Large Rainwater Harvesting System

Links to other rainwater videos and an Amazon Parts list is below the Description.
This video describes the Large Rainwater Harvesting System I installed this past weekend in the back of my 24x51 foot garage. I did end up covering the totes with black plastic that I had laying around, with the purpose being to prevent algae buildup. The water harvesting system can hold up to 1200 gallons of water and has multiple methods to clean debris out of the water before it reaches the storage tanks. The rain water harvesting system uses IBC Totes, the First Flush System, and acts like an oversized rain barrel.
See some of our other Rainwater Harvest videos here:
DIY Rainwater Harvesting System: • DIY Rainwater Harvesti...
Large Rainwater Harvesting System Design: • Large Rainwater Harves...
Rainwater Harvesting Lessons Learned: • RainWater Harvesting L...
More Rainwater Harvesting System Lessons Learned: • More Rain Water Catchm...
Rainwater Harvesting Winterization: • Rainwater Harvesting W...
Rainwater Harvesting Spring Preparation: • Rainwater Harvesting S...
Large Rainwater Harvesting System Upgrade - 1200 Gallon to 4500 Gallon: • Large Rainwater Harves...
First Flush Downspout Water Diverter Product Review: • First Flush Downspout ...
Leaf Eater Product Review: • Leaf Eater Product Review
Rainwater Harvesting System in Action Catching rain from Tropical Storm Ida: • Rainwater Harvesting S...
Permaculture Rainwater Harvesting Swale - How to Dig a Swale with a 2-Bottom Plow: • Permaculture Rainwater...
Rainwater Swale 1-Year Update: • Permaculture Rainwater...
Rainwater Harvesting System2: • Rainwater Harvesting S...
Video Tour of Another Completed Rainwater Harvesting Project: • Rainwater Harvest Vide...
How to Stop Algae from Growing in you Rainwater Harvest Tank: • How to Stop Algae From...
Polyethylene Water Tank Repair: • Polyethylene Water Tan...
Where to purchase: (We are an Amazon affiliate and may earn a commission on products you purchase. There is no additional cost to you!)
Leaf Eater Advanced Rain Head- 3 in. Round: amzn.to/3MbgcN6
Downspout First Flush - 3" - amzn.to/3dtUkJK
Rain Harvesting First Flush WDAC02 Filter: amzn.to/2UioB6F
Scotts 25-year pro fabric, 3 by 150-feet: amzn.to/2UCoiSV
0:00 Intro
0:43 The Plan
2:18 Working with Downspouts
3:42 End of Day 1 Install
6:18 Our First Rain in the System
10:34 Bottom Plumbing Installed
12:43 IBC Lid Issue
15:05 Connecting the Whole System Together
16:15 End of Weekend Update
16:52 First Flush Overflow Installed
17:45 Venting the Cap
19:28 Overflow Complete
21:11 Conclusion
The blog post on this project is now posted at: greatescapefarms.com/really-l...
#rainwaterharvesting #rainwater #rainwatersystem

[@mamarrachopunpun]

The best video so far of the system that I am going to build in my house, as it's the cheapest and most efficient. A couple of notes: -Careful with the vent hole. It's enough for mosquitoes to access the tank and spawn inside. -Consider painting the tanks or covering them in black plastic to prevent algae from growing. Thank you for your effort and I hope it keeps working for many years. Cheers from Spain.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for your insights.

[@scrider8464]

Very instructive and well shown. Thank you. Look forward to more.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome. Thanks for the compliment.

[@wolfyaway424242]

Great stuff, good video work, nice to see how much you put into setting it up properly. Keep up the good work.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks Garth!

[@agscheidle]

Hi Todd.... If your plumbing uses two y fittings into each tank, you could just put a small rise/loop (two street 90s) at the end and an outlet tube for the overflow. The water will take the path of least resistance and then just go up, over, and out the loop at the end once the tanks are full.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@jimf1964]

Cute solution for avoiding a syphon. I liked that one. Lots of ways to do an overflow and it seem like this one will work fine. Good job!

[@greatescapefarms]

Thank you for the kind words, Jim!

[@scrippslarry]

What a great job! That was thoroughly entertaining you really thought of everything it seems! Thanks for sharing your documentation of your hard work!

