Large 24,000L tank beside modern house with rural aspect.

What Size Water Tank Do I Need? A Complete Guide for Tasmanian Homes

One of the most common questions we hear at Tankworld Tasmania is:

"What size water tank do I need?"

Whether you're building a new home, upgrading an existing rainwater system, or looking for additional water storage, choosing the right tank size can seem confusing.

If you're looking for a quick answer, start here:

Quick Tank Size Guide

Situation

Typical Recommendation

Garden Watering Only

5,000L–10,000L

Town Water Backup

10,000L

Small Household (1–2 People)

10,000L–24,000L

Family Home (3–5 People)

24,000L

Rural Property on Rainwater

24,000L–48,000L

Large Family or Lifestyle Property

48,000L–72,000L

Extensive Gardens or Livestock

72,000L+

If you're unsure, a 24,000 litre water tank is the size we recommend most often for Tasmanian homes.

Is 10,000 Litres Enough?

A 10,000 litre tank is one of the most popular sizes for residential properties and can work well when connected to town water or used for garden watering, toilets and laundry.

However, if your home relies entirely on rainwater, 10,000 litres can disappear surprisingly quickly, particularly during extended dry periods.

For many households, it provides a good starting point, but larger storage capacities offer greater water security.

 

Why 24,000 Litres Is So Popular

At Tankworld Tasmania, our 24,000 litre tanks are among our most popular sizes.

They offer an excellent balance of:

  • Water security
  • Value for money
  • Storage capacity
  • Long-term flexibility

For many family homes, a 24,000 litre tank provides enough storage to comfortably bridge periods between rainfall while still remaining affordable and practical to install.

It's often the size we recommend when customers ask for a single tank solution.

 

What Size Tank for a New House?

For most new home builds using rainwater as the primary water source, we generally recommend starting with a 24,000 litre tank.

A modern household can use a significant amount of water each year through everyday activities such as showering, washing clothes, cooking and garden watering.

While a smaller tank may reduce upfront costs, many homeowners later wish they had installed a larger tank from the beginning.

If space allows, it's usually more cost-effective to install adequate storage upfront rather than adding tanks later.

 

Larger Properties Often Need Multiple Tanks

For larger homes, lifestyle properties, farms and properties with livestock, multiple tanks are often the best solution.

Common storage capacities include:

  • 48,000 litres (2 x 24,000L tanks)
  • 72,000 litres (3 x 24,000L tanks)
  • 96,000 litres (4 x 24,000L tanks)

This approach provides flexibility and allows storage capacity to increase as your needs grow.

 

Other Important Considerations

Choosing the right tank size isn't just about how much water you use.

Your roof catchment area, rainfall, available space and any bushfire requirements can all influence the best solution for your property.

For more information, check out our related guides:

 

Our Recommendation

If you're deciding between two tank sizes and have the available space and budget, the larger tank is usually the better investment.

Most customers who install a larger tank never regret the additional storage. However, many customers who choose the smallest option later wish they had gone bigger.

For many Tasmanian homes, a 24,000 litre water tank provides an excellent balance of storage capacity, value and long-term water security.


Need Help Choosing the Right Tank?

Every property is different.

If you're unsure whether a 10,000 litre, 24,000 litre or larger tank is right for your property, our team can help.

Contact Tankworld Tasmania today for expert advice on water tanks, pumps, filtration systems and complete rainwater harvesting solutions.

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