calnetalk.com

Durgan · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:18 am Post subject: Utilizing Downspout Rain Water

Utilizing Downspout Rain Water

http://haeha.notlong.com/ 6 June 2008 Installing a tank for collecting eaves trough rain water.

Today a tank was installed to utilize some of the eaves trough rain water. This method is an approach utilizing material readily available, and making the installation as simple as possible. Total time including purchasing the necessary supplies was seven hours.

The 45 gallon drum cost $10.00 readily available from various local recycling companies.
The 3/4 inch NPT tap valve, a boiler drain valve, cost $9.96.
The fence posts cost $8.67 each for a total of $34.68.
Two eaves elbows (2) cost $3.94
Galvanized cable cost $4.42
Clamps cost $3.54
Miscellaneous cost $3.00. Total cost. $69.54

http://focaip.notlong.com/ 8 June 2008 Rain Barrel Project Completed. The down spout was modified for Winter use, when the barrel will be disconnected due to freezing.

http://mochu.notlong.com/ 8 June 2008 Overflow during rainstorm.
The overflow works well. It is raining rather hard at the present time.

http://jahzie.notlong.com/ 10 June 2008 Another barrel added for extra capacity.

http://kohno.notlong.com/ 13 June 2008 Another rainwater collector installed. This will give a total capacity of 180 gallons, and more barrels of 45 gallons can be addded easily, depending upon the useage. This is a "closed" system. No bugs can enter the tanks, so screening is not nesessary. The bungs are only open during rainfall, and to allow air to enter when removing water from the tanks. Notice the modifications to the downspout. Cut off 8 inches of the downpipe and insert a flexible plastic coupling for Winter use, and an elbow running off to the rain barrel. Insert some straps to support the downspout if the existing ones are considered insufficient. This method is 100% leakproof.

http://zuphu.notlong.com/ 16 June 2008 Installing immersion pump to dispense rainfall water. The plastic barrel is filled by gravity from the two top barrels. The pump pressure is almost the same as city water presssure, so I added a garden hose for dispensing water to the flower beds. The pump float automatically switches the system off when the water is too low in the barrel. Basically the system is still an enclosed reservoir, so no bug screening is required. This was a sop to my delicate wife.

http://uawae.notlong.com/ 21 June 2008 Practical Rainwater Collection System Construction Details.

http://ajoosh.notlong.com/ 22 June 2008 Transporting Barrel Rainwater. I got tired of carrying pails of water to the plants, so decided to improve the effort by using the wheelbarrel. With a little care spilling is minimal. The watering labour was reduced considerably.

http://aejak.notlong.com/ 24 June 2008 Downspout Crimping Tool. A downspout crimping tool was received today (Internet) , after I have completed the rainbarrel project. this tool is almost essential when dealing with dowspouts, since often connections must be made with pipes of the same size to insure the water flows inside the pipes. Without the tool connections are difficult. Don't attempt the project with out it.

http://tiegi.notlong.com/ 26 June 2008 Rainwater Delivery System. Improved.
Putting water in whe wheelbarrel had its problems; in that wave action caued spillage. The tub limits wave action, and the wheelbarrel can be pushed at a normal pace. This system is convenient for moving water from the rainbarrels to the area required.

_________________
Durgan. Brantford, ON, Canada Zone 5B
http://aeragh.notlong.com

Geddi · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

Durgan: I just realised, you are a freakin Bot!

If you are not, you are doing a blooming good job of acting like one.
_________________
Democracy is dead.

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4792 Status:

Geddi · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

Local lass: All he/she/it has done is advertising crappy American products!! Hardly apt for human behaviour.
_________________
Democracy is dead.

GTB · Bushton Bushwacker Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2206 Status:

Durgan is a member on a few forums that I peruse and he does post some interesting items.
_________________

Chepfer · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject:

It's true Geddi,

Durgan is a real human being and a very good one to know !.

If you have any questions relating to the outdoors and gardening give him a shout !

chepf

Martin Peck · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:00 pm Post subject:

I've got to admit as a qualified horticulturalist I find it a bit over the top to collect rainwater just get a barrel and downpipe diverter and use a watering can.
But not on any soft plants,seed or seedlings as water butts are just a breeding ground gor fungal spores.
Martin

Chepfer · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

So is it best to water greenhouse plants (tommies, cucumber, corgette etc) with rain water or tap water ......... ?

Martin Peck · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

Once a plant has grown and is stronger use rainwater but not cuttings,seed or seedlings or anything very soft they are suceptable to fungal diseases such as botrytis. Rainwater from a butt is full of fungal spores picked up from the air they then multiply in the stagnant warm water.
Martin

Chepfer · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

Thanks Martin,

That explains why my tomatoes are looking rather ill. they have blackish areas over the leaves, though still producing friut, it seems to be stunted and growing any bigger.