What stage cylinders are people using?

[frozenwarp]

hey guys just wondering what tanks people are using for stages, both brands, sizes and models please

and what do you like or dislike about them, bouyancy etc

cheers in advance,
Bradley

[wrecker130 A.K.A. BouzoukiJoe]

They're harder to come by these days but I use the Luxfer 40cf. Rides real nice.

[Scuba Pete]

This is a mostly non technical forum, for the most part. There are a few people who do on this forum maybe they will chime in. I am still in the early stages of technical diving. From what I have gathered, most divers prefer the luxfer for the stage. They ride better then the catalinas. I havent heard much about the Haymark but i think they are the same as luxfer. A stage bottle would be around 80cf tank. A deco tank or O2 tank depending on the dives are generally a 40cf tank. Din valves are regarded as standard procedure.

[CompuDude]

The most common stage cylinders, by FAR, are Luxfer Al.80. (the regular ones, not the funky neutral ones)

Luxfer Al.40s are the most common deco bottles (40cf is generally too small for a stage), when big enough, else Luxfer 80s there as well.

Catalina cylinders will work in a pinch, but do not ride as nicely... they're weighted subtly differently and just don't work quite as well.

Now that Luxfer cylinders are getting harder and harder to find (at reasonable prices), Hymark cylinders are started to get used. They have similar buoyancy characteristics to the Luxfers.

Ideal finish is brushed aluminum, IMO.

[comet24]

Catalinas 40 and Luxfer 80 both Al.

I've heard good things about Hymark 40's but haven't dived with one.

[Tassie Diver]

Luxfer 7.9L and Catalina 11.4L

[chicken]

I am using a Luxfer AL40 for pony and stage use right now. Just picked up a Luxfer AL80 for stage use during advanced nitrox and the AL40 will become my deco/pony bottle.

[Jack Hammer]

a Catalina 40 for deco
Catalina 40 for a small stage
a Luxfer 80 as a stage

I'm happy with the way the Catalina's ride, no complaints.
I used to use a Luxfer 30 and hated it, didn't like the way it rode.
I use my buddies Luxfer 40 sometimes and prefer the Catalina (it's what I'm used to). Personally I prefer the Catalina, but will probably pick up a Hymark for my next 40 (I can get a good price on it).

[navyhmc]

Luxfer 19
Luxfer 40
luxfer 80

[in_cavediver]

I use an 80 for stages (Luxfer or Catalina). I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between the two. Some may notice it but I don't.

For deco, I have a steel LP45 for O2. I went that route since 70%+ of my dives with it is in caves and I drop them. The LP route makes it easier to fill to useful levels of a O2 supply bottle without a booster. It is heavier in the water though than the traditional AL40.