Have 500 gal propane tank and want to add a second one?

[sixdogs]

I own my 500 gal propane tank and have been thinking for some time to add either a second tank or get rid of the 500 and buy a 1000.

A problem I have is that the tank I have is a on a slight grade and changing to a 1000 gallon tank would likely mean I would have to dig up the line to the house and that's something I don't want to do. The propane company--a farm supplier--said I could instead just put in a second 500 gallon tank and plumb the two together. This would accomplish the same thing. One problem there is the second tank would be in a line in front of the first and maybe six inches higher in grade. I think it would look OK.

I think I want to add the second 500 gallon tank but I know nothing about propane. Does this sound like a good idea and can anyone offer any commentary? My goal is to buy enough propane in ay when the price is low and I figure I can get a quick payback on the tank. Any advice appreciated.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Sixdogs,
I have a 330 gal about 40 ft out behind the house, that being said I wish I had a 500 !

My Vt house is small, and I pretty get through the winter with that tank. This has been a bad winter so I will probably have to get another 100 gals in March. We are planning an addition in the spring 18 by 28 ft and a bedroom above, so at some time I will upgrade to 500.

What I usually do is buy in August when the price is down, I maybe save a few dollars doing this. IMO two 500 gallon tanks wont be any more unsitely than a 1000 gal tank... By having a large capacity tank like that gives you some flexibility when it comes to ordering !

BTW I own the tank so i can shop various suppliers for best price. I dont know how quick a payback your looking for but the tanks are not cheap, but by owning your own and the ability to shop for price will be a big help !

 

[nc redneck]

I have a 1000 gallon tank that I own and a leased 500 gallon. I only buy propane one time per year ( one trip for supplier ) and pay tank owners price to fill both. Always empty leased tank first in case you want to change supplier. No problem with grade or height as it is just vapor. My 1000 sits several inches higher than 500 leased tank. I fill up every year late July when prices are lowest.

 

[RedDog]

Sixdogs,
I guess I'm a little stumped as to why you would have to dig up your line. I would move the 500 out { and sell it to me lol }, and put the 1000 in.

I removed my 330 that was rented and put in my 500 (I own). I always put blocks under the tank to keep the bottom from rusting.

 

[rekees4300]

I own my 500 gal propane tank and have been thinking for some time to add either a second tank or get rid of the 500 and buy a 1000.

Anything related to propane I let the pros handle. Last thing you want is a propane leak ... BOOM! :bomb:

 

[dave1949]

I used to have two 120 gal tanks that were connected by a 1/4" copper line. worked fine. The gauges on the two tanks never agreed, you would think they would balance, but that didn't seem to matter. To add another tank, I don't see any need to disturb what is already in place.

There have been some changes in code for flexible gas line, I think I read somewhere. I suppose a gas company could insist that you bring everything to code while making upgrades?

I agree on the have the pros do it. It's not that unusual to have houses blow up from gas leaks. A gas explosion last year in Maine took out an entire section of a condo complex. Of course, that may have been professional work. :laughing:

 

[beemerphile]

Mine is underground. Nobody knows how big it is. If I needed more capacity, I would add an additional underground tank. Annual fills and an owned tank make for great pricing leverage.

 

[not2old]

If you instal a second tank, I'd plumb them so that you can use them separately. In case one springs a leak, or needs service, you could use the other. I'd cry if I lost 1000 gallons due to a leak.

 

[RedDog]

To you guys that own your tank, (me too) have you had issues with propane companys wanting to charge you a "safety inspection fee" before they would fill your tank???

One company under 2 miles from me wanted to charge me a $50 inspection fee before they would fill since I owned the tank. The place I get mine from, I asked the driver ( who happened to be there tank installer filling in for the regular driver ) how mine looked. He checked it out and said everything is good!

Just wondering if any of you have had issues?

 

[sixdogs]

Sixdogs,
I guess I'm a little stumped as to why you would have to dig up your line. I would move the 500 out { and sell it to me lol }, and put the 1000 in.

I removed my 330 that was rented and put in my 500 (I own). I always put blocks under the tank to keep the bottom from rusting.

I don't want to dig my line up. That's why I am going to add a second 500 gallon tank. If I were to put in one 1000 gal tank I WOULD have to dig up the line because the tank would be slightly relocated. By adding a second tank I would need to scrape about four inches off the ground to add gravel and this second tank would be slightly higher than the first. I think it would look OK.

Mine is underground. Nobody knows how big it is. If I needed more capacity, I would add an additional underground tank. Annual fills and an owned tank make for great pricing leverage.

Pricing leverage is my point. I own the first 500 tank and would also own the second. That way I could fill up in June when propane is abundant. In farm country here, prices skyrocket in October because it is used to dry grain. Propane is the only way.

If you instal a second tank, I'd plumb them so that you can use them separately. In case one springs a leak, or needs service, you could use the other. I'd cry if I lost 1000 gallons due to a leak.

That's my thinking with the two tanks.