The best solutions for
monitoring a tank remotely
A complete comparison of technologies for remote water-tank monitoring. LoRa, WiFi, GSM and mechanical gauges: the advantages and limitations of each solution.
Knowing how much water remains in your tank without going down to the basement or outside in the rain is the convenience offered by remote-monitoring solutions. With LoRa, WiFi, GSM and mechanical gauges available, this guide helps you choose.
In Belgium, many homes use a rainwater tank for the garden, toilets or other compatible uses. Choosing a system suited to the tank and its location is essential for reliable reserve monitoring.
Contents
visibility 1. Why monitor your tank?
Remote monitoring is a practical water-management tool. It lets owners track their reserve without opening the access hatch, whether the rainwater tank is underground, in a basement or above ground.
Concrete benefits
- Avoid running out of water: adapt usage before the reserve is depleted and protect the pump from running dry.
- Manage the reserve: prioritise essential water uses when the level falls or a dry period is forecast.
- Track consumption: View your daily, weekly and seasonal trends to better manage your budget.
- Detect anomalies: an unusual drop can reveal a leak, pump problem or wasted water.
- Protecting the environment: continuous monitoring reduces the risk of undetected spillage or leakage.
Whether you are going on holiday, own a second home or simply want to avoid manual checks, remote monitoring provides reliable information when you need it.
signal_cellular_alt 2. LoRa sensors (Long Range)
LoRa (Long Range) technology is currently the most popular choice for tank monitoring, and for good reason: it was designed specifically for IoT (Internet of Things) devices in challenging environments.
How does it work?
The LoRa sensor uses a Free frequency band (868 MHz in Europe) to transmit data over long distances (up to 15 km in open field) with extremely low electricity consumption. The data is relayed through a network of gateways to the cloud, where they are accessible from the mobile app.
Benefits
- Exceptional range: works even if the tank is buried or located in a deep cellar.
- Long battery life: up to 3+ years with a battery, thanks to ultra-low power consumption.
- Tankio architecture: the sensor communicates over LoRa with the included gateway; only this gateway uses WiFi for internet access.
- Dedicated gateway: a LoRa gateway installed in the building can receive the sensor without a public-network subscription. Tankio supplies this gateway.
- Ideal for buried tanks: the signal crosses the earth and concrete.
Disadvantages
- Range must be checked between the sensor and gateway, especially for an underground or remote tank.
- Very low data rate (only measurement data, no video).
- A public LoRaWAN deployment may require a subscription; the Tankio architecture uses the included gateway and does not rely on a public LoRaWAN network.
With Tankio, LoRa links the pressure sensor to the included WiFi gateway. The product has neither a direct-WiFi sensor nor a public LoRaWAN subscription.
wifi 3. WiFi sensors
WiFi sensors are the easiest solution to implement for a tank located near your internet router (less than 30 meters).
Benefits
- Easy installation: no additional gateway or subscription.
- OTA Update: firmware can be updated remotely.
- Ideal for above-ground tanks: if the tank is in the garage or next to the house.
Disadvantages
- Limited range: does not cross the thick walls or concrete of a buried cellar.
- High consumption: batteries empty in a few months (often 6 to 12 months).
- Depends on your router: Internet outage = no data.
- Less reliable: Domestic WiFi connections are not always stable.
WiFi remains a valid option for above-ground tanks located in a technical room adjacent to the home, provided you accept more frequent battery changes.
signal_cellular_connected_no_internet_0_bar 4. GSM/4G modules
GSM or 4G modules use a SIM card and transmit data via the mobile network. This is the ultimate backup solution when no other connectivity is available.
Benefits
- Total coverage: operates wherever the Belgian mobile network passes.
- Independent: depends neither on your WiFi nor on a specific LoRa network.
- Ideal for second homes: even in rural or isolated areas.
Disadvantages
- Recurrent subscription: requires a data package (5 to 15€/month).
- High consumption: batteries discharge faster (1 to 3 years).
- Bulkier: modules are often larger and more expensive to buy.
- Obsolescence: the 2G/3G network is being phased out in Belgium.
GSM/4G remains a suitable alternative for tanks in very isolated areas, but its recurrent cost makes it less interesting than LoRa for daily use.
videocam 5. Mechanical gauges and cameras
Before the arrival of the connected objects, we were content with mechanical gauges (float, weight) or simple Measurement rods. Even today, some low-tech or hybrid solutions exist.
Classic mechanical gauge
- Works without electricity or battery.
- Simple and reliable over time.
- You must go to the tank to read the level.
- No alerts, history or remote data.
Connected camera
- A WiFi camera points at the dial of the mechanical gauge.
- Low-cost hybrid solution if the mechanical gauge already exists.
- Reading quality varies according to lighting and angle.
- Requires a stable WiFi connection and a power source.
- Less precise than a dedicated sensor.
These solutions can help, but they do not offer the accuracy or reliability of a dedicated connected sensor. For dependable monitoring, use a purpose-built measurement system.
table_chart 6. Complete comparative table
Here is a comparison of the main technologies available in Belgium to monitor your tank remotely.
| Criteria | LoRa | WiFi | GSM/4G | Mechanical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | up to 15 km | 30-50 m | Everywhere | Visual |
| Battery life | 3+ years | 6-12 months | 1-3 years | N/A |
| Subscription | ~5€/year | None | 5-15€/month | None |
| Underground tank | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Real time alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accuracy | +/- 2% | +/- 2% | +/- 2% | +/- 10% |
| Sensor price | €249 incl. VAT | 50-120€ | 150-300€ | 20-50€ |
| Cost over 5 years | ~€249 incl. VAT | ~150€ | ~500-900€ | 50€ |
checklist 7. Which solution to choose according to your situation?
The choice of the best technology depends on your configuration. Here are our recommendations according to the most common cases in Belgium.
Underground tank or in cellar
Recommendation: LoRa. The majority of Belgian tanks are buried or located in a deep cellar. LoRa penetrates concrete and earth without problems, with a battery life of 3+ years. This is exactly what the tankio sensor proposes.
Rainwater tank above ground
Tankio offers a hydrostatic-pressure sensor for water only. It sends readings over LoRa to the included gateway, which connects to home WiFi. The direct-WiFi sensors and GSM modules described above are generic alternatives, not Tankio product versions.
Isolated secondary residence
Important: Tankio requires WiFi where the included gateway is installed. At a site with no fixed internet access, a generic GSM solution may be more suitable; it is not a Tankio product variant.
Large property or farm
Recommendation: LoRa. Several tanks to watch? LoRa solutions enable multiple sensors to be managed on the same account, with customized alerts for each tank. Find all the features on our page dedicated to the connected sensor.