What's new

Leaking hydrominder tanks

KFPanda

Active member
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
112
Reaction score
50
Points
28
Quite a rabbit hole I'm down on the revamp of my wash. Now that the chemicals are updated and not the same soap for 3 functions I can see that there are leaks in the walls separating the tanks. Was thinking about flex paste but worried about chemical resistance. Getting it welded is way too big of an endeavor right now. Was thinking a thick plastic rectangular container to drop in would work and last indefinitely but not sure where I'm going to find that.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,948
Points
113
Location
Texas
You might look for a tank to have repaired, then swap them out.
 

KFPanda

Active member
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
112
Reaction score
50
Points
28
You might look for a tank to have repaired, then swap them out.
I haven't looked at this part closely but the tank just comes off the stand on these coleman racks?
 

KFPanda

Active member
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
112
Reaction score
50
Points
28
If I could find a thick mil plastic bag with a port like soda syrup bags or something that might even work as a band aid for now.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,396
Reaction score
951
Points
113
I have successfully used silicone sealer and Flex tape to seal the partition on my D & S SS tanks. It's an inexpensive experiment.
 
Last edited:
Etowah

Keno

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2022
Messages
784
Reaction score
518
Points
93
5 gallon bucket with lid is $3 at Firehouse and will work for a long time, I've seen them used in tunnels as a temp fix that became permanent. Hang on wall with a hook, and drill/cut lid as needed.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,948
Points
113
Location
Texas
I haven't looked at this part closely but the tank just comes off the stand on these coleman racks?
I'm not positive, but I believe so. They often come with a second set of tanks to the right that you're meant to pour the chemicals into. I'm not positive, but I think it's the same tank without any bulkheads welded in. It just sets into the frame. Those are often sold because people would rather pull out of 5 gallon jugs.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,695
Reaction score
1,438
Points
113
Location
Ohio

KFPanda

Active member
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
112
Reaction score
50
Points
28
The purple stuff left a crazy crust in the tank, a good 1mm thick on the walls, discharge tube, will have to get a pic of the float tomorrow. Do all tire cleaner type products do that?
 

2Biz

Thread Killer!
Joined
Nov 22, 2010
Messages
2,859
Reaction score
480
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Those are tiny but work okay. It would be nice if they welded in a drain port but they would probably be $50 more.
Yes they are tiny, about a gallon or a little more. I didn't have much room, so they were a perfect fit. I have the hydrominder floats attached with no chain, so they only fill about half way. I've never had an issue running out of chemical on any of the 4 tanks with my 4 bay. Soap and wax flow at 10oz per minute per bay and PS and FB flow at about 20 oz per minute. So between 40 and 80oz per minute....Very doable even if all bays are running the same selection. As for draining, I can't really remember having to drain them! Been installed for about 10 years! The only chemical I seem to have an issue with is the yellow TF in a SS (3) tank system, reason unknown. Red and blue is never a problem. Algea forms in the yellow tank when its really hot outside and in the Er. Those tanks don't have a drain either, so I use a 2-3 gallon oil vacuum pump/tank to pump out the liquid. Works pretty good no more often than I have to do it.

2.3 gallon Manual Fluid Extractor (harborfreight.com)
 
Last edited:

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,948
Points
113
Location
Texas
Those tanks don't have a drain either, so I use a 2-3 gallon oil vacuum pump/tank to pump out the liquid. Works pretty good no more often than I have to do it.
I just bought a hand transfer pump, which is on sale right now. It worked really well. I normally fill a piece of hose with water and siphon, but I think I'll carry this pump with me.

 

KFPanda

Active member
Joined
Jun 15, 2023
Messages
112
Reaction score
50
Points
28
I'm going to try flex paste tomorrow. Because the tire cleaner is down I drained that tank and could see the .75" spot at the bottom of the dividing wall where liquid is getting through. I'll probably just do wax/soap right now, put some solution in 5 gallon jugs and let the sealant cure at least 24 hours. If it buys me 6mo-1yr that's fine. Do I have to hang jugs or is the siphon sufficient to leave the jugs on the floor and run hose to solenoids?
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,948
Points
113
Location
Texas
You can see an entire 3/4" gap?
 
Top