09-23-2013, 05:13 AM
There is a state publication out that strongly recommends putting a solid roof over your catchment. They also strongly recommend a first flush device that directs the first water off the roof to waste since it is the dirtiest. If you just have shade cloth over your tank that short circuits a first flush system. If you put the tank under a hard roof that drained into it without a first flush that would also short circuit things. I can't say that is the reason they recommend a hard roof (because it is assumed that you will then have a first flush system) but it only makes sense to me. I know people with no first flush system and with shade cloth stretched flat over the tank so that it dips into the water when the tank is full and they seem to do OK but the DOH strongly recommends against that.
Rusting of the metal sides has caused many tanks to collapse. Usually the reason is that a proper overflow has not been installed and the tank gets rusty on that side as well as the dirt gets eroded from under the tank. Sooner or later the sagging tank rips at that point. However keeping rain off of the steel has to be a good thing. A good friend also methodically painted the steel sections of the tank with a coat of red rust preventive paint followed by a decorative coat of latex prior to assembly. I think that this is the kind of thing it makes sense for us DIYers to do since we have the time and our own best interests in mind.
Rusting of the metal sides has caused many tanks to collapse. Usually the reason is that a proper overflow has not been installed and the tank gets rusty on that side as well as the dirt gets eroded from under the tank. Sooner or later the sagging tank rips at that point. However keeping rain off of the steel has to be a good thing. A good friend also methodically painted the steel sections of the tank with a coat of red rust preventive paint followed by a decorative coat of latex prior to assembly. I think that this is the kind of thing it makes sense for us DIYers to do since we have the time and our own best interests in mind.