Custom Holding Tanks

bronson · May 12, 2020, 03:12:23 PM

Jim, Browns is the old filling station with the carryout and muffler shop. I don't believe the tank people are Browns but I will check next time I go through Martinsville. Population is small they could be though. The tank people operate out of a small shop. I found out about them when I worked at the airport and they built tanks for deicers and crash units.

windtrader · May 12, 2020, 11:28:50 PM

Depending on your allocated budget of $ and time/effort to tanks, I'd always pondered repurposing the IBC tote 275gallon plastic tanks enclosed by metal cage. They are practically free if you hunt around a bit.

Seemed really easy to remove top of wire cage, cutting about 6-8" down the side. Remove the plastic tank, cut to desired volume. Then the hard part - how to reseal the two parts, ensuring no leaking or separating. Plastic welding was a candidate but never decided if such a weld would hold up. Finally, weld cut top back on. Depending on what works (i.e. holds up), it could be a really cheap way to go.

richard5933 · May 13, 2020, 04:50:02 AM

Quote from: windtrader on May 12, 2020, 11:28:50 PM
Depending on your allocated budget of $ and time/effort to tanks, I'd always pondered repurposing the IBC tote 275gallon plastic tanks enclosed by metal cage. They are practically free if you hunt around a bit.

Seemed really easy to remove top of wire cage, cutting about 6-8" down the side. Remove the plastic tank, cut to desired volume. Then the hard part - how to reseal the two parts, ensuring no leaking or separating. Plastic welding was a candidate but never decided if such a weld would hold up. Finally, weld cut top back on. Depending on what works (i.e. holds up), it could be a really cheap way to go.

Those tanks are pretty thin-walled and generally rely on the cage for support. Not sure I'd trust one.

luvrbus · May 13, 2020, 05:56:40 AM

Stainless steel is not a bad option if you can find a bargain and they are out there you can buy cheap and can be modified fairly easy if you are handy with a good mig welder

TomC · May 13, 2020, 08:45:33 AM

Plastic tanks a tough and long lasting. I installed mine in the bus in 1994 and not one problem. Good Luck, TomC

chessie4905 · May 13, 2020, 10:54:51 AM

Go to a scrap yard with a tape measure after you determine the size of your tanks. Lots of cabinets and work tables from restaurants and such. Just buy the pieces that have the size of pieces you need. Cut to size after hauling home and have a competent welder assemble.

luvrbus · May 13, 2020, 11:29:14 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 13, 2020, 10:54:51 AM
Go to a scrap yard with a tape measure after you determine the size of your tanks. Lots of cabinets and work tables from restaurants and such. Just buy the pieces that have the size of pieces you need. Cut to size after hauling home and have a competent welder assemble.

Lol I have a couple of the out dated vent hoods (not welded seams) they require now people have been cutting panels from those for years and I still have some 18x3 sheets left good idea Chessie.Stainless is just a better product than plastic bacteria won't grow in stainless either (no Light)

Jim Blackwood · May 13, 2020, 12:04:34 PM

My original plan was to go to all stainless (I can TIG weld it, no problem) But I've heard the black water will corrode it. Anyone have experience with that?

Jim

TomC · May 13, 2020, 01:02:38 PM

Nothing reactive about plastic

luvrbus · May 13, 2020, 03:05:35 PM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 13, 2020, 12:04:34 PM
My original plan was to go to all stainless (I can TIG weld it, no problem) But I've heard the black water will corrode it. Anyone have experience with that?

Jim

Not the tank the welded seam if you don't use the proper TIG rod or wire in a MIG ,they don't use plastic tanks in boats and I seen boats from the 60's the tanks have never been a problem,large SS tanks do need a baffle but so does plastic tanks

Ed Hackenbruch · May 13, 2020, 03:49:45 PM

The stainless tanks in my bus were put in in 1983 and are still fine as far as i know.

dtcerrato · May 13, 2020, 04:41:47 PM

We have polyethylene tanks since 1979. Replaced a black tank once but the potable water & the gray are holding up excellent.

64MCI · May 13, 2020, 05:12:43 PM

I don't have much experience with metal fabrication, but I have done a fair bit of woodworking. Since working with plastic resembles woodworking, I've opted for that. I ordered the polypropylene today and will hopefully start digging into it more next week. Thanks to everybody for the suggestions.

Jed

Jim Blackwood · May 13, 2020, 06:54:45 PM

The plastic would definitely be quicker and easier to work as far as cutting and trimming. It's the need for welding and reinforcement that would concern me. Some have recommended using a 3/4" plywood box for a plastic tank, I guess that would depend on the thickness of the plastic and other things. Of course the thicker the plastic is the more of a challenge to weld it I would think. Lots of heat required and a fine balance between too concentrated and too spread out, not to mention concern about the ambient temp, so maybe not that hard to do but maybe not that easy to do well. Just my thoughts.

Jim

dtcerrato · May 13, 2020, 07:33:28 PM

I will say that our plastic tanks are doing very well due to the fact that they are encased (boxed in) with 3/4" plywood as support with 3/8" foam rubber between the tank & plywood. This condition isn't warranted until you get on bumpy roads (or off road). It makes a world of difference for the polyethylene tanks.