Tank information

Be aware of how quickly water storage can be used up when calculating size of tank.

John, VIC

Get a plumber experienced with tanks - mine was hopeless.

Peter, NSW

Have a pump on each tank, each with its own hose so that two people can use them. Also make sure your generator can power a pump for firefighting purposes

David, VIC

Do not listen to marketing guys or plumbers and installers who give you a quote and tell you what works best. Get several quotes and a range of advice, they will tell you different stories and often nonsense.

Thomas, QLD

Make sure that you get a drawing of the plumbing attached to the tanks.

Lisa, QLD

Thoroughly research the market for all available products (e.g. tanks, pumps, rainbank, etc) which suit your particular site and requirements. Unashamedly pick the brains of everybody you know who has a system installed. Attend any trade shows. Seek out an experienced green plumber and select quality, reputable local brand products.

David, VIC

Take care with the foundation used to support the tank and ensure all connections are made tightly and sealed.

Trevor, SA

Over engineer the base platform, surprising how heavy water is.

John, TAS

Don’t overcomplicate the installation - KISS

Pat, VIC

Construct a good foundation and protect against degradation from water and rodents etc. Shade, ventilate, insect proof, use easily cleaned debris guards. Material not so important for rainwater, but galvanised steel not recommended for hard water unless galvanic protection used and maintained. Modern galvanising is not as good as old hot dipped galv.

Phil, WA

Investigate the ph of your stored water if you are going to feed it via copper pipes because I know of friends that have installed steel tanks with plastic liners and have had problems with the acidity in the rain water leaching the copper and staining porcelain surfaces. I have not had a problem with this as my rainwater is in a concrete tank and this tends to neutralise the acid. I still think that even though the concrete tank has a higher embodied energy involved I would still consider installing another one. With the plastic tank you may just have to adjust ph if running through copper pipes.

Rainer, WA

Use first flush diverter, install leaf strainers, change gutter if you can, make sure gutter has 1/2% fall.

Thomas, QLD

Put in a larger tank than you think you will need.

Tamara, ACT

Our solution is somewhat unusual but our advice for someone with a similar situation is to strongly recommend making use of the pool rather than demolishing it.

Tim, NSW

Go for the largest capacity possible, plumb to as many fixtures as possible.

Jenelle, QLD

Do it now.

Theressa, NSW