Tanks
Tanks provide working volume where the system needs it: sumps that feed pumps, surge vessels that absorb level variation, holding and quarantine tanks, degassing towers, and media vessels.
Tanks in an aquatic life support system include sumps, surge vessels, holding tanks and process tanks; getting the vessel through the building and into the equipment room is a real design constraint.
Types and materials
Fiberglass reinforced plastic for corrosion resistance and custom geometry. Polyethylene for standard sizes at lower cost. Coated steel and concrete on larger structures. Material follows water chemistry, temperature, ozone exposure, structural requirements, and whether the vessel holds animals.
Where it’s used
Every application. Sumps and surge tanks in exhibit and park systems. Quarantine and holding in zoos, aquariums, and aquaculture. Degassing towers in RAS. Media vessels throughout.
Why specification matters
Sumps do more than hold water. A sump provides pump suction volume, absorbs level swing, and often houses heaters, probes, and equipment connections. Undersized sumps cause pumps to lose prime during backwash or surge, a problem that surfaces at commissioning and is expensive to fix.
Surge volume is a calculation, not a guess. Systems with wave features, high bather load, or intermittent flows need enough surge volume to absorb the swing without flooding or starving. Surf parks and wave pools make this critical.
Animal holding has requirements a process tank doesn’t. Smooth interior surfaces, no sharp transitions, appropriate color for the species, drain and standpipe arrangements suited to husbandry, and materials confirmed safe for aquatic life. A tank suitable for process water may not be suitable for animals.
Getting the tank into the building is a real constraint. Large FRP vessels are frequently too big for the door. Field-assembled or sectional tanks solve this and cost more. Discovering it after fabrication is worse than either.
Structural support is often outside the tank supplier’s scope. A full tank is heavy. Pads, curbs, seismic restraint, and floor loading typically sit with other trades, and they get missed when the tank is bought as equipment.
How SIVAT helps
We confirm tank materials suit the water chemistry and the duty, check that sump and surge volumes match the system, and verify the vessel can physically reach its location. Where field assembly is required we say so before fabrication starts.
Pricing tanks on a project?
Send us the plans, specifications, or equipment list. An experienced aquatic equipment specialist will review the project requirements, identify the system needs, and provide clear, competitive pricing.