With its mosquito-proof 955 micron stainless-steel mesh, the Tank Screen prevents mosquitoes from entering your tank via the tank inlets. Importantly, it still allows for a maximum flow rate of up to 11 litres per second and minimises splashing so you don’t just protect your rainwater – you get more of it.
In many countries, states and other jurisdictions, mosquito-proof tank inlet screens are mandatory. Rain Harvesting’s mosquito-proof screens are pre-installed by many leading tank manufacturers. And if your tank doesn’t come with a screen, you can install one yourself.
Tank Screens are the final barrier for keeping leaves, debris, mosquitoes and other pests out of your rainwater. Keeping these contaminants out helps to protect the quality of the water you collect.
Tank Screens provide additional leaf filtering over the area where water directly enters your tank assisting with filtering leaves & debris.
Tank Screens with 955 micron mesh are legally required in some countries and regions (including many Australian states) to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your tank, ensuring a secure system. Tank Screens are installed in tank inlets to keep mosquitoes and other pests out but to allow water to pass through at full flow.
Limit sources of contamination | |
Plan for volume | |
Filter leaves and debris | |
Divert the first flush |
Secure the system | |
Manage standing water | |
Consider a safety net | |
Monitor and maintain |
Installation Guide
If you already have a tank screen installed, remove it prior to installing the new tank screen.
Place the Tank Screen into the inlet hole of the tank, making sure it is approximately centred in the hole, and that the rim of the tank screen covers the inlet fully.
NOTE: If installing together with a Solar Shield place that into the inlet hole of the tank first – refer to solar shield installation instructions.
Secure the Tank Screen in place using screws (up to 8 gauge in size) that are suitable for the tank material.
You should regularly inspect your Tank Screen and remove any leaves or debris. For a more thorough clean, unscrew your Tank Screen and hose it off before reattaching to your tank.
We recommend covering the hole in your tank while cleaning the screen to prevent mosquitoes getting in. For even easier maintenance, consider using a Maintenance Tray – a second, removable screen with handle that sits on top of your tank screen and captures the majority of leaves and debris for easy removal. Alternatively, you may wish to consider installing a Maelstrom Filter rather than using a Tank Screen and Maintenance Tray.
Water bounce occurs when fast flowing water from your tank inlet pipes “bounces” off your mosquito-proof tank inlet screen, reducing your water catchment efficiency. This may occur during heavy downpours, when too many pipes are feeding a single screen, or if your mosquito-proof tank inlet screen has become obstructed by leaves and debris. Replacing your tank inlet screen with a mosquito-proof Maelstrom filter is an effective way to prevent water bounce and improve your water catchment efficiency.
It is common to have two 90mm (3″) pipes feeding a single tank screen. If additional pipes are plumbed, it is important to consider the capacity of your tank overflow outlets. Your outlets should balance your inlet pipe volume so that the combined cross-sectional area of the inlet pipes does not exceed the cross-sectional area of the outlet. You may need to install an additional tank overflow outlet or enlarge your existing one to accommodate the volume of water from additional inlet pipes.
Your tank outlet may be blocked by a blocked Mozzie Stoppa or another obstruction. Alternately, the bottom of your tank overflow may sit above the base of your tank inlet screen and/or tank inlet.
Check your overflow outlet for the presence of a Mozzie Stoppa or other obstruction. If a Mozzie Stoppa is installed, remove and inspect it and clean if necessary before reinstalling it at the outlet or replacing with a Mozzie Stoppa Easy-Clean. Remove any other obstructions from your tank overflow outlet.
If a blocked Mozzie Stoppa or other obstruction is not the cause of your inlet overflow problem or if your inlet overflow problem persists, check to ensure that you have an appropriate height tank overflow for your tank. The bottom of your overflow should sit below the level of your tank inlet screen. If you have an overflow that sits above the base of your tank inlet, you will need to replace it with a lower tank overflow.
No.
Fine particles can accumulate on your tank screen’s mosquito-proof mesh. This may block the water flow. To prevent this problem, regularly maintain your tank screen or replace it with a Maelstrom filter.