Which Tank is Best for Me

[Lopez116]

I live and dive regularly in SoCal with full 7mm gear. I'm 6'0 210#.

I've been diving with a Faber 80 Cubic Foot FX Series HP Steel Tank. I like its buoyancy characteristics, but it is so short that it sits really low on my BC and puts me in a position in the water where I have to work to stay horizontal (it wants to rotate me backwards).

What's a better alternative to this tank?

Thanks!

 

[tbone1004]

there are too many to list. Sit on something flat, picnic table, bench etc, and reach back to where a tank valve would normally be up and over your head as if you were turning the valve on and off. Have someone measure the distance from the table to your hand. Don't strain or stretch, this needs to be a comfortable position. Take that measurement and subtract about 2 inches. This is your "ideal" tank length for you to be able to sit comfortably but also safely turn the tank valve off in an emergency. You have about 2 inches of leeway in either direction for comfortable tank heights.

Scuba Cylinder Specifications from Tech Diving Limited - 928-855-9400
Cross check that length against this tank chart and scour craigslist for some tanks.

Scuba Tanks - High Pressure Steel 100's
scuba steel &aluminum tanks the 72's here are nice little tanks and for $50 hard to argue

http://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/4779179465.html-great little tanks there

 

[BRT]

Anything longer is going to have to sit lower!

 

[Lopez116]

there are too many to list. Sit on something flat, picnic table, bench etc, and reach back to where a tank valve would normally be up and over your head as if you were turning the valve on and off. Have someone measure the distance from the table to your hand. Don't strain or stretch, this needs to be a comfortable position. Take that measurement and subtract about 2 inches. This is your "ideal" tank length for you to be able to sit comfortably but also safely turn the tank valve off in an emergency. You have about 2 inches of leeway in either direction for comfortable tank heights.

Scuba Cylinder Specifications from Tech Diving Limited - 928-855-9400
Cross check that length against this tank chart and scour craigslist for some tanks.

Scuba Tanks - High Pressure Steel 100's
scuba steel &aluminum tanks the 72's here are nice little tanks and for $50 hard to argue

http://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/4779179465.html-great little tanks there

Thanks! With my current HP 80, the valve is really, really low.

 

[rhwestfall]

likely an ill-fitting BC.....

 

[Lopez116]

likely an ill-fitting BC.....

No, it's the same Zeagle Stilleto I've been diving tropical for years.

With this short HP and the double tank straps of my BC, I have to put the tank as low as possible so the top tank strap can actually sit flush on the tank. The top tank strap sits right at the point the tank starts to curve. If the strap was any higher on the top of the tank, it wouldn't work bc would be situated at the curved portion of the top of the tank.

 

[olphart]

No, it's the same Zeagle Stilleto I've been diving tropical for years.

With this short HP and the double tank straps of my BC, I have to put the tank as low as possible so the top tank strap can actually sit flush on the tank. The top tank strap sits right at the point the tank starts to curve. If the strap was any higher on the top of the tank, it wouldn't work bc would be situated at the curved portion of the top of the tank.

If I understand you, the opposite is true. If you want your tank to sit higher on your back, you need to set the band lower on the tank. The only difficulty might be with the bottom band hitting the boot, but I haven't had an issue with my HP80s that way. Of course some would say to remove the boot anyway

 

[Vegan Shark]

You can never have too much air. Personally, I would go with an HP130, or a 120 if you want a longer tank. A bit heavy on land, but once used to it they're not a big deal; I've seen petite women hauling double 130s.

 

[TSandM]

HP 100s are wonderful tanks. They are long enough to trim out well, hold enough gas for a long or deep dive, and they aren't beasts to move around on land. If you are big and strong, HP 130s will give you enough gas to get into a good deal of trouble . . .

 

[Lopez116]

If I understand you, the opposite is true. If you want your tank to sit higher on your back, you need to set the band lower on the tank. The only difficulty might be with the bottom band hitting the boot, but I haven't had an issue with my HP80s that way. Of course some would say to remove the boot anyway

Exactly. The bottom tank band is right up against the boot. I guess I could remove the boot to be able to slide the tank up higher. Any downside to this?