@wyndiefeatherstone948 we personally use up the water fairly quickly in the summer heat, so no real algae issues. You want to make sure your materials (barrel, piping, etc) are opaque to stop sunlight from getting in and allowing any algae growth.
@ginglyjoe2659 actually the barrels we got came with plugs on them that had standard threads. So we then found those threads for the transition at Home Depot actually. You can read in more detail on our How-To www.biglivinglittlefootprint.com/diy-stacked-rain-barrel-system/
The way that is set up is genius. Took me a second to look it over, but it appears that your overflow is rigged just above the barrels for maximum collection and the vent lines will actually double as a sight glass or level gauge. Pretty dope!
We use opaque barrels and pipe to cut down on algae growth, and the first section of pipe off the down spout captures most run off from the roof. So it's relatively clean water inside the barrels. That said, they are only used to water plants. We wouldn't recommend drinking from them.
You should have run two 4x4 supports parallel full length with the drums to sit on. The way it is now the barrels have a good chance of collapse over a short period of time. Water is roughly 8 1/2 lbs per gallon, and in 55 gallon barrels is about 467.5 lbs when full, all currently supported by two 4x4's cross ways.
The width of the barrels is relatively small so each horizontal board only has a short span which limits the maximum moment load and resulting strain and deflection. Each barrel sits on 4x 2x4 boards that run horizontally to the uprights where they sit directly on top of a 2x4 board so the load is transferred directly through the wood. 2x4s were sistered together to roughly make a 4x4 but are far easier to source pressure treated and much easier to cut for the average diyer. The horizontal supports are more than capable of carrying the load. I did the load calculations prior to construction and ours has stood for 3 years now without any sag or signs of deterioration
I think u can just stand those 3 barrel side to side and drill a holes add a short clear hose then when one barrel is full then it move to the second barrel. Save on pvc pipe And save on clear hose if u know what I mean
Each barrel is linked to the next so the water collected flows from one to the next. We use the water frequently, and the water isn’t stagnant for weeks in the barrel, so we've never had a mosquito problem.
Yup! It's going on 2 years now and working great. It's a lot of weight, which is why we are so careful to level it when we installed it and designed the structure to carry the load straight down to the concrete.
We winterize it like most other items that hold water. Drain the barrels and then the design allows us to open the overflow bypass to reconnect our gutter system to the existing house drainage system.
We bought the barrels from recycler so they were pretty cheap. There isn't an option to find used, clean IBC totes for anywhere near that price in our area.
Maybe only need a forklift if the tote is full of water. Otherwise, empty they're only like 100 something pounds. But yes the barrels a quite light when empty and less expensive typically 👍
looks like a great setup, i would have probobly nade the stand out of 4x4's instead of 2x4's you have about 1500 lbs of water right there. never ever use that music again.
We originally designed it as 4x4s with notches cut into it but decided that doing two 2x4s put together would be more approachable for most people. It makes the project more like framing a house and less like fine woodworking. 😅
Believe it or not, but the tower is actually plumb. You can even see where we shimmed under the legs to make up for the non level concrete. The pipes lean a little due to the weight of the water, but tower itself is perfect 👌
We don't have a longer video of this specific build, but you can find a detailed How To blog post and DIY plans on our site. www.biglivinglittlefootprint.com/diy-stacked-rain-barrel-system/
DIY Plans here: www.biglivinglittlefootprint.com/diy-stacked-rain-barrel-system/
Do you use up your water fairly fast and do you ever have a problem with algae forming inside the barrels?
@wyndiefeatherstone948 we personally use up the water fairly quickly in the summer heat, so no real algae issues. You want to make sure your materials (barrel, piping, etc) are opaque to stop sunlight from getting in and allowing any algae growth.
Great idea, where did you find the transition fittings from the barrels to your cpvc pipe? It’s obvious they didn’t come from Home Depot lol
@ginglyjoe2659 actually the barrels we got came with plugs on them that had standard threads. So we then found those threads for the transition at Home Depot actually. You can read in more detail on our How-To
www.biglivinglittlefootprint.com/diy-stacked-rain-barrel-system/
@@biglivinglittlefootprint. The link to plans doesn’t seem to work.
The music selected is maddening!😂
nighmare fuel
I had to unmute it to listen. You're right.
