Steel v. Aluminum

[DDGator]

I have done all my diving (not much) with AL80s.
<DIV></DIV>Can someone tell me (or point me to a link) that describes all the pros and cons of steel v. aluminum tanks?
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Thanks in advance.</DIV>

[DDGator]

Thanks -- just what I was looking for... and quick too!

[AB Diver]

Own two steel 120's and four steel 100's (two set for Nitrox).
<DIV></DIV>Feel this is the only way to go.

[jpsexton]

I know this is not very popular with some more experienced divers but I actually prefer the AL80. I have a decent SAC rate and after an hour dive I'm always back on the boat with 1000 psi or so. They are plentiful and cheap. And whether I'm on a charter in some far away land or in the quarry in my back yard I'm always diving the same configuration. It's a personal decision, ask yourself what you need from a tank and then decide.

[frankc420]

Originally Posted by ReefHound

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/library/tanks.shtml

Who needs Scubaboard when we have you! [img]smileys/smiley17.gif[/img]

[medic001918]

Looks like someone already pointed out a link for you. But the answer to what's best for you depends on your diving. Do you dive in cold water with a thick wetsuit? A drysuit? Then you might want the added weight that a steel tank offers. Plus, generally you can get more air in a smaller configuration.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>The Mrs. and I only dive steel tanks unless we're traveling somewhere. Then we rent, and I'll rent steel if possible since it's what I'm used to.</DIV>
<DIV>
Shane</DIV>

[wxboy911]

So far all of my diving has been with AL 80's-I like the idea of the larger carrying capacity of steel tanks but if my buddy stays with the Al 80 I guess I will have to come up when they do.

[cummings66]

Yes, but if you're like me with a similar SCR then you might be able to get 2 dives out of one tank to their one. So 2 tanks will get me 4 dives, that's also including rock bottom calc's by the way.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Yes, my buddy sucks air like you can't believe, still works for me though.</DIV>

[frankc420]

Originally Posted by cummings66

Yes, but if you're like me with a similar SCR then you might be able to get 2 dives out of one tank to their one. So 2 tanks will get me 4 dives, that's also including rock bottom calc's by the way.
<div></div>
<div>Yes, my buddy sucks air like you can't believe, still works for me though.</div>

This is the exact reason I went with a steel HP130. After diving the Oriskany and seeing the divemaster doing all his dives with 1 HP120, I knew any new tank I got would be a big steel. I haven't been able to test my theory yet because I live so far away from the water, but one day!

[RECDiver]

What I like about my PST HP steel 80s is they are small and neither my wife nor I need a any weight for diving fresh water. I use my HP steel 100s for diving in the winter to offset some of the weight with the drysuit.
<DIV></DIV>The only problem I have had is when I VIPed my four steels this summer, three of them had some rust in them, so I had to brush them out. I am not sure how that happened, but I may VIP them again in 6 months to make sure the rust has not returned.