[reflect]

Today I spoke to Shaun Barratt who makes custom tanks. I've always had a waydale tank with an inspection cap, but he makes his tank without the cap and instead fills it at the bottom through an inlet. The tank is watertight.   He thinks this makes sense,  but without the cap I don't think I clean the tank out, although I very rarely do this anyway.  Also, if I need to transfer water out of tank I cant because I can't get a pump inside.  I can see good and bad in both setups.  Have you seen sealed tanks before? Before I part with my cash I wanted to know your thoughts

[Don Kee]

Out of interest, did he say how transfer pumps handle the inlet at the bottom of the tank?

Depending on how big your tank is, i.e if its a 650, you could have 500litres of water trying to push out through that inlet whilst your pump is trying to push water through the same inlet...it'll be the pump that gives if theres a problem....

Might not be a problem mind, i genuinley dont onow, just wondered if it was mentioned?

[reflect]

That's a good point you make about the pressure pushing back on the pump. Unfortunately he didn't say. Another issue I see is the tank is airtight, so as the tank fills it will have to release equal amount of air.  He has an airvalve that you even have to turn throughout the day, otherwise the tank would implode. I understand the reason behind this method, it's to stop any water leaks, but to me it creates other issues. I was wondering if this is normal way to make a custom tank.

[dazmond]

i wouldnt buy a tank without a lid as i take mine off every day to fill up (DI only)

[nathankaye]

I switched to water fed just over a yr ago.
I have a 500ltr tank and within the yr its not really leaked. How often does your tank leak and how much?   Is this normal?
 
I wouldnt have thought a tank leaks on a regular basis and doesnt really present itself as a worry. However in comparison, this water tight tank your referring to, sounds like much more hassle to me.
Pending size of tank is it baffled,  if not, your not able to sort the issue. Having to faff with the air outlet during course of day and the constant worry of filling tank (as above thread highlighted)  it just sounds more stress than a normal tank which may trickle a little water depending your set up etc.
Thats just my take on it buddy

[Matt.]

I had the lid right on me tank and was working wfp,  after a while my water was really struggling at the brush head, wen I got back to the van the tank had been vacuumed in on all sides, so given this experience I don't see how a sealed tank would work.
No damage was done to tank but u could see it neede air in it

[reflect]

I have a wydale tank with a lid and I don't remember any significant water leaks.  I was wondering if all the big names like brodex and ionics have caps.

I think I will ask him to put an inspection cap on.  I was also thinking about having the transfer hose fixed into a permanent inlet at the top or bottom of the tank. It would save me crawling into the van taking the filler cap off and then more often than not watching the hose fly back out of the tank.  Do you think I'm over engineering this tank or does this sound like a good idea

[reflect]

I've drilled a tiny hole in the filler cap to stop this. I think it might work in short periods of work because the pressure won't have had time to build, but in longer bouts of work I'm not so sure.

[nathankaye]

I have a wydale tank with a lid and I don't remember any significant water leaks.  I was wondering if all the big names like brodex and ionics have caps.

I think I will ask him to put an inspection cap on.  I was also thinking about having the transfer hose fixed into a permanent inlet at the top or bottom of the tank. It would save me crawling into the van taking the filler cap off and then more often than not watching the hose fly back out of the tank.  Do you think I'm over engineering this tank or does this sound like a good idea

Depends how cluttered the van is perhaps?
All the little tweeks sounds good for your personal usage, but does it seem viable for the tank design, for the rigidity of the tank?
I wonder at times if i over simplify my set up. I have a 500 tank, hose n reel, poles n brushes and obviously battery n digi controller. Nothing else in van, simple and spaceous. Begining of week, transfer 500l into tank, a 5min job. Pack it away and off i go. Mid week a top up of water. If a job requires anymore equipment i load up appropriately. So i have no clutter or crawling to get anything done inside van. A fiat scudo.

Whatever you decide mate, have to post on here again and let us all kno how you get on.

[Don Kee]

That's a good point you make about the pressure pushing back on the pump. Unfortunately he didn't say. Another issue I see is the tank is airtight, so as the tank fills it will have to release equal amount of air.  He has an airvalve that you even have to turn throughout the day, otherwise the tank would implode. I understand the reason behind this method, it's to stop any water leaks, but to me it creates other issues. I was wondering if this is normal way to make a custom tank.

You'd need the 'airvalve' open all day, as when you take water out (with your pumps) you'll create a vacuum unless you replace with air

Why not get him/her (politically correct!!) put a connector on the tank as the inlet (i.e a male hozelock)
That way you put the female of what ever connector you decide on the transfer hose and then connect it to the male on the inlet whenever you're filling up...no more hose popping off?
I'd stick it at the top of the tank though personally as that would then act as your air inlet whilst you work

[richard groves]

I have a wydale tank with a lid and I don't remember any significant water leaks.  I was wondering if all the big names like brodex and ionics have caps.

I think I will ask him to put an inspection cap on.  I was also thinking about having the transfer hose fixed into a permanent inlet at the top or bottom of the tank. It would save me crawling into the van taking the filler cap off and then more often than not watching the hose fly back out of the tank.  Do you think I'm over engineering this tank or does this sound like a good idea

I don't have to crawl into the back of my pick up, I cut a hole in the hard top and fitted one of these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-BOAT-DECK-HATCH-Hinged-Lockable-Flush-Walk-On-380x280-Caravan-HATBK380L-/282108474981?hash=item41aef9b665