Buying used heating oil tanks?

[Strouty]

I am going to look at two 275 gal tanks on monday, they are both four years old. They were in a basement, used for heating oil, the system was swapped to something else, so they no longer need them. They want $200 for both, with all legs, valves, piping, gauges, and vents. I only need one, but was thinking about holding onto the other one until this fall and then sell it for $250 and pay for the one I keep. At that age, four years old, would you think they could have much of a problem? I am bringing tools to open them up and look inside with a light, but other than that can you guys think of anything else to do?

 

[Strouty]

Anyone? I posted late so I thought I would bump it.

 

[KCarGuy]

I had one in my Basement when I first bought my House.
Slowly emptied the fuel in 15 gallon containers...giving it away to a local contractor.
And Gave the tank away to a friend living in the country.
I was glad to get rid of it, took up alot of room in the utility room.
Just make sure its empty, no rust and no leaks.

 

[nate379]

4 years old I can't see problems with it. I have seen tanks that were 40-50 years old and still ok. The one in my folks basement is from the early 60s.

Interesting enough they don't have that kind of tank up here. They call them "basement tanks". I tried to get one to put diesel in and only thing I can get is a round 300 gal tank. Problem is where I want to put it, narrow is better.

 

[walrus]

4 years old I can't see problems with it. I have seen tanks that were 40-50 years old and still ok. The one in my folks basement is from the early 60s.

Interesting enough they don't have that kind of tank up here. They call them "basement tanks". I tried to get one to put diesel in and only thing I can get is a round 300 gal tank. Problem is where I want to put it, narrow is better.

You may have tanks from the 60s that aren't rusted out but you won't say that about tanks made today in 40 years. New tanks are junk and I had a burner guy tell me he has seen several rust out in 3 years. My parents house has one installed in 72, I asked my burner guy if I should replace it, he said if it leaks yes if not leave it alone its way better than anything made today

 

[Jackfre]

Tanks typically rust out due to water inclusion in the tank. 4 yr old should be fine. I would suggest that if you are using these for heating oil for your house that you keep them both...being careful to pipe them properly. I've seen improperly piped multiple tanks blow out one tank. The reason I say to keep them both is to eliminate or reduce the mid-season fills. The more storage you have the more control you have in pricing. NFPA 31 allows for up to 4 330's in vol. Check your states codes. It may vary.

I'm moving into my house in CA this summer and one of the first buys will be a 1000 gal underground lp tank, for the above stated reason.

 

[Strouty]

They were perfect, I looked inside and there was no rust on the steel. They are still shiny and I hope to sell one for more than I paid for the pair. With Home Depot getting $400 for a tank without legs, the one I am selling should be a steal at $250.

 

[DrunkSmurf]

Glad to hear they were okay, but I'd consider Jackfre's advice on keeping both for a dual tank setup if you have the space.
Having them filled off season when oil prices are low will likely pay for the initial investment as easily as selling the second tank.

 

[Strouty]

I have one tank all ready, If I kept them I would have three. I do plan on plumbing two tanks. Anyone have advice on plumbing two together?

 

[nate379]

I wouldn't bother with the 2 tanks unless you heat just off oil and need to fill that often. My folks fill their tank every 5-6 years. My Dad put one in the back of the garage and he usually just gets 50-75 gals splashed in there cause that oil burner is hardly used. I told him he should put a tap off it to fill his tractors but he didn't want to mess with it.
Somehow going to the store with the bed full of 5 gal jugs makes more sense.

 

[alecmcmahon]

Price seems decent, any oil left in em ?

I paid 250 bucks for a brand new 275 Granby tank that somebody had but never put a drop of oil in.


And Nate, how are your parents filling every 5-6 years? I use my oil for my domestic hot water and baseboard heat. I probably go through 3 or 4 tanks a year.

 

[bob ny]

up here in the north country the oil company tests the tank with some sort of a sonic tester it tells the amount of metal on the bottom if it does not pass the test they will not fill lit/ they also will not fill a tank when the vent piping is smaller than the oil intake piping or if the vent whistle does mot work they refuse to fill/ bob w.

 

[ratdoggy]

Price seems decent, any oil left in em ?

I paid 250 bucks for a brand new 275 Granby tank that somebody had but never put a drop of oil in.


And Nate, how are your parents filling every 5-6 years? I use my oil for my domestic hot water and baseboard heat. I probably go through 3 or 4 tanks a year.

Probably they do most of their heating with wood. I for one do not miss filling those tanks; 250 gallons x $3.50 per=$875 and it doesn't last long enough.

 

[nate379]

Oil burner is just used for backup heat.

Price seems decent, any oil left in em ?

I paid 250 bucks for a brand new 275 Granby tank that somebody had but never put a drop of oil in.


And Nate, how are your parents filling every 5-6 years? I use my oil for my domestic hot water and baseboard heat. I probably go through 3 or 4 tanks a year.

 

[Kevin54]

I am going to look at two 275 gal tanks on monday, they are both four years old. They were in a basement, used for heating oil, the system was swapped to something else, so they no longer need them. They want $200 for both, with all legs, valves, piping, gauges, and vents. I only need one, but was thinking about holding onto the other one until this fall and then sell it for $250 and pay for the one I keep. At that age, four years old, would you think they could have much of a problem? I am bringing tools to open them up and look inside with a light, but other than that can you guys think of anything else to do?

Make them a lowball offer of something like $125 or even $100 to haul them out and get them off of their hands. Fuel oil tanks are cheap and most people that are trying to sell them want them out of the road.

On the other hand, I have seen a few BBQ's made out of used fuel oil tanks. Laid flat, split down the center and hinged. Here ya go http://www.ehow.com/how_4828495_build-grill-out-oil-tank.html

http://us2.ixquick-proxy.com/do/sho...ms/d200/ptsideshow/Bobs%20Smoker/DSCF9773.jpg

http://us2.ixquick-proxy.com/do/sho...om/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/pulled_pork.jpg