Tank Accessories

Frequently asked questions

What is a tank boot and does my tank need one?

A tank boot is a rubber or plastic cap that fits over the base of a rounded-bottom scuba cylinder, allowing it to stand upright on a flat surface without rolling. Most steel tanks have a rounded base and cannot stand unsupported without a boot. Aluminum tanks often have a flat base and do not require a boot, though some divers add one for impact protection. A tank boot also prevents the base of the cylinder from scratching floors, boat decks, and vehicle interiors. If you own an steel tank and do not have a boot, the cylinder cannot be safely left standing unattended — it will roll and can cause injury or damage equipment nearby.

What is a tank banger and when is it used?

A tank banger is a thick rubber band with a ball or hard plastic knob that wraps around the cylinder. When pulled away from the tank and released, it strikes the metal cylinder with a loud clang that travels clearly through the water. Tank bangers are used to get a dive buddy's attention underwater without ascending or physically touching them — useful for pointing out marine life, signalling a concern, or getting a buddy to look at you when hand signals are not in their line of sight. Our Divemasters use them on every guided dive as a standard communication tool. Inexpensive, compact, and practical — worth carrying on every dive.

How do I make sure my tank stays securely attached to my BCD?

Tank security on a BCD depends on the cam band — the nylon strap and buckle that wraps around the cylinder and attaches to the backplate or BCD tank band slot. The cam band must be positioned at the correct height on the cylinder, pulled snug, and the buckle clicked firmly closed. Before every dive, perform a tank pull test: grasp the cylinder firmly and pull it upward, downward, and sideways to verify it does not shift in the band. A loose tank can slide during a dive, altering your trim and potentially striking your head on ascent. For wing and backplate systems, stainless steel cam bands with anti-slip rubber lining provide more secure retention than basic nylon straps for heavy steel cylinders.

What do water-activated marker lights do and where do I attach them?

Water-activated marker lights turn on automatically when they contact water and turn off when dried. They are designed to mark your cylinder on a dive boat so it can be identified among other tanks on deck, and to provide a visual marker on a night dive or in low visibility so your buddy and the surface support team can see your position. The Innovative Scuba water-activated tank marker strobe clips to the top of the cylinder valve or to a cam band and runs for 500 hours total — far longer than most comparable marker lights. Available in green, blue, and red so different divers in a group can use distinct colours. A practical, low-cost safety item that many professional dive guides require on guided night dives.