Any downside to just getting a large water tank?

[Steve1968LS2]

Like the sign says.. any downside to getting a large above ground water storage tank?

Looking at a 300 gallon one (45x60) .. it's $266 which seems like a good deal considering a 5 gallon container runs at least $10 (which would be $600 for 300 gallons and a PITA to store, rotate)

Questions:

Being outside how long would the water last before needing rotation?

The tanks come in colors (white, blue, black, green).. would one color be better? (was thinking green for asthetics)

I figure with this and 6 of the Wally World 6 gallon jugs (in case we have to vacate) we would be set for some time.

Thoughts?

http://www.plastic-mart.com/item.aspx?id=3698

[SkyStorm82]

Ouch.....did you look at shipping?

[Steve1968LS2]

Ouch.....did you look at shipping?

well, it makes sense given the size.. how much was my gun safe to ship?

They list that there is a warehouse in CA.. I sent an email asking if the tank could be will called (if it's not in NorCal)...

Still, a 300 gallon tank, even with the shipping is cheaper than 60 5-gallon jugs..

And even if it's not it seems far more convienent.

[Seeker]

This article is pretty informative when it comes to water storage. Give it a read.

http://www.liquid-stabilized-oxygen.com/copyright_protected.html

Edit: Oops nevermind, I read the thread title wrong. Thought you were asking about info in regards to water storage in a large tank. Well anyways, ill leave the article above for reference by other readers.

Well the main disadvantage is mobility. It should ONLY be used for bug-in situations or be kept at your survival retreat for bug-out purposes.

[FrankG]

search around i found this on craigslist...

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/for/2616139331.html

125 for a 275g tote food grade.... just paint it black or cover it to keep sunlight out

[Steve1968LS2]

This article is pretty informative when it comes to water storage. Give it a read.

http://www.liquid-stabilized-oxygen.com/copyright_protected.html

Edit: Oops nevermind, I read the thread title wrong. Thought you were asking about info in regards to water storage in a large tank. Well anyways, ill leave the article above for reference by other readers.

Well the main disadvantage is mobility. It should ONLY be used for bug-in situations or be kept at your survival retreat for bug-out purposes.

I'm in the middle of Orange County surrounded by millions of people surrounded by hundreds of miles of desert.. we're not buggin' anywhere. lol

Mostly I prepare for a localized event like an earthquake.. so it's all about the bug in. Of course I would have 6 or so jerry cans just in case.

[FrankG]

dbl post

[Seeker]

search around i found this on craigslist...

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/for/2616139331.html

125 for a 275g tote food grade.... just paint it black or cover it to keep sunlight out

Just for a reference, you should NEVER use used plastic containers to store water. Whatever ingredient has been previously stored in those containers has most likely been absorbed into the microscopic pores in the plastic and can never be thoroughly cleaned. Since water is an excellent solvent, some of those food particles/chemicals(or whatever) will then be leached into the water you are storing and can cause contamination or bacteria growth in the water. Again, ONLY BUY NEW containers.

Please read the article I posted above for some food for thought.

I'm in the middle of Orange County surrounded by millions of people surrounded by hundreds of miles of desert.. we're not buggin' anywhere. lol

Mostly I prepare for a localized event like an earthquake.. so it's all about the bug in. Of course I would have 6 or so jerry cans just in case.

Well then I guess you're good to go.

[GrizzlyGuy]

Looks like a good idea to me. If my new digs didn't come with a pond, I'd be doing something similar.

This is probably not the best answer, but since it is only 300 gals I'd handle water "treatment" the same way that I do the water I have in 3 gal containers in each vehicle: dump it, rinse a bit and refill every couple of months. Then again, maybe you guys down south have the "water police" or something like that who would frown on dumping 300 gals of water if they saw it running down the gutter?

[Modimo]

I say ditch the huge water container and invest that money into decent water treatment equipment:

Ceramic Water Filter (MSR is a great maker)- will filter out most bacteria
Steripen- will kill the small viruses that sneak by the ceramic filter
Just for giggles: get some water purification tablets if you are sketched out by the water source.

With the above options all you need to scout out is a source of water if "SHTF". The plus is you can use them for backpacking/camping etc.

[Steve1968LS2]

I say ditch the huge water container and invest that money into decent water treatment equipment:

Ceramic Water Filter (MSR is a great maker)- will filter out most bacteria
Steripen- will kill the small viruses that sneak by the ceramic filter
Just for giggles: get some water purification tablets if you are sketched out by the water source.

With the above options all you need to scout out is a source of water if "SHTF". The plus is you can use them for backpacking/camping etc.

I have a simple filter system.. but when you think about it the problem is that you need water to treat.. middle of Orange County.. 100s of thousands of people.. no rivers really.. so where do you get the water to treat?

We're on a quarter acre and have the room for a tank, I could most likely put a 500 gal unit, but I don't wanna get kooky.

So, I still have the question.. does the color matter or is green as good as any of the choices? Black would maybe stop light better, but would absorb more heat. Thoughts?

[Steve1968LS2]

Looks like a good idea to me. If my new digs didn't come with a pond, I'd be doing something similar.

This is probably not the best answer, but since it is only 300 gals I'd handle water "treatment" the same way that I do the water I have in 3 gal containers in each vehicle: dump it, rinse a bit and refill every couple of months. Then again, maybe you guys down south have the "water police" or something like that who would frown on dumping 300 gals of water if they saw it running down the gutter?

No water police.. as stated, we're on a good sized lot.. when it comes time to rotate it could water the grass, fruit trees, etc.. certainly wouldn't get wasted.

[Seeker]

I think green would be good to go. This website states

American Tank Company's freshwater tanks are UV stabilized and will not breakdown under harsh outdoor weather conditions, and will not rust, chip, peel, or corrode. Green opaque color helps prevent water borne algae growth.

Plus, they sell their 305 gallon tank for $30 dollars cheaper compared to the company you originally listed. I would recommend you try to keep the tank away from the sun just to be safe. Maybe under the canopy of a tree or under tarps or something.

[rdmmdr]

while non pressurized water tanks work, installaing an air over water tank or a chloirine contact tank in line with the city water system will keep this supply fresh with no maintenance. the biggest I have seen is a 120 gal for about 500$ figure 600$ at install add the water in your water heater to this and you are in the 160-170 range. If you have any warning at all a bath tub adds another 50 gals, we go camping for a week with five guys and only go through about 30/40 gals in a dry camp. how much more do you need?

[ireload]

Steve1968 I would go with either black or green color. The darker the better to prevent sunlight from penetrating. That would be a big plus if you are going to use the water for drinking.

Now for how long to store it before you rotate, with mine, I have 55 gallon drums, I keep the water for 2 years before I rotate (for drinking purpose). If you are only going to use for washing clothes, washing dishes, bathing then you can store it up to 4 years before rotating. I keep the drums covered. I use filtered water. I have a two stage filter in the kitchen.

I would build a enclosure with access door with that tank. It will make the tank last longer, it will be fully protected from the sun even though the tank itself has UV protection already. It would also keep it a tad cooler during summer months. Plus it can make it discreet from prying eyes.

If you can put in on a elevated cement pad would help out if you are planning to use the tank with just gravity and weight pressure. I would keep a manually or engine driven pump just in case.

As you stated, you want that tank just in case of a earthquake.