Anyone using large water tanks?

[NWPilgrim]

I was thinking of adding some 55 gal barrels for water storage. But to get 300-500 gals those would take a fair amount of space and cost. Now thinking of a single polyethylene green or black tank.

Anyone have experience with above ground plastic tanks of this size for potable water? Thinking to put it in side harden area (least visible and highest point of my lot). Fill it with hose, add bleach and then drain and refill every 6 months. Cover with insulation for Oregon winter. Place on bed of 4" gravel.

Any issues? Suggestions?

[Moose-Knuckle]

All good questions, I don't have the space right now so sorry but I cant offer any advice.

I have looked at these before (but I'm sure you have too).

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...=1&topnav=&s=1

[hatidua]

It's not uncommon in places with a lot of sunlight to put a large black water tank on top of the house so the sun works as water heater. Although filled continually as depleted, it'd be there if needed.

[NWPilgrim]

It's not uncommon in places with a lot of sunlight to put a large black water tank on top of the house so the sun works as water heater. Although filled continually as depleted, it'd be there if needed.

Yes that would be ideal but I don't have the structure set up for mounting on the roof. It would be great to eventually plumb it for flow through refreshing, say to the garden hose. Right now just looking for a simple install.

[PA PATRIOT]

http://www.thereadystore.com/water-s...ncy-water-tank

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER5KtLO34DQ

I have this 250 gallon plastic BPA free food grade tank in my garage (Cement floor able to handle the weight) and rotate the water ever six months. I guard it from both extreme heat and cold and keep it out of direct sun light. I picked this up off Craig's list from a person who purchased it for a storage tank at his hunting camp but he had a parting of the ways from his wife which forced the sale of the property and later the un-needed tank.

I also keep mine from contacting the floor by using a three 2x12s cut for a base but for safety the tank has to be secured from tilting/tipping and level as the weight of 2,075lbs when filled can do some serious damage if it ever fell over.

[montanadave]

Here's a link to an outfit that sells several tanks very similar to the tank Phila PD pictured above: http://www.surewatertanks.com/water-tanks.html

Couple of sizes, 260 gal. and 525 gal., BPA-free, NSF approved, and Made in the USA. They also have a relatively small footprint.

At my out-of-town property, I keep an above ground 1500 gallon tank (inside the pole barn) topped off and will be installing a 2200 below grade concrete cistern next month.

For outdoor storage, consider a large (1500 gallon or better) in black or green to discourage microbial growth. The darker color will help with freezing in the colder months and most larger tanks may ice up around the sides but remain liquid inside. They have a large enough access port that you can always break through the ice on top with a spud bar or ice fishing augur and get to the good stuff. http://www.tank-depot.com/product.aspx?id=123

You could also berm up around the base of the tank, construct an insulated box for the valve with a pipe inside the tank which extends into the tank interior, and have access to your water even in the coldest months.

[QuietShootr]

Just thinking out loud here, but is there any need to store extra water if you're on a well and have a power source to drive the pump?

[VooDoo6Actual]

I was thinking of adding some 55 gal barrels for water storage. But to get 300-500 gals those would take a fair amount of space and cost. Now thinking of a single polyethylene green or black tank.

Anyone have experience with above ground plastic tanks of this size for potable water? Thinking to put it in side harden area (least visible and highest point of my lot). Fill it with hose, add bleach and then drain and refill every 6 months. Cover with insulation for Oregon winter. Place on bed of 4" gravel.

Any issues? Suggestions?

I'm using 4 of the 55 gal species. Works well for my needs & situation. I live on a well/aquafer & have mountains w/ ample fresh clean water runoff. I use industrial grade pump (plastic are pure crap) & Katadyn Micro (aluminum housing/piston/ceramic filter) & Seychille (sp) filters.

[Just a Jarhead]

Fill it with hose, add bleach and then drain and refill every 6 months.

Why? What a lot of trouble & waste that is. Water is water is water. If you use municipal tap water to fill it, it is already well chlorinated and is fine for years. Need be... purify it again utilizing heating, chlorine drops, filter etc. when you actually use it. After years if it taste flat put it in gallon containers and shake to aerate and that will put life back into it. Your water has an indefinite shelf life. It will not spoil like food. There is absolutely no need to empty and refill every 6 months , 1 year etc etc.

I have a 250 gal. Collapsible bladder (potable) I bought many years ago. I have a large lake in my back yard and I live in a golf course community in Florida built around many many lakes. Not to mention the multitude of swimming pools available. The urgency to have the bladder set up all the time is not there, but if there is a slow slide I will set it up on the garage floor. I have 2”x6”'s to frame out a box to give it support when the time comes, there's a hole in the top where you insert a hand pump. Being collapsible allows me to store it in a small box with other supplies.

Just thinking out loud here, but is there any need to store extra water if you're on a well and have a power source to drive the pump?

Not if you have redundancy built in. The old 2 is 1 and 1 is none thing. Murphy is one ugly sick & twisted friggin bastard! If I was dependent on a well I would absolutely have 2 wells at different depths along with other redundancies.

[PA PATRIOT]

I change out the water every six months as the cost to do so is only a dollar or two and it keeps the water from going flat tasting.

Sure I could tap some off and shake it up to reduce a little of the flat taste but I figure if we are down to using the reserve tank then why not have fresh rotated water on hand.

Is it absolutely necessary to do so "No", its just a person thing.