Neutrally Buoyant Tanks?

[Diver Kat]

Thinking of picking up a couple more tanks - we have 1 each right now. Is it really a big difference to go with the neutrally buoyant tanks vs. the regular ALs?

[Sansho]

Recommendations I've read suggest the neutrally buoyant tanks are a waste of money, and stick with a normal AL or steel tank.

[Mtrewyn]

Good Question, I want to know too

[navyhmc]

AL80: empty weight: 31.4" bouancy full: -1.4 lbs empty: +4.4 lbs Length: 26.1" cost: $149.95 at Scuba Toys

AL80N: Empty weight: 35.4" bouyancy full: -5.8 lbs empty: +0.1 lbs Length: 25.8" cost: $175.95 at Scuba Toys

the question is is it worth $26 for 4 lbs less weight? If the answer is yes, go for the neutral.

[mchain]

Originally Posted by Sansho

Recommendations I've read suggest the neutrally buoyant tanks are a waste of money, and stick with a normal AL or steel tank.

Just out of curiosity, what reasons were you given that suggest the neutrally buoyant tanks are a waste of money?

Seems like a good idea to me but I've never used one.

[crgjpg]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

the question is is it worth $26 for 4 lbs less weight? If the answer is yes, go for the neutral.

Economically, it is not a good deal. You could get 4 lbs of weight much cheaper. The benefit would be that the weight is distributed evenly along your back and not around your waist on a belt or in a pocket.

[Splitlip]

further, the neutral tanks must be filled to 3300psi to get their 77.4 cf. Could be an issue with some compressors. Additionaly, the fill guy is likely to only pump it to 3000 unless you mark it in big numbers.

Steel 80's (true 80 at 3442) can be had for $200.00 with better characteristics. They weigh about 6# less, yet are 3 # more negative. That is 9# you are not lugging around. That is worth $25 per tank to me.

[ScaredSilly]

The last two post hit the nail on the head. A neutral 80 just weighs more - you would be better off buying a 4 lbs weight and a pocket for it for less money.

If buying a steel which have better buoyancy characteristics I would op for a HP 100 which about the same size an AL 80. That way when you can fill it to 3442psi ya got a full 100 otherwise if short you still have than an AL 80.

[Splitlip]

The Worthington X7-100 is a beautiful thing. Actually a few inches shorter than an Al 80 and only weighs about a pound or so more, but you can shed 6# from your belt. They are slightly negative with 500psi. A 3000 psi fill in one of the 100's will give you 87 cf.

I mentioned the steel 80's because I see the Fabers for $200.00 compared to $175.00 for the nuetral Al 80's (77.4 CF). So if cost is a consideration...
They make a big jump in price going from 80cf to 100.

[Panmanmatt]

I was thinking of getting these for my AL80s. Gives you the same weight of a neutral tank without having to put it on your weight belt.

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