questions & answers
TANKS REST ON A STANDARD 6 INCH FOUNDATION.
We install our own foundations to ensure that it’s done right every time. Skimping on quality can lead to endless problems down the road. The weight of the entire tank is spread out over the entire foundation area so that the greatest weight is only 900lbs/sq.ft. in any one place.
OUR PATENTED INTAKE SYSTEM HAS ZERO ENTRAPMENT RISK.
Fathom Tanks’ intake system consists of thousands and thousands of small holes, distributing the intake suction power over a very large area. This makes it impossible for a person or animal to get stuck against or inside our intake system. Calming knowledge for those inside.
How long does it take to fill or drain your tanks?
Tanks fill in 1-2hrs using a 3’ fire hose line from a nearby hydrant. Your water utility company can provide you with a meter to connect in between the hydrant and the line. Draining takes twice as long using gravity and the built in port, but can be sped up utilizing pumps.
What are your tanks made of?
Tanks are made from heavy steel; plumbing is PVC.
TANKS ARE ABOVE GROUND AND REQUIRE NO DIGGING.
Installations involve no digging or excavation. Our tanks are considered equipment and not permanent fixtures because they are portable, same as an oil derrick or tunnel boring machine. You can disassemble our equipment, move it to a new location.
TANKS CAN ACHIEVE 3KTS BELOW SURFACE AND 7KTS ABOVE.
Tanks utilize a plurality of large pumps to move water at fast speeds. State ordinance will not allow for speeds greater that 3kts below the surface, so we created the illusion of much greater water speeds by skipping faster water across the surface. The illusion becomes very real.
Do you allow for custom sizes and designs?
Yes, we can design anything you wish but our two main tank sizes are 40x80 and 30x60. All tanks are six feet deep (1 fathom) and come in blue and gold (the colors of the dive community). We have designed tanks as long as 200ft and as small as 20ft.
How long do installations take?
Tanks take approximately six (6) months to install.
TANKS ARE NOT POOLS AND SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED AS SUCH.
Fathom Tank installations are not open to the general public and are intended for private training, work, or education. Tanks also come with a variance allowing for an all blacked out interior floor, which is not allowed in pools. Fathom Tanks should never be considered a pool.
RESCUE ZODIACS WITH ELECTRIC MOTORS CAN BE USED IN TANKS.
Four to six person rescue zodiac boats can be used in the tanks to practice boat rescue. The key is knowing that anyone can get to the rescue, the hard part is stying on target AT the rescue. Tanks can be tailored to create eddies and cross currents making training more realistic.
Will you install your tanks in the open outdoors?
No, we do not install tanks outside because of rainwater being the primary source of bacteria and amoeba. We also do not install on existing foundations because we are not able to guarantee the installation was to code or the proper thickness to support our tanks.
What tank shapes can you build?
Rectangles, squares, and cylinders. No triangles.