Baffles for Water or Fuel Tanks

[Shanaly]

hello I have a large tank 4' cubed, with no baffles! I would like to drop in a structure to create a baffle. ideas include aluminium sheeting in a curved shape. but how to secure? is there a kind of foam that is food grade that sequesters water, or fuel? obviously (?) the less surface area, the less scope for microbe growth. tanks are ferro epoxy and grp with good top access
any ideas people?
::

[James S]

Is a friction fit out of the question...something that you assemble inside the tank?

[Shanaly]

wd be ok

[Marksman]

Solid 1/4" to 3/8"GRP panels glassed into place, water hammer can be very destructive.

[Shanaly]

interesting
how large can a compartment be?
i was wondering about glassing in ag pipe sections - any thoughts?
thanks

[James S]

What ever you put in there, you'll still need access for cleaning.
in a 4ft square tand I wouldn't think you'd need more than 2 baffles total....one in each direction giving you 4- 2ft square sections.

Not sure what you mean by ag pipe sections?

[Shanaly]

hi that sounds good
i meant agricultural plastic pipe, it has a thick wall and comes in a range of diameters, i am always tempted to use it e.g. for storing fishing rods, or perhaps as a tank baffle e.g. 2 standing next to each other on the floor of the tank and glassed in
incidentally, could you share your secret on your canting helm - does it pivot on a bolt and what is the locking mechanism?
manies
Cap'n
john

[James S]

It does pivot on two short bolts that are in line, one on each check plate...I couldn't have a single one , as it would pass through the middle where the chase for all the goodies is.

The lock is the rod looking thing..it has a round end on the top to grab it and a tapered trapezoidal shaped end on the bottom that passes through the outer "skin and seats in tapered notches (port-center-starboard) in the top of the inner check plate.

[DeepFrz]

In a composite tank you would be better off with composite panels glassed in place with epoxy. You want to make sure the structure is very strong and the tabbing is up to the task. Tab all around the baffles and make sure you can still access all the compartments for cleaning. For the water tanks of course you should use a food grade/approved epoxy and the panels should also be non toxic.

Nice job James.

[Roy M]

Plywood sealed in epoxy works perfectly. I have built a number of tanks this way, my own are now over twenty years old, and when I recently drilled out a hole for a fuel guage, the interior ply of the plug smelled like new fir plywood. I cut the ply to fit, add fillets, and use a hole saw to open up the baffles. Simple, strong and efficient.

The baffle is located in the middle of the tank, with ample sized cleanout ports on each side. The interior detail shows the fuel pickup pipe and the fuel guage float. Not shown are the dip stick or baffles. The black pigment is WEST System graphite powder. Fuel fill and vent pipes are merely thruhull fittings. Access port covers are sealed with 3M 4000, and threaded inserts on tank top receive 1/4 inch hex head bolts to secure them.

I used this technique to build my holding tank, as well. For water tanks, I prefer two pairs of 20 gallon polyethylene tanks, joined at the bottom (in pairs), individual tank walls forming an effective baffle, and reducing the possibility of contamination of my water supply by epoxy materials (if any).

[RCard]

They make "baffle balls" that you put in thru aces ports, they come in various sizes like 4", 6" up to 24" diameter. they do a good job of baffling, can be taken out occasionally for cleaning. Should be able to find them at an agriculture supply, they use them in spray tanks.

[DeepFrz]

You will only need about 48 baffle balls.

[pdbms]

"The baffle is located in the middle of the tank, with ample sized cleanout ports on each side. The interior detail shows the fuel pickup pipe and the fuel guage float. Not shown are the dip stick or baffles. The black pigment is WEST System graphite powder. Fuel fill and vent pipes are merely thruhull fittings. Access port covers are sealed with 3M 4000, and threaded inserts on tank top receive 1/4 inch hex head bolts to secure them."

Not wanting to hijack (it is a bit on topic) but why the black pigment? If you are wanting to make it easier to clean, you would be better off with a white lining, wouldn't you?

Stacking the tank with vertical pieces of ag pipe sounds like a good easy solution, as long as the plastic is food grade (and doesn't impart a taste).

With the amount of information currently available, I would not consider using aluminium inside a water tank (or to build one) - there appears to be links between aluminium and altzheimers.

[RCard]

Surge buster baffle system ball, one ball per 32 gallons, 7 " diameter.