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Home & Garden Articles
Determining the Ideal Rainwater Tank Size
Thu 30 Oct 2008 - 10:42
Determining the Ideal Rainwater Tank Size
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Philip_Kilworth]Philip Kilworth
Once you decide to install an underground water tank, the next step is determining the ideal rainwater tank size. The tanks can be built in sizes ranging from 20,000 litres to 200,000 litres which means there is a lot of leeway in the possible size. To make the right decision about tank size, you need to take several factors into consideration.
The water collected in the hidden tank will be used primarily for watering lawns, gardens and fields. The best place to start when trying to calculate the right rainwater tank size is by understanding how much water plants need. The rule of thumb is to water plants only until the water is able to reach the roots.
All too often, people over water their plants and lawns. They let them go bone dry and then run sprinklers until water is running off the top due to ground saturation. In Australia, conserving water is important so you want to water as infrequently as you can and only as much as is needed to keep plants healthy. In general, all your lawn needs is 1.5 inches of weekly watering. So you can measure your lawn and gardens and calculate water needs using this rate of watering. During extreme drought conditions, the plants may need additional watering.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
There are other considerations which go into determining the best tank size for your needs. Though the amount of lawn and garden watering you will be doing is the first determinant, you also need to buy a tank that fits your property. It would not make any sense to install the largest hidden tank on a small lot. On the other hand, you don't want to install a tank which is way too small to handle the size of your property.
In addition, your underground tank must be able to accommodate any other space limitations. For example, if you must install your tank under a driveway, you will choose a tank based on the available space. Calculating the size of the area you are willing to disturb in order to install the underwater tank may impact the size of the tank you wish to purchase.
There are also other possible uses for the rainwater you collect. If you plan on using the water to regularly wash your cars or your house, you will need to add the extra water usage in your calculation.
Finally, the amount of area rainfall may also affect your tank size decision. You don't need to buy a tank that will hold an amount of water that far exceeds the amount of rainfall you can expect in your geographic area.
Sizing Up the Situation
An underground water tank offers many benefits to the homeowner. You want to take time determining the ideal rainwater tank size. The tank will provide many years of service and you want to make sure it adequately meets your needs. The right tank size will take many factors into consideration including the size of the lawn and garden, size and configuration of the property, the amount of area rainfall, and any other uses you might have in mind for the water you collect.
Hidden Tanks is a leading Australian supplier and installer of underground concrete rainwater tanks. For a free consultation please visit [http://www.hiddentanks.com.au]Concrete Water Tanks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_Kilworth http://EzineArticles.com/?Determining-the-Ideal-Rainwater-Tank-Size&id=1627929
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