, pitting, and a higher rate of failure on the hydro.

Cheers!
VI

can your tank take a yoke reg? how about $140 and you come for a dive with me
do you have more then one tank you want to part with ??

 

[chs8084]

How much heavier are the steel 100's than the AL80's? I worry about how heavy they would be to carry?