Fuel Storage Tank
#7265429
05/16/21 08:58 AM
05/16/21 08:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697
Idaho, Lemhi County
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I just acquired a 270-gallon galvanized steel tank that was previously used as a water storage tank. I plan on elevating it for a gravity-fed gasoline tank here at the homestead. The tank has been sitting empty for several years. With all the practical knowledge out there, how would I go about cleaning out this tank of rust (and other nasties) before I fill with gasoline and begin use? The tank weighs somewhere around 300 lbs and ain't easy to move around. Also, I'll paint the exterior (probably spray paint). Do I need to prime initially?
Jack
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265462
05/16/21 09:44 AM
05/16/21 09:44 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 17,480 Wheaton Ks
lee steinmeyer
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 17,480
Wheaton Ks
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Galvanized steel needs to be primed with zink chromate primer, or whatever you put on it will flake off. As for the inside, you have two choices, they make a gas tank sealer, that coates the inside, seals holes and traps the nasties. Wish I could recall what it's cslled! Search the web, it used to be out there, bet someone still makes it. Your second choice, as long as your positive you don't have any holes, is to just put a good filter on it to filter out the nasties. Don't forget to treeat the gas!
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265463
05/16/21 09:49 AM
05/16/21 09:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697 Idaho, Lemhi County
Gulo
OP
"On The Other Hand"
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OP
"On The Other Hand"
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,697
Idaho, Lemhi County
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Many thanks Lee. Much appreciate your coaching. From aluminum airplane painting I did a few years ago, I think I still have some zinc chromate primer. I didn't know that was recommended for galvanized. Thanks.
Jack
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265469
05/16/21 10:00 AM
05/16/21 10:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,723 Maine
Mac
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,723
Maine
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Its awesome information filled threads like this one that makes this an every day check it out spot. Great information Lee. Mac
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265493
05/16/21 10:40 AM
05/16/21 10:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,928 Oakland, MS
Drifter
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,928
Oakland, MS
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I made a fuel tank for an old truck I had and didn't treat it. BIG mistake. filled the carb full of rust in short order. Gas will wash away any of the oils used in manufacturing so one must use a sealer inside a tank or you will pay the price. Some on a motorcycle site I used to go to tried the cheap stuff to find it would come loose and plug stuff up bad. Once it was in there it was next door to impossible to get rid of. I hope someone has a solution for this.
Some individuals use statistics as a drunk man uses lamp-posts — for support rather than for illumination.
Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic
Life member NTA , and GA Trappers assoc .
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Kermit]
#7265506
05/16/21 10:56 AM
05/16/21 10:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,226 Alaska and Washington State
waggler
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,226
Alaska and Washington State
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Gravity tank is a environmental hazard. Put it on some 6 inch cement supports. An open cover will keep fuel in better shape. Some of newer gases have a short shelf life by the time they are delivered. Straight gas keeps better ^^^^^ This Don't rely on any sort of valve to stop unintended flow; eventually all valves/hoses/fittings will fail.
"My life is better than your vacation"
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265571
05/16/21 12:46 PM
05/16/21 12:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,833 Asheville, NC
charles
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,833
Asheville, NC
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In the Coast Guard we etched with a primer we called “blue death”. It was mixed with sulfuric aid and required a respirator. Made very small batches because not much was galvanized on the boat we were painting. Just handrails.
Last edited by charles; 05/16/21 12:48 PM.
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265753
05/16/21 06:11 PM
05/16/21 06:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500 Kenai AK
KenaiKid
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
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Well, my Grandpa's old-school method for cleaning rust scale from the inside of a tank was to shovel some rocky gravel into and roll it down the hill. Then dump and shop-vac it out, rise once (with fuel or solvent that will evaporate), let it air out (sometimes with a blower) and its ready for coating. I don't remember any specific coating products.
Sure gravity tanks are a "hazard." Fuel anywhere is technically a hazard. Gravity tanks are much preferred to buried tanks around here because at least you'll know if it leaks. Containment isn't a bad idea if it suits you.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: Gulo]
#7265801
05/16/21 07:51 PM
05/16/21 07:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,719 pa
hippie
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,719
pa
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Vehicle fuel tanks have no coating on the inside that I ever saw, so why does a tank like this??
Does splash keep them from rusting maybe?
Last edited by hippie; 05/16/21 07:54 PM.
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: caldwellite]
#7266055
05/17/21 08:58 AM
05/17/21 08:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337 The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane
"HOSS"
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"HOSS"
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,337
The Hill Country of Texas
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Check with your fuel supply delivery service. United Oil is one over here, 208 459 6363. D.E.Q. regulates tanks and can be helpful on a lot of things. That was my first thought as well, whomever delivers bulk fuel would have to be the local experts and a great resource. They will know the latest environmental regs and no doubt get to see first hand which tanks, liners, hoses, & valves hold up over time.
As they probably have competition they would likely give you all kinds of input just to secure you biz when you get your bulk storage up and running
“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.” Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers
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Re: Fuel Storage Tank
[Re: hippie]
#7267478
05/19/21 03:18 AM
05/19/21 03:18 AM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500 Kenai AK
KenaiKid
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,500
Kenai AK
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Vehicle fuel tanks have no coating on the inside that I ever saw, so why does a tank like this??
Does splash keep them from rusting maybe? The issue is water sitting in the bottom causing rust. Water can and will condensate out of almost all fuel over time, and of course water settles underneath petroleum. Vehicle tanks cycle a lot faster (full-empty-full in a couple weeks vs. 6 months or more). Most vehicles also circulate fuel back to the tank, so any little bit of water gets stirred up and burned through pretty quickly. Metal vehicle tanks do sometimes rust out, usually from sitting for a long time. So for a steel tank that's going to spend it's life sitting still with no circulation, slow fuel cycle, and usually no bottom drain, coating is a reasonable idea.
Boco couldn't catch a cold. But if he did, it would be Top Lot.
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