New Storage Tank - How to Protect My Fuel?

[ovrszd]

I have a 500 gallon propane tank that I own. A few years ago I bought a second one to be able to buy fuel at the cycle low that is just before harvest. That tank has now, or almost now, paid for itself. Tank is now "free" to me plus I now get a free amount of $$ every year (by buying and storing) instead of standing in line to buy when everyone else does.

This works with everything. My L4300DT was "free" because I used it to landscape and for construction of my new house. Plus I did a couple paying jobs with it so it's not only FREE, but it paid me to buy it. What's not to love? :dog:

Yep. Totally understand doing it. Long term decisions for sure.

 

[cold1313]

I gave my local co-op a call who sold me the tank and who will deliver my diesel. Luckily they are only about 1 mile down the road and won't charge me a minimum order quantity. He personally likes the idea of keeping the tank topped off to avoid condensation build up and wasn't concerned about the fuel sitting for years at a time (as almost everyone here has also stated).

Everything is low sulfur and they treat the fuel before adding it to my tank. He said they typically use Schaeffer (UL142D??) this time of year, because it has a deicer built into it. They are also a Lucas Oil rep, so they will switch to that sometimes as well.

They own all of the gas stations around here, so he said whenever I stop by, he'd give me a "bunch" of 30 micron filters if I needed some. They also have the nicer filters with the water block that will prevent the fuel flow if water is detected....free for me.

I asked about algae. He said that he inspects people's tanks all the time and in the last 5 years, he's only found 2 tanks with algae in it. They sell an algae product if I'm interested, but he personally thinks people are over reacting to it.

However, with me willing to be over cautious, it looks like:
I will use a water filter off my pump & continue to run Stanadyne(?)

I'm still confused whether I should dump something in for gelling and algae, as long as it won't have any negative effects for year long use...other than a few bucks out of my wallet.

 

[sixdogs]

You're being overly cautious because you're a newbie at this. Put the tank in the barn, add the Stanadyne Performance Formula, a filter and then it's Miller Time. Grab a brewski, tell the wife how much you love the tank she bought and call it good. Tell her you'll take her out this weekend to wherever she wants to go and then insert a cab tractor brochure into her favorite magazine. It's never too early to start trolling. Life is good.

 

[cold1313]

Thanks Sixdogs!

 

[sixdogs]

You could also just put in 150 or 200 gallons to get your feet wet.

While you're at it, now is a great time to paint the tank if you want to. I painted mine Rustoleum Gray last fall and did a thread on it. It looks great. Once you start using it you'll spill fuel on it and it becomes a bigger job to paint.

 

[Big Barn]

I've been using Power Service for almost 40 years. Can't say for certain that it "works" but we've NEVER had a fuel related problem on the farm.

I don't measure. Just dump a gallon jug in whenever the tank gets filled.

Here's mine. 500 Imperial gallon double wall vertical tank.


BTW how do you guys get away with tanks INSIDE your buildings? Does your insurance policy permit this? In my area the Fire Marshall would have me thrown in jail. . As it is, my tank is not even situated far enough from the building to meet code.

Terry

 

[cold1313]

Sixdogs - I had planned to slap some new (probably white paint since I have it) on the tank before I fill it up in the spring/summer

Big Barn - Not sure...I'm not going to ask the Fire Marshall though!

I had sent an email to my Kubota dealer, whom I have a good relationship with and their Service Manager had the following to say:

"Diesel fuel is pretty stable, however It痴 biggest enemy during storage is moisture. Products that contain alcohol (such as diesel 911) obviously dry out moisture but at the same time dry out injection pump seals & rob fuel痴 lubricity capabilities. Those types of additives are okay for a short term low volume problem. For a larger quantity & longer term, we like to use Power Service Bio Kleen to combat algae at a maintenance dose of 1oz per 55 gallons of fuel along with Stanadyne Performance Formula at a rate of 16oz. per 60 gallons of fuel."

Sounds like everyone is in agreement.


If I use a plug for a fill point, and therefore do no allow the tank to vent, wouldn't I have to worry about expansion and contraction with temperature swings and when pumping? And since the tanks says not to exceed 3 psi? I could get a small 2 psi check valve, but that doesn't do anything if there is a slight vacuum on the tank. If you haven't noticed, I over think things....I hate to admit but I'm an engineer, it's my nature :confused3:

 

[sixdogs]

White shows the dirt. if you're going to leave it outside paint it Rustoleum Silver. If you're going to leave it inside, which you should, paint it Rustoleum Smoke Gray. I painted mine that color and you can see it in this thread. It's the third post and I think it's a pleasant color..

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/352401-small-acreage-fuel-storage-50-a-3.html

The fireman is going to tell you to leave the tank outside and that's the only answer he can give you as a government official because of liability concerns. Instead, ask a farmer. Actually, stop asking questions. This is not that hard; put the tank in the barn by a big door; put on rollers if you want and call it good. Just my two cents.

 

[cold1313]

Yes I am aware that white shows the dirt. It's also what I have in a gallon of Rustoleum that I no longer need.

I like the Smoke Gray, same color as my propane tank.

I didn't bring up the fire marshal topic...I don't care what they have to say.

 

[sixdogs]

Oops...sorry on fire marshal. My tank got to be gray because that's the color that I had left over...