Hide My Catchment Tank (Pepeekeo: 2014, homes, to buy)

[cagary]

Wife wants to hide the tank from view. I'm thinking of a hedge of Snow Bush (Breynia disticha ). Any other ideas? I don't want anything that has roots that will eventually break the concrete base. There is plenty of deep soil here in Pepeekeo. We're at about 350' in elevation.

[McFrostyJ]

Maybe something like this, with some plants in front of it would look nice.


Backyard X-Scapes 6 ft. H x 8 ft. W x 1 in. D Stained Mahogany Rolled Bamboo Fence-HDD-BF20 at The Home Depot

[OpenD]

How about the pua aloalo, or yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), state flower of Hawai'i? They make a nice privacy fence, and grow tall, so hiding a tank should be a snap.

Don't plant anything too close. In the long run you'll need 360 degree access. Be sure to consider the fire protection aspects, and possible access for water tanker. Have you installed the recommended fire department hose hookup?

[cagary]

Originally Posted by McFrostyJ

Maybe something like this, with some plants in front of it would look nice.


Backyard X-Scapes 6 ft. H x 8 ft. W x 1 in. D Stained Mahogany Rolled Bamboo Fence-HDD-BF20 at The Home Depot

Thanks McFrosty!

That is a beautiful fence, but its a little pricey even if I just cover the half of the tank that faces the house. I also don't think HD has the 4 or 5 pieces I would need in stock and who knows how long I'll have to wait for them to get them in.

[cagary]

Originally Posted by OpenD

How about the pua aloalo, or yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), state flower of Hawai'i? They make a nice privacy fence, and grow tall, so hiding a tank should be a snap.

Don't plant anything too close. In the long run you'll need 360 degree access. Be sure to consider the fire protection aspects, and possible access for water tanker. Have you installed the recommended fire department hose hookup?

Pua aloalo is a great idea. Any idea where I could get some larger than one gallon size? I know they grow fast, but it would be nice to start with a little bit of size.

I know that at some point I'll need 360 access, but cutting Pua aloalo way back doesn't seem to bother it too much. With the metal roof, concrete walls, steel framing and porcelain flooring, there's not much to burn, but I'll check into a FD hook up.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by cagary

Pua aloalo is a great idea. Any idea where I could get some larger than one gallon size? I know they grow fast, but it would be nice to start with a little bit of size.

I've never bought any, just got free canes from neighbors that I stuck in deep holes in the ground and they rooted. To buy larger sizes I'd google "landscape nurseries" and make some calls. I've seen larger sizes occasionally at various farmers markets.

I know that at some point I'll need 360 access, but cutting Pua aloalo way back doesn't seem to bother it too much. With the metal roof, concrete walls, steel framing and porcelain flooring, there's not much to burn, but I'll check into a FD hook up.

I suppose I should be surprised that this requirement of the County Building Code missed everyone's attention until now, but I'm really not surprised, because... well... because this is Hawai'i County.

Here's a previous post on the topic which has most of the pertinent details. It's not hard, not expensive, but can make the difference between having some fire damage in a blaze and losing everything if there's no county water hydrant for the FD to connect to.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/33231257-post43.html

[terracore]

I remember "House Hunters" on the DIY or HGTV network did a dittie about a couple who bought on the big island and were concerned about hiding their catchment tank. As I recall they used a bamboo fence but didn't have enough of it by press time so it was unfinished.

[whtviper1]

Seems the best way to hide a catchment tank is to not buy a place with a catchment tank.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Seems the best way to hide a catchment tank is to not buy a place with a catchment tank.

Unfortunately that would rule out great big hunks of the Big Island, some of which are just plain gorgeous. Something like 1/3 of the homes in Hawai'i County are on rainwater catchment systems.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Unfortunately that would rule out great big hunks of the Big Island

Unfortunately. Or an opportunity. Catching a bunch of acid rain or being subject to droughts seems not good for the overall health of the Hawaiian Islands.