used oil storage/tote

[1956chevy210]

Hi guys,

I'm going to put in a storage tank for my used oil. I plan to use one of the 275 gallon IBC Totes.

I have two options... outside the shop, or inside on a dirt floor.

I'm leaning towards putting it on the inside. That will help keep sunlight from degrading the plastic, although I might paint it and slip in some plastic liners around the tank, since I do have two skylights on that side of the shop. After making sure the dirt is level, I will put down some 2x6 pressure treated boards to keep the steel frame of the tote from rusting on the moist ground. Well, as I type this, I realize the pressure treated boards might not be good for the steel bottom frame of the tote. I seem to remember pressure treated wood is bad if you use the wrong kind of fasteners. The frame of the tote should be galvanized though, and it's only sitting on the wood, not surrounded by it like a nail. I suppose I could use sidewalk paver/flat cinder pavers instead.

For those of you that use these totes, have you had any trouble with rust or corrosion of the bottom of the frame? If you put yours outside on gravel, did you have any trouble with rocks poking holes in the bottom of the tank? I admit I've never seen the bottom of an IBC tote so I don't know what I am working with

Any advice is appreciated

56chevy

 

[ChaseDE]

IBC Tote would be the ones with the steel cage around a plastic tote. I think possible sun damage outside would far outweigh possible rust damage inside. It would be maybe $40 in pavers to put some down with plastic water vapor barrier under it, inside, and call it a day.

 

[tyme2par4]

I would use pavers rather than 2x6s. Even pressure treated will eventually start to rot if it's sitting right in the dirt. Although inside, it should stay pretty dry.

Just curious how much oil you go through that validates a 275 gallon tank for waste. I imagine it's not cheap to dispose of it when full.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It is also probably a legal, and perhaps common sense requirement to have it in a spill containment system. Also remember 275 gal is a lot of fuel if it catches fire.

 

[Lelandwelds]

You must have quite the car collection. That is a lot of oil.

I have an acquaintance who has several steel 55 gallon barrels permanently ratchet strapped to purpose built pallets. When he starts filling the last, he calls the oil recyclers to make a pickup. The used barrels were free or cost him $10. No worries of sun or rust. The potential for leaks is limited to a single barrel.

 

[rlitman]

They make a container that's perfect for this purpose:

 

[Shop Specialties]

I have several customers who use totes for oil storage. They have them inside/outside, on dirt/asphalt/concrete/gravel and they are fine. The sun will degrade the plastic but that will take several years to happen. When it does just replace it with another and you are good to go.

 

[Randy in Maine]

If it were mine, it would have secondary containment so that when it spills it is not an expensive disaster.

 

[6768rogues]

I use blue plastic barrels.
I do have some 275 gallon totes for other purposes. Mine have aluminum cages around them, and aluminum and treated lumber do not play well together.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm curious as to why such a large container ? Are you using it in an oil burner or saving it for recycling/disposal ?

I believe those containers are thinner than a plastic barrel and may melt easier if there was ever a fire in your shop. That is a huge fire load if it were to catch fire and burn. More than likely it'll take foam to extinguish or copious amounts of water. Also consider some type of containment as that large amount leaked in to a water way is going to yield some large clean up costs. . . . happened locally to a manufacturer when he had a fire and several totes like that melted and 1800 gallons made it's way out to water way. I think the fines/clean up were about $275K.

I'd suggest a smaller container or something more resistant to melting if SHTF.