What type of tank do I buy? - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

What type of tank do I buy?

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Found at tank-depot.com two 35 gallon PCO tanks with bands and shipping for $435.00......deal or no deal??

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Check out the square 53 gallon tanks from Powerwashstore.com Paul has built them very compact and they take up very little room.

18" square I think by 40" high

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

check your local tractor supply as well. What size trailer are you using?

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Michael Derose wrote:
check your local tractor supply as well. What size trailer are you using?
Check with Tractor Supply, they don't have any tanks that fit with no plug. Attached are pics of what I have to work with. Pump, hose and battery will go under the hose reels I have now, tanks behind.

And..thanks Steve as well, I will check out Paul's site.

Tim Teed · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

I would go with 1 tank 40 - 50 gallons. We usually just mix 40 gallons at a time. There is a chance you will need the space for some other type of equipment at some point.

John Aloisio · SoftWash Systems 5-Star Professional

I agree with Tim. Never hurts to have more room.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Honestly I would go with 2 50 gallon pco tanks. You can order them at tractor supply. Use 1 for straight SH and 1 for a mix tank. You are better off buying what you need upfront instead of rebuying down the road when those tanks( 30-40) gallon get to small for you. I use a 100 gallon tank for mix and a 65 gallon tank for straight Sh. We are never short when it comes to residential. Now for commercial we have a 125 mix tank and a 100 straight SH tank. Buy for the future.

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

As far as needing other equipment that is what the bed of the truck is for.

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Good advice Mike
I have several tanks at the shop in one year... You will figure it out as you build, but this type of advice will save you money and rebuild time.

By shifting the bigger tank forward a bit, the two square tanks from Powerwashstore will fit beautifully.

Talk a look at the setup at Powerwashstore.com and you will see how compact the tanks really are on Paul's ready built skid.

Doug Rucker just bought a brand new slide in skid from Paul with those tanks build in, so look at that thread too.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Michael Derose wrote:
Honestly I would go with 2 50 gallon pco tanks. You can order them at tractor supply. Use 1 for straight SH and 1 for a mix tank. You are better off buying what you need upfront instead of rebuying down the road when those tanks( 30-40) gallon get to small for you. I use a 100 gallon tank for mix and a 65 gallon tank for straight Sh. We are never short when it comes to residential. Now for commercial we have a 125 mix tank and a 100 straight SH tank. Buy for the future.

I'm thinking two tanks as well...and I agree the bigger is better. Although my thought was one tank to for the SH solution (house mix or roof mix) and the other tank for the bleach wash for my house washing....or both tanks for roof washing if needed. I'm not busy enough to keep straight SH in a large tank....mix it up as I need it. The tanks would be empty by days end.

Truck doubles as my personal vehicle, plus I travel a lot to Canada, so any equipment I put back there needs to be removable or Canada customs will either take it or send me back home.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Tim Teed wrote:
I would go with 1 tank 40 - 50 gallons. We usually just mix 40 gallons at a time. There is a chance you will need the space for some other type of equipment at some point.

Thanks Tim. I'm leaning towards two tanks vs one. The only other equipment I could see myself getting into would be water reclamation and I just don't go after that kind of work. If I ever do, then I'll just have to re-tool or even better, just get another set up for water reclamantion.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Steve Salley wrote:
Good advice Mike
I have several tanks at the shop in one year... You will figure it out as you build, but this type of advice will save you money and rebuild time.

By shifting the bigger tank forward a bit, the two square tanks from Powerwashstore will fit beautifully.

Talk a look at the setup at Powerwashstore.com and you will see how compact the tanks really are on Paul's ready built skid.

Doug Rucker just bought a brand new slide in skid from Paul with those tanks build in, so look at that thread too.

I like those tanks and they would fit nice. One thing that my pics did not show however was that my ladder actually lays down the middle...on top of the skid and down between the hose reels...picture attached. I had a bracket welded on that supports the ladder from the front. So, now that means I would have to put those two tanks on either side of the ladder...which would actually help keep it in place. The box is now gone to make room for the Fatboy setup.

