Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 2Nov 07, 2012 1:40 am This should be moved to the ECO forum. Tank retailers make little profit on tanks these days and the prices have dropped considerably over the past few years. You will save a lot more money with wise pump selection and concentrating on reducing your installation costs. If you are elegible for rebates, you can have a first class system for little outlay that will repay itself in 3-4 years, provided you have the right advice. I would not get a slimline tank for the following reasons. They are expensive. They can split at the seams. Seamless round tanks are much stronger. They are virtually impossible to clean. Think about it. They are, by necessity, heavy. You need to be able to reach a tank's overflow outlet to clean the mesh. I have seen slimlines plumbed with the tank overflow at the end opposite the top meshed inlet. This necessitates the removal of the overflow pipe to clean the mesh. Buying 2 or 3 smaller tanks will be cheaper and you can then have a superior settling system. Work out your required tank's maximum height and diameter and work from there. As an example of what is available, I am in Melbourne and I source 2,000 litre tanks that are 2.3 metres tall with a narrow 1.09 metre diameter for $360 delivered. A 4,000 litre capacity gives you the same rebate as a 5,000 litre tank. The tanks don't have to be clustered, they can be in different locations but still linked. Many people now have a small but tall tank at the house and the larger main storage tank away from the house. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 4Nov 07, 2012 5:50 pm Hi NiMa, Don't forget the necessary space you need to allow on each side. You can get four 1,050 litre tanks (4,200 litres) for $1,000 (when I last checked about 6 weeks ago). They are 880 mm diameter and 1880 mm high. When you link them, you have a great settling system. The secret is to then economically harvest high yield downpipes and choose a good quality pump at a good price. If you are eligible for a rebate, the +4,000 litre capacity plumbed to the toilet or laundry will qualify for a $1,300 rebate or a $1,500 rebate if you connect to both. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. 5000L Slimline Water Tank 5Nov 10, 2012 11:49 pm Sorry to invade this thread, but can someone please recommend me a model of water pump to supply water to my toilets that is of reasonable price and quality? Also where can I buy the pump and a slim line tank? I'm in SE Melbourne. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 6Nov 11, 2012 1:13 pm Hi JB1, Is it only for the toilets and nothing else? You only need a small pump to supply a toilet as the cistern only needs to fill slowly. Something like a GPP40 would be ok but just look through some of the big online sites that turnover a lot of pumps. One of the best values around at the moment is the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol. They are German made and have a good warranty but jet pumps are a bit louder although the Hydrocontrol should quieten things down a bit. It is 600 W. ASC Tanks have them for $225 but jnk40 found them for $199 which I think included delivery. Amazing value. Send him a PM. http://www.asctanks.com.au/alko-jet601- ... rocontrol/ The toilet's cistern valve is designed for mains pressure. You can help the pump if you discard the current cistern valve and fit two Fluidmaster 400UK063 cistern valves. They cost less than $20 each in Bunnings. http://www.haron.com.au/fluidmaster_products.html They are easy to fit and you refit the mains water to one and use UV stabilised AUSPEX to connect the pump to the other. Don't use expensive and labour intensive copper pipe with rainwater as it is naturally acidic, particularly when collected during thunder storms. The Fluidmaster that connects to the pump should have the plastic pig's tail flow restrictor removed from the bottom of the shank (just pull it out with long nosed pliers) and replace the flap valve with the red 242LP071 very low pressure seal. Make sure that you hold the float arm fully up when you twist the top float to remove it or else you can/will break it. Re slimline tanks...read previous posts. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 7Nov 12, 2012 6:47 am Hello SaveH20 The space I have is 1m, between garage wall and fence. As you have mentioned, I would like to buy 4 tanks: Four 1,050 litre tanks (4,200 litres) for $1,000 (when I last checked about 6 weeks ago). They are 880 mm diameter and 1880 mm high. When you link them, you have a great settling system. Please let me know where you checked the price. NiMa Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 9Nov 12, 2012 4:06 pm SaveH2O One of the best values around at the moment is the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol. They are German made and have a good warranty I need to make a correction here. The AL-KO Jet 601 pump is German engineered but made in China to AL-KO specifications and standards. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 10Nov 12, 2012 5:21 pm NiMa Please let me know where you checked the price. ASC Tanks currently sell four of the tanks (4 x 1,050 litres) for $1,050. The tanks are manufactured by Pro Plastics in Dandenong and are made to the required Australian Sandards that are necessary if you intend claiming a rebate. http://www.asctanks.com.au/pro-plastics ... lar-4-bay/ They are an online store based at Carrum Downs, Victoria. The tanks need to be linked (balanced) and you need a smooth stable base. If you use a harvesting system that doesn't divert downpipes or require an overflow on the tank, you will save even more money. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 11Nov 12, 2012 5:28 pm Krilnik What does "settling" refer to in regards to water tanks. It is when you feed into one or more tanks that are connected by balance lines so that the tank that supplies the pump is only supplied decanted (settled) water from the other tanks. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 12Nov 13, 2012 4:16 pm SaveH2O, Thanks for your detailed reply. I only have approximately 100cm of depth/space, hence why I require a slimline thank. Yes, the rainwater tank with approximately 95sqm of catchment area will exclusively service the 3 toilets in a 3 BR house. I will look into the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol. As I'm pumping to an upstairs toilet, would be better to get the slightly more powerful 801 for an extra $20? I'm also concerned the AL-KO Jet 601 doesn't have an automatic overide to mains water should the tank run dry. However, a 2,000L tank with 95sqm catchment area shouldn't allow the tank to run dry. That's my only concern during summer, would it be an issue in Melbourne? So have you used the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol for toilets before? It certainly cheap. I did find it online for $199 including shipping. You can even buy it direct from ALKO for $210 shipped. If you have used it successfully, I'll get one, I was looking at a much more expensive one. But if it does the job and comes with a 2 (pump) and 3 (hydrocontrol) year warranty, it's worth giving it a go. Regarding your advice on replacing the Fluidmaster 400UK063, I'm a bit over my head- I'm not sure what it is for or the purpose? FYI, I'm building a new house. