covers for stock tanks

[The Sappy Steamer]

I'm looking for inexpensive ideas to cover galvanized stock tanks and dairy bulk tanks. I made a couple out of some stainless I salvaged and they work fine, but I have better uses for the remaining material. I have seen people cover them with plastic, but we have some serious snowfalls where we are and I think that could cause problems. I have some light guage aluminum I thought about putting on a frame. If I put the wood frame on the inside, would that create a bacterial environment, or would I be better off building it so the metal is on the inside? Or is it a "non-issue"?

[maplehound]

I use alot of the dairy tanks and just use the lids that came with them. I don't believe yu will need any more than that on them. I use to use the stock tanks as well but no longer since they have alot of lead in them.
Ron

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

29 gauge sheets of galvanized roofing works great. :)

[brookledge]

Just like Brandon said use coregated metal roofing. If you know a contractor you may be able to get scraps or pieces for next to nothing.
Keith

[The Sappy Steamer]

I had thought about metal roofing my brother was getting me for free,but it was aluminum and is too narrow to cover the tanks in one piece. Now that you mention it, the steel is wider than the stuff I have. Thanks for the tip guys :)
Dan

[mountainvan]

I use the enameled steel from home depot for my 3x8 stock tanks. I screwed 1x3s to the metal every 2ft to stiffen them up. Otherwise they'll collapes in the tank with a bit of snow. When it's cold green side up to thaw ice in the tank, warm white side up to reflect the suns heat and a 3/4", from the 1x3s, space for ventilation of the tank, also helps keep sap cool!

[archangel_cpj]

my dad owns a fiber glass company and he built some 3 foot by 6 foot ceiling tiles for a plant once works great and no bracing.