Hi,

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

I am quite handy and am wondering if anyone has ever built one
themselves. Is it hard

I have googled it and found nothing

Rich

On Oct 16, 2:27 am, wrote:
Hi,

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

I am quite handy and am wondering if anyone has ever built one
themselves. Is it hard

I have googled it and found nothing

Rich

Greetings,

Please also consider ferrocement. The tanks are made by wrapping
metal mesh (with rebar for larger tanks) in a circle and then applying
mortar. There is lots of information online. Some of it also applies
to boat hull building using ferrocement.

Hope this helps,
William

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:27:13 -0700, wrote Re
Home made rain water tank:

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

Just curious.
What are the dimensions of the tanks? How are the joints sealed to
prevent leakage? It seems like the joint seals would be crucial.

On Oct 16, 6:14 am, Caesar Romano wrote:
On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:27:13 -0700, wrote Re
Home made rain water tank:

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

Just curious.
What are the dimensions of the tanks? How are the joints sealed to
prevent leakage? It seems like the joint seals would be crucial.

Have you looked into plastic, they are very cheap maybe 100$ for 300
gallon, but I dont know about Australia.

On Oct 16, 9:14 pm, Caesar Romano wrote:
On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:27:13 -0700, wrote Re
Home made rain water tank:

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

Just curious.
What are the dimensions of the tanks? How are the joints sealed to
prevent leakage? It seems like the joint seals would be crucial.

The tanks are 23000ltr (6000 US Gal) and stand about 2.5 meters (7-8
ft) high and are approx 3 meters (9ft) in diameter

joint sealing is by using a silicone/silastic sealer, similer to that
used in a shower or roof/gutters. In the old days I guess they sealed
them with a lead based solder

On Oct 16, 4:30 pm, "
wrote:
On Oct 16, 2:27 am, wrote:





Hi,

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

I am quite handy and am wondering if anyone has ever built one
themselves. Is it hard

I have googled it and found nothing

Rich

Greetings,

Please also consider ferrocement. The tanks are made by wrapping
metal mesh (with rebar for larger tanks) in a circle and then applying
mortar. There is lots of information online. Some of it also applies
to boat hull building using ferrocement.

Hope this helps,
William- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Hey,

I have seen some websites on ferro cement tanks and it seems a lot of
work and rebar. Especially in developing countries.

My reason for wanting to use metal is:

On Oct 16, 4:30 pm, "
wrote:
On Oct 16, 2:27 am, wrote:





Hi,

Here in Australia I live in an area that has no connection to mains
water. We have two corrugated galvanised metal water tanks that cost
approx $3000 each.

My family is growing and I need another.

A look at the construction and it appears to be quite simple, curved
metal that is riveted at the joins, these types of tanks have been in
rual areas for decades.

I am quite handy and am wondering if anyone has ever built one
themselves. Is it hard

I have googled it and found nothing

Rich

Greetings,

Please also consider ferrocement. The tanks are made by wrapping
metal mesh (with rebar for larger tanks) in a circle and then applying
mortar. There is lots of information online. Some of it also applies
to boat hull building using ferrocement.

Hope this helps,
William- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Sorry previous post continued.

My reasons for metal are that I already have two metal tanks, I could
make the tank in my garage and then roll it out and position it into
place.

A metal tank of the size I imagine would be approx 11meters in
circumference.

The metal sheet size is approx 700mm wide at costs around $15 per
lineal meter

If I make the tank say 4 sheets high this is 44 meters of metal, which
costs about $650. Add a couple of hundred dollars for a roof and
floor, rivets and sealant and for less that 1000 bucks I have a $3000
tank.

I am just wanting some tips before I take the plunge and spend the
cash.

On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:42:54 -0700, AussieRich
wrote Re Home made rain water tank:

A metal tank of the size I imagine would be approx 11meters in
circumference.

The metal sheet size is approx 700mm wide at costs around $15 per
lineal meter

If I make the tank say 4 sheets high this is 44 meters of metal, which
costs about $650. Add a couple of hundred dollars for a roof and
floor, rivets and sealant and for less that 1000 bucks I have a $3000
tank.

So the tank will be about 11m x 2.8m

If you put that on it's 2.8m side to roll it, would it be rigid enough
to resist "squatting" into an oval shape?

Wouldn't it be easier to build it in place? I don't think you will
have to worry about being rained on while building it :-)

A metal tank of the size I imagine would be approx 11meters in
****circumference.***
..

So the tank will be about 11m x 2.8m

On Oct 18, 10:44 pm, Caesar Romano wrote:
On Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:42:54 -0700, AussieRich
wrote Re Home made rain water tank:

A metal tank of the size I imagine would be approx 11meters in
circumference.

The metal sheet size is approx 700mm wide at costs around $15 per
lineal meter

If I make the tank say 4 sheets high this is 44 meters of metal, which
costs about $650. Add a couple of hundred dollars for a roof and
floor, rivets and sealant and for less that 1000 bucks I have a $3000
tank.

So the tank will be about 11m x 2.8m

If you put that on it's 2.8m side to roll it, would it be rigid enough
to resist "squatting" into an oval shape?

Wouldn't it be easier to build it in place? I don't think you will
have to worry about being rained on while building it :-)

Hi, as the metal is corrugated and there would be a top and bottom on
the tank it should not squat. I,ve seen them on thier side on the back
of flat bed trucks going up the HWY with no problems.

The tank would be 11m in circumference which is approx 3.5m across
(diameter)

On Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:37:20 -0700, AussieRich
wrote Re Home made rain water tank:

Hi, as the metal is corrugated and there would be a top and bottom on
the tank it should not squat. I,ve seen them on thier side on the back
of flat bed trucks going up the HWY with no problems.

The tank would be 11m in circumference which is approx 3.5m across
(diameter)

Oh, I thought it was 11m diameter and 3.5m high. You are right, I
don't think it will "squat".

When you start this project, I hope you will keep us informed of your
progress with photos.

On Oct 19, 11:13 pm, Caesar Romano wrote:
On Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:37:20 -0700, AussieRich
wrote Re Home made rain water tank:

Hi, as the metal is corrugated and there would be a top and bottom on
the tank it should not squat. I,ve seen them on thier side on the back
of flat bed trucks going up the HWY with no problems.

The tank would be 11m in circumference which is approx 3.5m across
(diameter)

Oh, I thought it was 11m diameter and 3.5m high. You are right, I
don't think it will "squat".

When you start this project, I hope you will keep us informed of your
progress with photos.

Caesar,

It will probably be quite some time before I start this project, I
tend to do a lot of dreaming/planning before I get there. I'm one of
those conservative engineering types.

There are lots of projects that will probably get in the way before I
get to this. I am not the General Manager of domestic construction at
my house. Domestic development approval is directly proportional to
domestic bliss, as funding permits.

Last weekend involved the spreading of 40m3 of mulch and this weekend
will see me laying 40ton of crushed granite on our driveway. I feel
tired already

Anyway, when I do have a crack at the tanks I will make sure I send
you guys some pictures.

Rich

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007 15:47:35 -0700, AussieRich
wrote Re Home made rain water tank:

Anyway, when I do have a crack at the tanks I will make sure I send
you guys some pictures.

Rich

Thanks Rich. Good luck with it.