Next set of SM cylinders, what should I get?

Tank CF @ 3600 Empty Weight Empty Buoyancy Dubs Weight Full Dubs Buoy Full Dubs Buoy Empty Dubs Mins @ 66ft
LP120 156.6 44.9 4.1 115 -17 8 139
HP133 139.6 42.4 1.5 108 -20 3 124
LP108 140.1 41.0 3.0 105 -17 6 125
HP120 125.6 39.2 0.7 99 -19 1 112
HP117 123.2 37.6 0.2 95 -20 0 110
LP95 123.7 37.2 1.7 95 -17 3 110
HP100 106.0 34.0 -0.6 85 -18 -1 94
LP85 107.2 31.2 2.3 80 -13 5 95
HP80 83.8 28.3 -1.7 70 -17 -3 74
LP72 71.0 26.0 0.0 64 -12 0 63
LP50 65.9 18.9 1.2 49 -8 2 59
LP27 33.0 11.7 -1.1 29 -8 -2 29

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Originally Posted by Scoober

Tank CF @ 3600 Empty Weight Empty Buoyancy Dubs Weight Full Dubs Buoy Full Dubs Buoy Empty Dubs Mins @ 66ft

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Very useful information, Thank you.

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Originally Posted by rddvet

You asked what tanks you should get as a second set. 90% of people said 85s. So yes I read.
I?m starting to see where Drakers coming from.
Seems like you ask for advice but dont want to take the advice. If you just want larger tanks then you should have specifically said that. You asked what next set of tanks. The peanut gallery answered you. Do with it what you want.

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I was about to fall for the "just stick with 85's" and then Kelly made a couple of posts that were very relevant. Although I value any feedback, it is hard to ignore a well defined response. Although I would never push 3'rds, I would like to extend my dives a bit further, especially in Ginnie or LR.

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Originally Posted by twaldo

I was about to fall for the "just stick with 85's" and then Kelly made a couple of posts that were very relevant. Although I value any feedback, it is hard to ignore a well defined response. Although I would never push 3'rds, I would like to extend my dives a bit further, especially in Ginnie or LR.

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You might be amazed at how much you can ?extend? a dive through improved technique, proper trim, and a streamlined configuration.
I?d focus more on improving your skills, gaining experience, and learning how to better read the first 1000? of cave before I?d worry about trying to manage larger cylinders and hoping to go farther.

Either way, good luck.


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Originally Posted by twaldo

I was about to fall for the "just stick with 85's" and then Kelly made a couple of posts that were very relevant. Although I value any feedback, it is hard to ignore a well defined response. Although I would never push 3'rds, I would like to extend my dives a bit further, especially in Ginnie or LR.

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Good luck then. What I read is ?I got an answer I wanted to I?m going with that?

I agree with Draker. That $450 for a set of tanks may be better suited going towards teaining to be a better diver than a new set of tanks.


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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

... FWIW, 85s are a marginal tank at best for cave diving. They don't have adequate gas for bigger dives, and these tanks were implicated in a cave diving accident because they were carried beyond "safe" distance. 95s/108s are great tanks for longer dives, and even 120's have awesome buoyancy characteristics.

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Waldo is a intro to cave diver that 'would never push 3rds' (whatever that means).
If he's already having issues with his 85s... and moving up to increase his intro range might not be the best plan IMHO.

BTW: On 6ths the range in not gonna increase much on 95s or 108s.

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Originally Posted by bent

Waldo is a intro to cave diver that 'would never push 3rds' (whatever that means).
If he's already having issues with his 85s... and moving up to increase his intro range might not be the best plan IMHO.

BTW: On 6ths the range in not gonna increase much on 95s or 108s.

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Part of his plan is having larger tanks for non-cave diving, I think a quarry,but it makes perfect sense to work on trim related to using these tanks while in a non-cave environment, then transition to cave. What is one rationale for doubles versus single tank intro to cave. you got more gas to address issues. 95/108s provide that level of gas needed- lets take the training wheels off that bike and learn how to ride.

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Originally Posted by bent

Waldo is a intro to cave diver that 'would never push 3rds' (whatever that means).
If he's already having issues with his 85s... and moving up to increase his intro range might not be the best plan IMHO.

BTW: On 6ths the range in not gonna increase much on 95s or 108s.

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Sorry, my agency doesn't recognize "intro" I can dive 3rds, make nav decisions among other things... don't judge based on Draker's opinion of me :P

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Originally Posted by Kelly Jessop

Part of his plan is having larger tanks for non-cave diving, I think a quarry,but it makes perfect sense to work on trim related to using these tanks while in a non-cave environment, then transition to cave. What is one rationale for doubles versus single tank intro to cave. you got more gas to address issues. 95/108s provide that level of gas needed- lets take the training wheels off that bike and learn how to ride.

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:) yes open water is a part of it but do want to extend my time, not so much my range, in cave (ok in ginnie my range). I am finally getting around to doing adv nitrox/deco or equivalent training so I can hopefully finish full cave SOON... My books came in yesterday, now I just gotta get them from the shop in Nashville.

Draker can talk all he wants about "learning" the cave... but I'm pretty sure he has been in Ginnie more in the last week than I have been in the last 5 years.... its not like I live in N Florida anymore. A bit more breathing gas would do wonders there and LR.

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Originally Posted by Draker

You might be amazed at how much you can ?extend? a dive through improved technique, proper trim, and a streamlined configuration.
I?d focus more on improving your skills, gaining experience, and learning how to better read the first 1000? of cave before I?d worry about trying to manage larger cylinders and hoping to go farther.

Either way, good luck.


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Totally agree. Been cave diving in North Florida now for 22 years. My primary sidemount cylinders are 85s. Now, when a dive plan dictates it, I will use PST 120s or Faber LP 108s. My personal preference is 7 1/4 inch diameter cylinders. For me, more streamlined than 8 inchers

As a very wise cave instructor once said. Nobody has ever died in a cave because he carried too much air.


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