Durability.
Long Service Life.
Low Costs.
These are just a few reasons why buying a used fiberglass tank is a good choice. Following is a quick guide to buying a USED Fiberglass Tank.
1) BUY A USED TANK WITH SIMILAR...
You'll want to purchase a used tank that stores the exact materials you will be using.
Looking for a tank to store Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach)? Buy a tank that holds bleach.
Searching for a tank to hold Ferric Chloride? Buy a tank from a wastewater treatment facility.
Are you seeking a Sodium Hydroxide tank? Buy a tank from a pulp and paper mill.
You get the idea. Find used tanks that have stored the same materials you will be using.
2) INSPECT USED TANKS CAREFULLY
Scrutinizing used tanks before you buy them can reveal broken baffles, corroded linings, cracks, improperly repaired leaks, side-wall separation from the top, UV Damage, and other issues with the tank. Take a strong flashlight and look inside the tank. Look for defects and residue.
You will need a confined space permit and scaffolding if the tank is large. The last thing you want is to fall into a bleach tank!
Checking areas of weakness, like seams or nozzles, is typically a good place to start.
3) CONSIDER CHEMICAL PENETRATION
How much of the previously stored material has penetrated the tank itself? The first sign to look for is the wearing of the wax coating. You may even see a deterioration of the interior wall lining itself, bubbles, cracks, and even layers hanging off the sides.
You'll want to look at the tank and find the manufacturer stickers, which should include a
serial number. Call the manufacturer with the identification number, and they should be able to tell you the year it was constructed and the type of resin they used.
4) GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK
What kind of material did the tank store before?
Did it hold the same material you are going to store in it?
Is the manufacturer’s sticker still attached to the tank? If so, call the manufacturer to get information about the tank.
What resin is the tank made of?
Can you examine the inside of the tank by taking off the manway?
How much will the needed repairs cost?
For a free FRP Tank Repair quote, call us today at 410-737-4700, email us at contact@plastechservices.com, or submit an online request by clicking here.
This blog article was inspired by an excellent PDF Article by Purdue University Produced, "Fiberglass Tanks for storage, Transport, and Application." You can discover that article here: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ppp/ppp-93.pdf