What Water Tank Setup Do You Have?

Hi,

Looking to save money on my water bill so I am investing in a 3000L water tank.
Will be using the water for the pool and garden.

Been quoted $1500 + delivery, is this a fair deal?
Where did you buy your water tank from?
Any material I should buy/avoid?
What is the pump of choice?

Any other tips on installation/setup/managing a water tank would be appreciated.

Comments

  • +3

    I've got 5x 22,500 litre tanks filled up by catchments from the house and a 400sqm shed.

    Use it for absolutely everything (household, pool, spa, washing etc.) except the garden.

    Use a Davey pressure pump.

    3000L won't go far topping up a well used pool over summer or for the garden really.

    $1500 seems like false economy. Will take a long time for a ROI but I haven't done the proper maths.

    How much is installation?

    • Thanks, will look into Davey pressure pump.

      https://www.oztanks.com.au/custom-steel-modline-water-tanks/
      The 3090L one is $1500

      I think these guys are just suppliers and I'd have to find a plumber to install. Could try DIY if it isn't too hard…

      • I've got these.

        DIY is possible. Where are you getting the water from? House roof?

        • Just asked dad and he will install with my uncle (handyman/plumber).

          Yep, just from the roof.

    • dumb question but how do you keep the water clean enough to use in the washing machine?

      • No plans to use it for the washing machine - this will just be used mainly for the garden

      • We have water tanks supplied from the house roof. The water from these tanks goes straight into our mouths (via pipes and taps)

  • -7

    Been quoted $1500 + delivery, is this a fair deal?

    Installed?

    Where did you buy your water tank from?

    Don't have one

    Any material I should buy/avoid?

    Paper

  • Consider factory seconds instead.

    They are usually 1/2 the regular price.

    I purchased 2 3000litre poly slims for less than $500 each. Apart from them being slightly distorted they are just as strong as the full priced ones.

    This company has a sale on, worth looking into. (Not where I purchased mine from)

    http://www.needarainwatertank.com.au/Clearance%20Sale.html

    • True, a tank is just a tank. Thanks!

  • +2

    And tanks to you also.

  • +2

    Looking to save money on my water bill so I am investing in a 3000L water tank.

    have you done the ROI on that?
    plus pump/plumber, lets call it $2.5k conservatively

    water is about $2.50/kL so you would need to completely fill and empty it about 330 times to 'break even'
    Home water tanks rarely/never get anywhere near empty before filling on a regular basis though so its likely many use/fill cycles than that

    Get one for environmental/water saving means… but dont get one if its just for the financial benefit of saving money on a water bill.
    The water usage component is pretty minimal..

    • +1

      Then you have the hassle of maintaining it, keeping gutters clean, fixing the water pump when it eventually break plus another system of pipework.

  • Things I've learned - try and stop all gutter leaf matter and dirt getting anywhere near the tanks.

    You should run both a tank screen and also something like the following on each downpipe

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/rain-harvesting-100mm-leaf-eater…

    Be careful with pressure pump cycling - its chews through electricity and is bad for your pump (as is dirt and any leaf contaminants!). Make sure your size your pump with the intended output pipes diameter and distance in mind.

    Blue-line poly pipe I typically run from the pump to various output locations.

    I'd try and buy as much stuff as I can second hand as far as tanks and blue-line. You can potentially get the pump(s) too, but i'd keep away from them if they look like they have had a hard life unless you're buying from someone whom services them.

    I agree with others regarding 3000L not going very far unless you get constant rain fall all year round.

  • Water tanks aren’t for saving money. Water is too cheap out of the tap.

    a water tank makes sense if you NEED water for the pool or garden and there are restrictions - but then it probably hasn’t rained much and the tank will be dry anyway.

    In addition to working out the cost of install vs cost of town water, calculate the amount of water you need to top up the pool. Work out the area, estimate the depth you need to add each time. No point getting a tank so small it’ll only do one pool top up.

    • you can save money but it takes a bit of work, but that being said if you choose to go for $1500 tank then it'll probably take 20 years to break even.

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