How a JoJo Tank is built

Click on the image to see a bigger version

Q. What does S.G. mean?

A. Density of water :

1 lt water = equals 1 kg of weight
1000 lt water = equals 1 ton of weight
2500 lt water = equals 2,5 tons of weight


Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the density of a given solid or liquid substance to the density of water molecules at a specific temperature and pressure, typically at 4 °C (39 °F) and 1 atmosphere unit (atm) (760.00 mmHg). Specific gravity is a dimensionless quantity. Specific gravity is an expression of the weight of a substance relative to the weight of an equal volume of water. Water has a specific gravity of one. Substances with a specific gravity greater than one are denser than water, and so (ignoring surface tension effects) will sink in it, and those with a specific gravity of less than one are less dense than water, and so will float in it.

When considering which plastic tank to use, it is important to know that they are rated based on the “specific gravity’ (SG) of the substance they are designed to hold. In other words, tanks with a higher specific gravity rating will have thicker walls and will be designed for heavier duty use when compared to another tank made from the same material but with a lower specific gravity.

JoJo tanks are specifically designed for each intended purpose and it is necessary to specify the intended use prior to making a purchase.

Q. What does (w) (m) and (h) mean and what is the difference?

A. (w) - abbreviation for water (SG 1)
   (m) - abbreviation for medium (SG 1.4)
   (h) - abbreviation for heavy duty (SG1.6)

Q. Basic installation instructions for vertical tanks :

A. Tanks should ideally be installed on our steel tank stands purposefully designed by our structural engineers. The tank stand heights vary between 1.5 meter, 3m, 4.5m, 6m and 9m high. Spaces between beams should be no more than 50 mm apart.

The tanks can also be installed on a solid concrete slab of no less than 100 to 150 mm thick. The surface must be level and smooth to ensure a robust base for the tank.

Q. What is the JoJo colour spectrum and are there additional costs for colours other than the well-known JoJo green?

A. Jo Jo manufactures water tanks in various colours and this can be specified when ordering.
Clients can choose from the following colours at no additional cost:
Water tanks : Dark green, bushfeld green, khaki, red, royal blue, winter grass Chemical tanks: Standard - n Normal 0 false false false atural (white), light blue, light yellow

Q. What material is used to manufacture JoJo products?

A. Base polyethylene with pigment anti-oxidants and UV stabilizers to ensure an extended service life. JoJo Tanks uses linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) because its flexibility results in abrasion resistance, good impact strength and superior warp resistance.

Q. Is water stored in a JoJo water tank safe to drink?

A. All JoJo water tanks are lined with a black food safety accredited lining material that inhibits the growth of algae. However, it is not advisable to use rainwater collected off the roof for drinking purposes unless there is no other source of water. If one is in this situation, it is advisable to boil the water before drinking it. This means bringing the water to a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute – an effective means of disinfecting small amounts of water quickly – making it safe to drink.

Q. What is the sizes of the in-/outlet?

A. Vertical water tanks have the following standard fittings :
 

• 40mm water fitting at the bottom;
• inlet and over-flow on top (side) with a 50mm fitting (female) (50/40 reducer);
• 480mm lid with e-clips on top of the tank.

Vertical Chemical Medium and Heavy Duty tanks

• 1 (one) 50mm outlet at the bottom (standard).

Special requests

• Fittings can be made up to 75mm.

Q. Are fittings included in the price?

A. All standard fittings on tanks are included in the price.

Q. Are taps included and what is needed additionally to install a tap?

A. A variety of taps, e.g. plastic or lockable solid brass or nickle plated can be ordered separately at additional costs and a 40/20 reducer is also needed to fit to the tank.

Q. What is the maximum pressure that JoJo tanks can handle?

A. JoJo tanks are designed and manufactured to withstand internal pressure. When a tank is installed below ground level a retaining wall is required to overcome the external pressure created by the surrounding earth – particularly when the tank is empty.

