Why isn't there a bladderless, fiberglass reinforced plastic tank?

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Boyblue

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The only issue I've had with galvanized tanks is that they rust so I'm wondering why hasn't someone come up with a tank that doesn't rust and that uses the principles of the galvanized tank or is there one?
 

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It is unusual to have a problem with a galvanized tank other than when it finally rusts out. There are several brands of fiberglass bladderless tanks that will work the same way and never rust out. However, maintaining the correct air volume in any bladderless tank has always been a problem for the pump and other parts of the system.

There are still good reasons to use a bladderless type tank, as when the water needs to be aerated for iron, sulfur, etc. But the bleeder orifice, air injector, air volume control, or other parts needed to maintain the air level are items that need regular maintenance.

The bladder or diaphragm style tank simply holds the air charge in a separate chamber from the water. This basically eliminates any maintenance required because there is no need for air injectors, bleeders, or air volume controls.
 

Reach4

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I think the Flexcon Flex-Lite , which craigpump suggests, meets the request by having a diaphragm rather than a bladder.
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http://www.flexconind.com/products/well-tanks/flexlite-well-tanks/
 
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LLigetfa

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The bladder or diaphragm style tank simply holds the air charge in a separate chamber from the water. This basically eliminates any maintenance required because there is no need for air injectors, bleeders, or air volume controls.
I agree. Why bother with having to install and maintain an airmaker and AVC unless the water needs aeration?
 

Reach4

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The FLS does not have a bladder or diaphram, the FL series is a bladder style tank.
You are right. I had not been looking at FLS and I was mistaken about FLS was. It is the FL series which are diaphragm tanks with a butyl diaphragm. I don't need a tank yet, but with the current tank 12 years old I have been looking ahead. I had been looking at Well-X-Trol WX-251, but now think that the FL17 with 17 gallon drawdown might be my choice when the time comes.
 

Boyblue

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Tanks are expensive here because they're so bulky - ocean freight is a killer. And then there's the 45% duty which is paid on cost & freight.

I'm going with the 20 gal welmate bladder tank only because it's 75% less than the 120 gal tank I would have bought had it not been for the Cycle Stop Valve I discovered here. Speaking of which could a CSV work with a standard setup?
 

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Yes a CSV will work with a bladderless tank. You just have to turn up the air injector or put the bleeder orifice deeper in the well. This is because the bleeder only injects air when the pump cycles. So with a CSV the pump cycles so much less that you have to add more air when the pump does cycle.
 

DonL

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I would take the galvanized tank over a fiberglass tank.

Fiberglass will not last here because of sun damage.

My galvanized tank is about 40 years old, and is due for a replacement any time now.


I may go with a CSV and smaller tank when the time comes.
 

Reach4

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Yes a CSV will work with a bladderless tank. You just have to turn up the air injector or put the bleeder orifice deeper in the well. This is because the bleeder only injects air when the pump cycles. So with a CSV the pump cycles so much less that you have to add more air when the pump does cycle.
Blueboy's water level might only be 10 feet below the pressure switch and tank. However I guess horizontal distance is significant for this purpose.
 

LLigetfa

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Blueboy's water level might only be 10 feet below the pressure switch and tank.
With so little head, a snifter/check/bleeder drainback airmaking system might not be a good idea as the pump would be starting against no head and upthrust.
 

Boyblue

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Wouldn't this tank be good for hard water situations. Although there is no sulfur the limestone
With so little head, a snifter/check/bleeder drainback airmaking system might not be a good idea as the pump would be starting against no head and upthrust.


Honestly, because we're talking $250.00 (landed) and not $1,000.00 I'm good. That bladder should give me five years right?
 

DonL

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Wouldn't this tank be good for hard water situations. Although there is no sulfur the limestone



Honestly, because we're talking $250.00 (landed) and not $1,000.00 I'm good. That bladder should give me five years right?


Do you think 5 years is good ?

You must be a old fart like me. And you have no plans to live that long.

How many years did your old tank last ?
 
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LLigetfa

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There really is no benefit for you to go to a HP tank if the water doesn't need aerating. A bladder/diaphragm tank usually has more drawdown for the same size. How long a bladder lasts will depend on cycling. I would expect it to last more than 5 years.
 

Reach4

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Flex-Lite FL7 would get you a fiberglass tank with a butyl diaphragm. How much more would that cost you vs the fiberglass Wellmate bladder tank?
 

Boyblue

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Do you think 5 years is good ?

You must be a old fart like me. And you have no plans to live that long.

How many years did your old tank last ?

Galvanized tanks rust out in about five years. Salt in the air and in the water (in higher concentrations than normal). Hard water is hard on everything.

There really is no benefit for you to go to a HP tank if the water doesn't need aerating. A bladder/diaphragm tank usually has more drawdown for the same size. How long a bladder lasts will depend on cycling. I would expect it to last more than 5 years.

That's good to know, because we're using a small tank it's not that big a deal though.

Flex-Lite FL7 would get you a fiberglass tank with a butyl diaphragm. How much more would that cost you vs the fiberglass Wellmate bladder tank?

Luckily the company that I'm getting my pumps from carries Flexcon. I didn't specify brand but was quoted the FL7. It's like $20.00 more Stateside which could be as much as $40.00 more landed - I'm going with it.
 
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