Which 19cf pony tank.......

[oldflounder]

I've been using a 19 for a good part of a year now. I started with a 30 - it is just too big for a pony alternate in the type of diving I do in the shallows [less that 40'] I have used the 19 a lot but that also is just a little too much in the way. I hang it off my right side. I have a 13 coming in next week. It's supposed to be maybe 4" shorter. I won't go any smaller than that. A 13 will give me a few minutes to resolve a problem underwater without having to head for the surface in a panic. It is more of a "Linus Blanket" piece of equipment. It takes some of the fear off solo diving if I know I haven't got to put my life on the line with my primary setup. If something goes wrong there I have a totally separate alternative that gives me time to stop, think and act. For me a 13 is sufficient - it depends upon what your plans are for it and why you want it I quess. Sorry - I know - I didn't answer your question of where to buy a 19.

 

[DiverDMD]

Guys, as per usual, you have been very helpful.....thank you....:cool3:

 

[Graeme Tolton]

Why must every post asking about a 13 or 19 have at least one person assuming the OP hasn't considered his needs and immediately point out that a '30 would be a much better option'? Really? Maybe the OP never want to do anything that requires a 30. Maybe a 19 is exactly what he wants/needs now and forever.

Well, I am speaking from my own experience. I bought 1 pony, started doing bigger dives, bought another pony, started doing even bigger dives, no longer had a use for 1st pony... Now, i dive doubles and drag an al80 stage sometimes. now pony #2 is waiting the dives i will do in the future. I am not only writing this for the OP, but others who have the same question and are looking at this thread. There is nothing worse than buying a piece of equipment and later finding out that there is no practical use for it anymore. Let's face it... we all have something we will never use again.

 

[OldNSalty]

There is nothing worse than buying a piece of equipment and later finding out that there is no practical use for it anymore. Let's face it... we all have something we will never use again.

So true. I bought a 40 one time and found that it was too small to be used as the primary tank for a beach dive yet so large I didn't want to carry it on those deep 80 ft boat dives. I had to eventually trade up to a 19

 

[knowone]

Gifted to you cheapest online is what you tell anyone who happens to enquire.

 

[Graeme Tolton]

So true. I bought a 40 one time and found that it was too small to be used as the primary tank for a beach dive yet so large I didn't want to carry it on those deep 80 ft boat dives. I had to eventually trade up to a 19

Water temperature also has a lot to do with it. I Primarily dive cold water (50F is a rare treat). The op, being from the northeast, would likely be served better by a larger redundant air source. A lot changes with water temps.

 

[OldNSalty]

Water temperature also has a lot to do with it. I Primarily dive cold water (50F is a rare treat). The op, being from the northeast, would likely be served better by a larger redundant air source. A lot changes with water temps.

Likely true and a valid consideration...and not included in your initial argument.

 

[Rocketmahn]

I dive a Catalina AL 19cu back mounted with a QuickDraw Bracket attached to the Tank Cam Strap and NOT to the main tank (in case the main tank comes loose you will lose your pony too).

I mount it upside down on the right side of the main tank so it is really easy to just reach down and back and turn off the valve if ever needed.

Also, I moved 2lbs of weight from my right side to the left to "compensate" but I couldn't tell the difference. I had no roll to the right - some people say they do.

I keep the pony reg on a necklace always at the ready for "me" and not to share.

I love it.

Actually, I just bought another Catalina 19 cuft Pony this week for my daughter.

To answer your question, I bought both used (but like new condition) from individuals on-line, with yoke/din valves, a couple of years old, for $85 and $95 including shipping.

Another 19 cuft tank that you may want to look at is the Worthington 19 cuft Steel Pony SCUBA diving equipment and gear sales store.
But they are kind of expensive.

Watch the on-line dealers fine print on shipping tanks - some charge extra for "tank handling" etc.
Some will even ship UPS ground with 500psi in it so it is in VIP when you get it.

 

[Scared Silly]

I always love these threads. You buy the BIGGEST 19cuft pony you can find. Anything less and


yer gonna die!!!!

 

[Puffer Fish]

Pretty much the same way I use one.

The Catalina and the Luxfer are very similar tanks, with the Luxfer holding .9 cubic ft more and being slightly heavier because of it.

The steel ones sort of suck, as they are all fairly negative, even when empty.

To my knowledge, most, if not all the other al 19,s are made by one of those two, and sold under various names.

I own both 19s and 30, but use the 19 more. difficult to even tell you have it in the water, but I do have a small counter weight on the other side of my tank, or use two tanks, one on each side.

I dive a Catalina AL 19cu back mounted with a QuickDraw Bracket attached to the Tank Cam Strap and NOT to the main tank (in case the main tank comes loose you will lose your pony too).

I mount it upside down on the right side of the main tank so it is really easy to just reach down and back and turn off the valve if ever needed.

Also, I moved 2lbs of weight from my right side to the left to "compensate" but I couldn't tell the difference. I had no roll to the right - some people say they do.

I keep the pony reg on a necklace always at the ready for "me" and not to share.

I love it.

Actually, I just bought another Catalina 19 cuft Pony this week for my daughter.

To answer your question, I bought both used (but like new condition) from individuals on-line, with yoke/din valves, a couple of years old, for $85 and $95 including shipping.

Another 19 cuft tank that you may want to look at is the Worthington 19 cuft Steel Pony SCUBA diving equipment and gear sales store.
But they are kind of expensive.

Watch the on-line dealers fine print on shipping tanks - some charge extra for "tank handling" etc.
Some will even ship UPS ground with 500psi in it so it is in VIP when you get it.