Re-using square caged tanks

Belfrybat · #1 09/19/10, 12:54 PM

I have the opportunity to purchase several of those 265 gallon square white plastic tanks inside cages for a very good price. I had wanted them to catch rainwater to water the yard and as a backup water supply. However, they originally held a weed killer (generic Round Up). Would the chemical permeate the plastic to such a degree that some would always leach into the water, or would it dissipate with a couple of flushings? These are the perfect size for what I need them for, but don't want to kill the lawn and ornamentals by using them. I won't use them on food crops.

rambler · #2 09/19/10, 01:26 PM

Using amonia or a special tank cleaner (some flakes in a small jug, nearly any farm supply store like TSC will have) you can clean them out good enough for your uses.

I'd not want to use for drinking water, and I'd test it a bit on the back side of the yard when you start using it.

--->Paul

Harry Chickpea · #3 09/19/10, 01:31 PM

Ammonia or chlorine (not both) would degrade the chemical residue. Rambler has it right, not for drinking water, but otherwise should be fine.

Lizza · #4 09/19/10, 01:41 PM

What a timely thread. The same place we buy our food grade 55 gallon barrels also has a lot of those 275 gallon containers in steel right now, theirs held mostly honey, molasses, oil, those kids of things. They want $98 each, I thought that was a pretty good deal?

Does anyone have any pictures of what they have used them for? I am also thinking rain water collectors.

Belfrybat · #5 09/19/10, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler

Using amonia or a special tank cleaner (some flakes in a small jug, nearly any farm supply store like TSC will have) you can clean them out good enough for your uses.

I'd not want to use for drinking water, and I'd test it a bit on the back side of the yard when you start using it.

--->Paul

Thanks. How much ammonia (or chlorine) per gallon of water to clean it out?

Belfrybat · #6 09/19/10, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morningstar

What a timely thread. The same place we buy our food grade 55 gallon barrels also has a lot of those 275 gallon containers in steel right now, theirs held mostly honey, molasses, oil, those kids of things. They want $98 each, I thought that was a pretty good deal?

Does anyone have any pictures of what they have used them for? I am also thinking rain water collectors.

That's a great deal for food-safe container. In San Antonio they go for $175.00 each. I'm getting mine 3/$100.00 but they are not food safe. A rancher friend purchased a couple of these to store diesel in. I don't know if it would be safe to store gasoline in them.

I've also read that painting them will protect them from UV rays and extend their life. It also will keep algae from growing in water.

littlebitfarm · #7 09/19/10, 04:38 PM

We give them away free at work. Only had chemicals used to treat drinking water in them.

Kathie

Harry Chickpea · #8 09/19/10, 05:48 PM

Use a garden sprayer with about 1 quart of bleach and a couple gallons of water. Spray down the inside with some, wait five minutes, repeat, then if possible spray in the whole mix and add water to fill, let sit overnight. Ammonia might take a little more. The usual warning applies - NEVER mix ammonia and chlorine.

The reason I suggest bleach is that it is very reactive and will bind to a lot of active chemicals. Cabin Fever could fill you in on details. Giving it plenty of time to work (and keeping the temperature around room temperature) allows you to use less.

Lizza · #9 09/19/10, 06:06 PM

Cool, good to know on the price, I thought they were a good deal. I talked to the hubby today and I think we will pick up 2. He mentioned that he would be painting them black.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belfrybat

That's a great deal for food-safe container. In San Antonio they go for $175.00 each. I'm getting mine 3/$100.00 but they are not food safe. A rancher friend purchased a couple of these to store diesel in. I don't know if it would be safe to store gasoline in them.

I've also read that painting them will protect them from UV rays and extend their life. It also will keep algae from growing in water.

Windy in Kansas · #10 09/19/10, 09:05 PM

If there are contractors that do highway striping in your area you might call and ask them if they get glass beads in them and have any to sell?

Tana Mc put me on the trail of some and I bought two, one for $75 and the other with a somewhat beat up cage for $60, also because of a quantity discount. lol

The glass beads are what causes the stripes to be reflective at night, and are added to the wet paint so that they adhere.

Texasdirtdigger · #11 09/20/10, 06:27 AM

We buy 330 gal for $75. Use them for rainwater collection. Ours prev held a fruit flavored drink. Glad to know, others can be made water useable.

Jokarva · #12 09/20/10, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebitfarm

We give them away free at work. Only had chemicals used to treat drinking water in them.

Kathie

Do you work at a water treatment plant? There's one near DH's work, I wonder if they have them too...

Where is everyone else buying theirs? I've seen them on trucks but wouldn't have the first clue on where to buy one.

artificer · #13 09/20/10, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jokarva

Where is everyone else buying theirs? I've seen them on trucks but wouldn't have the first clue on where to buy one.

It may be regional, or vary depending on the industry in your area. Our local surplus place has them all of the time. Rennet from making cheese, the sanitation chemicals from the dairys, paint, etc.

You can look from some in your area here on this web site.

The containers are called IBCs, or Intermediate Bulk Container.

Michael

Lizza · #14 09/20/10, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jokarva

Where is everyone else buying theirs? I've seen them on trucks but wouldn't have the first clue on where to buy one.

Mine is from a food distributor. I also saw them at a large dairy, they buy iodine in them, not sure how you would clean that though?

littlebitfarm · #15 09/20/10, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jokarva

Do you work at a water treatment plant? There's one near DH's work, I wonder if they have them too...

Where is everyone else buying theirs? I've seen them on trucks but wouldn't have the first clue on where to buy one.

Yes, I work at a water treatment plant. They may or may not have them, just depends on how they get their chemicals.

Kathie

Jokarva · #16 09/20/10, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the info!

HoosierHog · #17 09/20/10, 11:58 PM

im going to get one tomorrow. i plan on using it to put in the bed of the truck to haul water to the critters. also been considering cuting off the top and using them to store dried ear corn to feed to the chikens and sows over the winter

wogglebug · #18 09/21/10, 02:27 AM

The iodine wouldn't require any more than just filling with water, using the water for something, change and repeat until diluted. They use iodine to treat water for drinking on camping trips - it's related to chlorine, and is as safe for drinking purposes as that is.

I think any farm or grazing operation should have a portable water tank and pump suitable for fire-fighting. The ideal might be a dual-axle trailer with two of these tanks and the pump mounted. If you need to fight fires or cart water for stock or household use, there it all is ready to go. If you need to use the trailer for something else, slide the tanks and pump off, use the trailer for what you need, then return it to its fire-fighting configuration.

Common Tator · #19 09/21/10, 02:51 AM

If they were food grade, you have a good greenhouse and could keep it warm, it might be fun to cut the tops off and grow tilapia in them.

lemonthyme7 · #20 09/21/10, 10:50 AM

We have a place that has given us 3 for free and we might have more coming. These stored some type of chemical - not sure what but the tag is on them. We are going to remove the plastic bladder and re-purpose it somewhere else - not sure for what yet. We are going to use the square frame as a a base for large grow out rabbit cages. We will add a roof and rabbit wire to them but they are nice sturdy cages and should work great for that purpose. Husband told my uncle who burns kerosene that he should take one to store his kerosene in as they have really dandy pour spouts with lever type shut off.