There are a couple of important questions you should ask yourself when purchasing a water storage tank for rainwater harvesting. These questions will help you make the right decision without regrets. Let's face it. Purchasing a water tank is a big investment so it's only worth doing it right the first time. Before I answer these questions, I want to tell you about all the styles of water tanks there are available for harvesting rainwater.
What types of Rainwater Harvesting Tanks are available?
- Concrete - Concrete tanks used for rainwater harvesting are heavy and mostly installed underground. This means they are extremely expensive to install as it often requires a lot of excavation and lifting to get them to the right spot. The lime from the concrete can also leach into the water in the tank which makes it dangerous to use for drinking.
- Metal - Metal tanks have always been a good alternative to concrete tanks as they are lighter, cheaper and easier to install. However, because of the material, they are extremely dangerous if you are using them for drinking. This is because over time the steel will corrode and rust which will pollute the purity of the water.
- Plastic - Plastic or polyethylene tanks used for rainwater harvesting are definitely the most common. These are extremely popular because of their cost and quality. However, you need to be careful you don't purchase a plastic water storage tank that will grow algae. To help you choose the best plastic tank, read this article I wrote that will tell you if you will grow algae in your tank. It's called: Will algae grow in your water storage tanks? [Infographic]
- Bladder - Bladder tanks used for rain harvesting are often used if you only have a small place for a tank. Made from a flexible membrane that flexes when water enters, these rainwater bladders can take up a lot of surface area. The only time these bladders are useful is if you have room under your deck or hose. However, you will end up spending a lot more on plumbing and accessories as your pipe from your roof will have to be much longer then if you used a regular water storage tank.
- Fiberglass - Fiberglass tanks are stronger than metal and concrete. However, they tend to be a lot more expensive because of the manufacturing process. Fiberglass tanks are very labor intensive to build. When it comes to tanks larger than 10,000 gallons, these are the best option.
Does the material of your Water Tank make a difference?
This is a common question for a reason. If you are using your water storage tank for any purpose where the water needs to stay pure yes, the material makes a huge difference. Here's an example. If you are using the water to give your pets a drink or even using it to drink yourself, you must worry about the material of your tank.
Concrete and metal water storage tanks are particularly dangerous as they can rust and corrode over time. This means that the rust or parts of the tank will leak into your pure rainwater causing it to become completely undrinkable. A plastic water storage tank is your best choice only if it has Light Block™ technology. This is a manufacturing process that causes the tank sidewalls to block out the light ensuring no algae growth.
Does the color of your Rainwater Tank make a difference?
The answer is yes if it is exposed to the sun. Having the right color rainwater tank can mean the difference between having pure water or not. To discover the facts behind this, I would encourage you to read a very popular blog called; Plastic Water Tanks: Does the color matter? This article explains how the color of your rain harvesting tank can affect the quality of your water.
So what is the best type of Rainwater Tank to Purchase?
After researching all the types of tanks you can purchase for rain harvesting, you must make a decision. If you are looking for a cost effective, good looking and strong water tank that won't grow algae, you are in the right place. Plastic tanks are a first choice for a reason.
