THE BEST TINY HOME WATER TANKS: FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Living in a tiny home comes with a lot of advantages. You can move anywhere, live an eco-friendly lifestyle, and downsize on your possessions. One important thing to consider before moving into a tiny home is your access to waters. How will you get enough water for bathing, cleaning dishes, and watering plants? One possible solution is to install a tiny home water tank. In this post, we’ll discuss the different types of water tanks available and the factors to consider when choosing one.
The Best Tiny Home Water Tanks To Get For Your Tiny Home
1. Norwesco 45223 35 Gallon Horizontal Water Tank
This tank is composed of FDA approved polyethylene and complies with all EPA guidelines. It has a wide opening for easy filling, carrying, and cleaning. The Norwesco 45223 35 Gallon Horizontal Water Tank can be used to haul water, chemicals, or other liquids. This horizontal tank has an outlet port that is 3/4″ FNPT (no plug included). It is not approved for hydrocarbons.
This tank is made of heavy-duty polyethylene and has a capacity of 35 gallons. The vented cap allows for easy draining and prevents a vacuum. It is UV protected and can be used indoors or out. It has an inlet/outlet connection of 1.5″ NPT. The tank itself measures 19 x 22 x 27 inches and weighs 13 pounds.
Features
- Manufacturer: Norwesco Fluid
- Part Number: 45223
- Item Weight: 13 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 22 x 27 inches
- Item Model Number: 45223
- Batteries Required: No
Pros
- Durable and long lasting
- Easy to fill, carry, clean
- Keeps liquids safe and secure
- Wide opening for filling and cleaning
Cons
- None
2. A.A 30 Gallon RV Fresh/Gray Water Tank 34″ x 18″ x 12″
A.A’s RV Fresh Water Tank is a great option for storing fresh water. This tank has a 1″ fill port and 3/8″ connections for its pump and hose, keeping your setup tidy. The tank measures 34″ x 18″ x 12″, not including fittings. The setup gives you plenty of room to store water for showers, toilets, or whatever else you may need it for!
A 30 Gallon RV Fresh/Gray Water Tank 34″ x 18″ x 12″ is a seamless one piece construction, making it an ideal replacement for a OEM installation. The Gray Water Tank has an internal baffle to help prevent sloshing and allows for easy drainage with its 1-1/4″ opening. This unit also features a standard 2-inch drain fitting. Its rust resistant design makes it ideal for most tiny homes.
Features
- Brand: A.A
- Material: Polyethylene
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 34 x 18 x 12 inches
- Capacity: 30 liters
- Item Weight: 13.27 pounds
Pros
- Easy storage
- Self-contained with an included pump and hose
- Keeps waters fresh
- Easy to fill and replace
- Durable plastic build
Cons
- Can develop dents and tends to sag when partly filled
- Poor build quality
3. Smart Tank 50 Gallon Stackable Water Storage Tank
The Smart Tank is a great way to ensure you’ll be prepared in case of an emergency. With a capacity of 50 gallons, this water storage tank holds enough water to supply a family for up to five days. Its stackable design makes it easy to store and transport. Its BPA free material is safe for long term use and is UV resistant.
Smart Tank’s 50 Gallon Stackable Water Storage Tank is a well designed water storage solution for any home. This tank can be used to store rainwater or potable water, and is made from high-density polyethylene, which means it will not rust or corrode. The Smart Tank has a 2” opening at the top that makes it easy to fill and clean out, saving you time and money in the long run.
Features
- Brand: Smart Tanks
- Color: Blue
- Material: Plastic
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 24 x 24 x 30 inches
- Capacity: 25 liters
Pros
- Stores up to 50 gallons of water
- Stackable design for easy storage and transport
- BPA free material (safe for long term use)
- Easy to store and transport
Cons
- Persistent chemical smell
4. Class A Customs | T-6500 | 65 Gallon RV Fresh Water Holding Tank
Looking for a fresh or gray water tank that is both durable and reliable? The T-6500 freshwater or gray water holding tank is manufactured using high quality materials and construction methods. The tank measures 44.5” x 17.5” x 19.5” (not including fittings), making it the perfect size for a variety of applications. Its two 1.5″ Female NPT Fittings are water-tight, allowing you to easily connect your tank to your existing plumbing without leakage.
Class A Customs T-6500 is a non-pressurized tank. This product is designed to be gravity filled or with the fill dish provided. The fill dish is designed to catch rainwater or other sources. There are no moving parts in this product, meaning it will not require mechanical maintenance. Please note that if you choose to pressurize the unit with a garden hose, such use will cause damage and void the warranty.
