Late, because late, but we are finally learning to waste less and use raw materials more sparingly, with their rising prices playing a role in this. One expression of this trend is the growing popularity of rainwater tanks.
The best rainwater tanks
There are two basic types of rainwater tanks – above-ground and underground. We will show diplomatic indecision, but we will not clearly indicate which of them is the best . We will present the features of both solutions, leaving the question of choice open to individual decision. In the meantime, we present selected models of tanks of both types, from the assortment of the Graf company .
Above ground rainwater tanks
An above-ground tank is certainly easier to implement. Just place it near the house, run a gutter from the roof and there you go. Although it takes up space, it takes up relatively little space and there is always access to it - you can walk up to it, collect water and water your favorite bush. Of course, you can also equip it with a pump and water it with a garden hose . If necessary, it can be moved, and the overflow system with a water collector equipped with a filter and the option of closing the valve means that overfilling and overflowing are out of the question.
A potential problem with above-ground tanks is heating from the sun, which promotes the growth of bacterial flora and algae inside . The solution is enzymatic and biological preparations from the Bio7 group, which are used to maintain water freshness. They are safe for pets.
Antique Amphora 250 l above ground rainwater tank
Dreaming of a bit of Mediterranean climate in your garden? This 250-litre GRAF Antique Amphora above-ground dual-purpose tank is for you! It is just over a metre high and approx. 70 cm in diameter, and weighs only 15 kg when empty, so it takes up little space, and when it needs to be moved, it can be done easily (albeit after emptying it first). At the bottom, there is a tap for filling the watering can , while in the upper part there is an integrated flowerpot, thanks to which the entire tank plays an everyday decorative role without sacrificing its utility value.
Barrica 260 l above ground rainwater tank
If not an antique amphora, then perhaps the GRAF Barrica 260 l above-ground rainwater tank as a classic wooden barrel with hoops? Here you go! With a height of 93 cm and a diameter of 65 cm at its widest point, it has a capacity of 260 l, and when empty it weighs only 10 kg. There is also a 420-litre version, 12 cm higher and 13 cm wider, and 4 kg heavier. As befits a barrel, it is covered with a lid, but in a modern way equipped with a safety lock. Water can be drawn through a tap or a connection set, or by drawing after lifting the lid.
Linus 220 l above ground rainwater tank
120 cm "height", diameter from 40 to 58 cm, 8 kg of own weight and 220 l of capacity are the basic parameters of this dual-function above-ground tank for rainwater GRAF Linus . It also acts as a planter, so it is practical and aesthetic at the same time. As with other models, the water supply is done by connecting to the gutter, and the water is drawn off through a tap in the lower part. Simple and functional!
Above-ground rainwater tank Natura 2 in 1, 350 l
The GRAF Natura 2 in 1, 350 l Natura above-ground rainwater tank is also a decorative planter. Its aesthetic and modern style makes it timeless. It has a diameter of 50 cm at the base to 62 cm at the top, 150 cm high and can release the collected water through a tap or connection set. It is offered in four subdued, discreet colors : arctic, beach, sahara and ocean. This makes it easy to choose a variant that suits your own taste and the tone of the surroundings.
Stone 2 in 1 above ground rainwater tank, 350 l
The 350-liter Stone 2 in 1 Above-Ground Rainwater Tank Stone, as its name suggests, looks like it is made of stone. Its dual function is to be a planter at the same time, so it serves as a garden decoration. It has a diameter of 50 cm at the bottom to 62 at the top, a height of 150 cm and a net weight of only 15 kg. Two brass threads are installed in tanks of this type, and water is drawn from a tap or a connection set. Two color versions are available, both in shades of gray.
Check out our offer of above-ground rainwater tanks
Underground rainwater tanks
Underground tanks, first of all , have much larger capacities, because underground you can afford to take up space without spoiling the landscape. Maybe moles or earthworms would have a different opinion, but oh well. Secondly, when they overflow, they percolate water in their surroundings, irrigating the soil "from the inside". Of course, you can also connect a pump with a hose to them for convenient watering, and the whole thing is an elegant solution, hidden from view. Disadvantages? The need to make a trench and the inability to inspect the tank, where impurities flowing down with the water from the roof will start to accumulate over time. On the other hand, the water has a constant temperature, thanks to which it stays fresh longer. There's a trade-off, you have to weigh the pros and cons.
There is one more challenge: selecting the optimal capacity of the underground tank . We don't want to run out of water halfway through watering the garden, but there is also no point in keeping a strategic H 2 O store underground. So what's left? The appropriate parameters can be easily calculated using the calculator available on the Graf website.
Flat M 5000 l underground rainwater tank
Who said that a trench for an underground rainwater tank has to be dug by a professional company? The Flat series models, with a capacity of 1,500 to 5,000 l, are designed for self-dig. This is because – despite their large capacity – they are flat, so shallow trenches are enough for them to be done manually, without the use of machinery. The GRAF Flat M 5,000 l rainwater tank comes with a rotating superstructure, with a cover equipped with a child safety lock.
Carat 2700 l underground rainwater tank with MAX extension
Carat is a tank for which collecting rainwater is just one of the possible applications - it is also suitable as a sewage tank in a domestic sewage treatment system . It has a very specific capacity - from 2700 to 6500 l (plus 8500 and 10000 l on request) - but it is not worth getting carried away by the numbers and buying the largest one on the spot. It is better to use the aforementioned GRAF Carat 2700 l rainwater tank capacity calculator and choose a variant that is really suited to your needs.
Cristall 1600 l rainwater tank with cover DN 600
GRAF Cristall 1600 l rainwater tank with DN 600 cover . As with Carata, Cristall is also a tank that can also store sewage, depending on the application. The capacities offered are 1600 and 2650 l, but there are also Duo, Trio and Quatro variants (sets of connected single tanks), capable of collecting 5300, 7950 and 10600 l of rainwater, respectively. For the latter, you have to dig a hole so large that in good weather you can see it from Earth's orbit. This is of course not true, but without heavy machinery we advise you not to take on the installation of such a tank .
Platin 1500 l underground flat rainwater tank, without superstructure and cover
Speech is silver, silence is golden, and this rainwater tank is Platinum. And although it holds from 1500, through 7500, 10 and 15 thousand to a maximum of 65 thousand liters, this joke is so dry that no amount of rainwater will help. Like Carat and Cristall, this model can also be used to collect sewage .
For selected tank models, such as Carat or Cristall, a complete Garden Comfort package is available, which includes a submersible automatic pump (it turns on and off automatically with the opening and closing of the valve or spout) and a collection point with quick connectors for garden hoses . The manufacturer recommends purchasing an external filter with an emergency overflow to drain excess water.
The increasing warming means that during the peak summer season, bans on watering gardens with municipal water are becoming an increasingly common phenomenon. A rainwater tank will certainly become a regular in Polish backyards over time , preventing green lawns from turning into yellowed steppes. Well, that's the climate we have.