This seems like the right place for this, rather than gen chit.

I have an old 300 gallon above ground fuel storage tank that is starting to rust and leak....

Does anyone know of any good manufacturers of tanks?

Also how do i find out about local regulations about this?

As always, price is an issue, but sometimes you gotta bite the bullet.

-G-

Contact your local ag supplier. My off-road diesel supplier has tanks for sale at about the best prices around. They'll know what you need to do as well.

(I'm using 55-gallon drums for diesel)

I had though about going to see the local co-op, now i think i will.

Thanks.

-G-

I had though about going to see the local co-op, now i think i will.

Thanks.

-G-

Depending upon what you're using the fuel for, you might get a better price. I heat with diesel fuel and get it at untaxed rates as a result.

look into an old propane tank I just bought a 500 gal tank for $150.They are about 3/8" thick.

look into an old propane tank I just bought a 500 gal tank for $150.They are about 3/8" thick.

I have often thought of this route, however some fabrication for dispensing would be needed, and IIRC there are currently some pretty stiff ass regulations set by the EPA on what can and cannot be used for fuel storage.

...long story short i could probably do it that way, but they are currently using EPA fines as a nice way to pay for the stimulus packages, which means getting caught won't be a fun time.

The current tank is around 60 years old and is used for gasoline. If it is not too cost prohibitive, i am thinking of getting another tank for no 2. offroad diesel.

The ones i am seeing from Northern Tool are around 1K for 285 gallon cap.:eek:


-G-

:eek:we just bought a 2000 gallon tank for $800 or so at a farm auction.

Around here tanks used to go for about a dollar a gallon, but lately the prices have been all over the place.

To go cheap you might try a 'big rig' bone yard for your diesel tanks. 200 gallon tanks are common, and they are aluminium. Any oil jobber can/will give you a line on tanks. Some will supply the tank if you buy fuel from them. You will fall under different regs/laws
if you have a farm and tanks under 500 gal. That's the way it was anyway. JUST DON'T BURY THE THING. Butler Tanks used to be a better tank, but I don't know if they are even in bizz anymore. Out of Minneapolis & Kansas City, Ks
P.S. I grew up in Dayton---many many moons ago

IIRC there are currently some pretty stiff ass regulations set by the EPA on what can and cannot be used for fuel storage.

...long story short i could probably do it that way, but they are currently using EPA fines as a nice way to pay for the stimulus packages, which means getting caught won't be a fun time.

-G-

Is this for a business? Very few USEPA regulations apply to private individuals, very few. There may well be local ordinances and NFPA might have a say, but again, if it isn't a business, you're probably in the clear. Also, tanks used solely for comfort heating fuel storage are exempt from pretty much all of the regs.

EPA regs don't start to kick in until you exceed 660 gallons in a single container, or more than 1320 total, and then, if this is a business, you need a Spill Prevention Controls and Countermeasures Plan that needs to be certified by a PE. Even with this, there is some discretion given proximity to a navigable waterway. Fortunately, the Oil Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 will probably never apply to your operations unless you intend to store a LOT more oil!

Container specifications are set by USDOT, RSPA (Research and Special Projects Administration), not EPA.

No, I wasn't in charge of oil spill prevention and response for a major electric utility or anything like that:flipoff2: (I see you're in Dayton, let's just say that the parent company of the one I worked for was headquartered in Columbus)

I would be looking at PE tanks rather than metal as they are cheap, light, do not corrode and it is easy to see the liquid level inside. For diesel I just use the 1000L IBC "Cubes" that are readily available used for $100 locally:

http://www.ibcservice.com.pl/zdjecia/ibc_schuetz_1.jpg

http://www.innovativeplastics.net/images/photos_home/chemical_leg_tanks_lrg.jpg

Is this for a business? Very few USEPA regulations apply to private individuals, very few. There may well be local ordinances and NFPA might have a say, but again, if it isn't a business, you're probably in the clear. Also, tanks used solely for comfort heating fuel storage are exempt from pretty much all of the regs.

EPA regs don't start to kick in until you exceed 660 gallons in a single container, or more than 1320 total, and then, if this is a business, you need a Spill Prevention Controls and Countermeasures Plan that needs to be certified by a PE. Even with this, there is some discretion given proximity to a navigable waterway. Fortunately, the Oil Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 will probably never apply to your operations unless you intend to store a LOT more oil!

Container specifications are set by USDOT, RSPA (Research and Special Projects Administration), not EPA.

No, I wasn't in charge of oil spill prevention and response for a major electric utility or anything like that:flipoff2: (I see you're in Dayton, let's just say that the parent company of the one I worked for was headquartered in Columbus)

The tanks are for Farm use; The only reason i had mentioned regulations and the EPA stuff is because i heard it from a guy i used to bale hay for.

I hope i am misinformed so i can get something cheap and not have Big Brother in on the action.


-G-

Check carefully. When our neighbor back home put in new tanks, they had to be above ground, and with a concrete pad/wall system that would contain 100% capacity of one of the tanks if it leaked.

Check carefully. When our neighbor back home put in new tanks, they had to be above ground, and with a concrete pad/wall system that would contain 100% capacity of one of the tanks if it leaked.

That is exactly what i have found to be the case, regardless of wether or not it is for ag or commercial use.

I would hate to have to go buy a shitload of jerry cans...or even worse the new spill proof nozzles.

Check carefully. When our neighbor back home put in new tanks, they had to be above ground, and with a concrete pad/wall system that would contain 100% capacity of one of the tanks if it leaked.

then your neighbor should have sent the little bit extra and purchased a double walled tank which would provide secondary containment.

The regulations on fuel storage tanks in the sizes that would commonly be used at home are very lax from the EPA not to mention the specific exemptions. You will have the greater potential for rules and regulations with your state and local authorities. Most above ground storage tanks are regulated more by fire code and zoning ordinance than environmental law. Federal SPCC regulations kick in if you have 1350 (IIRC) gallons above ground of oil products in containers greater than 55 gallons. For this regulations oil products are all fuels, vegie oils, hydraulic oils, etc.


Here in FL all tanks public, private, ag, or otherwise greater than or equal to 550 gallons must be registered with the DEP, be annually inspected and you must demonstrate financial responsibility (ie insurance for leaks), and installation must be inspected also, tanks must be double walled or have secondary containment sufficient to contain 100% of the volume plus adequate room for rainwater.

Fine, don't believe me.

40 CFR 110 and 112 will tell you everything you need to know about the federal regulations.

Secondary containment can be met far more easily and far less expensively than most think. In fact, a local joint makes a good buck selling septic tanks for use as secondary containment structures.

In my case, I'll have less than 660 gallons and the fuel is used for comfort heating so I'm exempt from just about everything.

then your neighbor should have sent the little bit extra and purchased a double walled tank which would provide secondary containment.

The regulations on fuel storage tanks in the sizes that would commonly be used at home are very lax from the EPA not to mention the specific exemptions. You will have the greater potential for rules and regulations with your state and local authorities. Most above ground storage tanks are regulated more by fire code and zoning ordinance than environmental law. Federal SPCC regulations kick in if you have 1350 (IIRC) gallons above ground of oil products in containers greater than 55 gallons. For this regulations oil products are all fuels, vegie oils, hydraulic oils, etc.


Here in FL all tanks public, private, ag, or otherwise greater than or equal to 550 gallons must be registered with the DEP, be annually inspected and you must demonstrate financial responsibility (ie insurance for leaks), and installation must be inspected also, tanks must be double walled or have secondary containment sufficient to contain 100% of the volume plus adequate room for rainwater.

The way around all that is to put the tank on a trailer and never move the trailer.