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@cavokdotcom]

This is a great rundown on your system. Thanks so much for sharing! Great to see you found the secret vent on those yellow caps! :)

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@derrick_builds]

Good planning on the anti-siphon system. Nice build. Thanks for the video.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks and you're welcome!

[@afonsosn6895]

Thank you very much for such an informative video. Real questions answered based on effective solutions. Well done, thank you for sharing.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@Thebearcave1776]

Nice system. A 6" pool skimmer basket with a re-usable skimmer basket sock works great on my similar system for screening the 6" Tote hole. Thanks for sharing.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@marshallcahill4958]

Great looking system. I've started with a four-55 gallon barrel system. Had the same problem that you had with my fourth barrel. Pressure would build up and slow down the equalization of water in the four barrels. My system only has 323 square feet of guttered roof. Still, it's amazing how much water you can harvest with one inch of rain. Great job 👍

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for sharing!

[@barndweller4573]

That is fantastic! Make me want to put in a garden.

[@greatescapefarms]

I wish everyone would :)

[@rkanlaya]

I like your setup. I have 12 totes myself. I used for watering the plants and grass. Even with 12 totes it is not enough for me. We water everyday. Thank you goodness that it is raining a lot this week in Florida. Thank for sharing your video.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome.

[@liocean9636]

Thanks a lot! This will help me plan how to use my ICB tote as a rainwater catch.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome!

[@missryanswers773]

@Great Escape Farms speaker in this video. Dear Mr. Farmer, I cannot express to you in this limited space, how much you have taught me about harvesting rain in even the first 12 minutes. I will be moving to an old small 'quaint' hobby farm likely in need of work late summer this year. I have been watching videos and learning about everything from natural scrub brush clearing, to rain water harvesting, tiny home building/city/state regulations, solar power, variety of animal breeds within the animals I may like to keep, guard animals/temperments/feeding/costs/illnesses signs/symptoms, repairing home issues, re-purposing multitudes of items, the genius of wood pallet use, and so much more. But sir, YOU TOPPED THEM ALL MAKING This SO clear, that I could (with man power help-as I'm disabled) do this project and understand what, where and why during the process. Not many videos make all of those questions easy to answer by themselves at the end of any video. If I could, I would give you the Nobel Prize for best teaching video under 25 minutes by non-professional. With verification done by random professional poling of 500 viewers who sought video un-solicited, with >85% of those people being poled who watched it undistributed, being able to repeat how the process is laid out, what the major components are, list 3 important elements to check as you build/connect to keep the system functioning as it is designed for, and tell what all the elements marked in a photograph of the system are for. THAT is what you taught in an easy, zero confusion in your style of teaching nor your voice/word usage, without being condescending NOR over-simplify, or over complicated. GENIUS. I've watched MANY other videos on this. I never thought WHY I kept watching different videos on this because every one I've watched the person teaching it (all have been men as the main speaker in the videos I've seen thus far) were INCREDIBLY excited about the outcome of what this process creates. And it IS VERY EXCITING when you can fill that HUGE container after ONE rain fall ..not a torrential downpour either. Just an inch off one side of your average sized residential roof. (Doubling it all from the other side of the roof-that's amazing to me). I WILL be doing this. I will be watching a lot more of your films and am so thrilled to have such a great teacher willing to share what you know with the world. You are a blessing to me, and likely, throngs of people that you help. Many Thanks.

[@greatescapefarms]

Wow, such kind words! Thank you so much for watching and your review. I wish you good luck on your project and future endeavors.

[@susannejones7698]

with your soil type being clay ... then maybe your overflow pipes could be extended into a pond which you could dig yourself, as an additional water storage source ?

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks! I actually plan on putting in a series of swales that lead over to an existing pond. I may add an additional pond on the way :)

[@commiessuckballs2287]

Lots of good features! Building a cabin and setting up rain collection system soon, and getting ideas. You could do this commercially :) thanks!

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@effeojnedib7208]

Nice job. I've kept mine separate in case one gets a hole in it. I use bag filters and screens from McMaster-Carr. They drop right inside. The filter rim feels like 1/8" rod. It's 7", so secures nicely to the tote port. Thanks for sharing !

