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Author Topic: Test Tank.  (Read 5942 times)

Bradley

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Test Tank.
« on: August 03, 2009, 10:20:26 pm »
Do any of you knowledgeable Mayhemmers know where I can get a test tank made up instead of having to use the bath.  I am after something about 1200mm long x 500mm wide x 300mm deep (approx) and I have had only one quote from an internet site of £95 + £20 shipping, constructed of 6mm polypropylene.  I didn't really want to pay this much so would be obliged for any suggestions (clean ones, please).   :-))
Many thanks.
Derek.     :police:
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The long Build

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2009, 10:23:26 pm »
Just a thought but you could by a cheap bath , 2nds or similar and use that , but not sure how you would store it..
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Bradley

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2009, 10:29:12 pm »
Many thanks for the suggestion about a bath but I am after something smaller that I can mount on a table top (or similar) when I want to ballast a boat as I find it difficult to see the waterline when it is down in the bath and the old bones find it difficult getting down and back up again.   :((
Derek.     :police:
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tonyH

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2009, 10:39:40 pm »
A pal of mine made one with ply sides and a loose liner from an old fish pond liner. There were only 2 points he took real care with being (1) the sides were well strapped together and (2) the table would stand the weight of the water, which I think would be in your case 180kg. He just syphoned the water out when he'd finished with it and folded the whole thing up.

Tony
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Bradley

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2009, 10:44:27 pm »
Many thanks, Tony.  I had thought along the lines of your suggestion but was just hoping that I could find something a bit more durable than ply so that I could leave it outside when not required.  I take your point about the weight of water and strength of table or stand - wouldn't want that lot collapsing  <:(.
Derek.     :police:
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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2009, 10:46:38 pm »

Have a look in 'Mothercare'. perhaps they have baby baths about the size you want.  :embarrassed:

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tobyker

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2009, 10:56:43 pm »
You could build a frame out of 2" x 6" timber, and line it with polytarp or black butyl pond liner. It wouldn't need a bottom as the table would form the bottom.
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portside II

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2009, 11:00:53 pm »
I can see what your looking for Derek , probably along the lines of a fish tank , but then you have the probs that it is glass and if that breaks then its a wet sharp mess .
I built mine from plywood mounted on a sturdy stand only a foot off the floor , but the tank is 4 x 18 x 12 L,W,D, , You mention about seeing the waterline in a conventional tank/bath , if you build a ply tank with a cutout along one side you could silicone a piece of plexi glass on the inside this would then give you access to the waterline.
daz
PS when my tank is full to the top (and i have no idea how much it weighs) the sides only have a little bow , but to compensate that when not in use i have a hinged lid with a catch for support , also for H+S , the cat likes to jump up and sit on the lid to watch me pratting  :} .
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gondolier88

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2009, 11:02:13 pm »
Large cold water header tank- you can get them that big- then just cut the top 3-400mm off to get the depth you require.

Greg
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2009, 11:04:13 pm »
I use the bath, but to check the waterline I use a mirror dipped into the water at an angle. Did it tonight in fact. You can see above and below water at the same time!

Colin
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kenthompson

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2009, 11:09:18 pm »
Hi Derek
 What about a child's paddle pool? cheep enough, and as big or small as you like. empty it then fold it away until next time...

 Ken.
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Ghost in the shell

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #11 on: August 04, 2009, 12:18:37 am »
I have heard of Coffins being used,
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john54

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #12 on: August 04, 2009, 06:53:53 am »
In bath & a small spirit level  placed on the deck.   
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barriew

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #13 on: August 04, 2009, 06:55:29 am »
Rather than ply, I used white melamine covered board. Joints sealed with silicone sealant, and a water butt drain in the bottom to make it easier to empty. Not sure about storing outside though - mine is in the garage.

