How to choose a water container?

Plastic and metal containers are used in everyday life, in production and in agriculture to store water. The need for a water reserve arises in a summer cottage, where it is used to water green spaces. A water storage tank is the main element of the design of a summer shower and an automatic irrigation system. A water reserve will be needed in a bathhouse that is not connected to a centralized water supply system. Other areas of application of containers:

• Rainwater collection.
• Accumulation of domestic and industrial wastewater.
• Storage of industrial water.
• Organization of fire-fighting measures and creation of a water reserve for fire extinguishing.
• Arrangement of automatic drinkers for farm animals.

The correct choice of a water tank means reduced costs, long and easy operation. Models differ in the material of manufacture, size and shape. The material of manufacture is one of the main selection criteria.

Choosing a water tank: advantages of plastic models

Tanks are made of metal and plastic. Plastic products are in high demand, which is due to the advantages:

• Low weight. Compared to metal products, the plastic structure weighs 5 times less, which simplifies the process of transportation and installation.
• Corrosion resistance. Unlike metal tanks, plastic products are not susceptible to damage and destruction under the influence of environmental factors.
• Easy maintenance. Metal tanks need to be regularly painted and treated with special compounds to protect against corrosion. Plastic products do not require additional treatment during operation.
• Easy cleaning. Contaminants are easily removed from the perfectly smooth surface of the plastic tank.
• Chemical inertness. Plastic does not interact with detergents, is resistant to alkalis and acids. Suitable for storing aggressive environments, including industrial and domestic wastewater.

Due to the chemical inertness of the material, the water stored in a plastic container does not change its taste and chemical composition.

How to choose a container for water

Many owners of private houses, cottages, mini-hotels and inns, auto repair shops and production facilities are interested in how to choose a water tank. Tanks differ in purpose, they can be:

• Food. Designed for storing vegetable oil, milk, honey, cereals, sugar and other bulk products.
• For storing drinking water. Used to create a supply of drinking water in private households, at hotel complexes and in agriculture. Such models are equipped with fittings for connection to autonomous water supply systems.
• For chemicals. Installed at chemical industry enterprises to create a supply of acids, alkalis and other production components.
• For sewerage arrangement. Designed to collect wastewater at home and in production.
• For industrial water, which is used for cooling and washing blanks in industrial production, irrigation at agricultural enterprises.
• For transporting food and chemicals. Models for transportation are equipped with special partitions that prevent the liquid from oscillating when the vehicle is moving on an uneven road. This increases the stability of the tank and the safety of transportation. Reinforced stiffeners and increased wall thickness increase the strength of the structure.

To simplify the task of choosing, use the manager’s advice or study the information in the marking. The manufacturer indicates the purpose, material of manufacture, dimensions and other characteristics in the marking.

Selecting a tank depending on the type of installation

To choose the right water storage tank, you need to consider the installation method, which can be underground and above ground. Choose models with increased wall thickness for underground installation – more than 6-10 mm. Underground installation requires compliance with the following conditions:

• Arrangement of a level base – a concrete slab or a compacted area covered with sand. When arranging the base, it is important to exclude subsidence of the supporting plane.
• Creation of a pit – a depression in the ground. The walls of the pit are made of concrete or brick. The pit is necessary to exclude soil pressure on the walls of the tank. 
• The distance between the walls of the tank and the pit should be at least 20-30 cm to avoid pressure on the surface of the tank and simplify the installation process.

After installing the tank, the pit is covered with a concrete slab equipped with a convenient hatch. Underground tanks are installed away from traffic routes in areas with stable soil relief. If you plan to install the tank above ground, make sure the plastic is resistant to ultraviolet radiation. Otherwise, the plastic will deteriorate under the influence of sunlight, lose strength and consumer properties.

For above-ground installation of a tank with a volume of more than 500 liters, it is necessary to first arrange a strong, stable foundation. The support will ensure the stability of the structure. To simplify filling and servicing tanks more than 2 meters high, you will need a ladder.

Choosing a water tank taking into account the production technology

To understand which water tank is better, it is worth knowing the differences between models made in different ways. Rotational molding technology is mainly used to produce plastic tanks. The essence of the method is to place plastic raw materials – granules or powder – inside a metal frame. The frame serves as a form for making a tank with the required dimensions and geometric parameters.

The metal mold is closed and connected to shafts that rotate it in different directions. At the same time, the frame is heated to the melting point of the plastic. Granules or powder melt at elevated temperatures and spread over the inner surface of the mold. After the molding process is complete, the frame is cooled, which leads to hardening of the plastic. The frame is opened and the finished plastic tank is taken out.

The main advantage of products obtained by rotational molding is the absence of seams, which increases the strength of the structure and resistance to mechanical stress. An alternative production technology is extrusion welding of plastic sheets of the required dimensions. In this case, the risk of seam divergence under load increases.

Selecting a water tank taking into account the shape and other characteristics

It will not be difficult to answer the question of how to choose a container for drinking water if you know the main characteristics of the products. The shape is an important parameter that determines the ease of installation and operation. If you plan to install a tank inside a house or bathhouse, consider the width of the doorway. Vertical models help to use the territory rationally, are suitable for conditions of limited space. Horizontal ones are characterized by increased stability, maintain stability of position under conditions of external mechanical influences – swinging, impacts. What else to pay attention to when choosing:

• Shut-off valves, which can perform regulating, protective, distribution functions. With the help of valves, taps, valves and valves, the volume and speed of liquid flow are regulated.
• Strengthening the structure with stiffeners.
• A cover for the hole intended for pouring water. Tight fixation and protection against leakage are provided by screw caps.
• The presence of a nipple – a branch pipe for draining water or connecting to an autonomous water supply system.

An important characteristic is the operating temperature range. If you plan to use the tank outdoors, the plastic must withstand temperatures from -35 ° C to + 35 ° C.