Posted: 7/13/2009 2:30:02 PM EDT
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I've seen everything from cases of bottled water - to 55 gal barrels - to caged water tanks here. If I'm in a bug-in situation, any reason NOT to own a 500+ gallon water tank? Assume that I will rotate and chlorinate are a regular basis. I have a 3-car garage. One of the bays is devoted to "stuff".
Looking at tanks similar to : http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=3481 Thanks in advance. Keib |
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Assume that I will rotate and chlorinate are a regular basis. There's your problem. 
Ideally, you want to use your backup water supply as part of your everyday water supply, so that rotation is automatic. Typically, this means plumbing it into your existing household water supply. Hmm, let's see... 1. Take 10 fifty-gallon hot water heaters (purchased at significant quantity discount)... 2. Plumb them all together in series... 3. Connect them to the cold water side of your existing hot water heater... 4. Enjoy! BTW, there's no reason why a water heater tank can't last a long, long time if 1. It's flushed out occasionally, 2. The anodes are replaced occasionally, and 3. The burner is never lit. |
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Store it outside, and use it to water the garden, grass etc.
This way you will never have to "rotate" it or add chlorine, etc. The sun won't hurt it if you get the tanks made to be outside too. To save $ and time you could refill / maintain the levels manually to start too. |
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Store it outside, and use it to water the garden, grass etc. This way you will never have to "rotate" it or add chlorine, etc. The sun won't hurt it if you get the tanks made to be outside too. Ok, I'll disagree here. You ever stored a tank outside? Unless it is 100% opaque, you will definitely have to chlorinate it or you'll get algae growing in it. Even if it is opaque you should probably still chlorinate it. Also, UV light will damage any plastic, even plastics made to be outside, so storing it outside is still cutting the life of your tank significantly. |
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Put a security camera in there. I want video of your wife backing the car into it.  Scariest morning of my life. Woken from a dead sleep at 6:00 am. Wife is kneeling at my side of the bed, sobbing. "I'm Soo Sorrrry..*sob*...I didn't see *inaudible*...*sob*...I'm so sorry". Man - I thought she ran over son, dog, etc. Somehow she managed to smash (not rub, bump) into my car that was parked 20 feet away in the drive. I never thought I'd be thrilled to learn my car was damaged, but under the circumstances, I was elated. That is, until I was $2200 out of pocket for repairs to both cars. I'm going to protect the new tank with 400 lbs of charcoal and a workbench. Wait - Maybe I should put the tank in her bay to protect the house like those toll booth water barrels. 
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Thanks for the thoughts everyone. Moving into a new house this week. Much more space. Ultimately, I'd like to tie in long term storage with the house. I'll also drill a suitable well and add an independent power supply. I have some other projects that take priority though, so I am considering a hi-cap stand-alone tank to satisfy an immediate need.
Interesting thought on the series of water heaters. But, if I'm tying in to the house system, any benefit to a water heater over a food grade plastic tank? Lifespan any different? Keib |
| I use 5 gallon water cooler jugs for some water storage. I keep them for a few months and then just dump them in the clothes washer and fill them back up with the hose. This way the water doesn't get wasted but still gets "rotated" and remains relatively fresh... |
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if I'm tying in to the house system, any benefit to a water heater over a food grade plastic tank? There aren't too many food grade plastic tanks that will withstand city water pressure indefinitely. Also, the water heaters are insulated, which would reduce the chance of freeze damage in a cold climate. |
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Get a tank that can be pressurized.
Run the water coming into your house into the bottom of the tank and out the top. Water will run through it continuously. Fiberglass is usually the cheapest. A local water softener dealer can probably get them for you if you are not up to speed on google. |
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Buy a spa and keep it covered all the time. Not only will you keep the water treated but it's duel purpose and your wife will love it My spa holds 500 gallons. I flush the water twice a year and always keep it covered and treated. I would most likely filter the water if needed for drinking but it wouldn't be necessary to do so.
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Buy a spa and keep it covered all the time. Not only will you keep the water treated but it's duel purpose and your wife will love it My spa holds 500 gallons. I flush the water twice a year and always keep it covered and treated. I would most likely filter the water if needed for drinking but it wouldn't be necessary to do so.Excellent way to rationalize a spa, but I am woefully behind on power and communication preps. Mental note is made for future. Still haven't pulled the trigger on a tank. Shipping cost for the ones I was looking at are roughly half the purchase price. I also hadn't considered the pressure concerns of tying into a municipal supply. |