AutoPot - FlexiTank 400L foldable water barrel

The AutoPot FlexiTank 400 Litre is the size at which where you put it becomes a permanent decision. Four hundred litres weighs four hundred kilos, and a filled collapsible tank does not get moved. That is not a shortcoming of this tank but a property of every seamed tank.

Why you never shift a filled tank

In a rigid tank the wall carries itself. In a collapsible one the sealed seams hold the contents, and they are designed for an even load running top to bottom. The moment you drag, pull or tilt a partly filled tank, the water shifts and that force lands on a single seam. It is the most common cause of leaks in this type of tank, and manufacturers generally exclude damage from moving under warranty.

Assess the spot before you fill

Check three things first. Will the floor take it: four hundred kilos on a circle 68 cm across is about 1,100 kg per square metre, so no loft or timber floor unless you know it is rated for it. Is the surface flat and clear of sharp objects, including under the fabric. And can you reach the filling point with a hose and the tap with a bucket, because at 111 cm tall you can no longer reach the bottom.

Draining and cleaning

At this size your arm no longer reaches the base, so you clean with water rather than a cloth. Drain through the tap, rinse with clean water and let the rinse run out the same way. Let the inside dry before folding. No abrasives, no harsh cleaners.

Technical Specifications:

• Capacity: 400 litres
• Dimensions when filled: 68 cm diameter x 111 cm high
• Boxed dimensions: 112 x 18.5 x 12.5 cm
• Loading when filled: approximately 1,100 kg per square metre
• Supplied with: tap with click fitting, overflow connector, manual
• Seams: sealed and watertight

Frequently asked questions

Can this tank go upstairs? Only if you know the floor is rated for it. Around 1,100 kg per square metre is more than an ordinary timber upper floor is designed for. If in doubt, ground floor on concrete.

Can I nudge it a little when nearly empty? Not then either. Drain it fully first.

How do I fill it? With a hose from the top. Keep the fill rate manageable and stay with it, because at this volume a mistake escalates quickly.

Why is no boxed weight listed? Supplier and manufacturer figures disagree, so we do not quote a number you cannot build on. The boxed dimensions are reliable.