How to Install a 5000 gallon Rainwater Harvesting System

[@erichemard7066]

I installed the setup on my homestead about 5 years ago. I went a different route but same concept. I have a 5000 gal tank on either side of the house. Both tanks are plumbed to a water pump with a pressure tank. We use rain water for the laundry and toilets and well water for cooking and showers. I also plumbed in a manifold in which I can use the rainwater for the entire house and vice versa for the well water. It makes a huge difference during the dry season here in Texas.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yes! A huge difference. Way to go. That’s awesome!

[@erichemard7066]

@@BetterTogetherLife I can send you a diagram of the manifold and distribution. It’s fairly easy to assemble. It’s all 2” PVC with a few valves.

[@mohammedali808]

You did it right. He needs a water pump for sure.

[@prodigirl1]

wish I was as smart as you! God bless you for your brains to figure it out

[@PrinceAndreiVeloso]

good day sir, is there any way to reach or contact you?

[@jamisongbj]

That "T" fitting is called a Tee-Wye and that black coupling is a Fernco style fitting. Word of advice on the Sch40 too, paint it so the sun doesn't degrade it so quickly. That kind of pipe is meant to be buried or in walls and not exposed. It will degrade and become brittle. Also, the pic you showed was DWV Sch40 which is meant for drainage. You should make sure you let people know that so someone doesn't decide to apply something that puts internal pressure like a pump on something like this and the pipe bursts. Some stainless bug screen would be good for the intake opening and you should put a flapper backflow valve inline would be a good idea so you don't somehow have water going back up to your gutters.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Just use gray ridgid PVC, its sunlight resistant.....

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Its a combination wye and eighth bend.... Plumbers just call them combos or combinations....

[@KeoniKoa]

@@bigglilwayne7050 I just read your comment and was happy to see you posted it within 30 minutes. If I have a small crawl space under my house (not enclosed, but on piers), is it okay to use the white Sch40 pipe for plumbing since it won't be in direct Sunlight and also what type of insulation would you recommend for the places where the pipe will not be underground?

[@rebelonatrail1182]

I literally applauded when that pipe went in for the second tank!

[@yardman8842]

This video helpen me alote going to rewatch it when i hit the gym in about 10 min cause im working on setting up a rain harvesting company

[@crackerjax4330]

Where the water drops from the gutter into the pipe, you can place a bell coupling at the top of the pipe to catch the water and just place a screen over it. Love the idea of the straight down cleanout. Going to try it.

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

I like the first flush diverters with the ball that floats up and seals off the contaminated flushed off water

[@armyreconm60]

Hello I write to you all from AUSTRALIA yes here it becomes extremely hot ..Water is life I agree with most of your Video and found one fault that you could make better ..you have the water Polly running from your Cutter to your tanks,As a feed ..What you can do is have the same set up th at you have but instead of the water the water over the top from cutter to tank, Dig the pipe under ground and back up to your tank looking at your height from your Cutter to tank height it will run under it's own pressure as the Roof gutter is higher than your tank Why do we do it this way .. If you have pipes that run over the top they can be damaged buy dead fall and makes moving around your yard in the area of the house and tank a little hard Great Video and a beautiful Home Kind regards and greetings from Australia 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@tammyprovost936]

You could do like Justin always says use it up wear it out make it do or do without and that's exactly what you did with those that is amazing thank you so much for showing this and God bless I really like this

[@davidriley8590]

Interesting from DR over in the UK.

[@TheDomain16]

You definitely want to use a hole saw, they have every size you can think of and you'll end up with a much better hole.

[@prodigirl1]

how do you catch the circle piece once it's cut so it doesn't fall inside?

[@BrainStormAcres]

Nice setup. We’re about to expand our rainwater system in our place. Busy debating tanks or a pond. We need a large storage capacity - and county regulations may make the decision for us. Take care.

[@phualvamelmuhtongsancollec5259]

In my opinion, it looks like the first flush and the pipe to the tank connector is upside down, so there will be some dirt can flow to the tank. Every tank doesn't need over flow drain pipe as long as the over flow pipe on one tank is big enough to flow out equally to the incoming rain wanter and the tanks are connected and work as one.

[@stevenmayhew3944]

One suggestion to help people understand how both tanks connected at the bottom fills up at the same time even though only one is connected to the rain gutter: take two clear plastic cups, drill a hole on the side near the bottom of each, and then connect a tube between the two. Then try to fill one up without filling the other, and the water will transfer through the tube into the other cup and fill it to the same level as the first one. That will help people to understand how both tanks are able to fill at once.

