What to do with a rusted out galvanized stock tank? Raised bed?

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My father-in-law has two 8' diameter galvanized stock tanks that have pinholes rusted out all over the bottoms, so they can't be used for water any more. The sides are in great shape. They're 24" high. I'm thinking they might make some great raised beds if I cut the bottoms out. I can reach to the middle. I thought of putting some shrubby herb in the middle, such as Basil or Rosemary, and plant vegetables all around. Has anyone done this? Is there a reason why it'd be a bad idea? I know it'd rust out in a few years but I don't mind a temporary freebie, as I can't afford to buy materials to build raised beds. Right now I'm using one as a rabbit run for my little boys to have a safe place to play with their rabbits (fresh grass clippings in the bottom so they aren't directly on the metal.

I would love to hear everybody's ideas for using these things, as my fater-in-law has to buy a new one every 18 months or so, and there's a lot of use left in the sides.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), August 12, 2001

Answers

You sell them to city people for twice what you can buy a new one for.

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), August 12, 2001.

First I am curious as to why the tank has to be replaced so often or is this a series of tanks?

Second, we have a tank that the bottom went bad on and the previous owner mixed up some concrete and filled in the bottom couple of inches and we still use it (this has been a lot of years), so it doesn't necessarily follow that the sides will go bad quickly.

I like the flower bed idea. How about a sand box for the kids (sink it in the ground a little? A loose hay feeder is good too (for horses).

-- beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), August 12, 2001.


Gary; what do the city people buy them for?

Beckie; I love the sandbox idea--it'd take a lot of sand but what a great place to dig and play! I'm going to do that with one of them, cause we don't have a sandbox.

I don't know why they rust out so fast; maybe something in our well water. The metal is very thin so it doesn't take much rust to make holes!

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), August 12, 2001.


One correction--not that it matters a whole lot--but I just measured and teh tanks are 81" in diameter, rather than 8', and 22" high. I did wonder how I could reach the middle so easily:o)

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), August 12, 2001.

Elizbeth me and old jay we would fillum full of dirt and raise worms. then go fishing a lot.Bob se,ks.

-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), August 12, 2001.


Elizabeth, I used our old tank for the baby chickens. I put the tank in the greenhouse, put many layers of newspaper in the bottom and put in the baby chicks. I put chicken wire across the top along with a couple of boards to hold the heat lamp. I then put an old bed sheet across the top. I could control the heat by removing the sheet some. I kept the chicks in there for several weeks. It kept out the dogs and cats and other varmits too. Worked well.

-- Belle (gardenbelle@terraworld.net), August 12, 2001.

I also have one I use for chicks. We put down newspapers and then pine shavings, just add a little shavings every day or two. I clip the light to the side.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 12, 2001.

fill it full of dirt,, use it like a raised bed for something that would otherwise take over,, jerusalam chokes,, catnip,, other herbs,,ect. you can keep them where you want them this way

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), August 12, 2001.

Elizabeth, tell your father-in-law to try the Rubbermaid stock tanks, they cost about the same, and I have had them for 15 years now and no holes, chips, or cracks, they are even horse chew proof!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 13, 2001.

I'd go for cementing the bottom of the tanks too - I know it works. Also, while putting new ones down, I'd make a flat sand bed first, then cast in some straight runs of cement (like 2"x2"s, but cement) spaced say every 6"s, to serve as a base. That would keep the base off the wet ground, and allow it to dry underneath - which I suspect is why the bottoms are rusting out so rapidly.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), August 13, 2001.


Hi Elizabeth,

I asked a few months ago about the use of old stock tanks here at this site. I got quite a few answers.

I have three in the yard now full of dirt and growing plants. I also have two more that I use for makeing compost. Another one is in my shed that I use for a chick brooder. Last weekend I bought a small oblong one and plan to use it as a planter as well. They work great and you can get them for next to nothing.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), August 13, 2001.


Or you could seal the leaky areas of the tank with JB Weld. I understand that just about every old tractor has JB Weld on it somewhere and it's lasted for many years. If the stuff works on a vehicle gas tank, it'll really work well on the water tank!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), August 14, 2001.

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