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome.

[@megaman2170]

Cool! I built one myself - not really as nice and good as yours, but the end result of fresh water flowing out of a faucet feels really rewarding!

[@greatescapefarms]

Awesome!

[@dpower02]

You can also add other containers over by each garden and use your overflow to fill up garden water for watering bucket hand watering, anywhere that needs water that is at a lower elevation than the holes in your overflow pipe can be fed from the open end of the overflow, looks like a pretty sweet system overall, good video.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the kind words. I see what you are saying - basically daisy-chain tanks together to extend the water storage, as long as they are downhill. Cool idea!

[@susannejones7698]

The Syphon break us a great idea. covering the system with an enclosure, black paint or heavy gauge black plastic wrap will minimise algae growth. Especially if you consider rainwater consumption later on !

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@frenchiedekent8572]

Zip tie I call them 😊 Brilliant installation.

[@greatescapefarms]

We also call them zip ties here (sometimes :) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Eric-gi9kg]

Nice video. Though I have two concerns..(1) the over-flow pipe. The highest your tanks will get is the BOTTOM of the 2" fittings Not half way up. And there really wasn't a need for the "vacuum" holes. Because the water will never fill the 2" pipe. (2) Your totes should have been wrapped in thick black plastic to prevent the sun from build algae. You can paint them now. Just use a good quality plastic only paint. And a side note...To keep down or reduce the chance of algae buildup...You can put in a bacteria ball for ponds. Other than that you did a fine job.

[@secrets2youth]

Eric, are you a farmer or a homesteader? Would love to get acquainted if so as I am going to be creating an off-grid home in the midwest after selling the house. Look forward to hearing from you if you'd like to call between noon and 5 p.m. preferably Pacific time at this moment and that is 949-878-7100. Please text if you do not reach me directly because I rarely listen to voicemail messages. roxi

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@NorKal530]

Great video. Im looking to install something very similar in the side of my home. Those totes would fit very nicely.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@kan-zee]

2:47 good tip ..😎 👍 gonna try that with my new water catch system...cheers

[@greatescapefarms]

Awesome.

[@droidian]

Great job! I think I would use, smaller pipe, paint the containers, and metal shut-offs. The unions and such as a preparation for Winter is awesome. Overflow is a great idea instead of putting it on the gutter. I agree with the less glue, the better. I'll check out your other videos. Thank you.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@kingofcrowntown]

Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@greatescapefarms]

You're welcome.

[@jesser007]

Always happy to see awesome recycling systems! It is my profession! I will advise you and everyone enjoying this to spend the extra money and purchase schedule 80 piping (grey). Grainger is pretty cheap. Especially for your 2'' pieces, unions and connections. Otherwise the sun and weather destroy the outside of the pipe. Also, the zinc from your roof and gutter and natural acids in rain destroy it from the inside. Anyway, good luck to all.... That's all I have to say about that.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@beatamafulu2405]

Jesse r, would you like to help us on a project ? Please. Here is my e-mail address: [e-mail].

[@theodorecoen2793]

You all prolly dont care but does anyone know a trick to log back into an Instagram account? I somehow forgot the account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

[@theodorecoen2793]

@Daxton Winston I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@theodorecoen2793]

@Daxton Winston it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@joseluismacias3878]

Muchas gracias por compartir su tecnica, me a servido mucho para mi proyecto aqui en arizona

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome.

[@EarthlyVibes]

🇨🇦 🇺🇸 thank you so very much for the in-depth explanation. This is exactly what I was looking for. Cheers

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome!

[@jubilee131]

It has been over a year. I experienced an algae problem when I was trying an aquaponics project. I recommend you paint the the totes black because the totes are translucent.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks

[@peterwooldridge7285]

Great video....and some good advice in these comments. We call them cable ties here in Australia

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@freedomfighter2463]

Thank God for internet to connect me to smart and cool people. God bless

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@josh2232]

Freedom Fighter * “Thank man for creating the internet and a platform for people to share videos on”

[@jimanddiana4103]

Enjoyed this, very practical and useful information. Thanks.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@wireman9560]

You are my hero lol, I've been trying to figure out the best way to do this.

