[Old Machinist]

I've run through the gambit on diesel storage. I started with 55 gallon oil drums and they started to rust inside after 4 years. I switched to plastic drums and one of those split this week. Thankfully it split above the fuel level and no spill occurred.

I set out on a mission to find an aluminum tank. I was all set to buy new if I could find one for five or six hundred bucks. Turns out they are like every other thing sans covid. Prices are double and triple and none to be had.

I came across a tank manufacturer that wasn't too far away that made a rectangular shaped 150 gallon tank. I called this morning and they wouldn't sell direct, no way, no how. On top of that the guy said they were 16 weeks and 8000 tanks behind in production. How is that even possible????

SOOOOOO, I started calling diesel truck shops to see if they had any used saddle tanks or knew where I might find one. The second place I called gave me a number for a scrap yard that has several semi trucks being parted out. There I learned that practically all of them have round tanks. The only square options were steel and I didn't want steel again.

After an hour of walking the yard I found a tank that only had one little dent and was already pulled. $162 and I was on my way back home. Now to figure out how to set it up and adapt my pump to it. It's 23" diameter and 60" long so just a tad over 100 gallons.

 

[robwheeler]

Nice find. Couple furniture dollies and you set.
rob

 

[MattL]

I love the creativity of the group.. never would have thought to get an old truck fuel tank, yet that's exactly what is needed and in plain view all the time. So obvious! Thank you for sharing!

Edited: My failure to correctly write "tank"..

 

[Dave in DE]

Great find and idea.
You got lucky twice. Finding that tank and the split in the plastic drum.
I had a plastic drum in the corner my business shop to store used motor oil. Came in one Monday morning to find one bay of my shop soaked in oil. Barrel was full of course. Took me most of the day to clean up the mess. The entire length of the seam down one side was wide open.

 

[JR Diyer]

Nice find and being that it's aluminum, that tank will polish out nice. And will be a great addition to your shop.

 

[ironpony]

I was reading your post and started to get excited. I thought you were going to ask for ideas and mine was find an old semi tank, LOL
nice find.

 

[Old Machinist]

This tank has a black film inside I assume from bacteria buildup. There is no good way to clean it with a pressure washer or anything. It only has the one large fill hole and a couple 1/2" holes for drain and roll over valve. The other two holes have tubes welded in place for delivery and return lines.

I have a couple gallons of fuel in it with a 10x dose of biobor to try to loosen the stuff. I have it strapped in my loader bucket so I can roll it back and forth.

Does anybody know of a chemical that will dissolve the bacteria film on contact that won't harm aluminum so I can get most of this crud out?