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A compact steel cylinder trusted by real divers
The Faber FX23 high-pressure steel tank has become a favourite among divers who need a compact, dependable cylinder for pony, stage or bailout use. Available via Scuba.com, this three-litre tank delivers predictable performance underwater, especially for divers who value negative buoyancy and minimal drag. In this edition of What Divers Say, we look at real diver opinions, long-term reliability and how the tank behaves in demanding environments.
Build quality that earns long-term trust
The FX23 follows Faber’s well-known construction formula using deep-drawn chromium-molybdenum steel with multilayer exterior coating and a phosphatized internal finish, as outlined by 8Diving. This explains why divers so consistently describe Faber tanks as unusually durable. User comments across technical forums mention how these tanks resist chipping and corrosion even under heavy saltwater use.
On Reddit, long-time divers frequently mention owning multiple Faber cylinders over many years without a single structural or threading issue. This smaller FX23 benefits from the same manufacturing standards, offering technical-grade reliability in a more compact form factor.
Why steel matters underwater
The tank’s biggest selling point is its buoyancy profile. Steel remains negative from start to finish, unlike aluminium cylinders which often become floaty at the end of the dive. Specification sheets from 8Diving show the FX23 staying approximately minus 2.6 pounds when full and still slightly negative when empty.
Discussions on Force-E highlight how this behaviour improves trim and reduces the need for additional ballast. Underwater, that translates into a calmer, better-balanced stage or pony bottle that doesn’t lift toward the end of the dive.
What divers genuinely love
Reviews posted directly on Scuba.com are strongly positive. One diver notes using the FX23 with Nitrox 40 as a pony and describes it as “very well made” and “not too cumbersome”, praising its build quality and reliability.
In Facebook diving groups, divers with decades of experience often describe Faber cylinders as some of the most dependable they have ever owned. Several mention owning dozens of tanks across their careers and still rating Fabers among their most consistent performers.
Common criticisms and practical notes
The most frequent annoyance mentioned by buyers is the lack of a dedicated tank boot for this size. Divers worry about placing a round-bottomed cylinder on hard surfaces during fills or on busy dive boats. Several users on Scuba.com also point out that the tank is often sold without a valve, which is normal for technical cylinders but still worth noting for less experienced buyers.
A few divers highlight that some dive centres do not offer fills up to the tank’s full 3442 psi working pressure. Remote boats or small island operations may only fill to standard 3000 psi, so divers planning travel should check in advance.
How it performs in real-world diving
Underwater, the FX23 behaves exactly how technical divers want a small steel tank to behave. It stays tucked in close to the body, trims flat when used as a stage, and does not drift upward as gas volume decreases. Sidemount divers report stable behaviour when clipped to one side, and it is noticeably easier to handle on RIBs and day boats thanks to its compact height.
Its steel construction means less need for counterweight, and its resistance to buoyancy swing makes it a strong choice for bailout, rescue or emergency gas setups.
Final verdict
The Faber FX23 is a specialist cylinder built for divers who prioritise stability, durability and predictable underwater behaviour. Real diver feedback from Scuba.com, Reddit and Facebook consistently highlights its reliability, compactness and excellent trim profile. The only genuine drawbacks are the lack of a boot and the occasional limitation of local fill pressure, neither of which undermine its core strengths.
For divers seeking a compact, negative-trim steel tank for pony, stage or bailout use, the FX23 is one of the most widely praised options available.
To check current pricing or purchase, you can view the listing at Scuba.com
