Myles, take some pictures of the tank please. You should use it as your fish tank
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| In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3078 |
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 18th, '08, 22:21 ] |
| Post subject: | In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? |
Does anyone know how to tell, or where to get information about the strength of in-ground concrete tanks? I have a large 6000gal+ in-ground tank, at least 4 meters diameter, that I would love to build grow beds on, but am concerned about the strength of the tank taking all that weight. It appears that some are built strong enough to allow vehicles to drive over them, but some are not. How do you tell which is which? Myles. |
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| Author: | badfish03 [ Mar 18th, '08, 22:27 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? |
It depends how it was designed and strength of reinforcing and concrete used to build it. If you know who built it originally you might be able to find out what it is rated for. Here in the states it has to be rated for H-20 (H-twenty) loading for a vehicle to drive over it. I'm sure you guys have some similar system. How thick are the walls? How wide an area would you have to bridge with the growbeds? It might be feasible to build the growbeds so they dont press on the concrete at all. |
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 18th, '08, 22:43 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? |
badfish03 wrote: If you know who built it originally you might be able to find out what it is rated for. Unfortunately that is what I don't know. Though back when it was built there may have only been a few suppliers - I'll look into that. badfish03 wrote: How thick are the walls? I'll measure the thickness tomorrow (bit late here now). From memory its about 8-10cm (3-4") thick on the top section. badfish03 wrote: How wide an area would you have to bridge with the growbeds? It might be feasible to build the growbeds so they dont press on the concrete at all.
I was hoping not to have to do too much form work, though I could place one end off the growbeds of the tank, effectively halving the weight, and perhaps lay a timber beam across the tank to take the weight (would be tipping over it all the time though...). |
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| Author: | Jaymie [ Mar 19th, '08, 05:00 ] |
| Post subject: | |
Myles, take some pictures of the tank please. You should use it as your fish tank
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| Author: | creative1 [ Mar 19th, '08, 12:51 ] |
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If you can dip test the depth that would help too! My guess would be 4.0mtrs x 2.1 mtrs around 40KL... If the wall thickness is a little more than 100mm and a sand backfill you will be safe if the tank is always full. Bear in mind the top normally has a thickener or a taper for about 120mm where the true wall thickness will be found. As per Jaymie, photos will help! |
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 19th, '08, 15:11 ] | |||
| Post subject: | Re: In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? | |||
Okay, here are the pics. Dimensions: OD: 4.3m ~ 14ft Height: 1.8m ~ 6ft By my calculations that's 5,000 Imperial Gal (22,730l) The thickness of the top/roof of the tank at the opening is 95mm.
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 19th, '08, 15:16 ] | ||||
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Jaymie wrote: You should use it as your fish tank
Don't worry Jaymie, I've been thinking about it
But I have some other options as well 
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| Author: | creative1 [ Mar 19th, '08, 15:18 ] |
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...with a lid! I don't expect it is ment to hold a car! but neatly placed GBs (off) around the tank could save a pump. I would suggest it does have a thickening, the taper is normally on the outside. Sweet!! |
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| Author: | creative1 [ Mar 19th, '08, 15:21 ] |
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seems like quite a few option too eh! |
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| Author: | Jaymie [ Mar 19th, '08, 17:47 ] |
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why aren't you filling it with rain water? |
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 19th, '08, 17:58 ] |
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Jaymie wrote: why aren't you filling it with rain water?
It is, well its about 3/4 full. Its our main house supply, with the large green one as a recent addition since we've expanded our gardens. The concrete one was filling from the whole house roof, but is now on half, with the large green one on the other half. The green one overflows into the concrete one...which overflows down the drain 
Initially I'm actually looking for a 2-5000 l tank, but if the world goes to the dogs, I recon I'll be swimming with the fish in the pool
The area around the concrete tank has been one of those dead spots that we've just not known what to do with - that's why I want to put growbeds there, with the 2-5000 l tank nearby. |
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| Author: | creative1 [ Mar 19th, '08, 20:45 ] |
| Post subject: | |
sounds good to me! |
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| Author: | mylesau [ Mar 19th, '08, 22:10 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: In-Ground Concrete Tank Strength? |
Okay, I've found the answer to my original question, or near enough for me. These guys - AllCast PreCast - have concrete tanks that come close to the specs of mine - 90mm lids, mine is 95mm - and a diameter of 3.5m, mine is 4.3m. They rate the lid load at 500kg. I'm hoping to use a few 600l growbeds, so looks like I won't be putting them on the tank at all. |
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| Author: | creative1 [ Mar 20th, '08, 01:21 ] |
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well found |
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| Author: | Dave Donley [ Mar 20th, '08, 01:43 ] |
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An embarrassment of riches M! I would hurt someone to have those tanks just sitting around in the yard. |
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