Never crossed my mind to move the big tank forward...thanks for the fresh eyes, it was to obvious. Been trying to squeeze a tank into 21" when I may have 30" to play with. Changes everything. Thanks.

Shot Paul a quick email, I'll call him tomorrow.

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Jeff
I am sure you know this by the placement of your one tank, but keep your load 60/40 with the heavier portion forward of your axle.

You can accomplish that with a rework on your tank position.

We ran all last year with a 50 gallon mix tank and 50 gallon bulk SH tank. I will use larger tanks this year due to increased work volume.

I still agree that you can make really good money with your trailer set up as you have in mind. Enjoy the process of growth.

I had a larger company and worked for corporate America retail giants as a flooring contractor and made good money, but never had time to stop and smell the roses.
Now, in this business, when you have to recharge a mix tank in your day's work, just look around and smile at the new found freedom you have found. jmho

Become the real professional in your market, and they will pay you enough that you can relax and enjoy your work.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Steve Salley wrote:
Jeff
I am sure you know this by the placement of your one tank, but keep your load 60/40 with the heavier portion forward of your axle.

You can accomplish that with a rework on your tank position.

We ran all last year with a 50 gallon mix tank and 50 gallon bulk SH tank. I will use larger tanks this year due to increased work volume.

I still agree that you can make really good money with your trailer set up as you have in mind. Enjoy the process of growth.

I had a larger company and worked for corporate America retail giants as a flooring contractor and made good money, but never had time to stop and smell the roses.
Now, in this business, when you have to recharge a mix tank in your day's work, just look around and smile at the new found freedom you have found. jmho

Become the real professional in your market, and they will pay you enough that you can relax and enjoy your work.

Thanks Steve. This is my third year now and I have doubled my profits each year. Looking for more growth this year as well. I am dropping wood to go heavy into roof washing. I love this work and hopefully within the next two years it will sustain me fully. You are in PA....what are you doing in the winter...pushing snow?

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Well, since this morning is a balmy 16 degrees, I thought I would growl at the weatherman... We are supposed to warm up finally in Western PA Unreal this year.

we are putting the new service truck back together to be ready in July when we peak out at 45 degrees....

Matt Jennemann · Junior Member

The last time I was at Tractor Supply I asked the same question about the pco tanks w/o bulkheads , they told me that they can order them in but they are made to order from the manufacturer and take about 3 weeks to get in but there is no price difference between the 2. Hopefully this helps ya.

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Thanks everyone. Looks like I am going to go with two 45 gallon PCO tanks. Sacrificed 10 gallons by not getting 50's but the tank fits into the space without me moving my main tank forward. Good suggestion, but after measuring again it would leave me no room to get in there and work on the machine if needed.

Doug Ford · Junior Member

Jeff if you are coming to Memphis for the revolution camp there is a tank supplier here. Got to tanked pot come and look and see where the shipping places are order from there. I saved about $100 on cost and shipping and picked it up about a 3 miles from my house. It just depends on the size you are looking for and if this one produces it.

Best of luck

Jeff Thompson · Junior Member

Doug Ford wrote:
Jeff if you are coming to Memphis for the revolution camp there is a tank supplier here. Got to tanked pot come and look and see where the shipping places are order from there. I saved about $100 on cost and shipping and picked it up about a 3 miles from my house. It just depends on the size you are looking for and if this one produces it.

Best of luck

Thanks Doug. Can't make it down this time....this all came on so fast I didn't figure it into the funds. I'll plan on it next January if it's still in Florida, give me a chance to see my son as well. Found two 45 gallon tanks online at www.plastic-mart.com....$300 shipping included. Sounds reasonable. Does your supplier have a website, TN is not that far...shipping should be reasonable from there to Michigan.

Doug Ford · Junior Member

Tankdepot.com I believe.