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The dry spring and summer has not been kind to our garden, with many plants and shrubs not doing too well, so I would like to increase our rainwater storage capacity.
At present there are three 200l butts filled from the shed roof, these are not a really efficient use of space as a rectangular tank would be better..here’s the problem, large volume tanks are expensive!
I’ve considered using IBC, as they are plentiful and cheap, but not the best shape to fit into the space between the shed and the fence.
Is it possible to make a DIY “bespoke” rectangular grp tank of about 2000l volume? I’ve looked for diy ideas on ‘tinternet, but without success….STW please help!
We’ve had a vertical 800L tank for a while now, and just looked up the prices and I don’t remember paying £900+ for it!
If you can make it fit, a pair of stacked IBCs will be cheapest way to get the capacity you want.
Is it possible to make a DIY “bespoke” rectangular grp tank of about 2000l volume?
The problem is the resin. It's expensive!! And it's not UV stable!
Loft water tanks come in different sizes, but as above, check if it's UV stable or needs covering
Another idea a large commercial wheelie bin, they do bow out a bit when full (don't ask) but at the stables they use a compact size one with the upper half sawn off to soak hay, and even without the top rim it seems plenty strong enough. Obviously if you cut it then your included lid won't work...
You do get narrower 600litre ibcs would they fit?
Is it possible to make a DIY “bespoke” rectangular grp tank of about 2000l volume?
The bracing required for 2 tons of water will be "a lot" - so the answer would be probably not really.
Don’t go big, go often.
I collect our shower water. In our house of 2 people that is 6 watering cans a day. A bath is well over 10 .
Everyday I empty it and we have a very happy garden.
We use rain water from our other butts on the veg or tap when that runs out.
This summer I started using water from the washing machine on the lawn. All is well.
I collect our shower water. In our house of 2 people that is 6 watering cans a day
I have considered doing this, I presume the soap and shampoo doesn't cause any issues with plants or grass?
what kind of space are we talking?
You could build a frame to contain some other readily availible container, and then plumb them all together?
nice thing about IBCs is they stack, they are tough, UV stable.
smaller 300 or 600 litre ones sound ideal, if you can get hold of them.
Or daisy chain a whole load of water butts
hooli, I've done it for 5 years with no issues. If it's safe to put on human eyes I'm sure it's fine for a bush.
We've all seen survivalists strain mucky water through a sand filled sock and drink it. Really, no different for a plant.
After all, we all eat crops grown at the side of a motorway. That must be worse than shower water on your daffodils.
I presume the soap and shampoo doesn’t cause any issues with plants or grass?
RHS says it's fine.
You might be able to pick up a 1 ton 'barrel' for cheap from a vape place. It'll be second hand and will be pretty stinky...
Sure it would be possible, but it would be far from easy, and accounting for your time and the risk of getting it wrong, it will also be very expensive.
Have you got another space that would be ok for IBCs? I placed mine 15m down the garden, on legs 1m high. I placed the downpipe diverter at 3m high, with the pipe hidden underground. It was all gravity fed.
Maybe a 600 little IBC, like joshvegas suggests.
Volume: 600 Liter
Pallet: Plastic
Long: 120 cm
Width: 80 cm
High: 100 cm
Can't help with your issue but I will say I'm blaming you for getting this stuck in my head every time I see your thread title. 😐🤣
Carry on... 😁
Following this thread with interest - the prohibitive cost of big butts (so to speak) was putting us off, but LBCs look a viable solution to me!
Another thread title that failed to deliver
Thanks all, I’d not considered the stresses on the tank when it contains 2tonnes of water! Definitely not a diy job for me.
If I go for the 600l IBC’s I’ll still not have enough room between the shed and fence to fit them, so now contemplating moving the shed 30cm….😟
where are you op?
I'm in Stoke and I've got a big metal Water tank in the loft that is unused.
You can get 1,000 litre plastic water troughs for horses and cattle and that. Might be too wide for what you want. An 8 foot galvanised trough holds nearly 500 litres though and that might fit better.
I really want a massive tank or a good number of IBCs. No easy way of getting them into the garden though without a crane. Didn't know there was a smaller IBC so thanks to whomever posted that.
@jekkyl cheers for the offer of your unused tank, but I’m a good few miles away in Sussex.
My existing water butts are 2’ in diameter, with about 3’ total distance between shed and fence. This doesn’t leave enough space for IBC’s etc, however I’ve seen several “cheap” single-skinned fuel tanks that would fit and provide 1000l + storage.
If I got a 2nd hand tank is there anyway to clean it of fuel residue, so as not to kill the plants nor make the garden smell like a station forecourt?
is there anyway to clean it of fuel residue, so as not to kill the plants
Not without creating a lot of polluted water that definitely shouldn't go down the drain. It might always have a taint to it, accidentally filling a campervans water tank with diesel is normally terminal for the tank... No amount of cleaning will remove all traces
Surprised nobody has suggested burying the IBC and fitting a hand pump, that's what I'd do. Unless you have services crossing the area you want to put it in then I can't see any issue, just make sure the top has something solid over it.
@squirrelking I think that is the best and most cost effective solution.
Just need to dispose of the clay spoil in a Great Escape fashion for maximum cost saving 😀