Fuel storage tank questions-Help needed

[tmac196]

I am in need of a 300 gallon fuel storage tank for diesel fuel on my property. I will be looking at a tank listed on Craigslist in the next couple of days. This tank held gasoline, but has been empty for 6-9 months. It is a gravity feed tank with a screw on filter system raised on a steel cradle and would be a match for my existing gasoline storage tank. The rubber hose is cracked and checked, but allegedly does not leak according to the current owner. The tank itself does not leak according to the current owner who recently used it for gasoline storage for his lawn and landscape business.

So, some questions come to mind:

What general characteristics should I be looking for as I examine this tank for a possible purchase? What techniques should I utilize to examine it?

Does the fact that it was sitting "empty"(there is likely still a residue of gasoline in it) create any issues with condensation and subsequent corrosion inside the tank? Do they all get corroded over time?

Are screw on filters a better or worse filtration option for diesel storage?

Are there any concerns about putting diesel fuel in a tank which had previously held gasoline? If so, how should the tank be "cleaned out" prior to the delivery of fresh diesel fuel?

Are there any other considerations which I have not thought of?

 

[mikehaugen]

I don't know first hand, but have heard that fuel suppliers will lease tanks for next to nothing if you buy enough fuel. Might be worth a call? It may not be worth buying/owning your own.

 

[Ken45101]

My biggest concern with older tanks is rust inside them. I guess, however, that a good filter should remove the rust....in theory at least.

I wouldn't worry about a few ounces of gas mixed in with diesel. If it's a couple of gallons, you ought to be able to drain most of it, I would think.

 

[sd455dan]

I am in need of a 300 gallon fuel storage tank for diesel fuel on my property. I will be looking at a tank listed on Craigslist in the next couple of days. This tank held gasoline, but has been empty for 6-9 months. It is a gravity feed tank with a screw on filter system raised on a steel cradle and would be a match for my existing gasoline storage tank. The rubber hose is cracked and checked, but allegedly does not leak according to the current owner. The tank itself does not leak according to the current owner who recently used it for gasoline storage for his lawn and landscape business.

So, some questions come to mind:

What general characteristics should I be looking for as I examine this tank for a possible purchase? What techniques should I utilize to examine it?

Does the fact that it was sitting "empty"(there is likely still a residue of gasoline in it) create any issues with condensation and subsequent corrosion inside the tank? Do they all get corroded over time?

Are screw on filters a better or worse filtration option for diesel storage?

Are there any concerns about putting diesel fuel in a tank which had previously held gasoline? If so, how should the tank be "cleaned out" prior to the delivery of fresh diesel fuel?

Are there any other considerations which I have not thought of?

My Ford 3000 manual had a good point in the mounting angle of the tank- It shows the tank with the end farthest from the draw point being lower . That way any rust and scale or other debri will settle out due to gravity Away from the draw point.
This will trap a certain part of the fuel when the tank is nearly empty (and water) if the tank has a moisture drain hopefully it was used. - but it's the part you don't want pumped into your tractors fuel tank. This may be the part of the tank that may have the most rust and is where I would be trying to check for tank being rusted ..

Good Luck on your search

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you are going to keep the tank outside, you will get lots of condensation. Tip the tank 3-4" lower on the end opposite from where the hose is connected. Put on a drain valve on the low end and use a clear container, drain some fuel into it and check for water and sediment. This should be done at least monthly (more if you get lots of water out). Any type of filter will work whether the screw on or canister type that has a clear housing. Those steel tanks will have some rust due to constant condensation so a filter is mandatory. Change the element whenever flow is diminished with the gravity fed tanks.
I don't see that you have tractors that will consume that much fuel, so it may take you a year or more to burn 300 gallons. You may wish to put a biocide in the tank each time you fill it up. With it being outside and more water getting into it, the likelihood of getting algae growth is pretty high. The old sulfur fuels didn't get algae because the sulfur kept it from growing. IF it is likely that you will be using fuel in the winter, you may want to get a winter blend and use it year round.

 

[EddieWalker]

I started out looking for a used tank and after looking for close to a year, never found anything worth half what people where asking for them. Rust everywhere and nothing I wanted to fuel my tractors from. Then I came across a hundred gallon aluminum tank of a big rig that had a damaged fill cap. I cut that off and had a threaded aluminum nipple welded onto it that I could screw a cap onto.

Then I found another and connected the two of them with two hose lines underneath. One sits a bit higher then the other, and the fuel flows evenly to both tanks so as I get fuel from one, the other tank flows into it.

I know it's not what you are looking for, but the aluminum never rusts. I do get sediment from somewhere and I have to change the filter on it about every other year. The only place I have any fuel problems is on my backhoe, and it has a steel tank. I have three filters on it, and I have to change them at least once a year, plus sometimes blow out the fuel lines and clean out the sediment bowl. Because of all the issues I have with that steal tank, I would never want a used steel tank for storage for my fuel.

If you really want a 300 gallon tank, look into new. Either plastic designed for diesel storage, or aluminum before steel.

Eddie

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought a 300 gallon clear polly tank and built a stand. New hose, filler valve, and filter assembly all for $150.

Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

Last summer my brother in law picked up a plastic tote tank for me from a local chemical company. It was free for the hauling away. It hold 275 gallons, had a ball valve and cap on the bottom, a 8" screw on cap on top and surrounded by a steel tubing frame. It is made to be handled with a fork lift. My plans were to use it as bulk when the distributor said we had to have 250 gallon minimum order but he ended up not charging for the 175 gallon order we had so I haven't done anything other than set it beside my 100 gallon tank. I think I will end up doing kind of like Eddie did by connection them together with a hose and I can let it feed my smaller tank when needed. Since it is a lot higher than my 100 gallon tank, I would have to just keep the valve closed except when I needed to top up the smaller tank with the pump in it, at least till the 275 got down to about 1/2 full.
It is a cheap option if you pick them up direct or get them from Craiglist sellers who pick them up, clean them and sell for about $50 each.

You could also build a cribbing to set it on that is higher than your tractor tank and just hook up to the attached valve on the tank for gravity feed.

 

[Ken45101]

Last summer my brother in law picked up a plastic tote tank for me from a local chemical company. It was free for the hauling away. It hold 275 gallons, had a ball valve and cap on the bottom, a 8" screw on cap on top and surrounded by a steel tubing frame. It is made to be handled with a fork lift.

That's what I have. I added an electric pump and an inline filter. It works great.

I did have one supplier look at it and say something about they are not supposed to fill plastic tanks, but he went ahead and nothing more has been said.

I do keep it out of the sun, I'm not sure how long that plastic will last if it is constantly exposed to sunlight.

I still have the original water and particulate filter on it. It's been in use for 5 years now. I go through 3-500 gallons a year.

Some time when I need fuel for starting a brush fire or something, I will tap off of the bottom drain and see if there is any moisture in it.

 

[adventure bob]

poly tank: no rust, airtight, will last forever. Only drawback is if you pop a hole in it, they're harder to fix.