Blulu 2 Set Expansion Tank Mounting Bracket Thermal Expansion Tank Holder with 4 Water Heater Strap Earthquake Straps Nitrogen Propane Holder for 5 Gallon or 13 Inch Diameter Pole

Why I picked up this bracket kit

I added a new thermal expansion tank to a residential water heater and didn’t love the idea of suspending that weight off copper. I wanted a compact, stainless solution that would offload the tank to the wall without fighting tight plumbing clearances. That’s exactly the niche the Blulu expansion tank bracket kit aims to fill: a simple wall bracket with stainless straps that secures small round tanks (and other cylinders) cleanly and quickly. It ships as a two-pack, which is handy if you’re doing multiple heaters or want a spare on the shelf.

What’s in the kit

• Two stainless steel mounting brackets (about 7.68 x 1.81 x 1.65 inches each)
• Four stainless straps (two per bracket), 0.55 inch wide
• Eight nails (basic fasteners)

The brackets and straps arrive in a straightforward, no-frills package. The finish is a plain silver stainless that blends in well with typical water heater hardware. The straps are slotted and cinch with a screw mechanism, and each bracket has a raised tab that accepts fasteners for mounting to the wall. Out of the box, everything feels light but not flimsy.

Fitment-wise, the straps will wrap tanks and poles up to roughly 13 inches in diameter. That covers the common 2–5 gallon expansion tanks (typically 8–13 inches in diameter) and a variety of small gas cylinders.

Build and materials

For a budget-minded kit, the materials are better than I expected. The bracket stampings are clean with no warping, and the edges—while not razor sharp—are still metal edges; gloves are a good idea. The stainless used isn’t industrial heavy-gauge, but the stiffness is appropriate for the loads we’re talking about with small expansion tanks. The straps are also stainless and resist kinking reasonably well when wrapping around the tank.

The included “nails” are, frankly, not what I’d use for most installs. They’re fine for very light-duty anchoring into solid framing, but you’ll get a much more secure hold with proper screws or lag bolts, especially if the tank will be filled and pressurized. Plan to bring your own fasteners suitable for the wall type (studs, masonry, or unistrut).

Installation experience

The installation was refreshingly straightforward:

1. I mapped the final position with the tank loosely held in place, then marked studs.
2. I anchored the bracket’s mounting tab to a stud with two structural screws. The tab protrudes far enough from the tank plane that I could drive the screws without interfering with plumbing—a small but meaningful design detail.
3. I set the tank in the straps, wrapped the two bands around, and tightened them evenly until snug.

I didn’t need to disconnect existing plumbing; the bracket positions behind the tank and the straps snake around easily. On my first install, the straps were plenty long for a 2-gallon tank. I also test-fit them on a 4.5-gallon tank and still had usable adjustment. For anything approaching the kit’s upper size limit (around 13 inches in diameter), you’ll want to start the straps with more slack and tighten carefully to avoid cross-threading the cinch screw.

One tip: pre-bend the straps to the tank diameter before attempting to cinch. That keeps the worm mechanism fully engaged and reduces the chance of the strap popping out of the slot when you apply torque. I had one strap jump a tooth when I was impatient; backing off and re-seating solved it.

Security and stability

Once tightened, the tank feels solid against the wall with very little ability to twist or creep. Using two straps per bracket effectively spreads the load and resists rotation. For typical 40–50 gallon water heater setups with a 2–4.5 gallon expansion tank, this is more than adequate. If your plumbing lines transmit vibration, the dual-band approach also helps damp minor movement.

The bracket’s standoff keeps the tank slightly off the wall, which avoids paint scuffing and allows for small adjustments when aligning to your tee. If you need more stand-off or a specific offset, I’d mount the bracket to a piece of 2x lumber secured across two studs—easy enough and sturdier in older walls.

Compatibility and sizing notes

• Strap width: 0.55 inch
• Bracket size: roughly 7.68 x 1.81 x 1.65 inches
• Max cylinder diameter: around 13 inches

I measured real-world fit on 2- and 4.5-gallon expansion tanks without issue. It should also accommodate many 5-gallon units (often 12–13 inches in diameter), but check the actual diameter to be sure. If you’re strapping something with a very smooth painted finish, add a rubber pad or friction tape under the strap to prevent scuffing and increase grip.

Beyond expansion tanks

This isn’t a specialized, single-purpose gadget. The bracket and strap combo is also a neat solution for securing small propane bottles, nitrogen cylinders, and other round vessels in a shop or utility room—anywhere you’d like a clean wall mount rather than a floor stand. Just be mindful of code requirements and safety best practices for gas cylinders; this kit is a restraint, not a rated cradle or cage.

Safety and code considerations

• Use appropriate fasteners: screws or lag bolts into studs or masonry anchors. The included nails are a last resort.
• Wear gloves when handling the strap edges and bracket.
• Don’t overtighten the strap screw; snug and secure is the goal. Over-torquing can deform the strap or jump the drive.
• This kit is for small auxiliary tanks, not for strapping an entire water heater. Seismic or code requirements for water heater anchoring are more stringent and typically specify double strapping with specific hardware.
• Always depressurize and isolate the expansion tank if you need to reposition or replace it.

What could be better

• Fastener choice: Including structural screws instead of nails would raise confidence and reduce trips to the hardware store.
• Strap engagement: The cinch mechanism works, but it benefits from careful alignment. A slightly deeper capture or a reinforced entry lip would make it more foolproof, especially in awkward positions.
• Edge finishing: Deburred strap edges would make it friendlier to handle in cramped spaces.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth noting if you’re planning a same-day install and expect a fully turnkey kit.

Value and who it’s for

As a two-pack, the value proposition is strong—ideal for pros who routinely add expansion tanks or for homeowners with multiple heaters. If you’re a plumber who dislikes cantilevering tanks off copper or PEX, this is a tidy way to transfer load to the wall without building a custom shelf or rack. DIYers will appreciate the simplicity: mark, mount, strap, done.

If you need industrial-seismic certification, tool-less quick-release, or heavy-gauge hardware for large cylinders, look elsewhere. This is purpose-built for small tanks and light cylinders and hits that target well.

Verdict

The Blulu expansion tank bracket kit does exactly what I need in this category: it gets the weight of a small expansion tank off the pipe, mounts cleanly to a stud, and secures the vessel with stainless straps. Installation is quick, the materials resist corrosion, and the form factor plays nicely with existing plumbing. It’s not perfect—the included nails aren’t up to the task in most walls, and the strap mechanism rewards a careful hand—but once set, it holds tight and looks tidy.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for anyone installing or retrofitting small expansion tanks who wants a dependable, low-profile wall mount. Use your own proper fasteners, take a moment to pre-bend and align the straps, and you’ll end up with a solid, repeatable solution at a fair price.