[@greatescapefarms]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@josebenitez3732]

Thanks for sharing that little tip on folding over the corners on rain leaders. Quick Fix! Always a bit curious as to the bearing load place on the soil for said cisterns. It seems that the pads are insufficient? Also, any reason why the first flush is so high? How do you manage to clean the leaf screen? Thanks in advance.

[@greatescapefarms]

You're welcome on the tip of folding the corners. I never had any issues with totes sitting on the soil. Nothing ever shifted on me. The first flush is so high so that I can accommodate the first minute of a downpour, because the first minute is when the pollen gets washed down. As for the leaf eater screen, I just stand on the IBC-Totes and reach up to clean it. It is easily within reach.

[@jonnyray5474]

Great! I get these totes from my job at the brewery. This is going to be great

[@greatescapefarms]

Awesome! Keep us posted on your progress.

[@David-yy7lb]

Excellent video I have a rain water harvesting system too but was plagued with algae growth so I did some online searches on how to prevent algae growth and people were saying to use 1 quart of bleach per 250-275 gallons of water and to my surprise it works

[@greatescapefarms]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@Tomterrific-sd7ko]

Will the bleach kill the micro-organisms in your soil that plants need? If so, I suppose periodic purging of the water containing bleach would solve this problem, watching the path of the exiting water? Chlorine bleach disintegrates over time I believe.

[@Odin31b]

Brilliant, thanks for the ideas.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome!

[@MrDavidelliottjr]

I have 14 of these plumbed together. I love off grid. My main water source. I go from 3inch drain pipe to 2 inch pvc woth rubber couplings reducers etc.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@ForWildsSake]

Nice System! Thanks for the Intel!

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome.

[@hypersapien]

I bought my first house last year, and the previous owners had a rain collection tank very similar (the same?) as what you have here. I didn't know anything about rain collection at the time and I thought it was just giant piece of garbage that I would be responsible for getting rid of, so I asked them to get rid of it before I bought the house. Now that I'm learning about rain collection I wish I still had it =(

[@greatescapefarms]

You'll learn a lot more putting your own system together. :)

[@esdrassenra2378]

Great video you may want to consider spray painting these totes black clarity and sun light will build mildew in your water very fast.

[@greatescapefarms]

A few weeks after the video was made, I covered the tanks with black plastic that I had laying around. After that algae was not an issue.

[@thehandiemon3114]

Nice system and great explanations great job bro

[@greatescapefarms]

Well thank you!

[@michellewilson4664]

Well done, but don't forget to cover up the containers with a blackout, to stop alge growth.

[@Odin31b]

Good to know..

[@greatescapefarms]

Yes, that was done a few weeks after. Thanks!

[@christyallen7848]

Good vid,I did notice you are fixing up an over flow tube to take excess water away,am not a plumber but think you should install a vent at the top elbows it just might create a syphen and drain the tanks good luck.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks! I did drill a few holes to solve that potential issue.

[@MaxiiBoii23]

Add some tarp around the frame to prevent algae and uv damage

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@gustavobarroeta6444]

Great video content! Apologies for the intrusion, I would appreciate your opinion. Have you heard the talk about - Proutklarton Protecting Aqua Plan (just google it)? It is an awesome one off product for getting prepared for a mega drought without the hard work. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my cousin at very last got cool success with it.

[@markc1894]

Actually it’s better to use uv blocking paint

[@JamesSmith-pt8dy]

Thanks for the vedios, Moniee-Mon is watching ya 🤔💝

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for watching.

[@valentincanales1862]

Hey thanks for sharing your video.

[@greatescapefarms]

You bet

[@kuzadupa185]

Great job! You may want to paint or somehow cover the outsides of the IBM tanks, so as little sunlight as possible makes its way inside the tanks, to the water. May help prevent the growth of algae.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@lyon406]

Another thing nobody talks about; freezing in the winter! I plan on putting my totes inside my radiant floor heated barn to be able to use the water all year round.

[@bigdickpornsuperstar]

.... or don't live where it snows.

