BACKYARD WATER TANK INSTALLATION

  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 3/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $35 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 4 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES
BEFORE YOU START
  • Keep in mind that you won't be able to move the tank once full of water, so better to chose well its location. 
  • This includes making sure that you can circulate around it, easily connect the piping or hoses without interfering with passages or surroundings.
  • 15" plumber wrenches are needed if the tank has a large bottom drain i.e. 1.5 or 2 inches. This depends on the tank's capacity (6000 L pictured here).
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

 

step by step pictorial

1- Chose a location, check the spacing all around and the orientation of the water connections as well. Level the ground below the tank.
4- A very common "ball valve" is selected in this case. Depending on tank's capacity, the size ranges from 1 to 2".
7- Teflon is wrapped clockwise until the thread vanishes. Try to make it conical i.e. thicker inside and thinner at the edge.
10- Tighten well the union to the valve.
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13- Fill first with a little water (around 1/4 of the tank capacity) to test and then to the top. 
16- Introduce the valve and push it out until its thread crosses the tank's wall.
2- Just dig on one side, add soil on the other and then comb the tank footprint to make sure it is level.  

5- Clean the thread with a metal brush to remove any particles.
 
8- You need a plumber wrench to hold either the valve or the union...
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11- If needed, dig a small hole in the soil to allow for the valve to rotate (see next).  
14- A float valve is now needed to complete the installation,

17- Fit the nut and tighten using a smaller wrench or monkey pliers.
3- Check the water outlet and buy a valve of the same size. Do not install a smaller valve.

6- Apply Teflon tape on both sides of the union that will be used to connect the valve to the tank.

​9- ...and another one to hold the opposite piece.
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12- Now screw the union into the thank thread and tighten well.
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15- If needed, use a file to enlarge the available hole until the valve's thread goes through.
18- Make sure you do not rotate the float valve while tightening. It should remain vertical as shown here.