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jleech · (This post was last modified: 10-05-2004, 03:56 PM by jleech.)

Appolion · 10-04-2004, 04:23 PM,

How many tanks do most divers have? Seems like one won't be enough when I get my gear this spring.

jleech · 10-04-2004, 04:43 PM,

I'm a bit extreme. I've got 8. a pair of steel 108s set up as doubles, a pair of aluminum 100's, a pair of aluminum 80's and a pair of steel 50's (really old low pressure tanks) that I use as stage/deco bottles

I find a good number is two. People tend to make 2 dives a day or so, and usually don't want to go back for a fill in between.

Your mileage may vary...

LKunze · 10-04-2004, 04:57 PM,

Depends on how much you plan to dive. I had two tanks for my first couple years diving. I found that for frequent trips to Wazee, Crosby, Superior etc. that I needed another one. If I make trips like that where I'm going to drive a considerable distance I want to get in three dives in a day to make the trip worth it. To get in three dives with decent surface intervals you don't want to have to waste time going into town for fills which can take awhile, especially in the summer when the shops are busy. It's more costly in the long run to have to run into town to the shops for fills when doing the out of towners than it is just to buy the extra tank. It'll pay for itself pretty quickly. Three tanks has been a good number for me. I still have to go in for fills one time on camping trips where I'm diving both Saturday and Sunday but that's not so bad. One more tank would be perfect. Another thing to consider is getting a couple large steel tanks like Faber 108's or PST E8-119 or E8-130's. You can easily get two solid dives out of those tanks on one fill.

DiveCaptDean · 10-04-2004, 06:26 PM,

Also put some thought into whether or not you are diving nitrox....some locations dont have nitrox available..expecially remote ones.......i carry three hp 120, and am putting together a set of twins in the very near future. I would prefer to have another 120..two air..two nitrox...but am more interested in the twins.. first.....Of course, this does not include deco bottles and ponys...
GL

Mark Y · 10-05-2004, 09:06 AM,

My diving has changed greatly since I first dipped my toes into the water. From air, nitrox, trimix, argon, etc. has left me with waaaay to many cylinders:

2 - 80 c.f. aluminum (for air)
2 - 80 c.f. aluminum (for up to 40 EAN pre-blend)
2 - 80 c.f. aluminum (up to 100 EAN & trimix)
3 - 13 c.f. steel (argon)
1 - 13 c.f. steel (air, for calibrating 02 anaylizer)
1 - 40 c.f. aluminum (up to 100 EAN & trimix)
1 - 30 c.f. aluminum (up to 100 EAN & trimix)
6 - 20 c.f. steel (Inspiration rebreather, up to 100 EAN & trimix)

I know, it is a bit extreme, but several of the bottles are now set up for staging.

Like I said, went from air, nitrox, rebreathers. My friends & family use my 'spare' tanks, regulators, dive computers, BCs.

And now, for my regulator and dive computer collection . . . ;D

Realistically, you have to ask yourself how often do you plan on diving & where. I've always liked having 4 cylinders, thus two dives over two days, perfect for Crosby, Wazee, etc. I really don't like going to 'unknown' dive shops, I don't know how clean their system is, etc.

Appolion · 10-05-2004, 08:26 PM,

Wow, thats a lot of tanks. How much does a tank usually cost? I'm talking about for a new diver. Also, can I rent a tank for a day? Is that a good idea?

jleech: Sorry I hijacked your thread. Thanks for the replies guys.

LKunze · 10-05-2004, 08:40 PM,

Aluminum 80's are in the neighborhood of $150. Steels are roughly double the price so in the $300 range. As far as renting tanks goes...is it a good idea? Only if you aren't going to dive much. It won't take long for daily tank rentals to add up to the cost of just buying a tank. If you plan to dive a lot buy your own tanks.