Faber Low Pressure Steel Scuba Diving Tank

Faber Low Pressure Steel Tank: Full-Size Steel Cylinder for Serious Recreational Divers

The Faber Low Pressure Steel Tank is a chromium-molybdenum steel scuba cylinder built for recreational divers who are ready to move beyond the standard aluminum tank and get more out of every dive.

If you are diving regularly, wearing a wing-style BCD, running nitrox, or simply tired of managing positive buoyancy at the end of a dive, this is the kind of upgrade that changes how a dive actually feels underwater.

Why Steel Over Aluminum

This is the question worth answering first, because it drives everything else about this cylinder.

Aluminum tanks go slightly positive (meaning they want to float upward) as you breathe the air out of them toward the end of a dive. To compensate, most divers add extra lead to their weight belt or BCD pockets. That extra weight sits in the wrong place and throws off your horizontal trim, the flat, streamlined body position that makes swimming through the water efficient and effortless.

Steel tanks stay negatively buoyant throughout the dive, full or empty. The Faber LP is negatively buoyant by 2.43 to 4.87 lbs. when full (depending on size), and even when empty it only goes slightly positive, between 1.24 and 4.07 lbs. That means you carry less lead overall, and what lead you do carry can be moved to the rear of a wing BCD where it actually helps your trim rather than dragging you nose-down.

If you dive a back-inflate or wing-style BCD, this buoyancy behavior is a genuine practical advantage, not just a number on a spec sheet.

The LP (Low Pressure) Difference

Low pressure steel cylinders operate at a working pressure of 2,640 psi (182 bar), with a 10% overfill allowance taking them to around 200 bar. That is lower than high-pressure steel tanks, which typically run above 230 bar.

The trade-off is straightforward: LP tanks have a larger internal volume for a given physical size, which is why they can hold as much gas as they do at a lower fill pressure. Most dive shops can fill them without needing specialized high-pressure compressor output, so you are unlikely to run into fill availability problems at a typical dive center.

Sizes Available

The Faber LP comes in five capacities, measured in cubic feet (CF) and liters:

Most recreational divers reach for the 85 CF or 95 CF as their everyday single tank. The 108 and 120 CF options suit divers with higher air consumption, those doing longer dives, or anyone who wants extra reserve without going to doubles.

Physical dimensions span a wide range across the lineup: diameter runs from 5.51 to 8.02 inches, height from 25.2 to 29.33 inches, and weight from 18.9 to 44.9 lbs. The larger sizes are substantial pieces of kit, so factor that in if you travel frequently or need to transport gear in a small vehicle.

Construction and Corrosion Resistance

The cylinder is made from deep-drawn chromium-molybdenum steel, a high-strength alloy that allows the tank wall to be formed without welding seams. The exterior gets triple protection: zinc spray as a base layer, followed by epoxy, then polyurethane paint. That layering is what keeps salt water from working into the steel over years of use.

The valve is marine-grade chromed brass, which handles the wet environment well.

Every cylinder ships with a round-bottom boot included, so it stands upright on the dive deck without any add-on purchase.

Valve: Yoke or DIN, Your Choice

The Faber LP ships with a valve that converts between yoke (A-clamp) and DIN configurations. Yoke is the standard connection used at most recreational dive shops worldwide. DIN screws directly into the valve and is preferred by many technical and European divers for its more secure seal at higher pressures.

Being able to switch between the two means you are not locked into one regulator type, and you can adapt when traveling to destinations that favor one style over the other.

Nitrox Compatibility

The Faber LP is nitrox-ready up to 40% oxygen. That covers the two standard enriched air nitrox mixes most recreational divers use: EAN32 (32% oxygen) and EAN36 (36% oxygen). You do not need any modification or special cleaning to run those mixes. If you are already nitrox-certified or planning to get there, this tank is ready when you are.

Mixes above 40% oxygen require oxygen-clean service and are outside the scope of this cylinder as delivered.

Certifications and Hydro Dating

All Faber LP cylinders meet DOT-3AA (US Department of Transportation) and TC-3AAM (Transport Canada) specifications. Those certifications confirm the cylinder has been manufactured and tested to the standards required for legal use and filling in North America.

One practical note: the tank valve is removed for shipping, and the cylinder will need to be re-inspected before its first fill. That is a standard requirement when a valve has been removed, not something unique to Faber. Plan to have your local dive shop handle that inspection when the tank arrives.

Regarding hydro dates: Faber's distributor ships the newest hydro date available, but because production volumes and inventory cycles vary, the date on your specific cylinder may differ. Cylinders shipped within 24 months of their manufacture date are considered current hydro. In the US, steel tanks require a hydrostatic pressure test every five years, so knowing the manufacture date helps you plan when that next test is due.

Who This Tank Is Not For

If you dive only occasionally on vacation and rely on rental gear, buying your own cylinder is probably not the right move yet. Rental tanks travel with the dive boat; your personal tank does not.

Steel is also heavier out of the water than aluminum of the same capacity. If you have back or shoulder concerns, or if you regularly carry gear long distances, that above-water weight is worth thinking through before committing to the larger sizes.

And if you need mixes above 40% oxygen for technical diving, this cylinder as delivered is not configured for that service.

The Short Version

The Faber Low Pressure Steel Tank is a well-made, properly certified cylinder from a manufacturer that produces at serious scale and backs it with a comprehensive size range. For a recreational diver who wants better trim, less lead, and a tank that stays negative throughout the dive, it is a straightforward choice that will last for many years of regular diving with proper care.