Q. What is the maximum temperature that JoJo tanks can handle?

A. JoJo tanks are designed to withstand the full range of temperatures that occur throughout South Africa. However, liquid stored inside the tank should not exceed 40°C

Q. Where is the nearest JoJo branch, alternatively, where can JoJo products be bought?

A. JoJo has 7 factories : Groblersdal, Limpopo; Camperdown, KZN; Glencoe, KZN; Pretoria, Gauteng; Hopetown, Orania; East-London, E-Cape; Worcester, W-Cape. JoJo products can also be ordered through any Co-operation and the major reputable hardware stores and chains throughout the country.

Q. What is the difference between vertical and horizontal tanks and how does one use them?

A. A vertical tank is the familiar normal upright tank and is used for the storage of water, fertilizers, chemicals and most other liquids.

A horizontal tank is also known as a transporter tank and can be fitted onto the back of a LDV or a truck; it can also be used to build a water-car. It is ideal to transport water to dry, rural areas or building sites. The chemical tanks are often used to transport and store fertilizers, molasses, etc.

Q. Are JoJo water and chemical tanks UV resistant?

A. Yes they are and this UV resistance gives them their durability in harsh SA weather conditions

Q. What is the estimated life expectancy of a tank?

A. JoJo Tanks have a guaranteed life expectancy of 5 years. However properly installed JoJo Tanks have been known to exceed a lifespan in excess of 20 years.

Q. The installation of a septic tank and how it works.

A. Complete installation instructions can be viewed on this website under sanitation; alternatively any JoJo branch can be contacted to request details by fax or e-mail.

Q. We are residents in a communal complex that services its own sewerage within the complex. Our previous system was inadequate to community needs and 4 JoJo tanks were installed. Their proximity to our dwelling unit has caused them to become a nuisance to us. Are there any regulations in existence that would serve to mitigate the nuisance to us? Are local municipalities involved in these regulations?

A. Each municipality in the different regions and provinces functions autonomously with rules and regulations unique to that entity, so we cannot comment on any one particular aspect, and while JoJo tanks were installed, we do not do any installations. JoJo Tanks’ guarantees to our customers cover their tank purchases only.  The nuisance issue would need to be taken up with the governing body or the installer of the tanks.  In order to assist you, we refer you to Mr Leon Cas on 082 414 4900 for advice, as he is an expert on sewerage systems and is familiar with our products.

Q. Can water from basin and bath go through the septic tank - model 1500l?

A. No, soap water or chemicals cannot be used as this will kill the bacteria and stop the normal functioning of the tank.  “Friendly" chemicals can be obtained from most co-ops or shops that specialise in outdoors products.

Q. We have recently purchased 2 x 10 000Lt JoJo tanks and need to build a water tower and platform of +/- 4 meters for each of these tanks. We would like to use gum poles as this will last in our marine environment. Would you be so kind as to advise on the structural design for such a structure?

A. We recommend the installation of our own tank stand that was designed by a structural engineer. We are not in a position to advise on a structure of any other kind of material.

Q. Who are your stockists in Bloemfontein for dog kennels?

A. Contact Janse or Ben at Senwes Co-op in Bloemfontein who will gladly assist you with a quotation.   Telephone: 051 430 2071 or www.senwes.co.za

Q. Must the (6000Lt) conservancy/septic tank be emptied out or can it be used like a French drain?

A. If the tank is used as a conservancy tank, a honey sucker must pump it out on a regular basis. If the tank is used as a septic tank, it has to have an outlet pipe that runs into a French drain.

Q. What is the price & dimensions of the cavalleti blocks?

A. We manufacture the product exclusively for Christie Shial of Equiquip.  Please contact them directly on 079 923 4060 or 082 350 0204.  They will be able to assist on all details

Q. What is the weight of the 10 000Lt tank when full and the dimensions of the base. The tank will be installed onto a lift shaft (3 stories). Are there any precautions to take?

