{"id":4974,"date":"2019-04-15T14:02:11","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T14:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/?p=4974"},"modified":"2019-05-10T09:17:59","modified_gmt":"2019-05-10T09:17:59","slug":"scuba-tanks-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kooxdiving.com\/en\/scuba-tanks-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Scuba Tanks: What You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Scuba Tanks: What You Need To Know<\/h1>\n

A scuba tank is a gas cylinder used to store and move high pressure breathing gas needed by a diver. These cylindrical pressure vessels when combined with a valve are available in a whole range of pressures, dimensions, and capacities.<\/p>\n

Cylinder valves have safety features designed to burst and release pressure if overfilled or expanded by heat. K-valves simply open to allow gas flow. And close to shut it off. Y and H valves have two outlets with their own valves which allows two regulators to be attached. So, you have a failsafe if one malfunctions.<\/p>\n

Find out more about scuba tanks: what you need to know here\u2026<\/p>\n

Be Scuba Savvy<\/h2>\n

See answers to frequently asked questions:<\/p>\n

How long does a scuba tank last?<\/b><\/p>\n

The average divers air consumption in calm waters will run a tank to almost empty in about an hour at a depth of approximately 10 metres. As this directly depends on the dive depth the deeper you dive the faster you consume air from your tank.<\/p>\n

Professional divers can double the time through breathing and buoyancy control. And with economy of movement.<\/p>\n

What happens inside an empty tank when it is filled with air?<\/b><\/p>\n

When you fill an empty tank with a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen the gases will be compressed. Putting gas molecules under pressure causes a heat reaction. The more pressure your tank is put under the hotter it will become.<\/p>\n

Accurately calculating your dive means you should never have an empty tank. If the tank does become completely void, there\u2019s no pressure left to keep out moisture. This can cause leakage which in turn leads to corrosion. Leaving a small amount of air in the tank will allow the tank valve to be opened enough to blow out any excess moisture.<\/p>\n

How much does a scuba tank weigh?<\/b><\/p>\n

Steel tanks normally weigh less than aluminium tanks. As a guide, a standard 80 cubic foot aluminium tank weighs about 15.87 kilograms. A similar capacity steel tank would weigh approximately 13.60 kilograms.<\/p>\n

What are tanks made of?<\/b><\/p>\n

The type of material needed for your tank will depend on your individual diving needs. See a brief summary of steel vs aluminium scuba tanks:<\/p>\n

Steel tanks<\/b><\/p>\n