Build Your Own Wooden Water Tank

This video accompanies my book which can be purchased on woodcistern.gumroad.com/l/gukufh.
It illustrates the sequence of steps in assembling a 3,000 gallon (or another volume - you can customize the plans!) wooden water tank (cistern) for harvesting rainwater. The cistern was designed in Sketchup 8 and the video was exported from that program.

[@dennisamaral5762]

Thank you so very much for helping me with the information I needed. I got it and am so thankful. I would recommend your site and product to anyone.

[@kickinghorse2405]

Nice! I have one suggestion. As the tank is filled, the pressure exerted against the walls is greater at the bottom of the tank than at the top. As a result, it is suggested that the number of metal bands around the tank be greater at bottom than at the top. For example: the bottom third of the tank might have 5 bands; the middle third might have 3 or 4 bands; and, the top third might have 2 or 3 bands. The correct number of bands in each location (bottom, middle, top) will depend on the maths involved to take into consideration water volume/weight, tank size, material tensile strengths, etc. Hope this helps. Cheers!

[@JK-lw1yj]

Yes, the pressure at the base is greater and linearly decreases upward. The equation that calculates the pressure is 0.052ph, where "p" is the density of water in lbs/gallon and "h" is the height in feet. For fresh water, "p" is 8.33 lbs/gallon and so this pressure is about 0.433 psi/ft. That is in fact why many wood tank manufacturers (esp. in industrial applications with tall tank heights) do place more bands at the bottom, gradually increasing the spacing upward. However, in this application with a tank that is only 8' tall, this is unnecessary and IMO detracts from the appearance. The builder can of course make their own decision regarding this, as long as the minimum spacing specified is used.

[@MsMagicRainbow]

Awesome!

[@MrChickadee]

Hello. 2 questions about this. 1. What is the expected longevity of a tank made from Western Red cedar? 2. Would the tank freeze solid in winter in Eastern KY? Really would prefer this to plastic just trying to justify practicality. THanks

[@joekordzi1381]

I go into a lot of detail on this in the book. But in short, the longevity depends on whether you use a liner (which I recommend). If you use a liner, then the longevity can be measured in decades. If you don't use a liner, and the water level frequently changes, then whatever wood you use will go thru repeated drying and swelling cycles, which will shorten its life. Regarding freezing, yes it will freeze if the temperature drops. I doubt it will freeze solid, but I drain my tank in the winter and recommend you do the same unless you need it for drinking water. In that case, you will likely be more concerned about water lines freezing than your tank freezing.

[@joekordzi1381]

To add to my previous answer, if the weather gets cold enough, water in the tank will freeze, but remember that wood is an excellent insulator (think log cabin) and that the mass of water can hold a lot of heat. That's why freezing isn't an issue in New York City, where hundreds of these tanks are used to store water year round at the top of buildings. I use my tank for landscape irrigation and drain it in the winter so freezing isn't an issue for me.

[@johnmarkhatfield]

fancy seeing you here! Many plastics that are even BPA free have been tested with breast tissue and leach chemicals that will make the tissue grow in creepy ways. I haven't seen a video of you making this so i guess you didn't go through with it. Water is a heat sink, but large water towers do freeze, but they allow the ice to move up and down during the winter. I would think using a design like this as a cistern would work. I have done a bit of plumbing in my profession, and will hopefully be making a cistern and make sure the wood stays dry just like i was building a timber frame. Species, yes, but drainage also. I have a bit of curiosity with burnishing wood and possibly using bees wax (if you don't beekeep it may be expensive) Anyways, i'm still brainstorming. Have you looked up the research from MIT on xylem filters? it's also interesting.

[@johnmarkhatfield]

PS: have you seen the videos of people pounding a piece of metal to compress the joints between staves and then planing off the uncompressed so that when water is put in, it swells the compressed middle and makes a gasket? brilliant and simple.

[@marvinm4u]

On your site, you mention "a few common power and hand tools". Is there a list of tools available outside the book. I'm in Belize and buying additional tools would make the tank considerably more expensive. Thanks.

[@JK-lw1yj]

I built mine with the aid of a table saw, jointer, and planer. If you don't have those tools you could take the lumber to a shop and have them mill the lumber. Alternatively, you could mill the lumber with a portable table saw, a jointer plane (Stanley No. 7 or 8), and a bench plane (Stanley No. 4 or 5). Other hand tools needed include an electric drill, a drill guide, chisels, powered hand saw, etc.

[@bradwright6921]

The metal bands are the only thing holding the tank it self together? Or is there screws some where connecting the tank together?

[@joekordzi1381]

The metal bands are not the only thing holding the staves together. If you look closely in the video you can also see wooden dowels at the 28 second mark as well. This is detailed in the plans.

[@stevenhaught8327]

we have heavy thick gumbo black clay . Bedrock is more than 300 feet down, our problem is our soil shifts and people with slab foundations have the worst foundation problems anywhere I know of. the best foundation are the pier and beans but when my home was constructed the beam had min rebar and not no deeper than I ft in the ground. Should I replace the concrete beam?Any ideals are possible solutions will be appreciated. Thank you

[@JK-lw1yj]

It sounds like I have the same type of clay here you do where I live in North Texas. My house uses a post tension slab, but that's impractical for a cistern foundation. Instead, I built a conventional rebar slab for my cistern. I provide some details about how I constructed my cistern foundation in the book. It has not cracked or shifted in four years of service and I don’t expect that it ever will. Although I think my design would work for most applications, you should check with your local building code requirements. Most municipalities have a code inspection group that will be happy to provide you with their particular requirements.

