Weight question

hogfanreefer · 07/27/2014, 11:37 AM

Leaving for our first saltwater dive this Friday.

One question. How much additonal weight will I need for the differnce between fresh and salt water? I am perfect with 8 lbs wearing a 3mm shorty which is what I plan to wear on my trip. I was thinking of adding 2 pounds to each of the weight pockets in the rear of my BC by the tank. This will increase me to 12 lbs. Is that enough or do I need to add two 3lb weights to those pockets?

ace_92101 · 07/27/2014, 01:06 PM

There're lots of factors that can affect needed weight, most notably the divers weight, type of water, wetsuit thickness and type of tank. For saltwater, +4lbs-5lbs of what you need in fresh water is good.

For most divers, using aluminum tanks, 8%-10% of body weight is good in salt water. In my experience as a divemaster, most divers use too much weight. Where're you planning for your trip?

hogfanreefer · 07/27/2014, 02:19 PM

Ooops should have specified.... I'm 6'1" and weight 195. Thanks

We're headed to Cozumel for a one week trip.

ace_92101 · 07/27/2014, 07:37 PM

Sounds like a nice trip. Let us know how it goes. I'm assuming you're going to do some drift dives. Should be fun.

r-balljunkie · 07/27/2014, 11:55 PM

Depends where in the world u are diving. i need 4 less lbs in the Andaman Sea (Thailand) verses the South Pacific. Your charter boat should have adequate weights to get you sorted out on the spot.
i wouldnt trim out any different than what you are used to, i.e. put weights in pockets you normally dont have them in, or you'll have a tough time planing out.

have a good trip!

ace_92101 · 07/28/2014, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r-balljunkie

Depends where in the world u are diving. i need 4 less lbs in the Andaman Sea (Thailand) verses the South Pacific. Your charter boat should have adequate weights to get you sorted out on the spot.
i wouldnt trim out any different than what you are used to, i.e. put weights in pockets you normally dont have them in, or you'll have a tough time planing out.

have a good trip!

Really? Outside of the Red Sea most places have a similar specific gravity. Ive dove Phuket/Krabi numerous times and i havent noticed the difference. Interesting.

r-balljunkie · 07/28/2014, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace_92101

Really? Outside of the Red Sea most places have a similar specific gravity. Ive dove Phuket/Krabi numerous times and i havent noticed the difference. Interesting.

yes.

31 psu salinity in the andaman, 35 here locally. i can actually taste it in the water

Deinonych · 07/28/2014, 09:56 AM

12lbs sounds about right, but do a weight check on your first dive (or do a checkout dive prior). For reference, I use 8lbs with a 3/2mm full suit in saltwater, 12lbs with a 5mm full suit. I'm 6'1" and 178lbs.

shark2 · 08/20/2014, 01:00 PM

Whatever you do don't take reeferbills advice on weights. I saw a thread were he was trying to say weights aren't ment to move you down the water column. He might reccomend it as a life vest.

snorvich · 08/21/2014, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deinonych

12lbs sounds about right, but do a weight check on your first dive (or do a checkout dive prior). For reference, I use 8lbs with a 3/2mm full suit in saltwater, 12lbs with a 5mm full suit. I'm 6'1" and 178lbs.

Sounds about right with aluminum tanks.

07/27/2014, 11:37 AM	#1
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	Weight question Leaving for our first saltwater dive this Friday. One question. How much additonal weight will I need for the differnce between fresh and salt water? I am perfect with 8 lbs wearing a 3mm shorty which is what I plan to wear on my trip. I was thinking of adding 2 pounds to each of the weight pockets in the rear of my BC by the tank. This will increase me to 12 lbs. Is that enough or do I need to add two 3lb weights to those pockets? __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

07/27/2014, 02:19 PM	#3
hogfanreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 2,117	Ooops should have specified.... I'm 6'1" and weight 195. Thanks We're headed to Cozumel for a one week trip. __________________ DSA 155,Custom Trigger 42" sump/refugium, MP40 X2, MP 10 X 2, AI Hydra 52 X3, Apex controller, Tunze ATO Current Tank Info: DSA 155 gallon, mixed reef, SPS and wrasse dominant

07/27/2014, 11:55 PM	#5
r-balljunkie Registered Reefer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 2,059	Depends where in the world u are diving. i need 4 less lbs in the Andaman Sea (Thailand) verses the South Pacific. Your charter boat should have adequate weights to get you sorted out on the spot. i wouldnt trim out any different than what you are used to, i.e. put weights in pockets you normally dont have them in, or you'll have a tough time planing out. have a good trip! __________________ ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀ 58G Oceanic Illuminata rimless with GH overflow , Mazarra LED x 3, Tunze 6095 x 2, Eheim 1260, BM-180 skimmer, TLF reactors, Apex LT .

07/28/2014, 09:56 AM	#8
Deinonych Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,191	12lbs sounds about right, but do a weight check on your first dive (or do a checkout dive prior). For reference, I use 8lbs with a 3/2mm full suit in saltwater, 12lbs with a 5mm full suit. I'm 6'1" and 178lbs. __________________ Chris Hope is not a strategy. Display Tank: DSA 105 w/36gal sump/fuge · 2x MP40wES PHs · 2x Radion Gen2 · Apex w/PM2 · Fish · Corals · Rock · Sand · Water

07/27/2014, 01:06 PM	#2
ace_92101 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cebu, Philippines Posts: 763	There're lots of factors that can affect needed weight, most notably the divers weight, type of water, wetsuit thickness and type of tank. For saltwater, +4lbs-5lbs of what you need in fresh water is good. For most divers, using aluminum tanks, 8%-10% of body weight is good in salt water. In my experience as a divemaster, most divers use too much weight. Where're you planning for your trip?

07/27/2014, 07:37 PM	#4
ace_92101 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cebu, Philippines Posts: 763	Sounds like a nice trip. Let us know how it goes. I'm assuming you're going to do some drift dives. Should be fun.

08/20/2014, 01:00 PM	#9
shark2 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 74	Whatever you do don't take reeferbills advice on weights. I saw a thread were he was trying to say weights aren't ment to move you down the water column. He might reccomend it as a life vest.