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oil tank wires

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chuck172
chuck172 Member Posts: 90
in Oil Heating
I have a 24 year old in the ground oil tank. The tank is laid on 12" pea gravel with 4" capped pvc pipe vertically to the surface.
I guess you can moniter the gravel for leaking.
There are also two wires that extend from the tank above ground. What are they for?
I haven't used the tank in quite a while, and I wonder if it's safe?

Comments

  • Bob Bona_4
    Bob Bona_4 Member Posts: 2,083
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    This doesn't sound like a residential tank "4 pvc etc". STiP3 with annodes?
  • chuck172
    chuck172 Member Posts: 90
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    It is, what is stip3 with annodes?
  • Bob Bona_4
    Bob Bona_4 Member Posts: 2,083
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    STIP3 tanks have cathodic protection. Or are supposed to. There's a way to check the integrity, or get a baseline anyway, it's very detailed. Google is your friend.

    24 years, and current real estate attitudes Re UST's...ya feeling lucky?
  • chuck172
    chuck172 Member Posts: 90
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    Boy these past 24 years have flown by since I built the house. I'm gonna empty the underground tank, as complete as I possibly can. Not use it again. Then Install a new 275 gal. in the basement.
    Bob Bona_4
  • Brewbeer
    Brewbeer Member Posts: 616
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    Remove the tank, don't just empty it as best you can. Getting it out of there is the best advice anyone can give you.
    Hydronics inspired homeowner with self-designed high efficiency low temperature baseboard system and professionally installed mod-con boiler with indirect DHW. My system design thread: http://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/154385
    System Photo: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021738/uploads/FileUpload/79/451e1f19a1e5b345e0951fbe1ff6ca.jpg
  • OuterCapeOilguy
    OuterCapeOilguy Member Posts: 46
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    A distant 2nd to removing it would be to-after having it professionally pumped out by your oil company-to dump in a bunch of kitty litter to absorb what's left. However, in view of the potential environmental liability, I'd bite the bullet and remove it. Also.....PVC pipe on an oil tank?? Hmmm...
  • OuterCapeOilguy
    OuterCapeOilguy Member Posts: 46
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    When you install the new tank, go with a Roth double-wall tank; they take up less floor space, have a great safety factor and great warranty against spills, and draw from the top. If you go with a traditional tank, hook it up for top draw-and use a deaerator (TigerLoop or equivalent) and a spin-on fuel filter with vacuum guage.

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