DIY PVC water tanks

[JohnEd]

Guys,

A while ago I read a lot about making your own custom sized holding tanks.  I can't see any other way but the material is in question.  I want to use PVC because I think it can be glued together with a "welding" cement and it is or was cheap.  I recall that the black PVC was cheap but not suitable for holding fresh water and the white stuff was suitable for fresh water.  I don't recall the specifics of the unsuitability of the black.  Is it sooooo bad that I can't even use it for washing dishes?  I will be carrying fresh in a ten gallon tank for drinking and boiling vegies and that will have a seperate spigot in the kitchen.

Maybe someone knows who the Mfr of PVC is and what their web location is.

Any reasons I shouldn't use this approach?

John

[Jerry Liebler]

John,
      Either ABS or PVC could potentially be 'glued' to make tanks.  For fresh water tanks it's important to get 'food grade' material.  Polypropylene must be welded but it is the most economical food grade material with desirable physical properties such as impact strength.  Learning to do the hot air welding takes a day or so but it can easily be mastered. Craig shepard has an excellent discussion of building tanks at. http://www.gumpydog.com/bus/MC9_WIP/Plumbing/Holding_Tank_Fabrication/holding_tank_fabrication.htm
I built 4 tanks following (sort of) these instructions.  I have two fresh water  tanks totaling 180 gallons, a waste tank at 220 gallons and a coolant tank for my Webasto at about 5 gallons.  Email me off board if you choose welded tank construction.
Regards
Jerry 4107 1120

[bobofthenorth]

George Lowry also did an excellent article about this:
http://users.cwnet.com/~thall/george.htm