If you always had your choice, aluminum or steel tanks? Why?

0 votes
asked Mar 22, 2018 in Scuba Diving by revgramza (1,095 points)

6 Answers

+1 vote
answered Apr 13, 2018 by Davidb (1,816 points)
There are a lot of variables with that. So here are the pros and cons.

1.  Steel tanks buoyancy fluctuates less than aluminum tanks. This provides an opportunity to reduce weight on your belt. That to me is a big bonus

2.  Although steel tanks typically have lower fill pressures, they can in many cases out perform the standard 80 cube aluminum’s. The HP 108+ is a favorite of mine. Even if you are an air hog, you will typical beat out anyone on your boat. Even if they have a 100 cube aluminum. Note the + as it means you can over fill the tank

3. Steel tanks are more negatively buoyant than aluminum... once again, less weight is needed

4. Steel tanks take a little more care and inspection as they rust.

5. Din valves commonly come on steel. This allows you flexibility if you purchase a yoke adapter. Din I’m my opinion is a better system for many reasons, but the most important is that you know the health of your o ring.

Hope this helps
0 votes
answered Mar 22, 2018 by frontbeast (2,220 points)
I like Steel. Beause of the weight.
0 votes
answered Mar 23, 2018 by George1224 (5,147 points)
I like Aluminum because of rust issues
0 votes
answered Apr 11, 2018 by hurfish (3,024 points)
First, I think it would be a geographic influenced decision -IE: warm water is mostly if not always aluminum due to the weight/ buoyancy ratio where cold water divers use steel tanks more often again the same ratio.  Aluminum tanks are used here too in cold water but less desired.  

Being a CA diver I prefer and use a HP 100 Steel and would never consider anything else now.  I have used aluminum before and noticed a big difference especially in the amount of weight subtracted. When diving in HI they only had aluminum and they were ok for that.

one word- preference!
0 votes
answered May 9, 2018 by Cvet (3,369 points)
For cave diving I like HP steel 120s.
0 votes
answered Jun 8, 2018 by Scubachuck (1,093 points)
I like steel 100’s, makes for a longer dive.
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