Q. How big a rain tank should I choose?
The size and shape of your tank depends on your water needs and the tank's location. If you have a large garden and want as much water as possible then you could install a 4,500 gallon tank that does not require a permit in most cities. However, this size tank takes up a lot of room (eg. the area of a medium sized fruit tree). Most people are happy with a 1,000 gallon tank to ease their dependence on municipal water. This supply can be used during irregular periods of rainfall and should provide additional water for a few months of drought conditions. Slimline tanks fit under the eaves of a typical house and can be installed out of sight on a level foundation in the side yard.
Q. How long will the rainwater stay fresh in a rain tank?
The secret to keeping collected water fresh in a rain tank is to make sure that contaminants like insects, vegetation and sunlight are kept out of the tank. That is why all inlets and outlets on the rain tank should be properly screened and light infiltration kept to a minimum. As an added step, Aussie Rain Tanks installs leaf seperators, first flush diverters and screw down lids. We have successfully stored rainwater in our tanks for over four months.
Q. What will be the financial return on my rain tank?
A. There is no single answer to this question due to the variety of tank shapes and sizes. Also, municipal water currently is one of the cheapest services supplied. However, the cost of water will rise and even worse, water restrictions will limit access to water for gardens, lawns, pools and spas. One dry season with water restrictions could cost your investment in landscaping.
Q. Is polyethylene safe for water storage?
A. Yes. The high quality tank grade polyethylene used is specially formulated for water storage. It is completely food-grade, compliant with health standards for drinking water and food contact. So the tank water will not give off taste or odor. The tank grade polyethylene also inhibits light, so is resistant to algae growth. High quality tank grade polyethylene has a UV stabilizer designed to handle harsh sunlight.
Q. Can I drink water from my rain tank?
A. While the rain water collected by your Aussie Rain Tank will be natural, it could contain minute traces of atmospheric contaminants or unwanted particles from the roof. While these contaminants won?t hurt your plants, it is not recommended that untreated rain water be consumed by humans or domestic pets.
Q. How do I ensure my water stays clean?
A. Refer to our Accessories page for information about Water Diverters and Filters. Aussie Rain Tanks also provides a maintenance service.
Q. What about mosquitoes and West Nile virus?
A. Mosquitoes breed in still, open water and carry diseases like West Nile virus. All Aussie Rain Tanks are supplied with screens to prevent access from debris, animals and insects.
Q. How does water flow from the tank?
A. To gravity feed into your house, the tank outlet needs to be higher than your destination point. Another option is to install a pump, which also can give more water pressure.
Q. What is the delivery time?
A. Most of our tanks are installed within twenty to thirty working days which gives time for the foundation to set and gutter diversion parts customized.
Q. Where does Aussie Rain Tanks install?
A. Currently we can deliver anywhere in California but only install in the Bay Area.