sidemount newbie tank question

[jeffersonwsm]

I was just wondering about differance in tanks for sidemounting? I've been using PST 100's. I've read other people not liking this tanks and it seems alot of people using LP 85, 95, 104, and 108's. Is it just a personnal thing or what you get use to.

I had an extra set of 100's to break up. Is the another world I'm missing with the LP tanks? I had thought of purchasing LP85's. I would like to rent a set of 95's. Please shed some light for me.

Thanks
Jerome

[Diverlee]

PM sent

[Brian Kakuk]

Hey Jerome,
You may be able to find threads on this subject in the archives, but just a quick note on tanks: The LP 85's are a great choice for side mount. So are HP 100's (Genesis types) and both have nearly the same buoyancy aspects. The LP 85's will carry more gas than the 100's if overfilled (if you are into that).

Others use many of the other tanks that you have mentioned. If you are doing any kind of tank removals during the dive, then the 85's and the HP 100s are very easy to manipulate, and are very low profile. As with many aspects of cave diving, personal preference comes into play. I would suggest renting a set of each and trying them out prior to an actual purchase.

Take care and safe diving,
Brian Kakuk

[Webmaster]

Like Brian said, the 85's are much easier to manipulate. That's what I started off with, they're just easier to deal with and very comfortable in the water. That might be something to consider while you're still getting it all sorted out.

[Kelly Jessop]

Faber 120s are great sidemount tanks. Yes they are big and bulky,but in the water they are not heavy,and they trim very well;plus you get backgas and a stage in one package.

[jeffersonwsm]

Thanks for the info I feel comforable with the PST 100's but I think I'll try some rentals to see what the other styles feel like. Thanks once agian to all

Jerome

[SLIM]

Good idea, try all that you can. Remember that I and like many others have sevral that we use depending on the dive.

I use 95's most of the time but have some old 72's for small places and some 45's for the truly small stuff. In saltwater I just use 80's and put some weights on the tank bands.

Just try and see what all will work for you and help with your trim.

SLIM

[jdsffa]

All the tanks I have tried work well but I came into a pair of HP 120's so I made them side mount, They dive good as long as you dont want to go in really small spaces. I am also 6'6" though, so the longer tanks ride well on my sides.

[JDostal]

I'd say dive what you are comfortable with!

If you are sidemounting because you *have* to, smaller tanks are probably better as you can move them around easier.

I dive with PST 130's and have really liked them. They balance out pretty well and I can unclip them easily enough. I've been able to move them through pretty small stuff easily. Most of my diving is in stuff that I don't need to sidemount, I just like to do it because I think it's more comfortable and I like the safety of it so I really like the bigger tanks.

[BillGraham]

I've used 80's, lp 85's, lp 95's, hp 100's, 104's and lp 121's. All work fine but there are differences in trim that will require you to move the bands up or down a bit. I think it's a combination of personal preference and what type of dive you plan on doing.

[DeepSea]

I use 100s and 104s. My fiance just started side mounting 85s which has led me to now want another set of 85s. To me, they ride better than the 100s and do hold a wee bit more gas. Heiser 45s are pretty sexy too! Anyone have a couple they want to part with?

[jeffersonwsm]

Thanks for all the info. I've got a chance to get a few more dives in. I'm using the pst 100 they seem to ride nice and feel pretty good. I'm going to try to rent a set of lp 85. That's what I was going to doing in the begining was buy a pair of lp 85. Also still want to try 95's too. I figured for now I would work on the dives them selves and placement of the other gear. Once I get more of that figured out and more comfortable I play with tanks more.

But I have to say so far I LOVE to SIDEMOUNT!!! I did some dives at Devils system this past weekend and stayed in the first 700ft on the mainline. And I did not realize how much more there was just in that first section that a sidemounter, you can look at, through and in.

Thanks to everyone

Jerome

[Line Squirrel]

I use 100s and 104s. My fiance just started side mounting 85s which has led me to now want another set of 85s. To me, they ride better than the 100s and do hold a wee bit more gas. Heiser 45s are pretty sexy too! Anyone have a couple they want to part with?

You'll never get my 45's!!!

Awesome tanks for certain things, Jug Hole comes to mind for one. I use them almost as much as my LP85's.

[chimie007]

But I have to say so far I LOVE to SIDEMOUNT!!! I did some dives at Devils system this past weekend and stayed in the first 700ft on the mainline. And I did not realize how much more there was just in that first section that a sidemounter, you can look at, through and in.


Ditto on that. I had a blast playing around in the front part of the cave when I started SM earlier this fall. Take a bunch spools and go off the line. Amazing how many tunnels lead back to the main line.