Rainwater Tanks and Pumps
A guide to fixtures and fittings for your rainwater tank
When you purchase a rainwater tank, a number of fittings are supplied with the tank while others are optional. The Rapid Plas team will help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
Tank Inlet
Rainwater that falls on your roof enters your rainwater tank through the tank inlet that is situated at the top of the tank. Rapid Plas tanks are supplied with a stainless-steel inlet strainer that keeps out mosquitoes, insects and leaves, and a dust cover that stops sunlight entering the tank and prevents algae growth.
Rainwater Diverter
Sometimes referred to as ‘first flush diverters’ a rainwater diverter plays an important role in maintaining the quality of water flowing into your rainwater tank.
After a period without rain, your roof and gutters may have a covering of dead insects, leaves and dust, and the first rain will wash this debris into your tank. A Rapid Plas rainwater diverter fits to your tank and collects the first run-off from the roof and prevents contaminants entering your tank. After collecting a set volume of run-off, the diverter directs clean water into your tank and the contaminated wastewater automatically drains away. Rapid Plas offers a range of diverters, and the Rapid Plas team will help you select a product that’s right for you.
Overflow
As the name suggests, the overflow allows excess water to escape from the tank when it is full. The overflow is usually connected to a downpipe that directs water into your stormwater system.
Rapid Plas tanks are supplied with a 90mm overflow that can be fitted anywhere around the tank. An optional overflow screen is also a good idea as this prevents insects, frogs, and other creatures from getting into the tank through the overflow.
Outlets
At the base of the tank are the outlets. Rapid Plas tanks have two x 1½” outlets fitted as standard at 3 and 9 o’clock. Having two outlets can save you time and money when connecting your tanks. A ball valve typically sits between the tank outlet and a flexible pipe that feeds water to a pump.
If you live in a bushfire prone area, it makes good sense to install a STORZ coupling system to ensure that fire-fighting authorities can access your tank water in an emergency. The Rapid Plas team can provide you with more information about STORZ fittings and couplings.
Tank level indicator
A water tank level indicator detects the level of water in your tanks and provides you with a visual indicator so you can see the level of water in your tank at a glance. There are lots of different types of water level indicators with varying levels of sophistication. Talk to Rapid Plas to find one that is best suited to your needs.
Tanks stand
If you don’t plan to connect a pump to your water tank and simply intend to fill watering cans from a tap, a tank stand is a good idea. This raises the rainwater tank off the ground and provides enough clearance to fill a watering can or bucket with ease. Tank stands are available for small tanks, but larger, heavier tanks would require a custom engineered solution, and a water pump would be a much cheaper solution!