Should I use this for water storage?

[stumpfield]

Until I get my well drilled, I need to haul and store water. I'm thinking of getting these fruit juice container as water storage tank. They hold 275gal. The cage is designed to be pickup with a fork lift and looks pretty sturdy. The guy who sells these containers said it use to hold bulk fruit juice. He's selling them pretty cheap. He has no idea what type of plastic the container is made of. They normally stored them indoors. My concern is whether the plastic will last more than a few months under the sun if I keep them outdoor. Here's a picture:

Anyone familiar with these containers? Any comment? Thanks.

 

[TMcD_in_MI]

stumpfield - I don't know what they are made of either -- probably polyethylene, like milk jugs - but couldn't you just put a tarp over it if you are worried about degradation from the sun?

Tom

 

[AlanB]

That is usually called an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) or Tote.

I would bet it is High density Polyethylene. They usually have the UV protection in them when made.

Yes, it will work fine for water. I would cover it to help protect it a bit.

Basco - Drum Handling Equipment, Drum and Pail Accessories, Industrial Containers and Container Components, Shipping Supplies

 

[gotrocks]

I have a couple of tanks that look very similar to yours. They were used by a national cookie mfg. to store molasses. One thought I have is that if this is for drinking I'd be concerned about letting it sit too long before some "stagnation?" may occur.

 

[LMTC]

Totes like that are also used for non-food items. I have seen shampoo shipped in them. Should be pretty easy to tell......most of the food is juices of various kinds. They are vey susceptible to UV light. Will break down in a year or so in direct sun. The reason they are sold like that is that FDA (or whoever) does not allow for refill of them. For that reason the manufacturers do not go to the expense of adding UV inhibitors (yes, they increase costs). Keep it well covered, or inside.

Set it up on blocks using a pallet as a floor and you can create a gravity operated water system.

 

[randy41]

i would think that you could paint them to block the sun.

 

[stumpfield]

That is usually called an Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) or Tote.

I would bet it is High density Polyethylene. They usually have the UV protection in them when made.

Yes, it will work fine for water. I would cover it to help protect it a bit.

Basco - Drum Handling Equipment, Drum and Pail Accessories, Industrial Containers and Container Components, Shipping Supplies

Thanks for the info. IBC... what a fancy name. No wonder I can't find any reference with google. You are right! The bascousa website said it's made of UV-protected high density polyethylene. I don't know if they all made by the same manufacturer. I can fit 2 in the bed of a fullzide pickup. That will let me haul 550gal. At $100 each, I'll happy if it last a year.

 

[stumpfield]

i would think that you could paint them to block the sun.

Good idea! What type of paint would adhere to polyethylene?

 

[texbaylea]

Any one know of a source for these in the Houston area. Cost wise they would beat a "pickup" tank for a project I have. I need a way to water my pine trees during this drought. Placed on pallets they would easy to move where needed and set up with a metering flow system.

Vernon

 

[RobertN]

I need a way to water my pine trees during this drought.

Check Ebay for an old fire engine? 500-1000 portable gallons of water. Fun toy too