Can a toilet be made low-flow by just changing the tank?

Question

Tanks & bowls are sold separately. If tank fits bowl, will it work?

Answer 1

jrm is right. Experiment with bricks, rocks or filled water bottles in the tank until you get the optimum flush with the least amount of water.  Much cheaper than buying a new tank that may or may not work with your bowl.  

Answer 2

I don't see why not, all the water flow is in the tank itself.

However, you may want to check it out, as part of the low-flow system, is the design of the bowls too.

Unless you plan to buy an expensive toilet, I'd suggest you buy the complete unit, it will save you a lot of grief.

And toilets, can be bought for $100.00 and up. Check with your local water company too, as ours gives them out free every year. You have two weeks to install it and return the old one to them for disposal. And I think to prove, you just haven't sold the new unit.

The water company, may also pay you part of the cost for a low-flow toilet. Check their web sites, to see what they offer.

Answer 3

Likely no.  But I heard that you can place an item into the tank to displace the amount of water in the tank.  The toilet will use less water per flush, hopefully saving on your water and sewer bills.

Use a bottle filled with water, or another object.  Just be sure that it doesn't interfere with the operation of the valve and the flush lever.

Answer 4

It may not work.  I moved into a house, that had an older commode, but a newer (smaller) tank.  It simply does not flush properly, as the older bowl was designed to use more water flushing.  Even though the inside parts are working properly, I have to hold the handle down the entire flush, to give more water a chance to enter the tank.

Answer 5

If you are willing to go that route, why change the tank at all?

The ball-c**k valve in the old tank is adjustible for water level.

Just lower the level and you decrease the amount of water you

use per flush.

If the old bowl will work with the lesser amount of water, you;ve

saved yourself some trouble.

Answer 6

You can adjust the water level in any toilet tank, old or new by adjusting the float level.  If you are not the hands on type you can put a brick or two in the tank to displace some of the water content.  Conservationist types have been doing this little trick for years with no ill effects. Good luck.