Barrie
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ray123

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #14 on: August 04, 2009, 07:28:22 am »
  the  thing you  want is a plasterer's bath  aprox  4ft x 2ft  & at £29   its worth every penny O0  & its plastic so wont rot!!  you get them at most 'builders merchants   regards ray 
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sinjon

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #15 on: August 04, 2009, 08:21:52 am »
I made mine from white melamine boards from B&Q, 8''wide for the bottom, 6''wide for the sides & ends, so the tank is 8' x 6'' x 6' all just screwed together, a large piece of clear polythene as the liner. Also a vertical slot at 6'.0'' so that I can drop a piece in to give me a smaller tank. So in practice I have the choice of three tanks in one - one at 8 feet, another at 6 feet & a little one at 2 feet.
When not in use it stands in the corner of the garage - floor space 6'' x 6''

Colin
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Colin

Bradley

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #16 on: August 04, 2009, 10:29:31 am »
Many thanks to everyone for all their helpful suggestions.  It looks as though a trip to a builders merchants might be on the agenda.   :-))
Derek.    :police:
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sinjon

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #17 on: August 04, 2009, 01:44:36 pm »
Quote from: sinjon on August 04, 2009, 08:21:52 am
I made mine from white melamine boards from B&Q, 8''wide for the bottom, 6''wide for the sides & ends, so the tank is 8' x 8'' x 6' all just screwed together, a large piece of clear polythene as the liner. Also a vertical slot at 6'.0'' so that I can drop a piece in to give me a smaller tank. So in practice I have the choice of three tanks in one - one at 8 feet, another at 6 feet & a little one at 2 feet.
When not in use it stands in the corner of the garage - floor space 6'' x 6''

Colin
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Bryan Young

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #18 on: August 04, 2009, 03:13:29 pm »
I managed to get hold of a couple of builders planks (as used on scaffolding).  Cut them up to a size (length and width) to suit a model at least 8' long. I then bought a sheet of heavy polythene, but it wasn't all that successful...so I bought a huge blue (plastic) tarpaulin from Wickes. I made the cover for my trailer with it as well as the "liner" for the tank and still have enough left over to do both jobs again!.About £12 I think. Then I "collected" a few lengths of half inch steel rod from a skip or something. Simple after that. Drive a few lengths of the rod into the lawn to keep the plank lengths roughly vertical. Drape a suitable size bit of the tarp into the "tank" and fill with water from a hose. A few 1" nails around the edges holds the tarp in position. To empty it I just remove one of the short end bits and water the garden. And planks are easy enough to stow somewhere or other until needed again. Cheap, effective and dismantleable.  BY.
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maninthestreet

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #19 on: August 04, 2009, 03:41:15 pm »
Quote from: Tug---Kenny on August 03, 2009, 10:46:38 pm
Have a look in 'Mothercare'. perhaps they have baby baths about the size you want.  :embarrassed:



How many 4ft tall babies do you know??  ok2 ok2
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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #20 on: August 04, 2009, 04:24:26 pm »
Quote from: maninthestreet on August 04, 2009, 03:41:15 pm
How many 4ft tall babies do you know??  ok2 ok2

My, how things have changed since I was young. {-)

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BarryM

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #21 on: August 04, 2009, 04:50:27 pm »
The one thing that nobody has commented on is how anybody could get a 4' long test tank, slopping with water, on the table, without The Management intervening with a blunt object?   :o

Barry M
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Bradley

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #22 on: August 04, 2009, 05:30:26 pm »
A tour of the local builders merchants this afternoon failed to turn up a single plasterer's bath so I have ordered one on line from www.bexpress.co.uk at a reasonable price.  Until Ray came up with his suggestion I was under the impression that plasterers just used an old tin bath - never seen one with a posh purpose-made plastic bath so, thanks Ray, it looks as though this is just what I wanted.  :-))
Derek.    :police:
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maninthestreet

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #23 on: August 04, 2009, 08:15:49 pm »
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ray123

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Re: Test Tank.
« Reply #24 on: August 04, 2009, 10:03:36 pm »
hi  derek  they are very strong these ''baths''   your not tank testing your new one allready ;) :D
regards ray
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