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 13Nov 14, 2012 1:51 am JB1 I only have approximately 100cm of depth/space, hence why I require a slimline thank. What about width? JB1 Yes, the rainwater tank with approximately 95sqm of catchment area will exclusively service the 3 toilets in a 3 BR house. The tank will overflow during heavy rain when full. JB1 I will look into the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol. As I'm pumping to an upstairs toilet, would be better to get the slightly more powerful 801 for an extra $20? Toilets fill slow and the 601 has a lot of head. JB1 I'm also concerned the AL-KO Jet 601 doesn't have an automatic overide to mains water should the tank run dry. Mains switching devices are a separate unit not made by all manufacturers. They require additional plumbing and are expensive. I have no time for them. JB1 However, a 2,000L tank with 95sqm catchment area shouldn't allow the tank to run dry. That's my only concern during summer, would it be an issue in Melbourne? Allow 160 litres per week for each family member for toilet use. Melbourne has consistent rainfall but it is rare to not have a dry 6 week period each year. The last 6 weeks have been dry. JB1 So have you used the AL-KO Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol for toilets before? I have a Davey connected to my main tank but I gravity feed the toilet for about 8 months of the year. It saves thousands of start ups every year. The pump is about 13-14 years old and as good as new. I have to turn the pump on to supply the laundry or water the garden. I actually have a demo 601 sitting in my garage. Jet pumps are a bit noisier but it is easy to deaden the cover. JB1 It certainly cheap. I did find it online for $199 including shipping. You can even buy it direct from ALKO for $210 shipped. The warranty is with the retailer. For the price, I would buy direct from AL-KO and I am surprised that you can. It is amazing value as the Hydrocontrol is worth a bit. JB1 Regarding your advice on replacing the Fluidmaster 400UK063, I'm a bit over my head- I'm not sure what it is for or the purpose? Reduced friction loss, easier on the pump & a neater install. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 15Nov 17, 2012 1:48 pm Hi JB1, I also found the Jet 601 with Hydrocontrol for $199. Freight is extra. https://www.alkogarden.com.au/products/JET601COMBO This is the AL-KO online store but they have sold out and no wonder, the Hydrocontrol is about $90 on its own. Re the large roof area that you intend harvesting, a 90 mm overflow could possibly cope with a Melbourne 1:20 Average Recurrence Interval provided the mesh on the overflow was clean. Clogged outlet mesh is one reason why a tank can overflow. There are other safeguards. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 16Nov 19, 2012 4:22 pm H20, Not an issue, I can get the 801 for $20 more. I spoke to the plumber and he said he prefers the Davey Rainbank as it provides mains water overide in the event of a dry tank or electrical black out. He also mentioned to check with the building inspector if you require a pump with automatic override for your Cert of Occupancy. Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 17Nov 23, 2012 5:25 pm The Alko Jet601 should be back in stock January. As mentioned above the next model up (Jet802) is in stock and only $20 more. N.B. If you're ordering from the Alko Garden website use coupon code 'FF' to obtain free freight. Good idea to grab a spare seal while you're at it, only $4.95. Most common thing to fail. https://www.alkogarden.com.au/products/P460153 jnk40 Re: 5000L Slimline Water Tank 20Dec 04, 2012 8:40 pm JB1 The building surveyor advised I need a pump with automatic override for a new house. Is this building surveyor registered? Many are not. You have the option of a simple and much cheaper manual interchange device. "Plumbing Regulations 2008 Part 7 - REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER SUPPLY WORK 14. Requirements where rainwater used for sanitary flushing (1) If a reticulated water supply from a network utility operator is connected, or proposed to be connected to a building where a rainwater tank is installed for the purpose of sanitary flushing, an automatic or manual interchange device that allows alternate use of water from the rainwater tank or the reticulated water supply must be installed to ensure that there is a continual supply of water for sanitary flushing." http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domin ... -136sr.pdf http://www.pic.vic.gov.au/resources/doc ... _tanks.pdf As with many plumbing regulations, this regulation is also flawed as it makes no provision for the installation of relatively cheap automatic tank top up devices although it could be argued in the face of regulatory incompetence that an automatic tank make up device does qualify in the spirit of the regulation as intended as a manual interchange device. Your potential savings would be in the order of $800. As an aside, nearly all of the water tanks I see that have been installed as a 6 star option are either not compliant with the requirements needed to attain the 6 star rating or are sub standard installations. EDIT 27-7-2013 Top up devices do comply as automatic interchange devices. The best known one would be the RainAid. This make does not require power and costs about $140. http://www.apexvalves.co.nz/plumbing/apex/rainaid.html A manual mains water switching device consist of a manual valve and two check valves. These are cheap to install. Plumbing rainwater through a separate pipe to a second toilet cistern valve also qualifies as a manual switching device. See diagram below. http://www.pic.vic.gov.au/resources/doc ... terns2.pdf Unfortunately, most people are not informed of their less expensive options and get ripped off. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. I don't know them all, the first 2 top of your list are best known. Rylock is a good company, Stegbar is for sale. 4 16234 18 90481 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10629 |