The OXSEA guide for the United States
Mini scuba tanks in US waters
State rules, spots and the boat jobs a small tank makes easy. Straight answers for US waters, from the people who make the tanks.
- Official OXSEA brandStraight from the makers
- 24-month warrantyTanks and refill gear
- 30-day returnsChange your mind freely
- Free shipping to the USOn every pack
The range
What each tank, refill system and mask does, how long it lasts and how you refill it, explained for US boats and waters. Each page links to the product on oxsea.shop.
OX500
0.5 L, held in the mouth, up to 8 minutes
OX500Plus
0.5 L, in the mouth or on your back
OX1000
1 L on your back, about 15 minutes
OX2000
2.3 L on your back, 20 to 25 minutes
OXAIR mask
Full-face snorkel mask that connects to the tank
Hand pump
Refills the 0.5 L tanks, no power needed
12 V / 220 V compressor
Refills every tank from a battery or the mains
Guides
Dive flag rules in the US: what to fly when you go under the boat with a mini tank
A mini tank makes you a diver in the eyes of the law. The divers-down flag, the Alpha flag and boat distances in Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Michigan.
5 min read
Spearfishing with a mini scuba tank in the US: what Florida, California, Texas, Hawaii and Puerto Rico allow
A mini tank counts as scuba under fishing rules. Where you may spear fish with one in Florida, California, Texas, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, with official texts.
6 min read
Cleaning your own hull in the water in California: copper paint, the 90-day wait and the soft-tool rule
What California's pesticide and coastal agencies say about in-water hull cleaning, the Marina del Rey rule, and how to scrub your boat without a copper plume.
5 min read
Cleaning your hull in the water in Florida: what Clean Marinas allow, and what to do when a manatee shows up
What Florida's Clean Marina program says about cleaning and scraping hulls in the water, how to stay within marina rules, and what to do near manatees.
4 min read
The Florida Keys with a mini scuba tank: sanctuary zones, mooring buoys and the dive flag rule
Diving the Keys with a small tank: the sanctuary's dive flag rule, the yellow-buoy preservation areas, mooring buoys and the anchoring changes coming in 2027.
4 min read
Hawaii with a mini scuba tank: Marine Life Conservation Districts, West Hawaii rules and wildlife distances
Hawaii's 11 Marine Life Conservation Districts, the West Hawaii fishery rules and the federal 50-yard spinner dolphin rule, for snorkelers with a small tank.
4 min read
Southern California shore spots for a mini scuba tank: La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove and Casino Point
La Jolla, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove and Casino Point: what each marine protected area allows, and how to plan a cold-water shore dive with a small tank.
4 min read
Puerto Rico with a mini scuba tank: marine reserves, coral rules and the spearfishing ban
Culebra, Tres Palmas, Caja de Muertos, Desecheo and Mona: what Puerto Rico's fishing regulation allows in each reserve, the tank and spear ban, and coral rules.
4 min read
OXSEA order not received? Check where you ordered
Paid on a website using the OXSEA name and nothing arrived? The official OXSEA websites, how to check where you ordered and how to dispute the charge.
2 min read
About the tanks
OXSEA makes refillable mini scuba tanks in 6061 aluminum, filled to 200 bar (about 2,900 psi): from the 0.5 liter OX500, held in the mouth, to the 2.3 liter OX2000 worn on the back, which gives 20 to 25 minutes near the surface.