The tank will weigh 10 tons when full. The diameter of the base is 2 200mm. Before we can comment on installing the tank onto the elevator shaft, it would be necessary for you to get a structural engineer to certify that the elevator shaft can hold the weight.

Q. What is the wall thickness of the 1500Lt SG 1.4 horizontal tank

A. The tank wall thickness of 1500 horizontal (SG 1.4) is ±10mm to 11mm
•    SG (specific gravity) refers density of water/liquid e.g. 1 lt water = equals 1 kg of weight
•     1.4 refers to what the tank can be used for (contents) and in this case SG 1.4 is medium chemical
•    SG 1 refers to water
•    SG 1.6 refers to heavy chemical

Q. Can the horizontal/transporter 1000lt tank be used for petrol?

A. Yes

Q. Do you have tanks that can be fitted on trucks?

A. JoJo Tanks manufactures a wide range of horizontal water and chemical tanks (from 240lt to 5500lt) suitable for use in agriculture, chemical and other industries. A horizontal tank is also known as a transporter tank and can be fitted onto the back of an LDV or a truck to build a water-car. Applications include drinking water, fire fighting, irrigation and disaster preparedness

Q. Where can I buy JoJo Tanks?

A. JoJo Tanks has factories in Pretoria, Groblersdal, East London, Worcester, Hopetown, Glencoe and Camperdown. Our main distribution is through the major reputable hardware stores and chains throughout the country as well as leading agricultural co-operations. Contact details for our distributors re available from our website www.jojotanks.co.za

Q. Can I store petrol in my JoJo Tank?

A. JoJo Tanks Our tanks are safe for diesel storage, but we strongly advise against the storage of petrol in them since our raw material does not contain anti-septic. Furthermore, anti-septic is very expensive and if used for a tank that will be installed in the sun, the anti-static will evaporate within 6 months.

Q. Are JoJo dog kennels available in the same colour range as the JoJo Tanks?

A. Yes, but please make your colour preference clear when ordering your kennel. The full colour range is on the website. Please remember that the marble-finish colours carry a premium of approximately 10% over the regular solid colours available.

Q: Do you have tanks that can be fitted on trucks

A: JoJo Tanks manufactures a wide range of horizontal water and chemical tanks (from 240lt to 5500lt) suitable for use in agriculture, chemical and other industries. A horizontal tank is also known as a transporter tank and can be fitted onto the back of a LDV or a truck to build a water-car. Applications include drinking water, fire fighting, irrigation and disaster preparedness

Q: Where can I buy JoJo tanks

A: JoJo Tanks has factories in Pretoria, East London, Worcester, Hopetown, Glencoe and Camperdown. We have distributors nationally – their details are on www.jojotanks.co.za under the “contact us” tab.

Q: Is the JoJo Tanks tank material suitable to store caustic soda (to be used for pH correction)

A: Yes

Q: Can tractor tank be used as a fertilizer tank? Will it withstand a pressure of around 5 bar?

A: We manufacture the tractor tanks for Purest Taste and you can contact them on 017 719 2304/5.  They can be used as a liquid fertilizer tanks.  However, our tanks are not manufactured to withstand any external pressure, and should the tank be modified in any way the guarantee will fall away.

Q: Will the water in the tank turn mouldy if stored and not used for long periods

A: All JoJo tanks are lined with a carbon black food safety accredited lining material to stop algae growth thus ensuring that stored water remains safe for consumption. However, if the tank itself isn’t properly maintained and cleaned and the inlets not properly sealed the water quality will deteriorate.

Q: What is the load capacity required to transport the Ecosan waterless toilet and the installation requirements.  Do you need to empty the container on regular basis? , What is its height, width and length

A: Please contact Ernst Tiedt of Ecosan – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; JoJo Tanks advertises the product, but Ecosan deals with the marketing and distribution thereof.

