Water Storage Tanks
There are different kinds of water storage tanks for collecting rainwater. Which water storage tanks are best for accumulating rainwater for use at a later time? We need to know the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of tanks before we start.
One of the most popular tanks used today for rainwater collection are Polyethylene rain water storage tanks. These tanks have the most advantages and that is the reason they are used most often. They can be placed underground as well as on top of the ground. This type of water storage tank is less expensive than other types, is light weight, carries easily, and is UV resistant.
Fiberglass water storage tanks are also very popular. The best advantage to these tanks is a resistance to rust and chemical corrosion. Fiberglass tanks are also capable of tolerating some extreme weather conditions. Fiberglass rainwater collection tanks are the most popular because of those reasons even though they are more expensive.
Metal water storage tanks are generally constructed of stainless, copper, or steel and they are coated with color polymer. These tanks last a long time and are rust proof. The biggest advantage to these tanks is they will tolerate extreme weather conditions. Another type is a concrete water storage tank but this tank has a couple of disadvantages. One is they will generally crack over a period of time and you will need to drain it in order to repair it. The other disadvantage is it will attract algae in the sunlight.
You will need to have rain gutters installed if you do not already have them. A downspout diverter is also needed that goes directly to the rainwater harvesting storage tank. You also want to have a debris screen on your rain barrel to filter out leaves, pine needles and any other debris that will come off your roof. If you do not use a screen the outflow at the bottom of your water storage tank will become clogged with this debris. You can place a wire mesh screen on the end of the downspout or mount it on the storage tank. If you place it on the end of the downspout you will probably have to clean out the gutters and downspout every once in a while. The lid on the rain water storage tanks should be well-fitted in order to protect all children and prevent mosquitoes from entering and breeding in the water.
A standard water spigot can be installed near the bottom or you can use a length of hose with an on/off valve and let gravity do the rest of the job for you. A longer hose can be used if the water storage tank is close enough to the garden or reach in from the top and fill a watering can.
Harvesting rainwater is a large part of life in many parts of the world not only for the garden but also for household use. If you live in a home with a 1300 square foot roof and you only receive an average of about 10 inches of rain a year you can still collect over 8,100 gallons of rainwater. Now that is a lot of water that you will not have to pay for in a years time.
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One of the most popular tanks used today for rainwater collection are Polyethylene rain water storage tanks. These tanks have the most advantages and that is the reason they are used most often. They can be placed underground as well as on top of the ground. This type of water storage tank is less expensive than other types, is light weight, carries easily, and is UV resistant.
Fiberglass water storage tanks are also very popular. The best advantage to these tanks is a resistance to rust and chemical corrosion. Fiberglass tanks are also capable of tolerating some extreme weather conditions. Fiberglass rainwater collection tanks are the most popular because of those reasons even though they are more expensive.
Metal water storage tanks are generally constructed of stainless, copper, or steel and they are coated with color polymer. These tanks last a long time and are rust proof. The biggest advantage to these tanks is they will tolerate extreme weather conditions. Another type is a concrete water storage tank but this tank has a couple of disadvantages. One is they will generally crack over a period of time and you will need to drain it in order to repair it. The other disadvantage is it will attract algae in the sunlight.
You will need to have rain gutters installed if you do not already have them. A downspout diverter is also needed that goes directly to the rainwater harvesting storage tank. You also want to have a debris screen on your rain barrel to filter out leaves, pine needles and any other debris that will come off your roof. If you do not use a screen the outflow at the bottom of your water storage tank will become clogged with this debris. You can place a wire mesh screen on the end of the downspout or mount it on the storage tank. If you place it on the end of the downspout you will probably have to clean out the gutters and downspout every once in a while. The lid on the rain water storage tanks should be well-fitted in order to protect all children and prevent mosquitoes from entering and breeding in the water.
A standard water spigot can be installed near the bottom or you can use a length of hose with an on/off valve and let gravity do the rest of the job for you. A longer hose can be used if the water storage tank is close enough to the garden or reach in from the top and fill a watering can.
Harvesting rainwater is a large part of life in many parts of the world not only for the garden but also for household use. If you live in a home with a 1300 square foot roof and you only receive an average of about 10 inches of rain a year you can still collect over 8,100 gallons of rainwater. Now that is a lot of water that you will not have to pay for in a years time.
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