Getting the right tank for you can be a daunting choice when you look at the amount available on the market but it is actually quite simple! All you'll need to do is choose what material is best for you and then the size you require - Both of which w

<p>Getting the right tank for you can be a daunting choice when you look at the amount available on the market but it is actually quite simple! All you&apos;ll need to do is choose what material is best for you and then the size you require - Both of which we will break down for you here!</p><h2 id="materials"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Materials</span></h2><p>Cylinders are typically made from either Steel or Aluminium and we&apos;ll examine the difference here.</p><h2 id="steel"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Steel</span></h2><p>Steel is inherently a stronger, denser material than Aluminium which results in a few key differences;</p><ul><li>Steel Cylinders are filled to 232Bar as standard and 300Bar versions are available</li><li>Steel Cylinders tend to be slightly smaller than an Aluminium cylinder of the same air capacity</li><li>Steel Cylinders are heavier both on the surface and underwater and as such exert more negative buoyancy</li><li>Steel Cylinders are more durable than Aluminium and more resistant to scratches and dents</li></ul><p>Steel Cylinders are most commonly used by divers wearing thick exposure suits which make them more buoyant, so the fact that Steel is heavier in the water becomes an advantage as you can slightly reduce the amount of weight used.</p><p>The fact they can be manufactured up to 300Bar is also strongly desired by some more technical divers, it is worth noting that to make a 300Bar cylinder the walls of the cylinder become thicker which causes the cylinder to become a lot heavier than its 232Bar alternative!</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="aluminium"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Aluminium</span></h2><p>Aluminium is lighter, more corrosion-resistant material than Steel which results in the following way;</p><ul><li>Aluminium Cylinders are limited to 207 Bar with no higher pressure options available</li><li>Aluminium Cylinders will be slightly bigger than a Steel Cylinder of the same air capacity</li><li>Aluminium Cylinders are lighter than Steel on the surface and underwater, in fact, an almost empty Aluminium cylinder become positively buoyant!</li><li>Aluminium Cylinders are more prone to external damage which may cause reduced lifespan if they and handled roughly</li></ul><p>Aluminium Cylinders are commonly used when travelling or diving abroad in warmer climates where you will be wearing a thinner exposure suit and will require less weight to become correctly weighted.<br>They are also used as Stage Cylinders or as a backup reserve carried by technical divers as they are lighter and easier to manage in the water.</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="size"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Size</span></h2><p>The size of the cylinder is normally decided by the application you will be using it for.<br>Here is a breakdown for Steel;</p><ul><li>15 Ltr - The largest size available and also the heaviest! Typically recommended for people with high air consumption or for longer, deeper dives.</li><li>12 Ltr - The most common size as it is a good balance between size and weight. For typical UK diving, we would recommend a 12Ltr 232Bar Cylinder.</li><li>10Ltr - Slightly smaller than the usual 12Ltr, commonly used by people who may struggle to handle the weight of a 12Ltr or 15Ltr cylinder.</li><li>7Ltr - These tend to be used as a backup or stage cylinder and are usually manufactured long and narrow to match these applications.</li><li>3Ltr - The most common backup or Pony cylinder, it holds less air volume than a 7Ltr but is widely considered as more than enough for most emergency situations.</li></ul><p><strong>What about a Dumpy Cylinder?&#xA0;</strong>It is possible to get a &quot;Dumpy Cylinder&quot; which is a 12Ltr which is shorter than the usual 12Ltr cylinder, but also has a larger diameter! Its most common application is for shorter people who are worried about knocking their head against the tank valve when in use.</p><p><strong>300Bar or 232Bar?</strong> You can get 12Ltr, 7Ltr and 3Ltr cylinders in 300Bar variants, as mentioned earlier they will be much heavier but allow for higher air capacity. This is mostly used in Technical Diving and is only available in DIN fittings - Not all regulators are made for use with 300Bar!</p><p>Aluminium Cylinders use a slightly different sizing system to Steel but it can be roughly translated;</p><ul><li>11Ltr - The most common Aluminium cylinder for usual diving purposes</li><li>7Ltr - Usually used as a stage or back up cylinder, it also has application to technical diving.</li></ul>

