Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all. I think I've found my fish tank! I rang a few rain water tank sellers and asked if they had any broken, damaged, etc tanks that they might be wanting to get rid of.

Well, I've found a 3000L poly tank that's been pierced in the bottom. It's a 2inch gouge - dropped on some metal pipe when being placed. Was $1050, the sales guy suggested I could get a 30% to 50% discount.

Two questions.
1. I know NOTHING! how would I repair it? would it be possible to repair it properly? do I patch the bottom or the top? should I cut one hole bigger for easier access? would someone, anyone be willing to help me out?

2. How's that price? for the qlders, is there a cheaper option?

Any help appreciated.

Lenny

the top is kinda conical in shape, so the idea with patching the top would mean I could end up with a tank witht he conical bottom - better solids removal by pump

Hey Lenny, plastic can be welded and I think that would be the only long term solution- find a plastic welder and get a patch welded over the top of the gouge from the inside. Silicone may appear to do the trick but it won't actually bind the new to the old. Price sounds good too me, and I wouldn't imagine the patch costing very much. Good luck.

well, you could do that, put the tank upside down, just be aware, that a lot of the strength in these tanks is in the really stiff ridge around the top of the tank where the lid joins on. I would imagine it could get a bit floppy if turned upside down with the bottom cut off.

wooohooo! hubby says he may yet approve your idea!!!

now for plastic welding quotes.

thanks

I'd be pushing for 50% off Lenny, I can buy a 3000L aquaculture tank here in Perth, delivered, for about $750..

Mmm.. don't fall over.
If that is too difficult/too expensive.
then you could try 'blanking' the hole,
fit a patch and bolt a cover plate over the damaged area.
takes 2 ppl bit worth a thought.
C1

how big is the hole ?? could you not use it for the drain fitting ? i.e if its less than about 40 to 50 mm you should be able to get a bulkhead fitting that would turn that hole into a usefull one

C1s idea for blaning is probably the easiest to do if you cant get a plastic welder which is basicaly a heat gun the hard part is gettin the right rods as there are a few different types of plastics (pollypropelene and polyethelene ) which dont realy stick together well


Cheers

Epoxy glue will work just fine on that if you get the right kind and follow instructions. about a $10.00 fit.

Egads. EB is right. I think the price is quite stiff. Definitely go for the 50% off.

hmmm, EB that sounds much better - go something made for the purpose ... rather than all this mucking around ...

Plastic welder $60 for the job. but, seeing I can't get the tank there, $120.
Shame when such bargains turn out to be less of a bargain and more headache

So, does the tank lid come all off? otherwise how to mend from inside?!

it will have a manhole!
I'd consider EBs comments first.

if you're going to repair it and not have it welded then put a blank over it from the inside, you could drill 4 holes and bolt the blank over it with some silicone under and around it. the water pressure will help in it staying sealed, i wouldn't do it from the outside.

also and its probably being sill, but remember that the tank is a confined space, so be careful.

Possibly a small boy hole, at least thats what ive seen on tanks .... no way a MAN could get in and out of there easily

I've welded PE pipe using a large soldering iron and some 3mm tube as the 'filler'. It took a lot of duds to get the speed and temp (4.5 on the dial right. Clean the tip well or you get bits of solder in your plastic...

I agree with EB - a tank with a hole in it ain't much use to anyone. You should be able to get a good discount on it.

thats a good one