Review: Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank

It can be just as nerve-wracking as it is exciting when you make the decision to start SCUBA diving on your own. For one, you have to pick the right equipment. Choosing poorly can have grave consequences and might threaten your safety, especially if you are planning to undertake higher risk dives, like deep dives, night dives, cold water dives, and wreck dives. We provide a review of one of the top-rated tanks, the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank, along with comparisons of its competitors. This is a favorite tank of experienced divers, thanks to its buoyancy, reliability, and durability. The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank is a great option for your next SCUBA diving adventure.

This tank offers more than just equipment for beginner divers. More experienced divers appreciate the durability of this tank and recognize the benefit of having a high pressure 100 cubic foot capacity tank to rely on for long and short dives alike. With long dives, divers would be hard-pressed to exhaust the air from the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank. With shorter dives, divers can rest assured that they will be well-protected in the event something goes wrong.

About the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank

Faber is one of the most respected SCUBA tank companies in the industry. They produce lightweight, steel tanks like the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank specifically to help divers maintain buoyancy. These steel dive tanks do not have the same problem that aluminum SCUBA tanks do with becoming significantly more buoyant as the diver consumes the air. The Faber dive tanks are produced with high-quality steel plates. These steel dive tanks last much longer than cheaper, aluminum-made versions. Divers can expect their Faber tanks to last for 50 years or more.  

Product Specs

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The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank features 3/4″ inlet thread – 14 NPSM. It has 100 cubic feet of storage, however, as is the standard for all dive tanks, this cubic foot capacity is measured with water rather than air. Divers should expect the actual air capacity to be 10 percent to 20 percent less than it is when measured for water storage.   The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank is a high-pressure dive tank, coming in at 3442 psi. This is the highest pressure allowed on the roads and is far easier to find and use than the higher pressure 3500 psi SCUBA tanks. It measures in at a little more than 25 inches by 7 inches and weighs 34.3 pounds. The buoyancy for the tank is -9.41 pounds and tends to remain stable as the air is depleted. This is in contrast to aluminum tanks which tend to float more as divers near the end of their dives and more air has been used from the tank.   This steel dive tank is reported to be highly durable. The “Blue Steel” designation refers to the process by which the steel is coated with various chemicals to help prevent the iron in the steel from rusting. With 100 cubic feet of storage, you should have plenty of air for most dives. The convertible pro valve on this dive tank will not allow overfilling, so you can rest easy when loading it with air. The HP100 is one of the most popular dive tanks for sport divers because it offers an unrivaled buoyancy.

The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank allows for diving with Nitrox since the 3442 psi is the maximum allowed for Nitrox diving. This remains a popular option for Nitrox divers, however, since Nitrox allows for staying underwater for significantly longer periods of time, the 100 cubic feet capacity may not be large enough for some of these divers.

Pricing

Being a steel tank, this dive tank is not as cheap as the less durable aluminum tanks. The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank costs around $420. If you purchase this tank on Amazon with a new Amazon credit card, you will have the option of financing your dive tank over 6 months.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar high-capacity, high-pressure dive tanks available on the market to see how they compare.    

[amazon box=”B004E5QJDO, B007BH5UIM, B00HVNSOIY, B00U1PZ6MQ” template=”table”]

Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank

[amazon box=”B004E5QJDO”]

Material

The Blue Steel of this tank is a Chromium Molybdenum spun steel imported from Italy with zinc sprayed on it and painted with epoxy and polyurethane paint. The steel can take a beating and still look like new, and the blue steel coating process prevents the iron in the steel from rusting.

Capacity

The 100 cubic foot capacity should be enough for nearly any sports dive. Some Nitrox and technical divers may require a larger capacity though most divers will be happy with this high-pressure SCUBA tank.

PSI

3442 psi ensures maximum air storage while still being able to transport on the roadways. This higher pressure allows for a more compact size.

Pros

• Nitrox allowed
• One of the most durable tanks around 
• Resists rust and corrosion
• Large capacity and compact size
• The valve prevents overfilling
• Valve works with yoke or DIN
• Manageable at only 25 inches in length
• Self-draining tank boot

Cons

• High-pressure tanks stress the regulator and valve components
• Dive shops may underfill, assuming 3000 psi
• Valve can become loose and fall into the tank
• More expensive than aluminum tanks

​Sherwood 100 CF Aluminum

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Sherwood is a trusted name in the SCUBA tank industry. These tanks are heavy duty for aluminum tanks, being made from a high-strength aluminum alloy. They last much longer than other aluminum tanks though it doesn’t meet the durability of the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank. This tank might be the most popular aluminum dive tank on the market. It is nearly neutral in its buoyancy though it will tend to float as the tank is depleted toward the end of the dive.

Material

While it is an aluminum tank and less durable than steel, it is made from a more reliable high-strength aluminum alloy.

