«-- Odds 'n Sods: | Main | Letter Re: Long Term Storage Food Vendors are Now Painfully Short on Inventory --»
Letter Re: Advice on an Underground Fuel Tank Installation and Use
Mr. Rawles:
Can you direct me to where I can learn how to bury 300 gallon fuel tanks correctly?
Also, how to get the fuel out if there is no power. Thanks, - Mark T.
JWR Replies: Unless you expect to use your fuel tank on a
daily basis, then I recommend that you install just a manual (hand) pump. These
are available from
most tank
dealers.
If it will be buried in rocky ground, first put down a 4-inch layer of sand,
to minimize risk of punctures during installation. Otherwise, burial is pretty
straightforward. Be sure to read this
general guide on preventing leaks that was published by Oklahoma State
University, and this
fuel tank safety document, published
by the state of North Dakota.
If you buy a used tank, have it pressure tested. If you are getting a steel
tank, a coating of asphalt emulsion--although it is a messy job--will extend
the life of your tank. Also, talk to your tank dealer about installing a sacrificial
zinc anode for cathodic corrosion protection. Together, those two measures
can greatly extend the life of a
steel tank.
OBTW, see
my reply to this posted letter for some ideas on camouflaging your
tank's pump head, to prevent fuel thefts.
