round galvanized stock tank

[tuckermtn]

anyone ever use one of the round (as opposed to oval) galvanized stock tanks like this one-

http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tanks/galvanized-round-stock-tank-8-ft-x-2-ft--2177154

seems like a lot of capacity and not a lot of $$$

I know making a cover might take some configuring, but for the price I can figure something out...

hoping for big sap out of the woods we are reconfiguring- will need more tank...

[whalems]

If my math is right that is like 750 gallons of storage for $300. I have never used one but that seems like a good price. Says it comes w/ a 1" drain as well seems like it would work good to me.

[tuckermtn]

yes that was the math I came up with...I think I would go with the 7 ft as I think the storage is closer to 530 gals.

[davey]

I went with this one instead to avoid the galvanized.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tanks/american-farmland-round-tank-8-x-2-in-plastic-2177188

[tuckermtn]

davey- have you used it in the winter yet? how does the plastic hold up in the cold?

and no I'm not going to ask the food grade question...

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Eric,
I bought a used 6 foot one about 3 years ago (400 plus capacity for 50 bucks). Seems to work ok. I'd like to eventually replace it with stainless but it is hard to find stainless with such a low profile and I have severe slope limitations so a low profile tank is most often a high priority.
I mounted the releaser by putting a couple of 2x4's across the top through a pallet and cutting out a portion of the pallet for the releaser to sit in. Releaser outlet is about 2" under the rim of the tank.
Doug

[davey]

I used it last winter. unfortunately, our season was pretty short so I can't make any big statements as to that. the little bit I did though it worked fine. The tank is made of polyehtylene so it is food grade. (At least I think that means it is)

[mapleack]

My advice would be to keep looking for a good used tank / milk tank or find someone building new for a reasonable price. Galvanized tanks aren't food grade, and the seam sealer in that tank definitely isn't food grade.

[lew]

I used a couple of them years ago. The biggest was 8' diameter. What I did for a cover was to take four 2"x3/4"x about 9'(I think) pieces of hardwood and stacked them on top of each other. then ran a bolt through the center of the pile (at the 4'6' mark). This way you can open up the slats like the spokes of a wheel. At the end of the "spokes" on the side facing the tank I attached a small 1" thick block to act as a stop. Now it takes 2 people to get this thing on the tank the first time. You take one spoke and place it on the inside lip of the tank while the other person grabs the opposite side of the "spoke" and pushes it towards you bending the "spoke" up in the air a little bit until his side will hook onto the side of the tank. Repeat this process untill all sides are in place. Then I took a piece of plastic and placed it over the whole tank and tied it in place with baler twine and a bungie cord. Worked great for keeping the rain and debris out. I learned quickly that I had just made a greenhouse and needed to leave some openings to let the hot air out. All in all not a bad set up.

[jasonl6]

My advice would be to keep looking for a good used tank / milk tank or find someone building new for a reasonable price. Galvanized tanks aren't food grade, and the seam sealer in that tank definitely isn't food grade.

But cows drink from it and we eat them.... LOL

From where I came from as a producer till were I am now it's a wonder my first syrup was even edible. I think it's important to consider the food safty aspect but don't forget you still need to have fun. For some spending 5k on a new stainless tank is not fun.

J

[mapleack]

But cows drink from it and we eat them.... LOL

From where I came from as a producer till were I am now it's a wonder my first syrup was even edible. I think it's important to consider the food safty aspect but don't forget you still need to have fun. For some spending 5k on a new stainless tank is not fun.

J

He could look for someone like your local A&A amish to build a new stainless one for a reasonable price.

[Brokermike]

I've got an 800 gallon stainless bulk tank for sale but in all honesty you could buy slightly more than two of the TSC galvanized ones for what I want for mine. Looking at inexpesive and pratical it seems like a decent choice!

[jasonl6]

have two bul tanks. One i got for free from a neighbor after i busted my back helping him move one from an old mik house. The second is a 615 gal bulk tank. It was one of the icebank kinds. It was so heavy with 4 guys we couldn't budge it. We ended up taking just the liner out,then building a stand for the liner and scrapping the rest. Somthing like $500 worth of copper and ss.

The amish are another route. I collect some of my sap in galvanized buckets so i see no reason to no collect some of my lines in a gal tank. I empty every night into a ss holdin tank at the sugar house. I would't sore in galvanized for long perirs of time.

[tuckermtn]

I think I'm going to give the 8 x 2 ft round one of these a try. I was quoted around $250-275 for the 8 ft model.

http://www.behlencountry.com/products/poly_stock_tanks

I think I will try and put a bottom drain in it with one of the bulkhead fittings with a notch in it.

Thompson- Doug- I have the same height concern- I am going to oversize the diameter of the tank and then drop the releaser in to the tank as you describe. That way I still have the 400+ gals of capacity I was looking for.

and yes, its food grade...