[@cryptonein]

Do you have any thoughts on building a raised version that is up 10 or more feet off the ground for higher pressure?

[@JK-lw1yj]

That is certainly a possibility but two thoughts: The first is that you have to get the water up there, which means that unless you have an elevation change you can take advantage of, you will have to pump it into the elevated cistern. The second is that you will have to build a very strong structure to accommodate the weight, with a commensurate foundation. Even discounting the weight of the wood and associated materials, 3,000 gallons of water weighs about 25,000 pounds. A good model for such a structure would be the ones that were used to support wooden cisterns used to provide water to steam locomotives.

[@cryptonein]

@@JK-lw1yj right, this is my thought as well: 1) to get it up there, you simply capture it up there (in a rainy environment this would work; ie, not taking it from your roof, etc.) & 2) yes, this would be a good model to follow, but one would need to find plans that work in this fashion, which I've not yet found.

[@peterspeak1974]

sound? And I was looking for general sizing of this design?

[@joekordzi1381]

Peter, there is no sound. This video is just intended to provide a quick summary of how the cistern is constructed. If you construct a 3,000 gallon cistern, which is the default size covered by my book, the height without the roof is about 8' and the diameter is about 8'. I provide directions for altering the plans to other volumes as well.

[@rodney73991]

wondering if build this inside a old silo?

[@joekordzi1381]

I don't see why not!

[@egormrinskiy4402]

olution for every woodworker.

[@stevenhaught8327]

How deep should the concrete pears be?

[@JK-lw1yj]

Hi Steven. The requirements of the foundation vary according to the particular type of soil upon which the cistern will be constructed. In my case, I did not drill piers, but opted for a traditional slab on footer and beam rebar foundation. I go into this somewhat in the book, but you should really consult your local building codes and get advice from an engineer.

[@matthewsmith1156]

Could you please give me a rough estimate of material costs 3,000 gallon wooden water tank that you are selling the plans to?

[@JK-lw1yj]

Well, the answer varies quite a bit depending on what materials you use, where you buy them and the size of the cistern you build. For instance, although the default size is 3,000 gallons, my book discuss how the plans can be easily customized to other sizes as well. The cistern in the video is about 3,000 gallons, about 8' high (not including the roof) and about 8' in diameter. You could put together a rough estimate by counting the number of staves, other framing members, decking, base timbers, etc. you see in the video, and whatever foundation you would use, and price them. My book goes into detail on the selection of materials and everything you would need to duplicate that cistern or you can modify it to fit your needs.

[@dennisamaral5762]

This is awesome, good job. Where do you get the metal straps? How much do you think the materials cost you?

[@joekordzi1381]

Thanks Dennis. Check out my website, www.woodcistern.com for more details and the accompanying book.

[@robce87]

Joe Kordzi Joe, looks neat but the answer to Dennis's question of how much the materials cost you is nowhere to be found on your website. Your suggestion of looking at the website (which comes off as disingenuous, at least to me) and you not being forthright of how much it cost you is of concern and should be of concern to others interested in buying the book. Perhaps you may want to reconsider your strategy.

[@JK-lw1yj]

robce87 Well, the answer varies quite a bit depending on what materials you use, where you buy them and the size of the cistern you build. For instance, although the default size is 3,000 gallons, my book discuss how the plans can be easily customized to other sizes as well. Regarding my "strategy," it's really about providing very affordable plans for building a wooden water cistern in the traditional style - just like you see adorn the roofs of many building in New York City. Download the sample chapter and judge for yourself.

[@mandygrenier1449]

Joe Kordzi

[@carlosayala6754]

What type of wood should I use?

[@joekordzi1381]

I go over that in detail in the book. But in short, it really depends on whether or not you choose to use a liner. If you use a liner, then your choice of wood comes down to strength, quality, and availability considerations. If you don't use a liner, and you're not going to keep it full, then you're better off using rot resistant wood like western red cedar or white oak. What really causes rot, is intermittent contact with water - when the water level changes regularly. Again, this is not an issue with a liner.

[@carlosayala6754]

Joe Kordzi thanks. What wood is best option for tropical weather( Central America)

[@AyatollahGondola]

Are the dowels at 90 degrees to the wood, or drilled straight in, or did you angle those? I'm assuming the staves are beveled?

[@JK-lw1yj]

The staves are beveled and the dowels are perpendicular to the bevels. In the book, I show how to construct a simple jig to ensure the dowel holes get drilled properly. Thanks. for your interest.

[@dennisamaral5762]

I'm still needing a source for the metal compression bands.

[@JK-lw1yj]

Hi Dennis. Sources and quantities for all of the materials needed to construct the cistern can be found in my book.

[@dennisamaral5762]

I bought your book a year ago but can't find it. Can you email me the source for the band's please? I can understand you don't want to publish it so all can see - don't sell books that way. My email is [e-mail]

[@JK-lw1yj]

Dennis Amaral Dennis, Chapter 10 of my book details this information.

[@dennisamaral5762]

Joe Kordzi I bought your book a year ago, I can't find it unfortunately. I believe I downloaded it from a PDF file link you sent me. All I need is a source for the metal compression bands. Could you please send me a source please?

[@anomaly2990]

@@dennisamaral5762 must not have bought the book.