Capacity

The Sherwood has a large 100 cubic foot capacity and offers -7.8 pounds of buoyancy. Like most aluminum tanks, this will tend to float more as the air is depleted from the tank.

PSI

3300 psi allows for maximum volume.

Pros

• Large 100 cubic foot capacity
• Trusted brand name
• Available in black, yellow and blue
• Pro valve-standard yoke (DIN compatible)
• Durable aluminum tank

Cons

• 30 inches in length is an unwieldy size for beginners
• Over 46 pounds is too heavy for some
• High-pressure tanks stress the regulator and valve components
• Dive shops may underfill, assuming 3000 psi
• No bright colors available for tropical divers
• Aluminum alloy is not as durable as steel

​Luxfer 80 CF

[amazon box=”B075RF1163″]

The Luxfer 80 CF is a very safe dive tank that is used by the military for its reliability. It has a heavy-duty valve and high capacity that make it work well even in extreme underwater conditions. Divers use this tank for deep dives, night dives, cold water dives, and more. Luxfer is a trusted name in the industry and is the brand of choice for technical divers and deep dives. The Luxfer brand and this Luxfer dive tank is globally recognized as the industry standard.

Material

The Luxfer 80 CF SCUBA tank is composed of a heavy-duty aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloys are heavy-duty but not as durable and long-lived as steel tanks.

Capacity

The Luxfer 80 CF dive tank has an 80 cubic foot capacity. It also has a nearly neutral buoyancy and floats perfectly when the tank is full. Unfortunately, the tank, like most aluminum tanks, will float as they get closer to empty.

PSI

The 3300 psi allows for maximum volume with a more slimline shape.

Pros

• Very lightweight and small with 25 inches in length
• Heavy-duty design
• Floats perfectly when full
• Attractive colors
• Resists rust and corrosion
• Heavy-duty pro valve
• -5.8 pound neutral buoyancy

Cons

• Sensitive valve
• Valve requires extra care and maintenance
• High-pressure tanks stress the regulator and valve components
• Dive shops may underfill, assuming 3000 psi
• Aluminum alloy is not as durable as steel

​Catalina 80 CF Aluminum

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The Catalina 80 CF aluminum is a solid option for divers seeking a solid and safe aluminum dive tank for a deep dive or even their first solo dive. It is one of the lighter dive tanks in this capacity, making it easy for divers of all strength levels to carry around topside. Tropical sea divers will appreciate the range of bright colors available with the Catalina 80 CF aluminum dive tanks since many tropical fish will be attracted by the tank’s bright color. This is one of the lowest prices available for a solid, safe and reliable dive tank with a moderate capacity.

Material

The Catalina 80 cubic foot aluminum dive tank is made with aluminum alloy.

Capacity

The 80 cubic feet offered on this aluminum Catalina SCUBA tank isn’t the best for long dives, but the K-Pro Valve offers the highest-flowing cylinder available today. It weighs in at just over 33 pounds. The buoyancy for this dive tank is the lowest of all listed here, at -5.8 pounds. As with the other aluminum dive tanks, the tank will float more as the air contained in it is depleted.

PSI

The solid 3000 psi is a good choice for deep dives.

Pros

• Nitrox ready
• Lightweight and easy to carry at only 33 pounds
• 25 inches in length
• Good for beginners and deep divers
• Affordable for beginners and bulk buyers
• Different bright colors
• Negatively buoyant
• Pro valve with high-flow capacity
• Convertible K-valve, yoke or DIN
• Valve operates smoothly
• Oxidized coat prevents corrosion

Cons

• Limited finish options
• Aluminum alloy is not as durable as steel

​Conclusion

Image via: Pixabay

The Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank is considered one of the best in the industry. It is an ideal choice for dedicated beginners as well as experienced professionals. It won’t corrode or overfill, extending its life beyond many cheaper SCUBA tanks. Some less experienced divers may be put off by the thought of investing over $400 on their first tank. More experienced divers tend to recognize the value of owning a solid, safe dive tank that will last for over five decades and maintain steady buoyancy from start to finish.The other aluminum tanks are a good option for beginner divers on a budget, or SCUBA outfitters needing to purchase a larger quantity of solid dive tanks. Beginners who are not sure yet if they are dedicated to diving over the next few years or decades may want to choose the Catalina based on its price. The Catalina 80 CF Aluminum dive tank is a slimline design with decent capacity for many dives and one of the highest-flow capacity valves on the market. It is high pressured and safe with a smoothly operating valve. Coming in at under $250, you can’t go wrong with this dive tank.When it comes down to it though, Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank has everything you could want in a high-pressure dive tank, and from a name brand that divers trust. Overall, we rate the Faber FX Series 100 cu ft High Pressure Blue Steel Tank as 5-stars. You will not be disappointed with this tank no matter your experience or needs.