When looking into buying a new tank it can be hard to know what things to consider before making a purchase. Here’s a list of tips to help you make the right choice for your needs.
The first thing you should consider is what the tank will be used for. From water cartage, spraying, firefighting, or liquid fertiliser applications? Tanks are made from different grade materials depending on their intended use. Some applications will also require the tank to be fully drainable or manufactured from a specific material. Make sure that you know early how you intend to use your tank so that you get the right one for the job.
This leads you to think about what material your tank should be made from. There are several varying tank materials on the market, such as steel, fibreglass, aluminium, stainless steel, and polyethylene. All materials come with positives and negatives depending on your intended use. Poly is a strong alternative to metal and fibreglass as it is lighter, rust-resistant, and bears the brunt of impact without cracking.
What size tank is right for your needs? This depends, will your tank be used for small jobs, or do you plan to be moving large amounts of liquid? Tanks range from 20L through to 17,000L, depending on your application. Even larger sizes can be made if needed using a modular system.
Does it matter where the tank is manufactured? UV stabilisation is incredibly important in Australian conditions because of the harsh summer sun. Tanks made in Australia from locally sourced materials are made tough with these conditions in mind. Tanks made internationally, while competitive in size or price may not have been manufactured with this specific detail in mind.
Do you intend on carting potable water? If you do, it is essential that your tank is made from food-grade materials and does not allow light penetration which can lead to algae growth inside the unit.
Will your tank be moved between vehicles? For permanent setups, tanks can be bolted directly to the tray of vehicles or trailers, whereas for not-so-permanent setups, a skid can be mounted to the tray that allows you to slide the tank on and off as you please.
Does the tank you choose include a warranty? Regardless of size, buying a tank is an investment. Most tanks come with some form of warranty. In general, if a tank comes with a substantial warranty, the manufacturer is sure of the product and knows what they are selling is of high quality.
Thanks to our friends at TransTank International for the info in this article. Newtons stock a range of TTI tanks for a range of different applications.