Choosing the correct cylinder for you

If you're not sure about what cylinder to buy take a look at our guide to choosing the correct cylinder.
If you know what cylinder you want and are thinking about buying online then this is the place for you as we'll answer some frequently asked ques

<p>If you&apos;re not sure about what cylinder to buy take a look at our guide to <a href="https://support.mikesdivestore.com/en-US/choosing-the-correct-cylinder-for-you-16839" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">choosing the correct cylinder</a>.</p><p>If you know what cylinder you want and are thinking about buying online then this is the place for you as we&apos;ll answer some frequently asked questions about buying a cylinder online.</p><ul><li><a href="#h_41320293811515161812003">Will my cylinder arrive full?</a></li><li><a href="#h_35538364751515161834324">Should I get some mesh and a handle?</a></li><li><a href="#h_15834953981515161863318">I&apos;ve bought a Twin Set, will it arrive assembled?</a></li><li><a href="#h_950568657111515161887493">I&apos;ll be driving with my cylinder, do I need anything else?</a></li><li><a href="#h_475391869121515161960279">Which sticker will I get with my cylinder?</a></li></ul><h2 id="h_41320293811515161812003"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Will my Cylinder arrive full?</span></h2><p>Unfortunately, it will not - due to the governing law on the transportation of compressed gas cylinders are not permitted to be carried by courier whilst containing pressure.<br>They do arrive ready to be filled at your local dive shop/destination however!</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="h_35538364751515161834324"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Should I get some mesh and a handle?</span></h2><p>We would definitely recommend adding some&#xA0;<a href="https://www.mikesdivestore.com/products/beaver-heavy-duty-cylinder-mesh" rel="noopener" target="_blank">protective tank mesh</a> to your order as it is a great way to prevent your brand new cylinder from getting any unwanted scratches!<br>A <a href="https://www.mikesdivestore.com/products/universal-cylinder-carry-handle" rel="noopener" target="_blank">handle</a> is also a great idea as it makes it much easier to carry your cylinder around and prevents any potential damage to the valve handle from improper carrying.</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="h_15834953981515161863318"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">I&apos;ve bought a twin set, will it arrive assembled?</span></h2><p>Unfortunately it will not, this is again due to restrictions in place regarding the total weight of packages that couriers are permitted to carry, your order will likely arrive in two boxes - one for each cylinder!</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="h_950568657111515161887493"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">I will be driving with my cylinder, do I need anything else?</span></h2><p>Yes you do, you should have a <a href="https://www.mikesdivestore.com/pages/search-results-page?q=compressed+gas+sticker" rel="noopener" target="_blank">sign</a> clearly displayed on your vehicle which states that you are carrying compressed gas and which class of gas it is. Nitrox and Air are both class 2 so the sign is the same for vehicle purposes.</p><p>We would also advise thinking about how your cylinder will move about in your vehicle, as it is a highly pressurised container it should be kept secure at all times - not left to roll about in the boot! If you&apos;re not sure how to do this then laying the cylinder against one side of the boot and wedging a couple of <a href="https://www.mikesdivestore.com/products/lead-shot-dive-weights" rel="noopener" target="_blank">lead shot bags</a> against it on the other side is a good option!</p><p>&#xA0;</p><h2 id="h_475391869121515161960279"><span class="wysiwyg-underline">Which sticker will I get with my cylinder?</span></h2><p>We are able to supply standard air stickers or nitrox stickers on most brand-new cylinders, please write in the comments box when you place your order which sticker you require.</p>

Buying a Cylinder online

Chat to our experts - need help with your order, Sizing or simply just choosing? We are all divers ready to assist you!

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Email: support@mikesdivestore.com

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