sealing fiberglass tanks

[Randyonr3]

This isn't a debate on what type of tank to use as due to the shape and size
Of the area, I've decided to build.fiberglass tanks for water storage.
Many boats have the tanks built into the hull including the HR, so the system is an acceptable means to store water....
Now the question I have is WHAT do you use to cote the inside of the tank to keep the taste of resen out and to keep it from leaching into the water.
Does anyone know of a tank cote for this purpose.

[40 South]

Food grade epoxy.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by 40 South

Food grade epoxy.

That would be my first idea.

[Randyonr3]

Originally Posted by 40 South

Food grade epoxy.

That's exactly what I thought until dropped west systems an e-mail asking if there wad any special way to mix or apply the epoxy....
They sent me back a reply saying none of their epoxys were rated for water tanks and gave me this line of crap about they were not FDA approved...

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Randyonr3

That's exactly what I thought until dropped west systems an e-mail asking if there wad any special way to mix or apply the epoxy....
They sent me back a reply saying none of their epoxys were rated for water tanks and gave me this line of crap about they were not FDA approved...

Interlux Interline Tank Sealant for potable water tanks. Just do a search, I've mentioned it here before, with links.

[onestepcsy37]

i have two built in fiberglass water tanks in my csy 37. after 30 years, one of them developed a slow leak. the tanks both have large access hatches which make them easy to clean out and work on, but i could never find the leak. so i bought 'gluvit' and painted the entire interior of the tank with it. hasn't leaked in two years.

i did read up on 'food grade' tank coatings. there are any number of opinions on what is or what is not suitable. all mentioned that complete drying of the coating was important, and one recommended heat lamps to speed up the process. so that's what i did. put a heat lamp inside the tank and left it on there for a few days.

like the man who jumped off the empire state building said as he passed the 80th floor, 'so far, so good'.

[Lancerbye]

I have a 225 USG fibreglass tank built in for fresh water. It appears to be a molded gel coated tank with an access hole at the top. The water always tastes good but I do use clorox bleach at the beggining of each season. It may be made of something else but it looks like part of the interior mold. This is a thirty plus year old boat.

[fkittson]

The best/proper way to do it is with a UV cured gel coat. They have zero VOC's. it is the only food safe gel coat coating.

[minaret]

I wouldn't seal a water tank with gelcoat, it is water permeable and this may lead to blistering in your interior. I have seen integral tanks that were just gelcoated fail with diesel, water, and waste. You don't want to go there, it's a serious problem. We use Interlux 2000 at least five coats for diesel or waste tanks, and Interline for potable water. Just got done building and sealing a new glass holding tank on my own boat.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by minaret

Interlux Interline Tank Sealant for potable water tanks. Just do a search, I've mentioned it here before, with links.

OK, spent the last 2 hours trying to find this stuff. 40 minutes on hold with Interlux and they claim no knowledge at all of this stuff. Sent me to the marine (commercial as opposed to yacht) group and after 5-6 phone calls could find no evidence of human life.

Finally found a division Protective Coatings | International Paint Protective Coatings who acknowledged that Interline tank coating does exist and they would be happy to sell me 5 gallons. As far as they could tell, one gallon containers don't exist.

So anyone want the other four gallons if I buy some of this? Give you a good deal, pick up in north central FL.

[Boulter]

Originally Posted by skipmac

OK, spent the last 2 hours trying to find this stuff. 40 minutes on hold with Interlux and they claim no knowledge at all of this stuff. Sent me to the marine (commercial as opposed to yacht) group and after 5-6 phone calls could find no evidence of human life.

Finally found a division Protective Coatings | International Paint Protective Coatings who acknowledged that Interline tank coating does exist and they would be happy to sell me 5 gallons. As far as they could tell, one gallon containers don't exist.

So anyone want the other four gallons if I buy some of this? Give you a good deal, pick up in north central FL.

That was about my experience too. Plus products like this tend to say for tanks > 1000 gallons or some such huge number, which says to me "this stuff is icky, so make sure you dilute it down sufficiently". I don't expect to get to my tanks this year as I'll be concentrating on making sure nobody gets electrocuted, a fire starts, sinking at the dock, avoiding continued water intake into my balsa, but when I do, I think my answer will be to fit an additional ~ 20 gallon tank strictly for drinking and cooking, and leave the existing tanks for dish washing, bathing etc.

Boulter

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Boulter

I think my answer will be to fit an additional ~ 20 gallon tank strictly for drinking and cooking, and leave the existing tanks for dish washing, bathing etc.

Boulter

Have the same idea. Make a nice stainless tank for drinking and leave the main tank for other. Now if I can just figure out a place for the new tank.