need help to install gravity tanks both gas and diesel

[boggen]

just bought 2 300 gallon gravity tanks one has about 5 foot stand other has about 7 foot stand on it.

both were used for "off road diesel"

both will need new filters on them.

i think there both single wall tanks.

one will be for gas and other for diesel.

the hoses are not the best on either one of them. so will most likely get new hoses.

the nozzles are generic cheap nozzles. pull handle and go, no auto shuff off or pressure sensitive or other wise.

will get pictures later today / tommorw but resemble GaryBDavis 2 tanks in this thread Overhead Diesel Tank Project

the one i trailer home last night, only has a fill cap in the top, but the fill cap itself is missing the very top little flapper piece. it had duct tape over it when i picked it up.

there is no vent, or gauge level either on top of this tank. been trying to figure out easy way to a tleast have some sort of vent and a filler cap. without having to drill any holes.

i assume i could just use a wood stick to see how much was in either tank. or do local delivery companies generally require something else?

both tanks are fairly light, well i should say, they are light enough, that the winds i get here, could flip them over, if they are low on fuel. i doubt i will be able to pour a concrete slab for them this year. but for sure by next year. ((i hate weedeating)) and i will just put in some J bolts into the concrete and clamp tanks down that way. but until then.... don't know. maybe a couple 80 lbs bags of concrete just tossed over the very bottom rail that is 1" or so off the ground?

i am more confused than anything. hit ebay, tractorsupply, farmking, etc... for looking at costs for new hoses for both tanks, but i am not seeing distinction of hoses have a wire in them. to be able to bond the tanks, nozzle, and vehicle/tractor/other. i know if i don't have it, 9 times out 10 something will happen. that and doesn't help that i live up on a high spot for surrounding area / grade. making static electricity a problem.

grounding the tanks, is another concern, googling tank manufacturers. and attempt at Illinois state laws. and i saw a couple times not being able to use a 1/2" 10foot long copper grounding rod but *already forgets* some other type of metal grounding rod. both tanks are welded to the stands so there is not an issue there.

from what i can tell all tanks need to be 30 feet away from proptery line and buildings. no big deal. and also 30 feet away from LP tanks as well (*cries*) awell. but how far do 2 300 gallon tanks 3 feet diameter 5'6" long need to be spaced apart if one has gas and the other diesel? it would be nice if only 3 feet apart.

both tanks will needed to be cleaned out, used tanks, not taking chance.

both tanks will need to be sanded and painted. could i use a very fine sand paper and a belt sander? ((assuming tanks will already be cleaned out and drained and vapor free))

 

[Diamondpilot]

First thing is to clean them out internally as you know. If there is any rust or damage it may be trash. Once you made that decision get them painted up. For the hoses I used hoses from TSC.

For a cheap easy fuel gauge where the ext its for the tank put a "T". Then vertically put a clear piece of tubing going up the side of the tank and then back to the tank via the vent. If there is no vent like you said you really need one. If emptied and drained I would not be fearful of drilling and tapping a fitting.

As for mounting get it solid. My local fuel guys refuse to fill gravity tanks. I have to fill it myself. We have had a few guys climb up them and they tip over on them. I would get the slab poured first. Like you said set J-Bolts and get them secured.

I grounded mine with a 10' copper grounding rod and a piece of 8ga solid copper wire.

Clearly mark each tank for its use, GAS-DIESEL.

Chris

 

[tcreeley]

As a kid we bought a 1000 gal gas tank for our farm. We set it above ground and had it filled. It had a leak and all 1000 gal leaked out into the ground. It ruined our water (deep well) so that the water came out yellow and smelled like gas. 5 years later it was still the same. (leaded gas) Do these tanks ever get pressure tested for leaks? Seems like depending on word of mouth that it's good for a used tank can be risky.
Just 2 cents worth.

 

[beenthere]

Too many times I've seen the used tanks that have been sitting (rotten hoses might be a clue) for awhile have rusted through and will leak. Not a pretty sight, but does take care of the need to use the weed-eater.

Are you using so much gas and diesel that storing won't be long term? The gas we get now doesn't store very long, but if you can get it at a good price then it becomes "cheap" gas in the long haul.

Also, what is your plan to clean them out? And if you find rust, how to get that out?

Look forward to hearing more about your project.

And diamondpilot's comment about the delivery driver may indicate he/she is the one to contact about getting a fill. Often any state laws are enforced through the delivery system as to whether the tanks are fit and what, if any, concrete catch basin needs to surround them in case of spills or leaks.

 

[boggen]

it took me a while to figure out the google search terms to bring back websites. ""oil storage tank"" seemed to work better than the following words ""diesel, gas, fuel, above ground, tank, vent, fill cap, hoses, farm, AST""

2 new 1" hoses
2 new filters (a 10 and a 30 micron with water absorb) with T that accepts filters
2 new combo 2" fill vent caps
2 new 1.5 inch vents
1 new lockable brass ball valve

for about 200 bucks

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ground rod and ground wire been a few months. since i upgraded electrical in shed. i want to say 50 for 2 rods and wire

J bolts and concrete, say another 100. have some wire mesh already. and a few bags of concrete already.

sand paper and paint unknown right off.

this is getting rather expensive rather quickly!

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starting to look like i stepped into doo doo. more i look at the tanks but at rate i am going. 2 diesel and 2 gas cans min weekly in summer, and then on projects 2 to 3 times needing to fill them all up per week. it gets old fast. and end up wasting more time getting fuel than working.

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cleaning them out should be easy enough.

pressure testing as far as plugging up holes in tank. and then hooking up air compressor and pump some air into them with a pressure gauge (already have that stuff)

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still need to find info on how far apart i can set a diesel and a regular unlead gas tanks apart. if i can set them a few feet away from each other. pouring a concrete slab with short walls up on them. for a secondary containment area should be easy enough for me.

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I only have 2 local diesel / gas delivery companies near me. one gave me a run around. and other only had 150 gravity, and 100 gallon 12 volt tanks.

i rather not have to deal with an electrical pump. i can run electrical out to the tanks. i could do a 12v battery say in garage with a trickle charger on it. or get a small transformer for 110 to 12volt. but that is also additional cost. not counting initial charge company charges for setting tanks up.

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will contact local fire department this coming week as well to see if they might be able to clue me in on anything as far as regulations.