Q: Can you tailor make a ten thousand litre water tank to have a desludging outlet, 1 water inlet, 1 outlet at the bottom and 1 recirculating outlet 0,5m from the bottom, to withstand water with ph 10-11?

A: Yes, contact our Head Office on 013 262 3021 for the exact specifications

Q: What are the weights of your empty tanks?

A: 750Lt Slimline: ±50kg; 2500Lt: ± 100kg; 5000Lt: ±200kg; 10000Lt: ± 180kg; 20000lt = ± 500kg

Q: Can the 500 liter horizontal tank be placed directly onto level ground as a rainwater tank?

A: The tank is definitely suitable for rainwater harvesting, as long as you order it with a black lining.  The black lining ensures that the water stays fresh much longer as it prevents algae growth.

No tank may be placed on bare ground, since it is not stable and the tank will be damaged by the uneven surface. All tanks must be placed on a solid foundation (a smooth and level concrete slab is ideal) of no less than 100 to 150mm thick or even on a firm, tiled surface.  It is very important that the surface is level and smooth to ensure a robust base for the tank.

Q: Can the 10 000l JoJo tank store diesel outside for long periods of time

A: Our tanks are safe for diesel storage, but we strongly advise against the storage of petrol in them since our raw material does not contain anti-static.  Furthermore, anti-static is very expensive and if used for a tank that will be installed in the sun, the anti-static will evaporate within 6 months.

For the storage of diesel, we would recommend a chemical medium (SG1.4) or heavy duty (SSG1.6) tank fitted with a special diesel seal.

Q: What is your largest horizontal tank

A: The largest horizontal tank we manufacture holds 5500 liters.

Q: My tank is damaged, how do I get it repaired

A: It can be repaired by using a hot air gun to weld a piece of the same plastic as the tank over the split. You are welcome to take the tank to a JoJo plant closest to you and we can arrange for the damage to be repaired at the factory.

Q: Can the JoJo Tank Alert product be used to turn the pump which keeps the tank full in or off?  Can the Tank Alert be used in a reservoir?

A: NO. The wireless JoJo Tank Alert contains an electronic gauge that accurately and reliably measures the water level in your tank and transmits the information to a receiver located in your home.  Communication distance to the receiver is typically greater than 200m and measurement resolution is down to 1cm. It is also only able to measure the depth of the water up to 3m. The same is valid for a reservoir which typically would be deeper than 3m

Q: What is the use of the 6000lt underground tank?

A: The 6000lt underground tank has many uses: storage for greywater, rainwater harvesting, conservancy tank that can be pumped out and/or septic tank. They are the answer when space and accessibility are an issue – especially in an urban environment.  As an underground water storage system it allows for the maximum use of property, allowing for more green space and/or parking on a tight commercial site. Professionally installed, they can be placed under paved light weight traffic areas, driveways, garden beds or lawns providing an eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing solution for rainwater capture and rainwater harvesting.  

Q: Why does the 4500L tank say under roof?

A: The 4500lt tank has almost the same footprint as the 5000lt, but the ± 60mm variation in height makes a huge difference when fitting it under the downpipe of the gutter of a house with a low roof, hence the reference to "under roof", which in the trade became a unique description for this specific product.  Between the two tanks, the difference in volume, however, is a mere 500 liters.

Q: Can I install a horizontal tank for rainwater harvesting?

A: Horizontal tanks are sometimes installed as rainwater harvesting tanks instead of vertical tanks when the height of the available storage space is limited.

Q: What is the difference between the JoJo Slimline rainwater harvesting tank and the Slimline buffer tank:

A: The Slimline rainwater-harvesting tank includes a stainless steel mesh sieve under the lid that keeps out leaves and mosquitoes.  The Slimline buffer tanks provides the option to install a tank that will provide an ongoing water supply when there is a municipal water outage or burst water pipe.  The buffer tank comes without a sieve as the installation is such that your municipal water runs directly from the mains water supply through the tank into the house supply.