[@PrinceCbass]

I plan on building a solar water heater and plumbing it into my totes. It can use thermosiphon and will keep the water warm enough to not freeze. It can also temper the water for use in the house and reduce any sweating on lines and toilet tanks. Also insulating them with a foam board keeps heat in and also blacks out the tanks to keep algae growth from starting.

[@greatescapefarms]

Awesome! I only need water when we are above freezing. If you have livestock, your solution would be wonderful.

[@abdullahiaweys3197]

Well done engineering And thanks for your Video sharing

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the kind words and you are welcome.

[@ShaneZettelmier]

Lol. It’s like looking at a car with nine wheels. I’m glad it’s working for you though. I’ve done basically the same thing but with 55 gallon drums but I just bent the rain gutter into the hole on one barrel with some nylon net in it to push the leaves away and then near the top of the barrel I just put a piece of PVC with two bulkheads between the two barrels and they fill up an overflow. It’s a whole lot less plumbing. You could also move some of those tanks to the back of your garage and just fill one and run a 2 inch pipe all the way to the back to the other tanks and once they fill up they’ll fill up the other ones and have enough pressure to push the water back there so you don’t have to have them all right in front of your door. But looks like it’s going to work, pretty cool

[@greatescapefarms]

I have upgraded the system to 3100 gallons and will be adding another 1550 gallon tank this year. The design has been working great.

[@fjoa123]

Cool system. You gotta get those tanks painted black tho, otherwise there is gonna be algae buildup in there! About the calculations, you need to consider evaporation, thats possibly why you caught less than expected.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@beatamafulu2405]

Very impressive. 👏🏽

[@greatescapefarms]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@78dnelson]

if you havent already solved the bulging issue i have a suggestion. you could always get a couple more lids and install one way check valves in them

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks

[@ollieox9181]

I have 3 rain barrels set up at my home - 50 gallons each. If there's a week or so of no rain, they'll go dry. But it's very satisfying to harvest rain.

[@greatescapefarms]

I've since moved on to 1500 gallon tanks and have been using two for the last couple of years. I'll be adding a third later this year for a total of 4500 gallons on this system. I use a lot of water running a nursery business.

[@kansasgardener5844]

I was just watching your videos again and just thought about something. Have you painted your totes yet? And something no one has talked about on KZbin. Have you thought about water getting stagnant in one or more of your tanks. It happened to my single tote the first year. You will know because your water will really stink! My solution was to drop a submersible aquarium pump into the tank and just plug it in. Just a thought to keep in mind. :-)

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I didn't have a problem this year because the tanks were empty more than they were full. I use a lot of water for the nursery business and we didn't get much rain last year.

[@beyourself9890]

Maybe you could turn the water like turning compost often if you cant do a pump

[@mattwernecke2342]

Solar rays will keep the water in those big totes clean.

[@gdavies6980]

Matt Wernecke more likely to go mouldy, as the”totes” are transparent, the light WILL turn the water green.

[@adamtanderson75]

@@mattwernecke2342 Your storage tanks need to be opaque. If sunlight is able to get to the water algee will grow. Sunlight isin't going to clean the tanks it will allow algee to grow. There is a reason that the large water storage tanks you can buy are black.

[@ESmith]

I would have the overfill come out of the top of the right most tank’s lid. Obviously you said you wanted to prevent any leakage but that could be remedied by placing this tank slightly lower and mitigate that risk to just him. I have yet to see any leakage for my own system using this method. Anyways, a really nice setup.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@DesiJugaarDIY]

Nice clean and creative .

[@greatescapefarms]

Well thank you very much.

[@PrinceCbass]

another way to stop the auto syphon would be to use a t where you have the 2nd 90degree bend. Have one end of the T facing up with a bit of screen zip tied like the top of the barrel.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@rainwaterharvestingsystem1984]

That's really cool!

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@michaelgavaghan8025]

Just watched your Rain water Video and noticed one of your tank inlets is a straight pipe at 45 degrees at the top and IT is VERY close to the rim at the top. I had the same setup here in Australia. The reason 1 tank is slightly less full is because in a downpour the 45 degree pipe WILL flow almost full bore and a percentage of the water will hit the rim at the top and be lost. Easy solution for you cut back a short section and put another 45 degree bend on the pipe. This gives you a vertical drop inlet like the other tank and NO water is list by this method. Hope this helps?

