What Scuba Tank is Right for You !!! Big, Little or In-between ?? Use Nitrox

This is a frank look at what scuba tank is right for you to use. Why use Nitrox for your type of scuba diving. Compare air use to your dive buddy.
Picking the right scuba tank to fit your needs.
www.divers-sup...

[@Biodoc100]

One added benefit that I personally have noted using nitrox is that after a day of diving, I am noticeably less tired than after diving on air.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Lot's of folks say this ! Bob C

[@richardpleau4456]

Bob is always both interesting and helpful. Rusty..,

[@donnaber4918]

100% Nitrox should be part of the OW course.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Can't agree more ! Regards Bob C

[@Harii4B]

no such thing as 100% nitrox, 100% mean pure O2

[@BackwardsMarathonPSU]

@@Harii4Bhopefully you’re being sarcastic. He obviously didn’t mean 100% O2. He meant “100%” as in “I fully believe nitrox should be taught in OW training.”

[@Harii4B]

100% noted 🙂

[@ScottUrbach]

Thanks Bob. I’m actively researching tanks. At the moment leaning towards steel 100’s.

[@NickB924]

HP steel 100s are probably one of the most versatile cylinders out there as long as your LDC can fill to 3442psi. Added benefit of shedding a few pounds of lead. Don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Scott, In "most" situations the steel 100 "tends" to be the best choice. Again using "about" numbers. Regards Bob C

[@rayc250]

I love using my “Big Bertha” STL149 for Catalina Island CA! Dive without worrying too much about my air, just come up when dive buddy is ready to surface. We dive 40-50 min cold water

[@DiversSupplyYT]

LOL too funny and yes sir that 149 is a BIG BERTHA.. we use three of them as bank tanks for the service area.... Thanks for your note ! Bob C

[@stuckcamping]

Great video for partners looking to end their dive with similar air!

[@sofloemir]

Now what do I do if my partner upgrades her tank and she’s got more time then me once again? 😂

[@stuckcamping]

@@sofloemir more tanks :)

[@DiversSupplyYT]

thanks much ! Bob C

[@sofloemir]

Thank you so much for the video! Well explained. I also agree with nitrox. It should just be added to to the OW course.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Many shops offer the Nitrox course as a bit of a loss leader with the OW and Adv/Adv courses. Bob C

[@jamesmelly5110]

Thank you for breaking these tanks sizes down. We dive alum 80s. Sometimes i think she has gills. LOL... I come up with 400 she still has 1000. If i go with a steel 100, im guessing i will shead a little lead as well? I dive a Hollis bpw with 6lbs of lead in fresh water with a 3 mil shorty. Thanks Bob for making these videos

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey James ! Yes sir it's hard to compete with those ladies with gills ! Yes sir, she'll still be more than you, but at least you'll both get more dive for your money invested being on the dive. Are you using a steel BP with the 6lbs ? If so you'll likely still need a couple pounds to stay at your safety stop. Regards Bob C

[@jamesmelly5110]

@@DiversSupplyYT my BP is stainless steel. It is a little heavy, but with my weight pockets back by my hips I am able to trim out better than my jacket style bc. Seems to be less drag as well. Thanks for your input and the content you share.

[@EnergiZeScuba]

i like "bar" & "litres"... cubic foot and psi.. that numbers are crazy^^

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Lots of folks love BARs... and meters too. Thanks Energi Z Bob C

[@philippelapointe8240]

Out of the US we use Bar and meters it's the metric system ​@@DiversSupplyYT

[@spiderman0863]

I like the pink one.😅

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Pink sells pretty well too Regards Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

Hi Bob. I decided to order a Catalina AL80 for my AOW Class next Spring. Just placed the order tonight on the website. My Only wish was Better Communication. Not this order. Previous Orders I received a generic email about the item being B/O. Then I have to call to get an Est Arrival.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey Chris, I'll say up front sorry for that, I know the folks in HQ do work hard for our customers. We take none of you for granted and appreciate your business. Thank you for the tank order and best to you as we go into 2024. If I could, where are you taking your Spring course ? regards Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@DiversSupplyYT Lake Hydra next Spring. I live in NJ. Out of Season at the moment.

[@MysticalDragon73]

So should i go with a steel or aluminum tank? Thats the biggest question i have atm. Also din or yoke? Im 6'2 275lbs 51 years old. on my ow cert dive i ran 30 ish minutes on an 80. Others had 500+ psi more. I certainly dont want to be the one calling a dive dye to air remaining. Guys in a dive club are suggesting i move up to a 117. Id not thought about it but makes sense since im an air hog atm. Thanks for mentioning the benefits of nitrox, especially for an older diver. Many have said the extra costs of nitrox isn't worth it whereas others say it is so its a little confusing. I'll mostly be diving our local quarry around the 40 foot depth. I may occasionally go to 60 ish but that would be rare. So hearing the benefits of nitrox seems like its worth the extra few dollars.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Yes sir Dragon, Go Steel with at least a 100, maybe a 117. How much lead do you dive with ?