Features
- Non-pressurized tank
- 65 gallons capacity
- Female fittings
- Length is longer than most other units (44.5” x 17.5” x 19.5”)
Pros
- Durable and quality materials
- Sized for a variety of applications
- Easy to install
- Easy to connect to existing plumbing
Cons
- None
5. Barker Manufacturing Company 11915 15 Gal. Water Tank Kit
The Barker® 11915 15-Gallon Water Tank Kit is designed for use with the Barker® 12000, 12500 and 13000 Series aboveground pool filter systems. This tank kit includes all of the necessary components for its assembly and use.
The Water Tank Kit is made of high-impact, non-toxic, food-grade polyethylene and is built to last. This tank is perfect for indoor and outdoor use, and has a variety of applications, including home gardening, car washing, pet watering, and more. With a capacity of 15 gallons, this tank can store plenty of water for a variety of purposes.
Features
- Item Weight: 9.4 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 28.5 x 9.4 x 12.4 inches
- Capacity: 15 gallons
- Included equipment kit
Pros
- Can withstand harsh outdoor conditions
- 15 gallon capacity with a 1 year warranty
- Quality materials
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The plastic may affect the smell of the water
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Tiny Home Water Tank
When it comes to choosing a tiny home water tank, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider. Size, material, and price are all important considerations, but there are other factors to think about as well.
For example, you’ll need to decide if you want a permanently installed tank or one that is portable. If you’re not sure which type of tank is right for you, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of both options:
Permanently Installed Tanks:
- More secure and less likely to leak, permanently installed tanks are typically made from heavier materials and are less likely to leak than portable tanks.
- Easier to maintain. Since they’re not meant to be moved, permanently installed tanks don’t have moving parts that wear over time.
- Typically quite large. Depending on the size of your tank, a permanently installed tank may take up some valuable floor space in your tiny home.
Portable Tanks:
- Generally speaking, tanks that are portable are cheaper than permanently installed units.
- Easy to take with you if you ever decide to move your tiny home or swap locations.
- Portable tanks are typically made from lighter materials, which means they may not last as long as permanently installed tanks.
If you’re not sure what size tank you’ll need, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Knowing how many people will require water is key. The more people living in your tiny home, the larger the tank you’ll need.
- Recognizing how much water you require on a daily basis.
- What climate you live in may also determine how much water you will need. In hotter climates, larger tanks are typically more necessary, while in cooler climates, less water is consumed.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of the size tank you need. The next step is to choose the material of your tank. Tiny home water tanks are typically made from plastic, metal, or fiberglass. Each material has its own set of pros and cons, which we’ll outline below:
Plastic Tanks:
- Typically the least expensive, plastic tanks are often quite affordable.
- Plastic tanks are lighter than metal or fiberglass tanks, making them easier to transport.
- Plastic tanks are not as durable as metal or fiberglass tanks and may not last as long.
Metal Tanks:
- Metal tanks tend to be more expensive than plastic options.
- These models are usually more durable than plastic tanks and may last longer.
- Metal tanks weigh more than plastic tanks.
Fiberglass Tanks:
- These are the most expensive option when it comes to tiny home water tanks.
- Fiberglass tanks are the lightest weight of all three options, making them easy to transport.
- Incredibly durable, they usually last longer than plastic or metal tanks.
Plumbing for Tiny homes and Tiny Home Water Tanks
Two of the biggest concerns are avoiding water shortages and disposing of wastewater. Here we’ll discuss considerations when laying out the plumbing of your tiny home.
What’s your water usage? This will dictate what plan you use for the plumbing of your tiny home. If the tiny home is a weekend getaway or guest house, less water may be required than a primary residence. For a primary residence, a minimum of 100 gallons is recommended.
This gives you enough for basic needs like drinking, cooking and showering. However, if you have a washer and/or dryer in your tiny home, you will need more water. You can also install a rainwater catchment system to supplement your regular water supply.
Once you know how much water you’ll need on a daily basis, the next question is: where will it come from? If you’re connected to a city or municipal water system, this should not be an issue – just connect your tiny home to the existing plumbing lines. However, if you plan to use a well or cistern, you’ll need to factor that into your design.
How will you store water? This is where tiny home water tanks come in, and the considerations outlined above will help you pick the right model. However, we’ll go over some of your other options.
One option is a bladder tank. Bladder tanks are often made of PVC and are commonly used in RVs and boats. They’re a good option for tiny homes because they don’t take up a lot of space, and they can be easily hidden.
Another option is a pressure tank. Pressure tanks are typically made of steel or fiberglass, and they work by storing water under pressure. This means that you can have running water in your tiny home, even if your water source is a long way away.
Finally, you may also want to consider a gravity fed system. Gravity fed systems use gravity to move water from the tank to your appliances without electricity. This makes them a good option for off-grid tiny homes.
Conclusion
What’s the best tiny home water tank for you? This will of course depend on your needs and preferences. You’ll want to carefully consider the factors outlined above in your decision-making process, and ensure your preferred units are compatible with the plumbing in your home.
