Storage tanks can be manufactured from many different materials, including plastic, galvanised steel, ceramic, and fibreglass. Storage tanks are used for a variety of purposes. In the home, storage tanks can be used for water or fuel oil. On farms, storage tanks are also used for storing grain, milk, and many other materials. In industry, storage tanks are commonly used for storing water, fuel, and chemicals.

Fibreglass Tanks

Fibreglass tanks constructed from polyester resins are suitable for storing some liquids and chemicals. Storage tanks made from fibreglass are designed to be resistant to acids, caustic chemicals, plus a high degree of heat. They are also resistant to aerobic and galvanic corrosion as well as many different chemical compounds. Fibreglass tanks can also be used for petrochemical liquid storage.

The polyester resins used in the construction of fibreglass tanks need to be carefully selected as some fibreglass tanks are not always suitable for the storage of different types of chemicals. Fibreglass tanks are susceptible to oxidation and hydrolysis in particular and an expert should always be consulted with regard to the best fibreglass tank for chemical storage.

Fibreglass tanks are constructed in a different way to plastic tanks. Polypropylene tanks are homogenous, which protects them from chemical attack if the surface of the tank should become scratched, gouged, or damaged in some way. Fibreglass tanks, however, are laminated, which means that over time the surface of the tank can become de-laminated. When this occurs, the surface of the tank can become scratched or damaged and it is then susceptible to chemical attack.

Due to the nature of fibreglass, normal expansion and contraction of the material can cause microscopic cracks to form within the layers of the fibreglass tank. This can cause the liquid inside to wick out and the surface of the tank becomes less resistant to chemical attack. Polypropylene plastic tanks do not expand and contract in the same way as a fibreglass storage tank.

If a fibreglass storage tank becomes damaged in some way, unlike a polypropylene plastic tank it can be difficult to repair. Internal and external repairs are usually easier with plastic storage tanks.

Below ground fibreglass storage tanks are often used for storing water. They are an ideal for storing drinking water, rainwater, grey water, plus water that is used for irrigation and fire protection. They come in a wide range of sizes ranging from relatively small storage tanks of around 600 gallons, right up to 50,000 gallon tanks. Because they are non corrosive, they have an extremely long life span.

Fibreglass tanks can also be used for underground septic tanks when access to mains sewerage is not available. In this instance, fibreglass and polyethylene plastic tanks are preferable to concrete septic tanks as they are unaffected by soil acids or the internal gases created by raw sewage. They do not deteriorate like concrete and have a far longer life span. Unlike concrete, fibreglass and plastic tanks are much easier to install as they are lighter to transport, plus no heavy lifting equipment is needed to install the tank.