It's horrible
The way that is set up is genius. Took me a second to look it over, but it appears that your overflow is rigged just above the barrels for maximum collection and the vent lines will actually double as a sight glass or level gauge. Pretty dope!
@zacharygonsalves5451 thanks! We wanted to engineer it to function well! 💚
excellent idea❤️
Instant sub! 😆 Love this! Love the 🎶!!!
Haha thanks! Lots of cool projects on our channel amd site! ❤️
Lovely.
Wondering, How to maintain and keep clean inside barrels.
We use opaque barrels and pipe to cut down on algae growth, and the first section of pipe off the down spout captures most run off from the roof. So it's relatively clean water inside the barrels. That said, they are only used to water plants. We wouldn't recommend drinking from them.
Thanks
You should have run two 4x4 supports parallel full length with the drums to sit on. The way it is now the barrels have a good chance of collapse over a short period of time. Water is roughly 8 1/2 lbs per gallon, and in 55 gallon barrels is about 467.5 lbs when full, all currently supported by two 4x4's cross ways.
The width of the barrels is relatively small so each horizontal board only has a short span which limits the maximum moment load and resulting strain and deflection. Each barrel sits on 4x 2x4 boards that run horizontally to the uprights where they sit directly on top of a 2x4 board so the load is transferred directly through the wood. 2x4s were sistered together to roughly make a 4x4 but are far easier to source pressure treated and much easier to cut for the average diyer. The horizontal supports are more than capable of carrying the load. I did the load calculations prior to construction and ours has stood for 3 years now without any sag or signs of deterioration
@@biglivinglittlefootprint Outstanding... Then I stand corrected, my compliments.
Love the gleeful lady over the gift of refreshing water.
Is there a longer video
I think u can just stand those 3 barrel side to side and drill a holes add a short clear hose then when one barrel is full then it move to the second barrel. Save on pvc pipe And save on clear hose if u know what I mean
How do you get rid of the water collecting in the bottom of the barrels? Mosquitoes???
Each barrel is linked to the next so the water collected flows from one to the next. We use the water frequently, and the water isn’t stagnant for weeks in the barrel, so we've never had a mosquito problem.
Has this been filled yet? All I see 1350lbs of water compressed into four small footpads but i hope it works out
Yup! It's going on 2 years now and working great. It's a lot of weight, which is why we are so careful to level it when we installed it and designed the structure to carry the load straight down to the concrete.
the concrete will do a fine job of distributing the load over a much greater area
What do you do in freezing weather?
We winterize it like most other items that hold water. Drain the barrels and then the design allows us to open the overflow bypass to reconnect our gutter system to the existing house drainage system.
What’s the small clear hose for?
That let's air escape from the barrels as they fill up with water and it also shows you where your water level for the system is
Could have just stacked two IBC totes in the same space for the same price for 3x the capacity.
We bought the barrels from recycler so they were pretty cheap. There isn't an option to find used, clean IBC totes for anywhere near that price in our area.
Don't you need a forklift for an IBC? I think the drums a better in my opinion, definitely an in my an SUV or ute and be done my one person..
Maybe only need a forklift if the tote is full of water. Otherwise, empty they're only like 100 something pounds. But yes the barrels a quite light when empty and less expensive typically 👍
It may be rainwater; still need some basic filtration of the water, even though it "fell from the sky"
@georgiebestmanutd4746 we use it for our garden and planting beds so there's no need for filtration. Plants drink rainwater all the time 😆
looks like a great setup, i would have probobly nade the stand out of 4x4's instead of 2x4's you have about 1500 lbs of water right there. never ever use that music again.
We originally designed it as 4x4s with notches cut into it but decided that doing two 2x4s put together would be more approachable for most people. It makes the project more like framing a house and less like fine woodworking. 😅
@@biglivinglittlefootprint fair, in that case I would design it for 2 rain barrels. That way it’s less weight.
And as the wood weakens .....
We made it from leftover decking boards. It's pressure treated wood, and built solid. It'll last many many years.
4 bubbles off plumb
Believe it or not, but the tower is actually plumb. You can even see where we shimmed under the legs to make up for the non level concrete. The pipes lean a little due to the weight of the water, but tower itself is perfect 👌
I hate this sound
This design makes no sense
Is there a longer video
We don't have a longer video of this specific build, but you can find a detailed How To blog post and DIY plans on our site. www.biglivinglittlefootprint.com/diy-stacked-rain-barrel-system/
Is there a longer video