My first thought was put a round of artificial turf on top as a tee-off mat. Lol

I agree.

I'd leave the tank as build up a retaining wall or benches around it to make seatings that way you can buy a fire pit or chiminea to warm you up..concrete already there

We had something like that, but with the weird septic/sewage thing they've got going in Bega Valley. We got a carpenter we knew to build a wooden deck over it. The deck was properly structured, didn't rest on the concrete top, and could be lifted and flipped for access. We put some plant pots on the deck to improve the appearance.

I say to put a deck over the top like the guy above said. Put on some outdoor furniture and make use out of it. Good luck!

I like the idea of a wooden deck that can be flipped for access. I would mention that it is not good feng shui to be relaxing on a deck chair over a body of stagnant water. Or eating bbq on top of a septic tank.

No one eats on top of a septic tank, but having a deck with some plants on it sure was more appealing to look down at from the real deck, than the two concrete monstrosities it hid. That, I think, is the OP's issue - appearance, not dining.

I know this isn't a quick fix, but I would create a large garden bed around the tank with a mixture of small and mid-tall shrubs all the way around to obscure it. See attached picture where we did this at my parents house; you wouldn't know the tank is right there.

No invasive roots, though.

When we moved in to our current house, there was a gazebo over the top of our huge partly in-ground water tank which was not far from the house; it had wonderful views down the valley, and the barbecue was there as well. The open walled structure was built to avoid blocking the access . It had a thick plastic roof which was covered by fronds from the million and one palm trees they had put in around the pool. It was a very practical use of a large expanse of concrete, and had pot plants around the edges to take the eye away from the concrete. Unfortunately we had some wild weather after a few years and the fronds blew away and the plastic deteriorated, and we eventually removed the whole thing, but are planning to recreate something similar . Before any major construction, however, it might be useful to have it checked for any structural weaknesses . A friend of mine has also had her rotary washing line put on the top of the concrete - her point of view was that if the clothes blew off they would land on the concrete rather than the dirt. .

Most of these suggestions are pretty good, but I agree with those who are wary of using this as a deck/seating/eating space. A septic tank should never smell, but when it does, it does!

I'd go with a garden of tall grasses and other perennials around it. The roots will not interfere with the tank but the growth will certainly be tall enough to camouflage it. Also, it will suggest to the eye that what you have there is not concrete but a round pond. No need to add water. The space will do that by itself.

So, Annie and Tele, you are poo pooing eating on a septic tank, then?

It does clearly say water tank not septic. In my old neighborhood as a kid they used to build fake pump houses over them for the look. Then they could be accessed by an actual door. Since it is a Water tank any of the above ideas for a patio or gazebo would work well. You could do a real deck with an access panel in the floor. Then nothing would have to be moved. Our water meter is under our deck, we have a small door that lifts to get to it. It only took a couple hinges.

Simon, ROFL! loudly!!

How about adding a bird bath in the centre then plant with low to medium height shrubs (hopefully some that flower), around the base it so from distance it appears that the bird bath is sitting in the middle of a garden. If you think it will not add to much weight you could also decorate the boring grey concrete with some lovely white pebbles.

I would paint it a dark colour (flat, not gloss paint) so that it disappears from the eye and plant around it with tall grasses etc (pampas grass, flax, toitoi etc) - would not take long for them to shield it from vision. Use a few light weight plastic pots in the middle until they are big enough. Do you need access to the tank? Just have a path coming in from the far side.

We're with the astro turfers! If you need some turf options or ideas have a peak at our range of turfs: http://www.coolaroo.com/synthetic-grass

There are some fantastic ideas in this thread, however! Whatever you decide I have a feeling it's going to be great!

lucky you! your water tank is below ground. I have to look at my 20,000 litre tank outside my kitchen window. It sits on a concrete plinth so I can't even plant around it. I'm too terrified to grow creeping fig on it incase it affects the integrity of the tank. At the moment it has wisteria draping over it, looks lovely in spring but deciduous and it's now becoming too invasive so need to get rid of it.. I also have star jasmine approaching from an arch beside - can't wait for it to take over the tank.. I love all the decorative features suggested but I reckon something like star jasmine might work with some other landscaping features to the side: bench, rock, more plants. The beauty of star jasmine is that it doesn't root, will drape over and can be pulled aside. Every couple of years I put the blower over the top of my water tank it to make sure the leaves don't mulch to create soil on top.

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I have this problem now in our new home. We have a huge ugly inground water tank and I really need new ideas to disguise it.

somewhere to sit while you wait for the helicopter?

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the floor covering is just gravel with a railway sleeper edge...

@ ronalie64, did you have a look at the ideas from everyone in reply to the original question? A pic is good too, in case there's something which suits your situation better than the original pic. You might wanna post it separately too otherwise people scroll and maybe miss your question and make suggestions for the original pic.

Thanks everyone - building anything on a water tank is not a great idea as it is too risky (and against regulations) to put any weight on the concrete lid. This is our only source of drinking water so I am loath to put anything on it that may crack the concrete. I like the idea of painting the top and planting around it - although have to be careful of plants with invasive roots. My other challenge is that we have built a new deck around the front and side of the house (see old deck in original picture) which overlooks the tank - so will be looking straight down on it!