Zero vacuum tanks

[maple nut]

I have been using a zero vacuum tank. A 400 gallon model T20 with 17-18" of vacuum for several years. I need to know if this tank with hold a high vacuum: 27-28". Has anyone used a zero vacuum tank with a high vac system? Will this tank collapse under a high vac system? Thanks.

[markct]

It is rated to hold 20 inches of vac, thats what the T20 means, now of course there is some safety factor built in im sure but i keep my tanks no more than 20 in vac as they are expensive and can be hard to locate nowdays. The little bit more sap to be gained isnt worth the risk in my opinion.

[maple nut]

Thanks so much for the info. Looks like I need to tear everything apart and get a releaser.

[markct]

It is rated to hold 20 inches of vac, thats what the T20 means, now of course there is some safety factor built in im sure but i keep my tanks no more than 20 in vac as they are expensive and can be hard to locate nowdays. The little bit more sap to be gained isnt worth the risk in my opinion.

[Typical8]

Yeah, tear out that zero and install a releaser you will never be sorrry. You will get more sap with the higher vac. levels and better quality sap. Best part is no more baby sitting the zero tank. I was always having to shut down the vac. to check and pumpout the the tank. With the releaser just start the vac and let it run.

[DrTimPerkins]

Will this tank collapse under a high vac system?

Almost certainly it will collapse. Sell it and buy a good releaser. 5-7% sap increase for each 1" of vacuum, so going from 18-26" should bring you 40-55% more sap. I'd think that would make it worth it.

[markct]

I understand Dr Tims point, altho i must say in my case the simplicity and low cost of a vac tank outweigh the benifit of a higher cost releaser on a relatively small number of taps. As far as the other guy talking about having to babysit the tank, i have none of those problems, a simple sight glass made of dairy hose tells you the level at a glance, and i never let the vac off to pump my tanks, i pump them out under vac with no problem, its no different than how an electric releaser pumps out sap under vac

[Rhino]

With our set up with a 300 gal. zero tank we have a deep well pump laying on the bottom of the zero tank with a float that pumps the sap out when the level is around 30 gallons. This helps keep the sap cool by getting it out of the zero tank fast and into a 1500 gal tank that is tucked into a small grove of pine trees that shade the tank. Another cool system that my buddy uses is.... i got 2 stainless steel "paint pots" that are brand new but were rejected because of wrong specs. They are around 15 gallons, I let my buddy tinker with one also useing a deep well pump standing vertical in the paint pot also with a float. Mainlines, vac line, and vac gauge all mounted on the top of the paint pot and it works awesome for him. Pumps out the paint pot into a tank on a trailer. As far as vac goes with our zero tank we never have it reach 20 inches. I know my buddy runs the paint pot at 20 inches though with a sp22 vac pump.