Scuba tanks make up a fundamental part of any scuba diver’s kit. Although they don't contain air, they have a lot of gas. This is usually more than what they can hold. The size of a tank will depend on what type and type of diving it is. Here are the main types of Scuba Tanks and their sizes.
scuba tanks contain no air
The standard aluminum 80 can holds 77 feet3 air. Trimix, a type of dive gas, has a ten to twenty-percent lower capacity than air. Similarly, a higher maximum service pressure doesn't necessarily mean more air. However, manufacturers are known to overstate the capacity of their tanks. Hence, you should compare the capacity of each cylinder against the actual volume of air in it.
They have more gas than water and contain more free gas.
Technical divers use a different mix of gases than recreational divers. As such, their true air or Trimix capacities are lower than their actual waters capacities. Helium, which is more compressible and less elastic than air, means that their true air or Trimix capacities will be smaller than their water capabilities. Heliair 10/50, on the other hand, has a true volume of 216 ft3 and Double HP117 cylinders a volume of 235ft3. The Z Factors for SCUBA Tables can be used to determine the correct mixed-gas capacity.
They are made from aluminum or steel
It is important to decide which scuba tank is better for divers. Steel tanks can withstand deeper dives and are more durable. This durability comes at a price. Aluminum tanks can easily develop structural fractures which can lead to serious injury. A steel tank is more expensive than an aluminum tank. Aluminum tanks, however, are now the industry standard.
They are available at different sizes
Scuba tanks are made of two materials: steel and aluminum. Steel tanks are lighter and last longer, but heavier. An aluminum tank is better if you are planning to do a lot more diving and bring a weight belt. You should know that aluminum tanks can be heavier than steel tanks and are therefore lighter than steel tanks. Steel tanks work well for drysuit and local diving.
They need to be inspected on a regular basis
There are many options for checking your scuba diving tank. Hydrostatic testing is often done beneath the neck of a tank. A visual inspection can also help you find corrosion or contamination. Tumbling is another method to inspect the tank's condition. Tumbling involves filling the tank in with media and spinning the tank for a specified period to remove dirt and contaminants. It is possible that the tank is rattling or needs to be cleaned.