Scuba Diving Aluminium Tanks, the world's most popular tank.
There are two types of scuba tanks.
Aluminium
Steel
There are advantages and disadvantages to both but here we will just talk about aluminium tanks. Scuba Diving Aluminium Tanks are the more popular diving cylinder. You will notice aluminium scuba tanks are the dive shops choice of scuba tank, for a number of reasons.
Do Scuba Diving Aluminium Tanks Corrode?
When aluminium scuba cylinders corrode they in fact form aluminium oxide. Aluminium oxide is a chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen.
This aluminium oxide is responsible for aluminium's resistance to weathering, the aluminium oxide forms a layer over the surface of scuba diving aluminium tanks, which protects the metal from further oxidation.
Buoyancy & Aluminium Scuba Tanks
Aluminium Scuba Tanks are generally larger than there steel counterpart. An empty aluminium scuba cylinder will float if you throw into the water. Now the air that is inside the aluminium scuba tank has weight and will cause the aluminium scuba tank to sink. This can cause some buoyancy issues. As you use the air in your aluminium tank, you will become more buoyant as the weight of the air in the tank is depleted.
You will need to wear more weight on your weight belt when using aluminium scuba cylinders. The amount of positive buoyancy will depend on the size of the aluminium scuba tank.
Scuba Diving Aluminium Tanks - Advantages
Your decision, whether to buy Aluminium or Steel scuba cylinders is a personal choice and they both have positives and negatives. Below are a few advantages for aluminium scuba tanks, some of which have been discussed above in more detail:
Price Scuba divers by there inherent nature are pretty frugal people, so if price is an issue aluminium tanks are for you, there are without a doubt cheaper.
Corrosion Aluminium tanks do not corrode or rust, in fact the aluminium oxide helps protect the aluminium tank.
Scuba Diving Aluminium Tanks - Disadvantages
As with all pieces of diving equipment, there is always a negative. Here are some disadvantages:
Buoyancy When aluminium tanks are empty, towards the end of your dive, they will float, which means you will have to add additional weight to ensure you do not shoot to the surface during your safety stop.
Tank Size Even though aluminium weighs less than steel, aluminium tanks are heavier and larger than steel counterparts. This is due to the fact that aluminium is not as strong as steel and the tank walls will have to be thicker, this also affects buoyancy.