Tank stickers ?

[trekkindave]

Crimediver answered the question before I could. I own two identical tanks. I usually bring both out with me when shore diving and frequently only use one. When i return home its nice to know which tank i used and be able to distinguish between them.

[No Misses]

I numbered my tanks with a sharpie. I like to make sure that they get rotated in use. You know how it is with siblings; "you love her more, you never take me anywhere" Wha Wha Wha! Of course, all of the AL80's are crying because the triplets (HP120) get to go diving every weekend.

[JahJahwarrior]

Sharpie near the neck is how I distinguish....of course now with doubles, it's not too difficult...my other bottles are all unique enough (i never rig a bottle the same twice...) that I can tell them apart easily enough.

[CompuDude]

I agree, sharpie or paint pen, rather than stickers. Slightly different design on each and you can tell otherwise identical tanks apart. Good for determining ownership, too.

Generally my tanks have Nitrox analysis labels on them, so it's easy to tell them apart from the different numbers/writing/type of label.

[cummings66]

Originally Posted by trekkindave

Crimediver answered the question before I could. I own two identical tanks. I usually bring both out with me when shore diving and frequently only use one. When i return home its nice to know which tank i used and be able to distinguish between them.

That's why the procedure of a capped cylinder is full, uncapped is empty. Sorry, I don't get the reasoning when the solution is a standard anyhow. When you go to a dive shop you pickup a bottle that's capped instead of uncapped, you do the same thing when you own your own.

[trekkindave]

looks like we will just agree to disagree then.. I like the stickers on my tanks... Some people wont..

[cummings66]

If you do the labels in addition to the normal method of capping/uncapping the valves then I don't really care much. I think the risk of corrosion is there, if you dive the ocean then I think it's likely but in fresh water the risk is very small and I wouldn't bat an eye.

You don't realize how little corrosion is needed to condemn a cylinder, it's very very little. It does happen to some people, but IMO it's mostly a salt water concern.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by cummings66

If you do the labels in addition to the normal method of capping/uncapping the valves then I don't really care much. I think the risk of corrosion is there, if you dive the ocean then I think it's likely but in fresh water the risk is very small and I wouldn't bat an eye.

You don't realize how little corrosion is needed to condemn a cylinder, it's very very little. It does happen to some people, but IMO it's mostly a salt water concern.

Honestly though, we already put the VIP sticker on so as long as new ones get put on each year with VIP, there shouldn't be a problem. If there was, we shouldn't use VIP stickers either.

[PaulThomas]

Originally Posted by in_cavediver

Honestly though, we already put the VIP sticker on so as long as new ones get put on each year with VIP, there shouldn't be a problem. If there was, we shouldn't use VIP stickers either.

It's not because it's a common practice in the industry that it is wise to have stickers on a tank. I'd prefer to see a system in which we'd use cards that match the serial #, but it's too easy to forget a card and would cause problems.

I've personally witnessed corrosion, in less than a year, on aluminum that *shouldn't* corrode (it has a alclad layer to protect the aluminum from air/humidity). In the aviation community, which is what I've researched, we've clearly documented corrosion due to the protective plastic. The corrosion is typically concentrated around the edges of the plastic or under air bubbles.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by PaulThomas

It's not because it's a common practice in the industry that it is wise to have stickers on a tank. I'd prefer to see a system in which we'd use cards that match the serial #, but it's too easy to forget a card and would cause problems.

I've personally witnessed corrosion, in less than a year, on aluminum that *shouldn't* corrode (it has a alclad layer to protect the aluminum from air/humidity). In the aviation community, which is what I've researched, we've clearly documented corrosion due to the protective plastic. The corrosion is typically concentrated around the edges of the plastic or under air bubbles.

I won't dispute what you've said but in dive tanks, if that was truly an issue, we'd be condemning thousands of tanks a year. Simply put - we don't see this. We have tanks with VIP stickers, Nitrox Bumper stickers, contents labels and simple cosmetic stickers with this volume - we'd see it if was an issue.

I've had stickers on my AL 80 doubles and shamefully have to admit to giving them very little post dive care - even from salt water. They were fine when I dropped them off for there first hydro. No corrosion or other damage. (I did get a small green spot on the valve though - I guess I deserved it for letting them sit a month or two with only a light rinse).

My steels though - I am meticullous about ensuring they get immersion baths in fresh spring water. Perferrably for a couple hours at a time and at great depths. No problems on them either.

Agian, my recommendation is to clean off ALL the stickers with each VIP and limit the number you put on. (its just more work to remove them)