Fuel storage tank questions-Help needed

[tmac196]

Update:

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After some consideration, I elected to purchase a steel tank, pictured below, off of Craigslist. The former owner allowed me to climb on top and lower my LED flash light into the fill hole and inspect the tank. There was almost no rust. The tubing is still in good shape.

Outside of changing the filter and painting the tank to a color more reflective of UV radiation, do you have any other suggestions about how to convert this tank over to diesel? I note that one of you suggested that the residual gasoline in the tank would have a negligible effect on the new diesel.

A second question is about the timing of filling the tank. Since I won't need much diesel now, should I wait till spring to fill it and run the chance of increasing the corrosion or fill it now with winter mix?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Fill it now. I always fill in the winter when possible. That way no gelling issues with summer fuel in the winter months.

Chris

 

[Ken45101]

Filling it now will reduce the space for condensation over the winter. OTOH if you aren't going to use it, I would probably wait until spring rather than have it sit for six months. At least that's what I would do for my poly tank which is inside the barn. A steel tank outside? I guess I would probably fill it to reduce any more rusting.

If you fill it now, you may get a winter mix (anti gel, less anti algae supplement) **IF** your supplier puts those in.

Sometimes I suspect we overthink these issues. I fill my as needed and I've never had a problem (knock on wood.)

Ken

 

[Gary Fowler]

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.
View attachment 347907

I have been contemplating on how to fix mine up for use. How did you attach the pump to the tank to make it vapor tight?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Update:

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. After some consideration, I elected to purchase a steel tank, pictured below, off of Craigslist. The former owner allowed me to climb on top and lower my LED flash light into the fill hole and inspect the tank. There was almost no rust. The tubing is still in good shape.

Outside of changing the filter and painting the tank to a color more reflective of UV radiation, do you have any other suggestions about how to convert this tank over to diesel? I note that one of you suggested that the residual gasoline in the tank would have a negligible effect on the new diesel.

A second question is about the timing of filling the tank. Since I won't need much diesel now, should I wait till spring to fill it and run the chance of increasing the corrosion or fill it now with winter mix?

View attachment 348227

Well don't forget that when you set it up, tilt it back away from the fuel hose end so it is out of level by several inches to allow any water to settle in the back end. Put in a valve to drain it off occasionally if one is not already installed.

 

[Ken45101]

I have been contemplating on how to fix mine up for use. How did you attach the pump to the tank to make it vapor tight?

The pump flange is mounted on the board going across the tank. I cut a hole in the tank for the tube and caulked around it.

 

[EddieWalker]

Outside of changing the filter and painting the tank to a color more reflective of UV radiation, do you have any other suggestions about how to convert this tank over to diesel? I note that one of you suggested that the residual gasoline in the tank would have a negligible effect on the new diesel.

A second question is about the timing of filling the tank. Since I won't need much diesel now, should I wait till spring to fill it and run the chance of increasing the corrosion or fill it now with winter mix?

View attachment 348227

I wouldn't worry about the gasoline that might still be on the walls of the tank. That is an insignificant amount that it doesn't matter. Water in the tank is your only concern. Water in the air forms condensation, so the more air you have in the tank, the more chance for water to form on the walls of the tank. The water then drips into the fuel, and forms rust on the wall of the tank. Keeping it full is the best way to stop this, but having a good filter and changing it often is the only real way to deal with what is going to happen no matter what you do.

Congrats, it's a nice looking tank.

Eddie

 

[weathda]

That is a nice looking tank. Wish ours was around that size. The gravity feed should be low maintenance and should save you a few hundred on a pump. We restored this old tank as it had served for 40 years with no TLC. The old pump was leaking bad and as you can imagine would give you quite a workout filling the loader.

Here's a before and after shot.





We also put the tank on a slant with a drain off in the back. We typically just fill it when it needs it, but hardly goes 4 or 5 months without a refill. We've sampled a it few times but haven't found any water.

 

[Texasmark1]

I have 3ea 55 gallon drums that I accumulated over the years having engine oil in them when I used the oil....kept them clean inside and sealed; no rust, dirt, or water. I put them in an old trailer made out of a Chev short bed p/u. Keep the dung plugs installed to reduce ventilation/breathing of the tanks with weather changes to prevent water accumulation and it works.

When I set this up I went to TSC and bought an economy fuel pump, an inline filter housing, and water absorbing filter.....common item readily available at major farm stores.

The tanks stay in the trailer under a "carport" sort of shed to keep the sun and elements away, and when I go through the 150 gallons, I just hook the trailer to my pu and off to the nearest town with farm diesel. Works like a champ and no water, nor any other problems. In the 8+ years I have been doing this, I never saw water at the bottom of the filter and never had my water absorbing filter clog and upon inspecting the bottom of the drums, no water there either.

TSC PN for their economy pump is: 3958105, price depends on your local

PN for the filter assy if you want the "Goldenrod" brand housing and water absorbing filter is 0189529 and replacement filter element only is 3958309. If you don't want the water absorbing feature and a tighter filter medium, (10 micron vs 17) the assy is 3958244 and the filter refill is 3958252.

The replacement schedule depends upon your usage rate and the hygiene of the fuel you buy and how you keep it. I do use Diesel Service (brand) additive as a long term storage enhancement/stabilizer and also their additive for the engine which keeps injectors clean and a few other things. Had zero problem with any of my tractors' fuel systems since doing this.

HTH,
Mark

 

[tmac196]

Follow up:

I did some research on filters and as I will be converting the tank to diesel fuel, I will need a 30 micron filter instead of a 10 micron (recommended for gasoline). The new filter I install will also be both a hydrosorb (water) and particulate filter in the Cim-Tek 200 series line.

Yesterday we rolled the tank over and emptied it of residual rust-tinged gasoline. I plan on filling the tank this week, running 2 gallons or so through the existing filter and hose and then replacing the current filter with the new diesel filter.

Thanks for all of the advice.