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Variable Capacity Tank Airlock

Hello, I just bought a used 300L Marchisio tank. The tank is missing the airlock and the spigot. I noticed that St Pats sells this brand of tank and replacement airlocks and upgraded ball valves instead of the spigot. So can I use a regular stopper and airlock in the lid or is the metal too thin for a stopper to stay put? The replacement airlock is only ~$10 but I would have to mail order it. Which is better the original type spigot the tank came with or a ball valve? I noticed the ball valves St Pats sells say that they are not A1 sanitary or something like that, does it matter? I would like to hear from anyone with experience with these tanks.

-Alex P

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Alex
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Alex,

I have substituted a 10 (or 10 1/2) stopper and airlock for the original airlock without a problem. However, the bottom of the stopper does dip a bit into the wine. You may want to try a 11 stopper as it should elimitate the amount that touches the wine. Also, the lid submerges a bit when you pump up the tube, so you may get a bit of wine in the airlock when initially sealing the tank. There are two ways around this: (1) Put the stopper in the hole after pumping the tube, or (2) raise the lid slightly before pumping up the tube. For you situation, #1 might be best as you don't run the risk of having any headspace.

I think the diameter of the 300L tank valve opening is 3/4" female NPT. I'm not too familiar with 3A sanitary vs non-sanitary properties, but make sure you get male threading to fit into the tank. You can use a hex nipple that is male threaded on both sides if your valve only has female threads.

David Denver, CO USA

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David D.

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