The 6 Best Scuba Tanks, diving cylinder In 2023

The 6 Best Scuba Tanks, diving cylinder In 2023

The scuba tank or diving cylinder is a central piece of equipment for every diver. The tanks hold breathable air under immense pressure, allowing us to breathe underwater. It puts the scuba in scuba diving.

A diving cylinder, scuba tank, or diving tank is a gas cylinder used to store and transport the high-pressure breathing gas required by a scuba set. It may also be used for surface-supplied diving, decompression gas, or emergency gas supply for surface-supplied diving or scuba diving. Cylinders provide gas to the diver through the demand valve of a diving regulator or the breathing loop of a diving rebreather.

Diving cylinders are usually manufactured from aluminum or steel alloys and are typically fitted with one of two common types of cylinder valves for filling and connection to the regulator. Other accessories, such as manifolds, cylinder bands, protective nets, boots, and carrying handles, may be provided. Depending on the application, various harness configurations may be used to hold the cylinder or cylinders while diving. Cylinders used for scuba typically have an internal volume (known as water capacity) of between 3 and 18 liters (0.11 and 0.64 cu ft) and a maximum working pressure rating from 184 to 300 bars (2,670 to 4,350 psi). Cylinders are also available in smaller sizes, such as 0.5, 1.5, and 2 liters. However, these are often used for inflation of surface marker buoys, drysuits, and buoyancy compensators rather than breathing. Scuba divers may dive with a single cylinder, a pair of similar cylinders, a central cylinder, and a more miniature “pony” cylinder carried on the diver’s back or clipped onto the harness at the sides. Paired cylinders may be manifolded together or independent. In some cases, more than two cylinders are needed.

1. Sherwood C100
When Jacques Cousteau invented scuba in 1942, Sherwood was already a thriving business, producing compressed gas equipment. In the 50s, they evolved into the scuba diving brand they are today, making them one of the oldest diving companies globally.

Specs & Features
Size: 100cu / 13L
Weight: 46.2 lbs / 21kg
Buoyancy at 500psi: -1lbs
Buoyancy at 500psi: -1lbs
Height: 30.3 inches / 76.9cm (including valve)

2. Catalina S80
Catalina is one of the top suppliers of scuba tanks, producing them for over 30 years! Catalina Cylinders also manufacture fire extinguishers, medical cylinders, etc., so they are experts in their field.
Their S80 aluminum textbook tank is instantly recognizable within the diving community. All their cylinders go through a series of tests and are inspected on-site.

Specs & Features
Size: 678 cu/11.1L
Weight: 31.3 lbs/ 14.2 kg
Buoyancy when full: -1.6lbs
Buoyancy when empty: 4.1
Height: 25.9 inches/ 65.8cm

3. Catalina Pony
You can bring it on the dive, piggybacking on your main tank, and perhaps hanging below the boat to use at the safety stop in an emergency.
It can be used as a stage tank to carry Nitrox mixes, helping to accelerate decompression times.

Specs & Features
Size: 40cu / 5.8L
Weight: 16.2lbs/7.3kg
Buoyancy when full: -1.5lbs
Buoyancy when empty: 1.4
Height: 25.4 inches/64.5cm

4. Faber HP 100

For many, Faber is their go-to brand for scuba cylinders. Their esteemed reputation is because all their tanks are made from high-grade steel. The steel in their tanks is the lightest on the market and made with such precision the weight is uniformly distributed.
The HP100 is one of their most popular products, great for all diving styles.

Specs & Features
Size: 12.9L
Weight: 34.0 lbs / 15.6 kg
Buoyancy when full: -8.41lbs / 3.8kg
Buoyancy when empty: -0.59lbs / -0.27kg
Height: 25.3″ / 64.5 cm

5. Faber HP 80

This tank is well sought-after since it is slightly shorter but still holds the same amount of air as a regular aluminum tank, e.g., Catalina S80. It is the perfect fit for the petite, who are lucky to have low air consumption rates and don’t need any (or minimal) weights.

Specs & Features
Size: 80 cu ft / 10.2L
Weight: 28.3 lbs / 13.0 kg
Buoyancy when full: – 8.05 lbs / -3.65 kg
Buoyancy when empty:- 1.74 lbs / -0.79
Height: 20.8″ / 53.0 cm

6. Faber HP 120

If Faber HP 80 is a little sister, then Faber HP120 is the big brother. A 15L is perfect for the larger amongst us who want to level the playing field. Understandably, the taller and bigger you are, the more energy you burn and the more air you’ll consume.

Specs & Features
Size: 120 cu ft / 15.2L
Weight: 36.4lbs / 16.5kg
Buoyancy when full: – 8.82 lbs / -4.13 kg
Buoyancy when empty:0.65 lbs / 0.29
Height: 29.1″ / 74.5 cm