How to choose the right JoJo tank

JoJo tanks are available in a wide range of types and sizes in South Africa and it is important to choose the right type and size of tank that is suited to the specific storage requirements.

The following article will help you to select the right JoJo tank for your needs.

Standard duty, medium duty or heavy duty tanks?

Firstly, what will you be storing in the JoJo tank?  If it is water, then you can select a standard duty water tank (SG 1).  If the JoJo tank may be subject to rough treatment, such as farm animals rubbing against it, then it may be better to choose a medium duty (SG 1.4) or heavy duty (SG 1.6) JoJo tank.  If the tank is to be used for storing liquid chemicals such as fuel or industrial chemicals, then the medium duty or heavy duty versions of JoJo tanks must be selected (medium and heavy duty tanks are generally referred to as chemical tanks).  The ‘SG’ refers to the specific gravity of the substance the tank will be suitable for storing; we can advise, through JoJo Tanks’ technical department, which tank to choose once we know the type of substance to be stored and concentration.  Medium and heavy duty JoJo chemical tanks have thicker walls compared to standard duty tanks.

Vertical or horizontal tanks?

Vertical JoJo tanks are the most common type of tank and are generally used for storing water or other liquids in a fixed location.  Horizontal tanks are designed for transporting water or other liquids such as fuel.

JoJo vertical tanks are available in standard-, medium- and heavy duty versions and are classified into two main groups: vertical and low profile vertical tanks.  Low profile tanks are usually selected if a specified capacity tank needs to fit under a low structure.

Also classified under vertical tanks are the JoJo Slimline range of tanks (750 litre capacity) – these are generally used to harvest small amounts of rainwater for garden use and their slim profile and pleasing looks fit well along side any urban wall.

Horizontal JoJo tanks are generally also available in standard duty, medium duty or heavy duty.  Stand duty horizontal tanks are usually used for transporting water on the back of pick-ups/bakkies or trucks.  Some of the large JoJo horizontal tanks are used as the basis for purpose-built water tankers.  If rough use is envisioned, it is better to select the medium or heavy duty versions of the tank.  If fuel or other chemicals are to be transported, the medium or heavy duty versions must be selected.  Horizontal tanks are also sometimes used to store water or other liquids in fixed locations – their low profile allows them to be installed in confined areas.

Underground or above-ground tanks?

Space and aesthetics play a role when choosing between above-ground and underground tanks.  JoJo Tanks manufacture a 6000 litre underground tank that is robustly constructed and, when properly installed, can be placed under drive ways.  Bear in mind that installation time and costs will be substantially more compared to installing a standard vertical tank.

What size JoJo tank to choose?

This is dependent on what the stored water (or other liquid) will be used for.  Rainwater harvesting is gaining popularity in South Africa and surprising quantities of rainwater can be collected and stored for domestic use.  If the house’s roof area is small and rainfall for the area is low then the Slimline 750 litre rainwater tank (perhaps with an additional 750 litre buffer tank) will suffice if the intention is to use the rainwater for limited garden irrigation.  Click here to see how you calculate the size of the rainwater tank according to your roof area and rainfall patterns.  Homeowners often make the mistake of installing rainwater tanks that are too small with the result that the tanks overflow very quickly during a good rain.  5000 litre JoJo vertical water tanks are often the best choice for the average home, whether used for storing rainwater or for storing borehole/other water.  Businesses and hotels use much more water (and their rooftops are capable of collecting vastly larger quantities of rainwater); 10000 litre, 15000 litre or 20000 litre water tanks connected in series will make better sense in this case.

What colour JoJo tank to choose?

JoJo’s standard colour for vertical water tanks (standard duty, SG 1)  is the well-known ‘JoJo green’.  JoJo vertical water tanks are also available in the following colours: red, royal blue, black, khaki brown, bushveld green, wintergrass & stormy sky.  JoJo chemical tanks are available in white/natural, light blue and light yellow. New colours available are sandstone, evening shadow and meadow green.  Muted colours such as bushveld green or khaki brown, blend in well in rural areas and game lodges.  JoJo tanks with darker colours tend to heat up to higher temperatures when the tanks are placed in the open, under the sun – not so important if the tanks are being used to store irrigation water but perhaps an issue for household water supply.

JoJo tank installation: tank stand or not?

JoJo vertical tanks can either be installed at ground level on a firm, levelled area (JoJo recommend that a concrete platform be constructed) or the tanks can be installed on JoJo’s engineer-certified steel tank stands. Tank stands may be necessary for creating enough pressure and they also keep the tanks off the ground away from vandals and animals that may damage the tanks.  JoJo manufacture tank stands rated for 5000 litre tanks and 10000 litre tanks and are available in the following heights: 1.5 metre, 3 metre, 4.5 metre, 6 metre & 9 metre.

Why choose a JoJo tank over other brands/types?

JoJo Tanks are manufactured using food-grade polyethylene.  Good quality ‘poly’ tanks such as those made by JoJo Tanks have a number of advantages over steel, fibreglass and concrete tanks or reservoirs.  The ease of installation and transport, affordability and ease of cleaning/maintenance are all goos reasons to choose a JoJo tank.

JoJo Vertical & Horizontal Tanks are the first and ONLY tanks in South Africa to be tested and approved as “fit-for-purpose” by CSIR’s Agrément SA (Certificate no 2011/385) and have an FDA-approved, food-grade black interior lining.  JoJo Tanks products are also available throughout South Africa and carry a 5-year guarantee.

Any more questions about JoJo Tanks products?  Click our FAQ.  Need a free quote?  Contact us!

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands.  See JoJo Tanks VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS. Also see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.