Foldable rinse tank?

Hi all

Any advice regarding foldable rinstanks? Good ones, bad ones. Where to buy? Approximate cost. And how big are those things when folded? Heavy?

I'm going on a longer trip in one months time and have some doubts regarding some of the operators resources, so I'd prefer to be selfrelient.

Thank's

Christian

Perhaps you might also consider an inflatable one, like a small pool for babies...

Perhaps you might also consider an inflatable one, like a small pool for babies...

Are there inflatable ones? A baby pool is a pretty good idea... perhaps not conveinent shape for usage on a cramped boat deck, unless I can find one with a really small radius and also pretty deep (which is sort of a contradiction). A square shape would be more efficient, something in the app. dimensions of (W, D, H) 75x40x50 cm. Perhaps a large, soft cooler bag, if it can hold water. But I think I have actually seen 'real' foldable rinse tanks...

/christian

I use a garden spray, the ones that hold about a gallon of water, then you pump it up and use about a 2ft handle to spray the water out, great for the camera and you can also shower with it when you are done, the water also lasts for a long time.

I've seen canvas 'buckets' which obviously fold down very small. How about this:

http://www.canvas-factory.co.uk/10228/info.php?p=7

I've seen canvas 'buckets' which obviously fold down very small. How about this:

 

http://www.canvas-factory.co.uk/10228/info.php?p=7

That looks promising.

/c

how about a collapsible cooler box/bag. My local supermarket often gives them away with 24 cans of beer in the summer...

how about a collapsible cooler box/bag. My local supermarket often gives them away with 24 cans of beer in the summer...

Yeah, that was my original idea. If I can only find a store with that beer-offer

Question is if they really hold water?

/c

Yeah, that was my original idea. If I can only find a store with that beer-offer

 

Question is if they really hold water?

 

/c

Donna and I use two of these to carry our housed dSLR kits on the boats. We use the 24 can size and it works well. Never use the boat rinse tank!

Regards,

Dave

I use something similar I got at Target. Any size soft cooler should do. Almost all of them are water tight and the insulation makes great padding to protect your rig. I use it to carry my rig onto the boat. I assemble the whole thing in the hotel and carry it in the "cooler". After a dive I just fill the cooler with water and rinse my camera. After dumping it out it's ready to transport my rig home. Closing the lid keeps the still wet camera cool and moist until I give it a more serious second rinse in the tub or sink at the hotel.

There are some better ones made from vynil type material (like a river raft) but my Target one has never had a tear. Get a 24 can size and it should house most SLRs. Here is the one I'd get if I were doing it over. http://store.seattlesportsco.com/productca...p;idproduct=300

Get the large 40 quart size.

Any advice regarding foldable rinstanks? Good ones, bad ones. Where to buy? Approximate cost. And how big are those things when folded? Heavy?

Christian

Christian,

Bonnie Pelnar wrote a nice article for the Underwater Photographer website on the subject of coolers

http://www.theunderwaterphotographer.com/ "You're own personal Rinse Tank"

I'm just trying to figure out what's going to happen when we all show up one day at the boat and we all have our coolers. There is barely enough room now on the boats we use in the Sea of Cortez. Of course it might force the boat operators to start being more accomodating to the folks with cameras. Nah, never happen. Hint; we should try to fill it up from the dock so we don't use up the boats water.

Steve

For the past few years, I've used Polar Bear Coolers, available through their web site. I am in the laboratory trade and they were used for years in keeping specimens and, now, expensive UW gear, safe and soaked on boats . . .

Christian,

Bonnie Pelnar wrote a nice article for the Underwater Photographer website on the subject of coolers

http://www.theunderwaterphotographer.com/ "You're own personal Rinse Tank"

 

I'm just trying to figure out what's going to happen when we all show up one day at the boat and we all have our coolers. There is barely enough room now on the boats we use in the Sea of Cortez. Of course it might force the boat operators to start being more accomodating to the folks with cameras. Nah, never happen. Hint; we should try to fill it up from the dock so we don't use up the boats water.

 

Steve

Hi all

 

Any advice regarding foldable rinstanks? Good ones, bad ones. Where to buy? Approximate cost. And how big are those things when folded? Heavy?

 

I'm going on a longer trip in one months time and have some doubts regarding some of the operators resources, so I'd prefer to be selfrelient.

 

Thank's

 

Christian

Hi all

 

Any advice regarding foldable rinstanks? Good ones, bad ones. Where to buy? Approximate cost. And how big are those things when folded? Heavy?

 

I'm going on a longer trip in one months time and have some doubts regarding some of the operators resources, so I'd prefer to be selfrelient.

 

Thank's

 

Christian

As I remember, Underwater Photo-Tec used to sell just the item you are asking about.

Christian,

Bonnie Pelnar wrote a nice article for the Underwater Photographer website on the subject of coolers

http://www.theunderwaterphotographer.com/ "You're own personal Rinse Tank"

 

I'm just trying to figure out what's going to happen when we all show up one day at the boat and we all have our coolers. There is barely enough room now on the boats we use in the Sea of Cortez. Of course it might force the boat operators to start being more accomodating to the folks with cameras. Nah, never happen. Hint; we should try to fill it up from the dock so we don't use up the boats water.

 

Steve

Great thank's. I wouldn't bring one if there's adequate equipment onboard the boat, but I'm afraid it's not the case this time. I've checked on fresh water and they have plenty, but filling up at the dock is good advise.

cheers

Reef Photo sells a 48 pack cooler, Polar Bear wet bag that will hold an entire camera and most duel strobe systems. Just add water and you have your own private rinse tank.

Phil

Reef Photo sells a 48 pack cooler, Polar Bear wet bag that will hold an entire camera and most duel strobe systems. Just add water and you have your own private rinse tank.

 

Phil

They look great Phil, but seem to be very bulky, more like a large sportsbag? I doubt they fold together that much?

I just filled one of the cheap 'beer' models up in the bath tub, and it didn't hold water due to seams. Search goes on...

/christian

The trick is not to fold them up. Just put dive gear in them and put it in a duffle bag and load on to the airplane. This then gives your dive gear some extra padding. Also when TSA needs to inspect something it gives them something repack rather stuffing back into your bag.

The trick is not to fold them up. Just put dive gear in them and put it in a duffle bag and load on to the airplane. This then gives your dive gear some extra padding. Also when TSA needs to inspect something it gives them something repack rather stuffing back into your bag.

Unfortunately all the divegear and clothes/packing for 4 people for one month is already planned more or less in detail in two large hard cases that will be checked and then a carry on storm case, laptop and small backpacks. I really would preffer not to deviate too much from that plan. There are not room for a sports bag, but a soft cooler or similar that fold together could easily be squeezed in.

That frost pak however looks very nice. I'll give it a consideration. If I can't find a beer cooler that holds water...maybe I'll have to rethink.

cheers

/c

If the cheap beer cooler fits in your luggage plans why not just take along a heavy duty garage bag as a waterproof liner? For that matter a cardboard box, some duct tape, and garbage bag would work make a nice rinse tank if needed :-D

how about large or x-large ziplocks? they're pretty rugged and don't take up much space - you'll need several and have to exercise some care