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@OurSoVaLife]

very well designed system

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks

[@aleksandaralste6601]

Very informative video! How many litters of water I can amass per year if my roof is 50m2 and in my place, the average annual rainfall is about 500 mm2? I want to irrigate about 200 young conifers and I wonder if it's possible only by rainwater considering this fact about average rainfall per year and possibility of collecting? Can you tell me what capacity of canisters I have to install?

[@taohuang359]

As to winterizing, rather than install an additional downspout, what we do is to simply remove the ball from the first flush pipe, and replace the end cap with a plastic flex pipe that connects to an underground drain that directs downspout runoff away from the house and out into our yard. After any hard freeze threat has passed, we reverse the process, catch our spring rains, and fill our tanks for the coming summer’s drought. This arrangement has the additional advantage of flushing out the first flush pipe so that it’s clean and free of debris and sediment come spring.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@toddkimber6725]

How have the Tote's held up over the last few years? Did you end up painting or covering them to prevent green algae build up from sunlight, on the inside of the tote's? Great set-up though, going to use a modified version on my shed.

[@greatescapefarms]

I ended up covering the totes with black plastic I had on hand. Worked like a charm.

[@lynn6799]

@@greatescapefarms how do you keep the water from freezing and breaking the totes in winter? I'd love to do this for rain myself.

[@SG25]

Great video. You mention in the video about a pressure tank and a pump. I was looking at having something like this setup but I don't think the pressure would be enough as is to water my gardens so I would need a pump. Did you end up setting up the pressure tank and pump?

[@greatescapefarms]

I have a pressure tank and a pump. It is enough to run my nursery operations but not enough pressure to run a lawn sprinkler (effectively).

[@orlandopigna7431]

Great Video...I am doing similar in a small cabin in the mountains...do you need to worry about freezing in your area?

[@greatescapefarms]

I do. I did a video on winterizing the system. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHzTl5RnnZ6Bj9k I would do the system different in the future by adding a drain pipe with a valve at the low point so I didn't have to disconnect anything. I'll be adding that fix next year.

[@TheStavros1001]

In ground sprinkler systems have an under ground valve that allows the system to be drained. Would that solve your problem of having to dig up the pipe to empty it in the fall?

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into that and see if it is something I can do with this system.

[@thorman1089]

Great Escape Farms or can just get a tire stem/nipple and can blow it out with an air compressor.

[@margincall7]

Awesome video! I am researching installing my own, albeit smaller scale, rain collection system and this totally covered all the bases for me in terms of questions and concerns. A+ work. I noticed in the comments that you later wrapped the totes in black plastic, which is something I plan to do also. Thanks again for a very educational video!

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome. Thanks for the kind words.

[@jvertrees1988]

This is so cool!

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@craigfleshman2715]

Have you.thought about hooking your runoff at ground level into pipe underground to your plants and hook it into a.drip irrigation system?

[@greatescapefarms]

Nice idea. Thanks.

[@Thekane666]

Hi, you have a nice system but i work with those IBC´s too and i would stack them to a tower because they can handle 1 full IBC on top easily :) thats the way i do it at my property greetings from Austria

[@greatescapefarms]

Thank you for the suggestion.

[@whitenas]

Great video and setup. Thank you for sharing your work and ideas. Can I ask what region you are in?

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks! I'm in zone 7 in the mid Atlantic area (Maryland, USA).

[@greatescapefarms]

Sorry - The farm where the video was taken in West Virginia.

[@taohuang359]

As to your intake, mosquitoes can still enter. Best to place screen filter inside the cutout bottom of a container and connect the entrance pipe through a hole in the lid of the container. Then place this small container into the inlet to the tank. No way for mosquitoes, dust or pollen to enter the tank that way.

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@KODIAKJAYMZ]

Nice design, may copy it

[@greatescapefarms]

Please do. If you have any lessons learned, please share with us.

[@sergeoguedehoussou5684]

This is so amazing 👏🏿 and well crafted. Where did u get the quick disconnect hose coming from the tote, and also, what size hose or fitting did u use at the shutoff valve of the tote? If u don't mind sharing please

[@livingoffthegrid6956]

Thank you so much and I subscribed! 😊

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome and thanks for subscribing.

