Frequently Ask Questions

• saving money on water bills
• less reliance on mains water supplies
• catching rainwater so less goes down the drains – this helps to prevent flooding
• a gorgeously green garden year-round, without worrying about water restrictions

A rainwater tank is an investment so make sure you do some research and planning before you make the leap. For example:

• Will you be drinking the water? If so, we highly recommend our Stainless Steel Water Tanks as they provide cleaner water Stainless Steel is the choice of Australia’s world class food processing, catering, and medical industries as it is an inert material that is easy to clean and maintain. Stainless Steel will not taint the taste of your water nor leach any foreign chemicals.
• What’s your budget, and how flexible is that figure? Cheaper water tanks are made of materials that degrade faster, so spending a little more can be an investment over the years.
• Is recyclability a priority? Steel tanks are usually fully recyclable, whereas poly (plastic) tanks often degrade into a condition where they have little recycling value.
• Round or slimline water tank? Slimline water tanks are becoming increasingly popular for their more aesthetic look; they are mounted to the side of your property. Round water tanks have the classic, traditional look, and with the right coat of paint or a cool mural, they can be a real backyard feature).

Rainwater Harvesting is the process of collecting rainwater from surfaces typically roofs in Australia into Rainwater Tanks, and subsequently storing the water for later use and is now considered a major strategy for water conservation in Australia. Investing into Rainwater harvesting will not only save you money, provide you with water during droughts it will also help the environment.

The amount of water you can harvest for your home or business depends on your Rainwater Catchment area (Roof) and the amount of rainfall in year on your area.

For more information check out our article on: Are Rainwater Tanks Worth it? You can also work out how much Rainwater you can potentially harvest with our Rainwater Harvesting Calculator

Yes, more and more city dwellers are adopting attractive, space-saving slimline water tanks that can easily fit in a backyard and make a significant dent in the water bills of the average Aussie family. Rather than being round, they are rectangular, meaning the same capacity with less wasted space.

On average, round stainless-steel tanks made from Premium grade 304 stainless steel are approximately $500 to $1000 more than the equivalent tanks made from Colorbond. For example, a 10,000-litre round tank made from stainless steel is approximately $1600 whereas a similar one made from Colorbond is approximately $1000.

The price differential is slightly more for slimline tanks because of the inclusion of internal stainless-steel rods to strengthen the slimline shape of the tanks. The price differential is also greater if Marine grade 316 stainless steel is used to construct the tanks. See our example price lists and contact our Office Manager for a quote.

Find more information on the cost and benefits of Stainless Steel Water Tanks

Normally we recommend that you get the largest size tank you can suit your site. Round tanks can be made to much larger sizes whereas slimline tanks can be made specifically to fit neatly into a confined space. Deciding a size can be influenced by several factors. These include:

• The number of people living in a house if it is for domestic use
• The catchment area of the roof
• The annual rainfall

Get more information on what size tank will best suit your requirements.

Yes, we can position your tank(s) on to a concrete slab, a crusher dust pad or a timber platform provided they are built correctly to fit the size of tank ordered. We can provide one or two men if needed but you will need to provide additional staff if the tank is very large, or it is a particularly difficult site to access. If a crane is needed, we can liaise with the crane company.

You can find out more information from our Site & Delivery Page

Three fittings come with your tank. You will be asked where on each tank you want them. They are:

• An inlet strainer which allows the water from your roof for example, into the tank, with protection from the sunlight and mosquitoes,
• An overflow attachment which is a round plastic outlet which can be either 90 or 100mm in diameter and which come with mosquito proofing.
• An outlet system which consists of a Ball value

 We also have a wide range of additional fittings we can provide. Get more information on the water tank outlet and additional fittings

It normally takes about three weeks to make your tank and have it ready for delivery. In very busy periods however, it can sometimes take up to 7 or 8 weeks to have your tank ready for delivery. Please check with our Office Manager the likely delivery time for your tank, given the current workload at the time of order.

A geofabric cloth is put down onto the prepared base, then the tank is stood onto its bottom on the prepared base. The tank can then be moved around to the correct positioning.

Depending on the size of the tank some onsite assistance will be required. It is best to discuss any site complications or delivery queries when ordering your tank.

Round water tanks do tend to take up a lot of space; however, slimline tanks make the most of available space. They are generally mounted against the wall of your property or can act as a garden wall; some tanks can even be joined together to maximise your water storage.

You can also install a water tank underground, although this can be 2x the price of an above ground tank. Underground tanks also need to be made from stronger materials and structures and will often need weighting or concrete reinforcement. You will also need a pump, and possibly additional backflow prevention to avoid groundwater contamination and ensure compliance with state regulations: check with your Council.

Another option is Under deck water tanks which are great for when you have limited space and when you wish to locate your tank(s) in a place that does not take up valuable yard or garden space. Find out more about our Underdeck Water Tanks

Above ground tanks should be in shade, if possible, to keep the water temperature low while reducing bacteria growth and evaporation. They should also be on a level surface, so that your pump is not working against gravity.

If your house is on stumps or stilts (the classic “Queenslander” design) you could consider making the most of your available space by putting a tank underneath your house or beneath the decking.

Ideally, you should install your water tank before the wet season begins, so that you can collect as much water as possible to use during the dry season.

Yes, we can build the tanks to meet specific Council Overlay requirements.

