Zincalume is a fascinating product that has taken the steel world by storm over the past couple of years. It is praised for having a long life and being resistant to corrosion. Although this is true, there are some caveats which may make it not the ideal material for your tank.
I hear you asking, ‘Should I get a Zincalume or galvanised steel water tank?’ or ‘Which is better, a galvanised steel or Zincalume water tank?’
First, let’s define galvanised steel, which is steel that has had zinc applied to create a corrosion resistant steel. Galvanised steel is the material that is most used for manufacturing metal rainwater tanks. Galvanised steel isn’t naturally resistant to corrosion therefore, it needs rust-resistant coatings applied. The first stages of corrosion of galvanised steel usually creates a thin adherent film that coats the surface of the tank. This film provides protection against additional corrosion. Therefore, it is important when cleaning these tanks not to unsettle this film layer.
A brand-new steel tank can leach excess concentrations of zinc, which could impact the taste of the water it stores, but is not a health risk. These tanks may need to be flushed before use.
Zincalume does boast a long life and is resistant to corrosion under certain conditions. It is great for roof tops and sheds as it is only exposed to moisture temporarily when it rains. When constantly exposed to moisture Zincalume can require sacrificial anodes. These anodes are attached to the Zincalume and buried under the ground to direct corrosion away from the tank walls. These anodes need to be replaced. It may also be a part of your warranty that you must have your tank serviced and anodes replaced for the warranty to remain valid.
So, the question of which is better, galvanised steel or Zincalume isn’t exactly simple. There are many factors to consider, such as tank pad, wall thickness and the number of support trusses used etc.
There are benefits to both options. The galvanised steel option requires less upkeep and less maintenance in the long run, whereas Zincalume boasts long life but can require anodes, maintenance and upkeep. The decision is up to you, however, Bushmans offers both options, galvanised steel and Zimaclume for our premium Aqualine steel tanks.
Bushmans has recently launched a new premium range of Aqualine steel tanks and installed a state of the art programmable roll forming line to improve product quality and consistency.
High level overflows have also been standardised across the new range to maximise the capacity of the tanks. Wall sheet lengths have been increased to reduce the number of wall sheet joints and this reduces the time required for tank installation. The Aqualine designs are RPEQ structurally engineered for regions A, B, C and sub-alpine compliance, designed to be a more efficient and stronger tank. Bushmans is proud of this redesign and excited to start seeing the new models go up around Australia.
The new Aqualine design ranges from 20,000 litres to the massive 360,000 litres. Aqualine tanks are installed by Bushmans professionally trained installers onsite, which means they can be installed indoors or in those hard to reach places.
Another benefit of having a large steel water tank is knowing you have secured your water supply in the case of an emergency or a fire. Bushmans also provides Aqualine steel tanks that are fire ready. The package includes a fire hose kit and a pump. This can give you peace of mind.
If you are considering a large steel rainwater tank look no further than Bushmans new Aqualine galvanised steel range. The large variety of sizes creates a solution for almost any situation!
Check out a time lapse of a smaller Aqualine tank being built!
Download a brochure here to check out the entire range and a guide on how to prepare the base for a steel tank. Bushmans’ friendly staff are always happy to answer questions you may have, so feel free to give us a call on 1800 008 888 Monday to Friday during business hours.
