- Efficient top-down draining for closed or sealed tanks
- Self-adjusting floating weir – no manual controls required
- Adjustable decanting depth from 1/8” to 1.5” via pump or gravity rate
- Only one moving part (hinged weir) for reliable, low-maintenance operation
- Ideal for oil, water, or liquid waste decanting in closed industrial tanks
- Pairs with custom swingarm or stinger assemblies for secure in-tank operation
- Optional hose kits and stainless steel fittings – custom built in-house
- Stable, level flotation design – no tipping or inconsistent flow
- Made in the USA and ready to ship – call for stock availability
IN STOCK. READY TO DROP IN. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Got a tank that needs top-down decanting? Our Floating Tank Decanters are ready to go. No 12–16 week delays here—just simple, reliable decanting solutions on hand and ready for your job. When you need to control the surface layer in a sealed tank now , we’ve got your back. Just ask.
Floating Tank Decanter Features
01
Design
- Compact floating body designed specifically for sealed or closed tank use
- Self-adjusting hinged weir maintains consistent surface skimming height
- Only one moving part — the float-controlled weir — for ultra-simple, fail-safe operation
- Automatically adjusts to flow rate with no manual input needed
- Corrosion-resistant construction built for industrial environments
- Works in gravity or pumped systems , depending on your application
- Ideal for partial or full drainage — just skim a little off the top or all the way down
02
PERFORMANCE
- Skims from 1/8″ to ~1.5″ of surface liquid, based on pump flow
- No controls or calibration needed — just hook it up and let it self-regulate
- Floating design keeps skimmer flat and stable on the liquid surface
- Compatible with any suction pump or gravity-fed drain system
- Doesn’t disturb underlying material like sludge, sediment, or emulsions
- Great for continuous or batch decanting in sealed tank environments
03
INSTALLATION OPTIONS
- Supports custom Swingarm Assemblies for sealed tanks with limited access
- Articulated swingarms can be single, double, or triple for level-tracking
- Optional Stinger Assemblies for simpler installs using floats and hoses
- Hose assemblies custom-built in-house , with certified stainless welding available
- Float-mounted pipes provide 2–3 point flotation for steady positioning
- Installation consultation included — we help you spec it right the first time
04
SUPPORT & RELIABILITY
- Backed by 20+ years of field-proven skimming tech
- Ships pre-assembled and ready for tank deployment
- Custom installation guidance provided by SkimOIL ® ’s team
- Lifetime technical support included
- Emergency parts available within 24 hours
- Designed from experience — we’ve learned the hard way so you don’t have to
WHY FLOATING TANK DECANTERS ARE THE GO-TO SOLUTION FOR CLOSED TANK DRAINAGE
With only one moving part and zero manual adjustment, Floating Tank Decanters are redefining top-down liquid removal in closed and sealed tanks. These self-adjusting systems offer precise surface decanting with no operator oversight, helping facilities simplify tank drainage, reduce maintenance, and increase reliability. Whether paired with custom swingarm assemblies or simple hose setups, FTDs are becoming the smart choice for engineers who want dependable, problem-free decanting—no surprises, no babysitting.
The Solution: A Simple, Self-Adjusting Floating Decanter
Our Floating Tank Decanter (FTD) is a simple floating device with only one moving part-the hinged weir. The Floating Tank Decanter gives you a method to start to drain your tank from the top down. Usually—people don’t want to entirely drain the tank but this will do it—or just take a bit off the top. The FTD is automatically self adjusting and flow controlled—meaning that you can adjust the cut or decant off the surface—–from 1/8” all the way to the maximum which is about 1.5”….by simply adjusting your pumps flow rate or the gravity drain rate………and no manual adjustment is needed for this—ever.
With only one moving part——–the hinged weir the FTD is an ideal decanter or surface drain to put in a sealed or closed tank. It’s pretty hard to screw up one moving part—–which being the hinged weir has a float on the back side of it—-that actually controls the decant cut off the surface. That’s it—just that one part.
The Setup: Swingarms & Stingers For Closed Tank Installations
Of more concern in a closed tank——-is how does the decanter get hooked to a pump or drain valve? Hoses are dandy where you can monitor them and see what they are doing. But in a closed tank———to make the decanter installation and operation bullet proof——you need a swing arm arrangement: hard metal piping with swivels—designed specifically for that tank and that job.A custom built swingarm assembly is a work of art——and allows the decanter or surface skimmer to follow the liquid level changes-keeping everything in place and operational. These swingarms can be double or even tripled——-so they actually unfold or fold up depending on the liquid level. See the above examples for concept ideas.
For some simple closed tank jobs—we can work with a stinger ass’y with a hose hooked to it, but hoses can act funny and weird once the tank is closed up. A stinger ass’y is a pipe coming off the back of the skimmer or decanter with floats on it and the hose hooks to that. The stinger can be L shaped to provide even more stability with is used to make a wider footprint using floats bolted right onto the pipes—–giving a 2 or 3 point flotation—that is super stable and keep the decanter or skimmer at the right attitude and flat on the water surface.
We can make up any hoses you need in any configuration and material, right from our hose shop where all custom fabrication is done, including certified welding on stainless hoses. Hose floats are available to offset the weight of the hoses.
We’ve learned a bunch on our own and from our customers—-but that usually comes from encountering problems that were results of some forces and things happening—that were out of sight in a closed tank. We’ve been there—-call us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permits to install a Floating Tank Decanter?
Not usually. Most closed tank applications don’t require permitting, but if the decanter is tied into an NPDES-permitted system or discharge path, it’s best to review your permit with SkimOIL ® to ensure compliance.
How much maintenance does the decanter require?
Virtually none. With just one moving part — the hinged weir — the Floating Tank Decanter is designed for long-term, hands-off operation. No manual adjustments or calibration are needed.
Can the decanter handle varying liquid levels in the tank?
Yes. The floating weir automatically tracks surface changes and adjusts skimming height based on the pump or gravity flow. It self-regulates from as little as 1/8″ to about 1.5″ of surface decanting.
What installation options are available for sealed or hard-to-access tanks?
SkimOIL ® offers custom-built Swingarm or Stinger Assemblies designed to fit your tank. Swingarms allow the skimmer to follow liquid level changes internally, while Stinger setups use floating pipe arms for simpler installs.
Is the decanter compatible with my existing pump or tank system?
Most likely, yes. The FTD works with any pump that can pull suction, and can also be used with gravity drain systems. Our team can help you spec the right configuration based on your setup.