[@RobPainless]

A couple of neat ideas there. Maybe can put some if it to use on my system.

[@greatescapefarms]

Well great. I've discovered that I need more water in my system and have upgraded to larger tanks and redone the lower plumbing. The video for that system is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fniydHhned6Ie5o

[@MrRloucks]

You mentioned winter. What are your plans to drain the water for the buried pipe that ties the two pairs of tanks together?

[@kansasgardener5844]

Great video! I have a few questions. Do both tanks fill all the way full only being connected to each other on the bottom? Does the overflow work well? I have 2 totes and plan on plumbing them like you did. Thanks.

[@greatescapefarms]

Hi Kansas Gardener. I actually have four tanks tied together with the pipe at the bottom and they all fill equally right up to the top. The overflow works great as well.

[@kansasgardener5844]

That's great! Thank you for the information.

[@greatescapefarms]

You are welcome!

[@Magoover1]

@@greatescapefarms What part of KS are you in?

[@greatescapefarms]

@@Magoover1 Great Escape Farms is in WV. You are probably trying to reach Kansas Gardener

[@jeaninetilley7467]

nice work. could the tanks on the left be elevated and run across top of garage door to tie into the others?

[@greatescapefarms]

Not the way that I have them set up. The water level on all the tanks are the same. If one tank is higher than the other then all the water would drain out of the higher tank.

[@scottmcdonald359]

Loved the video, where did you get the totes from?

[@greatescapefarms]

I found them on Craig's list.

[@royhoco5748]

sir you can buy a small booster pump at Harbor Freight, 3/4 hp with a tank and you can plumb the pump for a water faucette and then right into your tank plumbing. It is not difficult. My tanks are scattered so I mounted the pump on a 4 wheel yard cart for mobility. I also installed a outdoor on/off switch on my pump for ease of turning it on. I prime the pump, hook it to a tank with a short water line and away we go. I get 40 lb of water pressure at 100 feet from the pump

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks!

[@greatescapefarms]

I wrapped them in black plastic this past year. I'll be painting them black going forward.

[@ajemaas]

+Great Escape Farms Lovely video content! Forgive me for the intrusion, I would love your thoughts. Have you considered - Proutklarton Protecting Aqua Plan (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a smashing one of a kind guide for getting prepared for a mega drought without the headache. Ive heard some super things about it and my buddy finally got excellent results with it.

[@Vector_Ze]

AJ Emaas - no need to resort to drastic means such as Google, when alternate and far less invasive search engines are available... duckduckgo.com and ecosia.com for example. I followed your lead and I haven't been able to shake the fishy smell since, pew!

[@ps8432]

Apex roof will catch different amounts of rain fall per side according to the wind direction, and any tall building or tree near will also effect amounts.

[@greatescapefarms]

Yep. Thanks!

[@solfeinberg437]

'Preciate the video. It's cool that you took on the challenge and did it, so take this comment lightly, but I wish there were a video by a really expert person (plumber?/permaculturist) who knew all the issues up front and showed really good ways to deal. You're discovering them and fixing them, so that's good. I mean, we learn by doing, but it'd be nice to have the best starting point possible. I'm going to take this challenge on myself - at least I'm planning too, hopefully I'll execute. I already have the tanks and most of a rough plan. Question: Why put the leafeaters so high? Seems hard to clean them. Hopefully you won't have to very frequently, but it seems you could've set them so you can just reach them.

[@greatescapefarms]

The leaf eaters are high because they have to be above the first flush system. If I moved the leaf eater lower, I'd have to have a smaller first flush system.

[@solfeinberg437]

@@greatescapefarms Thanks for the reply, I did set up three tanks a couple years ago and have had 3000 liters / 750 gallons of rainwater at the turn of a valve. Amazing that they all fill up in one or two big days of rain - we get a lot of rain in TN. If I mulched heavily, that should get me through a Summer drought. Unfortunately I always forget that I have them on - when I'm filling a 32 gallon trash can, which I use to fill the watering can, and then drain it down in the middle of the drought. You could also make the first flushes thicker - or have a couple of 'em together. I just like to be able to reach the leaf eater so I can clean it off easily.

