catching water

[wjoerob]

Just a suggestion: black or dark-colored rain barrels discourage the growth of algae, and light or clear-colored ones promote it. Depends, of course, on how quickly the water in the container will be used.

 

[Zick]

Looks like something the "boss" would like done.

How much did the tank cost ?

Look on Craigslist, I see these things on there all the time and usually ranging from $75-125. But just double check what used to be in the tanks, some used to be for holding oil, grease, etc.

 

[SARG]

Good tip.... I'll do that. Thanks.

 

[outinthetalgrass]

ok, here was my solution to the same issue... just wife not mil.

I found two of the 275 gallon tanks on e-bay for 40.00 each. I drove 50 miles and picked them up, took them to the quarter car wash, and washed them out completely.
I them took one and set it up on a 2' pedistal of cinder blocks. the other one I put in a compact pickup truck bed that had been made into a trailer.
the garage gutter drains into the first tank, and I use a pump to pump water into the trailer tank. then I can hook it up to the tractor, and pull it around the 2 acre yard for the wife to water her fruit trees, grape, rasberry, blueberry & blackberry vines, plus the flowers and widbreak trees. I would be all day hauling it 5 gallons at a time around the yard.
attached are pictures of the permanent tank, and the trailer

 

[dcyrilc]

I have three or four of those tanks laying around. Rented my front building out to some guys who were collecting, filtering, and selling vegitable oil for a while. They used the tanks for storage and just left them when they left. I also have quite a few 55 gallon drums.

If anyone around the Seattle area would like some, PM me.

 

[Uncle Doug]

Those crate tanks are selling for around $100 in the Houston area. Been wanting to get me one to use for the garden at the church as the garden is a couple thousand feet behind the church. I like the trailer idea also.

At home I have a 30 gal poly tank that sits below a window ac unit to catch condensate. I was amazed at how much water collects in the tank. We dip out of the tank to water a couple of fruit trees near by.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Saw a guy watering plants the other day with one of these lifted about 10' up in the air with a large lift, had garden hose attached.

I want to put a larger tank behind my barn.

 

[archerm3]

I like the elevated platform idea.

Around here there are many remote, non-electrified camps that have water cisterns built 6 to 8 feet off the ground (one I know off has the cistern on top of a huge rock 10 or 12 feet off the ground). They use gas powered pumps to pump the "collected" rain water in up to the cistern. Many even run through gas hot water heaters with even pressure to get back up to sinks and showers. It is amazing how much pressure that volume and elevation provide.

I say build the platform as high as you can then the MIL can just use a hose like it was connected to the house. Good luck.

Remember, it's just the elevation that provides the pressure. Volume just keeps the elevation at a higher level for longer.