The additional costs come from the cost of the stainless steel rods themselves as well as the labor costs of fixing them to the sides of the tank.
In many instances this additional cost is considered worthwhile because Slimline Water Tanks can be located in prime positions such as along walls, along fences, under eaves or in narrow spaces where Round Tanks would not fit easily.

Slimline Water Tanks can be worked to fit into the design of a house and its surrounds.

Currently the biggest Slimline Water Tanks is 1150mm wide, by 2350mm high by 4000mm long and this Slimline Water Tank will hold over 10,000 litres of water. Select Water Tanks can custom make your Slimline water tanks to suit your needs. They can range in size from 550mm to 1150mm wide, from 800mm to 2350mm high and from 1000mm to 4000mm long.

Our Slimline water tanks can be made from Stainless Steel or Colorbond. 

Currently the biggest Slimline Water Tanks is 1150mm wide, by 2350mm high by 4000mm long and this Slimline Water Tank will hold over 10,000 litres of water. Select Water Tanks can custom make your Slimline water tanks to suit your needs. They can range in size from 550mm to 1150mm wide, from 800mm to 2350mm high and from 1000mm to 4000mm long.

Our Slimline water tanks can be made from Stainless Steel or Colorbond. 

• They come with a 30-year warranty for corrosion and so are cost-effective over time.
• The minerals used in stainless steel are valuable and so can be recovered and recycled.
• They are being designed into structures by builders and architects because they look good.
• University research shows they hold their structural integrity during a bush fire.
• Stainless steel keeps the water cool which helps reduce the growth of bacteria and algae.
• Stainless steel does not leech impurities into the water which makes it hygienic to drink.

Find out more about our Stainless Steel Water Tanks.

Colorbond steel tanks are slightly less expensive than ones made from stainless steel and they come in a range of colours to match or complement existing structures or colour schemes. These tanks come with a 20-year warranty for corrosion and a 10 year manufacturer’s warranty.  Like Stainless Steel research has shown, that they keep their structural integrity during a bush fire.

Find out more about our Colorbond Water Tanks

Both our Stainless Steel and Colorbond Water Tanks offer resistance to bushfires in comparison to Plastic Water Tanks. Find out more about steel water tanks and bush fires.  

Yes, we can fit the tanks with the required fittings to make them firefighting compliant, with a Storz fitting for NSW or the Camlock for Qld.

One particularly efficient tank we can build is where the normal outlet system is built a certain distance up the side of the tank so that you always have 10,000 litres in the bottom section of the tank in case of fires, while still using the water in the top of the tank for normal use.

 We also supply a range of next generation petrol driven Fire Fighting Pumps & Hose Kits

They work by storing rain when it falls. This is known as Rainwater Harvesting. The roof of a house is the most common catchment area. The gutters funnel the rainwater directly into the tank. For more information visit our page on how rainwater tanks work.

No not all rainwater tanks need a pump. One way to get water from the tank is by relying on gravity.

The tank can be placed on a stand or on high ground and gravity will force the water down to where you want it. If you need the water to travel uphill from the tank or need the water to be at a certain pressure when coming from the tank, then you will need a pump. Learn more about our Rainwater Tank Pumps

Electric water pumps usually have small DC motors. This motor is contained in a sealed case attached to an impeller and it powers the impeller via a simple gear drive.

Through a series of pushes, the rotor continues to spin, driving the impeller and powering the pump so that the water is forced through to the outlet tap or system with good pressure. Learn more about our Rainwater Tank Pumps

The biggest difference is treatment, Today’s tap water gets treated through several stages, which vary a little from place to place, but the main gist of it is:

• Coagulation – Coagulants are added to the water, clumping dirt and particles together.
• Sedimentation – The clumps settle to the bottom, and the water flows on clump-free.
• Filtration – Water passes through filters, catching yet more particles and bacteria.
• Disinfection – Adding chlorine or chloramine to kill any water-borne pathogens.

Rainwater doesn’t go through this treatment; However, for this reason Rainwater is much better for your garden.

It is usual to place the filter system and the pump near the tank outlet. If you choose to buy a complete filter system and a pump all in the one cabinet- such as the Hybrid Housing System Mk2 then the cabinet can be placed near the tank or near the house/structure or anywhere along the water line from the tank to the house/structure.

How long the filter(s) last depends on lots of factors such as how clean the water is when it enters your tank(s) and how much debris has already entered the tank.

You should plan on washing and cleaning your sediment remover (normally uses diatomatious earth) every 6 months and if you have an ultra-violet filter system and/or a carbon filter system, then every 12 months.

Normally the pump will maintain a strong pressure and if you have a variable speed pump then it will adjust the pressure to keep it relatively constant.

The sediment remover filter system will reduce the water pressure slightly as it becomes more clogged with impurities while the carbon filter and/or the ultraviolet filter system will have no impact on water pressure at all.

Water tanks are eco-friendly because they store rainwater providing an alternative water supply for drinking, washing and outdoor use, using rainwater can also reduce water bills and take the pressure off mains water supplies. Find out more on how water tanks help the environment.

Water tanks have an important role to play in flood management, because they minimise storm runoff by collecting the rainwater into a vessel, so that that water does not contribute to runoff and our infrastructure does not get overloaded by rain. Some local Councils have a requirement where they are wanting effective stormwater planning which may require you to install a Stormwater Detention tank.

Steel water tanks require less of a carbon footprint when manufactured, they last longer, provide cleaner water and are fully recyclable. Find out more on why steel water tanks are better for the environment.