[@greatescapefarms]

@@solfeinberg437 Thanks!

[@vexphoto]

Thank you !

[@greatescapefarms]

You are most welcome!

[@jerrytaylor8754]

If your going use this system you need to paint your water tanks so alegy doesn't grow from sun lite other than that you done a great job

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@dougclick2850]

I have 10000 gallon water catchment at my house in Hawaii. Best water on earth!

[@greatescapefarms]

Absolutely! Do you have any pictures or videos to share?

[@noneofyourbusiness6749]

I've seen mention that one's overflow should be the same diameter as the inflow. you could have more water going in than your overflow can handle otherwise. Since the valves at the bottom of your tanks are snake I don't think there is much you can do about it with your current system.

[@greatescapefarms]

Yea, with the IBC totes, you don't have much choice. There is a 4.5" hole at the top and a 2" hole at the bottom, so unless you are using 2" plumbing at the top, that would be tough to do. I'm changing the tanks out this summer to larger tanks and I'll be moving up to 3" holes on the bottom and 3" pipes on the top. Things will be a bit more balanced then.

[@suicidaljell]

Great Escape Farms what tanks are you upgrading to? For the price I see those totes in my area I would just stack another 4 on top of your existing setup the totes I've seen in my area as low as 20 bucks apiece

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks for the comments. I have seen the IBC-Totes very cheap as well, but the ones I have looked at are not food grade. I need the food grade totes because I'm growing and selling edible plants. If you can find food grade IBC-Totes for under $50, then that is a steal, and yes I'd be doing them all over the place :)

[@solfeinberg437]

Shit I just paid $75 per for 6 of them. Food grade, though. Are the $20 ones? That's so nice. I almost wouldn't care, at that price.

[@piaspermacultureedu9460]

Above the system construct a roof to cover the space in which the totes are. See: DIY Backyard Harvesting Using Repurposed Food Grade Barrels Sep 28, 2014 by Plant Abundance. Myself, I'd choose a hybrid of both ideas: larger storage with greater protection from sun & filtering with natural cleaners like sand, charcoal & moringa seed (where moringa can be grown abundantly or seed purchased cheaply).

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@sal8575]

Amazing setup, how many acres are you on?

[@greatescapefarms]

We have 30+, but I'm only using about 1 for the actual nursery / permaculture showcase at the moment.

[@warrenpeas]

i see these 275 gallon totes for sale on craigslist for 60$ each. might be more cost effective to invest in a 5k gallon storage tank if you were to go above 3k gallons amd if you have the space and means to deliver them.

[@greatescapefarms]

I ended up finding 1500 gallon tanks online. I put 3 of them together giving me 4500 gallons.

[@StraitClownin909]

This is pretty sick. What do you do when the sun beats down on those containers? Does algae form what about evaporation?

[@greatescapefarms]

I covered them with black plastic after the first couple of comments / suggestions.

[@sherryn39455]

I am fixing one just to get rain water for the garden but man I’m have a time fining the correct fitting for the out water, I want to have it for garden hose to hook up,

[@greatescapefarms]

I had to special order the IBC tote fitting itself. Once I got it to PVC I found everything I needed at Lowes. Hope that helps.

[@lukebray2192]

Thanks for the video, is there a concern about algie and covering it in black?

[@greatescapefarms]

There is. We covered the totes with black plastic about a month after the video shoot.

[@gregmarquis1886]

Hello, the overflow pipe that you put, would it work the same with only one tote. I finally found a IBC tote and am concerned about overflow. Is there another way to do it for overflow for a single tote or do I have to do it the same way you did it. Thanks

[@greatescapefarms]

I did a single tote system for my father-inlaw and did it the same way.

[@ludmilaaltman257]

Enjoy with your ideas!

[@greatescapefarms]

Thanks.

[@warningeagle8558]

What about Algee getting in over time, do you plan on using this for personal use if push come to sove?

[@greatescapefarms]

Good catch. I ended up wrapping the IBCs in black plastic a few weeks after the video was made. I hope to never need the water for personal use. I have a good well here that works great for the family. The rainwater catchment is for the nursery business and garden so I don't run the well dry.