Modified poly tanks

[madmapler]

While trying to wash one of my 1550gal. round tanks today I started to ponder the possibility of cutting a circle out of the dome(2.5' to 3') and covering it with a piece of plywood screwed down. Ultimately I would make some sort of reinforced rim but I haven't gone that far with it yet. The benefits would be that you could get in there to wash it or at least use a long handled brush more effectively. You would also have a flat surface to set up a releaser. Has anyone tried this? If so, I'd like some feedback before I go ahead and sacrifice one of my tanks.

[BreezyHill]

I used to sell GVM tanks. One of them had a similar entry point added the tank ruptured a few months later. Warranty was voided due to unapproved design change. It stored molasses which is much heavier than sap. I would look at a rotary spray head for a power washer that you can setup on a pulley system to lower into the tank, start the wash cycle at the top and lower the head and then pull it back up slowly. You could easily hook up a windshield wiper motor to power the cable system and have it variable speed with a cab dimmer switch. When the wand reach the bottom the pole hits a switch and the motor reverses and hits an end cycle switch at the top position. This could be done thru the center breather hole of add a small hole with a hole saw.

Many people have died from entering these poly tanks and running out of oxygen...be very careful and always have a person watching if you are in the tank. A small fan with a piece of dryer hose pumping air in the tank could save your life.

Ben

[madmapler]

Thanks Ben.

[Waynehere]

I did something very similar to your thinking. Cut out a 1' x 2.5' hole in the top so I can reach in and clean with a long handle brush. Works great. What I did though for a top, is use the cut out piece and place 4 pieces of flat metal around the hole. I attached them to the tank top and cut out with some bolts. I tack welded all of the bolts to the metal pieces and brought them up through the plastic from inside the tank. Nuts on the tank side, wing nuts on the cut out. It comes off pretty easy. I don't worry about a little rain getting in.

[madmapler]

I did something very similar to your thinking. Cut out a 1' x 2.5' hole in the top so I can reach in and clean with a long handle brush. Works great. What I did though for a top, is use the cut out piece and place 4 pieces of flat metal around the hole. I attached them to the tank top and cut out with some bolts. I tack welded all of the bolts to the metal pieces and brought them up through the plastic from inside the tank. Nuts on the tank side, wing nuts on the cut out. It comes off pretty easy. I don't worry about a little rain getting in. Did it seem to lose any structural integrity? Any chance you could post pics?

[Waynehere]

Sure, but after reading this again I just noticed that you are talking about round tanks. I did this to my cage tanks and not a worry. But I also have a smaller 120 round tank that I cut the top out of. But probably wouldn't compare to your 1550 gal. That has to be a pretty tall tank? Mine all much smaller. Sorry...

Let me know if you still want some pics.

[madmapler]

Sure, but after reading this again I just noticed that you are talking about round tanks. I did this to my cage tanks and not a worry. But I also have a smaller 120 round tank that I cut the top out of. But probably wouldn't compare to your 1550 gal. That has to be a pretty tall tank? Mine all much smaller. Sorry...

Let me know if you still want some pics.
That's alright. Thanks anyway.