Next set of SM cylinders, what should I get?

[LMN]

I agree with your points, just an off topic comment

not unusual for my buddy on 85s to come out at 1200 and I'll still have 2K.

Maybe your buddy needs some bigger tanks, too, or turn the dives sooner. I don?t think I ever got that low on my main tanks, hope I?ll never have to.

[twaldo]

+100

But he?s not actually looking for sound logical well reasoned advice.

He?s just bored, and needs attention.


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Actually I thought you were bored and that was why you posted a photo and crawled all over me for something that wasn't even on topic... I mean it was enjoyable, the more you pick on me, the more I think I'm doing something right or that Marissa logged into your account

[twaldo]

I guess I'm also one of the minorities here who prefers my 108s to my 85s (Fabers) in most conditions -- I'm 6'1", ~165, and I find that the bigger tanks trim out better for me throughout the dive. I've tried PSTs/Worthingtons (not sure which -- galvanized tanks), both 85s and 104/108s and hated them -- heavy and hard to trim right (for me). I've now got 2 pairs of 104s and 1 pair of 85s, and the 85s stay in the shed most trips, but I hang on to them for shorter dives with snug spots (e.g. Jug). I've had no problem diving the bigger tanks, including smaller twisty passage like Rocky Horror or the Wormhole, and no issues with a stage or two. I definitely come out of the water with much more reserve left diving the big tanks -- not unusual for my buddy on 85s to come out at 1200 and I'll still have 2K. They are bulkier, so probably wouldn't work well for someone with a small frame. I did go through a number of tanks before settling on these, and there's a lot of tank-trading that goes on here, so if you try something that doesn't work, you can probably trade them out for something that does -- Faber 85s are always in high demand. Definitely want 2 sets of tanks so don't have to go for fills between dives.

Note, I'm a 'tourist' cave diver, not taking the sharp end of the line down silty little holes, but this

Thanks for staying on topic. So I guess I need to plan on renting a pair of 104's on my next trip... Not sure I want a taller cylinder like the 120's would be.

And yes, I am a tourist cave diver as well, however being a quarry diver I don't mind low vis as long as I'm not the one creating it.

-Tim

[Kelly Jessop]

I guess I'm also one of the minorities here who prefers my 108s to my 85s (Fabers) in most conditions

I agree with you. People are being trained in 85s because at entry level they are easier to use initially,but if your training is adequate, then you have the skill set to transition to bigger tanks. 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.

[rddvet]

I agree with you. People are being trained in 85s because at entry level they are easier to use initially,but if your training is adequate, then you have the skill set to transition to bigger tanks. 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.

Not to argue but because somebody stretched the gas on 85s isnt the fault of the tank?s size.


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[rddvet]

Thanks for staying on topic. So I guess I need to plan on renting a pair of 104's on my next trip... Not sure I want a taller cylinder like the 120's would be.

And yes, I am a tourist cave diver as well, however being a quarry diver I don't mind low vis as long as I'm not the one creating it.

-Tim

Or just get more 85s like most people recommend.


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[twaldo]

Or just get more 85s like most people recommend.


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why in the world would I want to do that? did you read the original post?

[Kelly Jessop]

Not to argue but because somebody stretched the gas on 85s isnt the fault of the tank?s size.


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I not commenting it is the tank's fault,but the paradigm that a lot of training is done in 85s, and then people will follow a natural progression with penetration distance in that configuration. 85s are a great entry level tank and there are some dives that they are an appropriate tank,but for the most part bigger gas quantity is found in 95s and up is a better choice in cave diving. So it begs the question, if people are given sidemount training in 85's,but not trying larger tanks in that course, is the training at this point insufficient. When is less gas a better thing?

[Kelly Jessop]

why in the world would I want to do that? did you read the original post?

Get some larger tanks and try them, and modify your rig to trim these tanks. If you have some trouble, then find a mentor/instructor to accomplish your goal. If you have a well balanced rig you can easily go from 85's to 120s, and everything in between without wholesale modification-heck I had a homemade jacket BC sidemount rig once that could trim anything, it isn't impossible,just takes time and experimenting.

[rddvet]

why in the world would I want to do that? did you read the original post?

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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