Why should I install a single Rainbow Reservoir tank instead of a number of plastic tanks?
There are several reasons why a single, bolted-panel steel tank from Rainbow Reservoirs is preferable over a number of polyethylene plastic tanks making up the same volume:
COST
The cost of a single Rainbow Reservoirs tank is significantly less than a number of plastic tanks making up a similar volume.
Example:
| Vessel | Capacity (litres) | Approximate Cost (ZAR) |
| Rainbow Reservoirs Tank Model HT115/2 | 52 000 | 50 000.00 |
| 2 x 20,000L + 1 x 10,000L plastic vertical tanks | 50 000 | 85 000.00 |
SPACE
A lack of adequate space is often an important factor when installing liquid storage systems. When space is restricted, the installation of single, Rainbow Reservoirs tank requires much less space than an array of smaller tanks making up the same volume.
Example:
| Vessel | Capacity (litres) | Surface area (m²) |
| Rainbow Reservoirs Tank Model HT115/6 | 156 000 | 22,57 |
| Eight x 20,000 litre plastic vertical tanks | 160 000 | 58,32 |
RAINWATER COLLECTION
Rainbow Reservoir Tanks are all fitted with a galvanised steel roof (included in the price of the tank). This dome-shaped roof, when fitted with our optional gutter system, provides a large surface area perfect for harvesting rainwater directly into the tank. Polyethylene plastic tanks are not suitable as stand-alone rainwater-harvesting vessels.
TEMPERATURE VARIANCE
In areas that are prone to extreme temperatures, one large body of water is more resistant to extreme temperature fluctuations than smaller volumes retained in small water tanks.
AESTHETICS
One professionally built steel tank of elegant design is aesthetically far more appealing than a number of smaller plastic tanks (often lumped together in a clutter of different brands, sizes, colours and shapes).
ADVERTISING
The large, steel-panel surface of our Rainbow Reservoir tanks may be utilized as a “billboard”, providing an ideal surface for high-impact, visual advertising. In this regard, some of our tanks may have a diameter of 19m while others have a height of almost 7m – perfect advertising space!
PLUMBING: INTER-TANK CONNECTIONS
When opting for the installation of number of plastic tanks, each tank requires at least two plumbing connections in order to connect the tanks as a large-volume unit. These inter-tank connections are prone to temperature and pressure stresses as the tanks fill or empty. These stresses often cause the inter-tank connections to fail resulting in constant leaking at the connection points.
CLEANING BETWEEN THE TANKS
When an array of plastic tanks is installed directly on the ground without a base, grasses and weeds often take root between the tanks, most especially when a welcome water source is provided by leaking inter-tank connections. This is not only unsightly, it also requires more time and effort to clean between the tanks and their inter-tank connections.
ECO-FRIENDLY – MATERIAL MASS
The volume of materials utilized in the construction of several smaller tanks is far greater by comparison, than the materials required to construct a single tank of the same volume.
