| Whether you are a recreational diver, a seasoned | | | | Scuba tanks are made of typically two materials, |
| professional or even learning to dive picking the right | | | | either steel or aluminum. Aluminum tanks are generally |
| scuba diving tank is important to you. Without the | | | | mostly used as they are cheaper, but there |
| evolution of the the scuba tank the advances in | | | | disadvantage is they are made up of a softer metal |
| scuba diving would have been very limited. | | | | than steel tanks and for that reason they are more |
| Recreational diving would not be like it is today and | | | | likely to damage due to rough or careless handling. |
| for commercial divers working on oil rigs etc would | | | | Generally the aluminum tanks have a life of around 15 |
| not be possible. Exploration of the deep and even | | | | years compared to steel tanks that will last for |
| rescue would not be so straight forward without all | | | | double that life for up to 30 years. If you buying a |
| the advancements of scuba diving gear. | | | | new tank then that is not a issue. |
| Breathing underwater is made possible with the use | | | | Be Safe |
| of scuba diving tanks. While all scuba diving tanks do | | | | Periodically you must send your scuba cylinder for a |
| the same job they come in various sizes, shapes, | | | | hydro static test to ensure that the tank will not |
| colors, materials and pressure ratings. | | | | explode or leak when filled or after. So do not ignore |
| Scuba diving tanks are called by several names such | | | | these tests as they are very important for your own |
| as scuba bottles or cylinders, no matter what you call | | | | safety. |
| them they are the same. They can be short or long, | | | | Another area to look at is securing your tank when |
| fat or thin and can hold different mixes of either air ( | | | | on the boat or land as you do not want it to fall and |
| for recreational generally), nitrox or even a tri-mix | | | | explode, even though this is a rare occurrence it is |
| which is a combination of gases. Volume of gas or air | | | | best to be on the safe side. |
| hold ranges from 50 to 150 cubic feet inside the tank. | | | | Scuba diving is a wonderful and enjoyable sport or |
| Different gases and sizes of tank will depend on | | | | hobby, but your equipments must be in working |
| what type of diving you are doing, so ensure you | | | | order to avoid any accidents. Ask your instructor |
| select the right one for your next dive. | | | | about tanks and select the best tank or your needs. |
| Tank Material | | | | |