[@MysticalDragon73]

@DiversSupplyYT during my ow pool sessions I believe i was using 12 lbs then did my drysuit qualification during my ow cert and think i was using 16-20lbs. Sadly I've not dove since work got busy. Im hoping to get some pool time this winter. Part of that will be weighting

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@MysticalDragon73 Yes sir Mr Dragon, the jump to Dry Suit can make owning more lead a requirement. Steel tanks will help too. Bob C

[@melikesleepy]

Hey Bob, mind talking about the various steel tank finishes like Hot Dipped Galvanized (HDG), zinc coated, or are there any others? I've heard that the HDG is the best, but want to hear it from an authority. Also, I'm planning a steel tank/steel backplate setup that would allow me not to use any lead at all. Is there a danger in going this route since I wouldn't have any weight to drop in an emergency? Thanks!

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Great suggestion Me, in the mean time HDG is the way to go especially if ocean diving. Regards Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

Hello Bob. I Passed my PADI OW Class over the weekend!!!! I was using the AL80 tank. I noticed some people wear their Tanks Low. I found it's Better for me to position it on the High side. Not high enough to hit my head. The Shop Owner asked me about going AOW. Is that unheard of for a New Diver who Passed the Class the night before?

[@WMCLComputers]

No is not unheard, some instructors are just looking to squeeze more money out of you, while you are exited about diving because people that lives in cold places have a good chance to drop the sport completely once the cold season starts or they just may have seen you are an above average diver and wants you to keep going anyway it’s a good idea to take some time enjoy your OW get 20 or 25 more dives in different environment under your belt and the go for you AOW you will be way better diver by the end of your AOW because you will have about 75 dives under your belt by the end of your AOW vs someone with only about 25 or 28 dives, the you can add your Nitrox right after your AOW and you will have a better understanding of the gases effects on your body you will be a better rounded diver that the average Joe

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Tank positioning is all about the diver (physical size), the diver's trim position while swimming u/w and ultimately how/what the diver feels is comfortable. Some instructors don't teach tank positioning and divers just endure what they get accustom too. Not to sound simplistic but, shops/instructors are in business to make money and offering follow on courses is smart business. I know that some agencies believe a diver that has a min. of 9 specific dives, they call an Advanced Diver. OK, I'll choose not to argue that. I do know that adding the Nitrox course, for most any diver, is a smart move. Getting more dives under instruction is a smart move, scuba diving is not bowling. Just remember there's only one butt connected to the tank you're wearing, don't let anyone talk you into doing something or going somewhere you're not trained or comfortable going. Bob C

[@chrisphilhower6029]

@@DiversSupplyYT Thank you Bob. My Instructor used a 3 Finger guide. Valve to the BCD. I find it fit me better to wear the Tank a little on the high side. Not high enough to hit my head. My shop is PADI. 9 Total would be correct. I am Considering going AOW. They were Amazed at how Comfortable I am down there. I'm more Comfortable down there than on dry land. We went 40 ft down. And I was the only 1 of the group(3 Students, 2 Instructors) that didn't need to Equalize. I feel like the "Odd Ball" watching everyone else.

[@mrDmastr19]

Why did they stop making the steel 65? That was the best beach diving tank

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey MrD, Pretty much same reason they stopped making the 71 steel.... all about sales. The Steel 100 is pretty much king of sales for steel.

[@JacquesTreehorn]

Get a steel 130 if you use more air than your buddy. I get an hour at 50' to 60'. Don't use any lead either. Why buy lead when you can buy more air?

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hello Jacques, I kinda agree that getting a bigger tank than your dive buddy if you use more air works BUT, you want to be careful not to go to extremes on tank size. Now if you get something too big, say 133 vs 117, and now you're getting back on the boat with plenty of air and your buddy is at say 500, that may flip the situation... But it's an excellent suggestion, just with certain caveats based on the specific divers. Regards Bob C

[@JacquesTreehorn]

I have a faber 117 & 130. Not too big for me. They don't fit in typical dive boat slots made for 80s is the only problem I have run into. I used to smoke, still vape. I run out faster than anyone I dive with, so it is what I do. Looking for a job where I can dive. Hopefully Kwaj again. Maybe Mauritius.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@JacquesTreehorn Yes, the dia of these beefy tanks canbe an issue on some dive boats. Personally I like the 117, the 133 is a bit much.. for me. Thanks for taking time to comment. Bob C

[@danielvanderblij8007]

Would be very nice if you looked into the camera instead of someone who is behind/beside it… and ofc, add the metric conversion like the rest of the world use.

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hi Daniel, Thanks for the note. I appreciate you taking time to view and critique my video(s). Fyi, As a norm I don't use another person to produce my videos. I do use a monitor mounted next to my camera, so it can appear as if I sometimes look away from the camera. If I used a Teleprompter, that would not happen but I don't use a script to read from... and if I did it would be easier to recite IMP & Metric measurements. Regards, Bob C

[@SeattleRingHunter]

Climb out with a twin set of steel 100 up a dive ladder 🤣

[@DiversSupplyYT]

Hey SRH, Yea that's a ton of fun. If I need a lot of air these days I'll go 133... Our local boat here has an Elevator Sweet ! Thanks for the comment. Bob C

[@ahmedsamy8406]

I use the 133 it lasts me 35 mins 😂 I am 185 cm & 138 KG 😂😂😂

[@DiversSupplyYT]

At what depth ?

[@ahmedsamy8406]

@@DiversSupplyYT 20 meters , I am really obese I hope if I lose a significant weight I could be more efficient with air consumption

[@DiversSupplyYT]

@@ahmedsamy8406 Thanks for the reply and that answers my question. Regards Bob C