[@cdfield]

I did not hear him address releasing pressure inside the tank during that part of the video - I realize later he talked about his overflow system which would address a release for internal air pressure, but I wish he mentioned it while discussing the equilibrium part because that is an important consideration for people to know.

[@roblawrence9495]

@@cdfield I believe the big lid on Norwesco tanks is vented, so pressure is relieved regardless. But yes, if the tanks were otherwise airtight, the overflow would vent them.

[@sharonanspach2734]

GREAT VIDEO! surely taught me a lot..can't wait to see it totally working for your homestead, gardens, and animals!!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you Sharon!!!!!

[@sal8575]

Great system, I will be using your ideas thank you! I think I'll use a pvc union in the middle connector. I seen a great you tube video where they put a inline water pump from harbor freight running on a solar panel so that way you could constant pressure!

[@ericbarton4781]

I was hoping to do something like this, with a water pump to allow pressure for the water to be routed into the house. Can you share the link?

[@dangerousliberty]

11:40 wrap the thread tape so the tail is trailing as you screw it in. If the tail is on the leading edge it will un wrap as you screw it in

[@reubprue8602]

Very nice. If you want to do away with the extra costly pipe on your next project that you were talking about, you may want to consider doing it the way I did. I used 4 inch pipe just like you did as a down spot except instead of the crossover pipe to the tanks, I drilled a 3/4 in hole in the down spot pipe near the clean-out and attached a brass adapter 3/4 pipe thread to 3/4 garden hose. Water in the 4 inch down spot pipe backs up and pumps water to anywhere on the property that's just under the height of your down spot pipe or gutter through the process, water seeks it's own level. It's now portable and can be moved anywhere and as far as you want to go as long as you don't go higher then your gutter. Or, you could bury it permanently. I have several tanks dotted around the property hundreds of feet apart for convenience so I prefer the garden hose to remains portable. This way you do away with a lot of expensive pipe cost and unsightly plumbing weaved all over the place. I hope this was clear enough to understand. Good luck!

[@lauramonahan9343]

So, you use the garden hose to fill the further tanks that are below the gutter height? I have a 13-acre property and this would be very helpful for stock water and pasture irrigation if we had tanks further away. Our collection spots are at the higher points in our gently rolling property that we are just starting to develop into a farmstead. Thank you for your input.

[@prodigirl1]

I think this is a great idea. I'm glad for everyone's input from their own experience

[@cutterdog655]

What a blessing this video is for my family. We are about to move a small single wide onto our homestead and it is my goal to gutter it right away to harvest water. This system is great. I am in north central Texas, not sure what neck of the woods you homestead. Would love more information from you, And to talk to your pro installer. You are doing a great job! Thank you.

[@pobo6113]

Love your tank system. You do need mosquito netting so they done get into your tanks. A suggestion for the other side rain catchment. If you do want to add that rain to your existing tanks just run down spouts from the gutter with an elbow making them horizontal straight back and connect to your pipe going into your tank. I did this on my house and it wire great. That way you don’t have to pump it up into your tank. Good video.

[@HarposHippieHollow]

Where did you buy the tanks ? Each tank 2500 gallon ? How cold can it get before the water freezes inside the tank ? Any info would be helpful. Tnx

[@BetterTogetherLife]

I’m not sure how the cold….we live in Texas. 😂😂 But we got the tanks here: Rain Harvesting Rebate Finder www.ntotank.com/rain-harvesting-rebate-finder

[@nzmak3220]

never let downspout go directly into the garden, you need some catchment tank to reduce water energy coming down to your garden.

[@madhumitaroy1134]

Rain water harvesting must

[@BetterTogetherLife]

YES!!!

[@karenzaller9659]

Hey guys I really enjoy your videos. It would be so nice to see more of the inside daily life with the kids and gardening. All of these things come together to make your life better together, right? We want more.

[@StacyForest738]

I think are more geared towards teaching, which I appreciate. If I need to see how to catch rainwater, I don’t want to wade through home movies.

[@SimplyJanHomestead]

I love your water system! What an incredible company and support system! ❤️

[@JodianGaming]

I might have put that first "T", at the rain gutter, on backwards so the water HAS to go into the drop pipe, then back up to the storage tanks. That would pretty much stop ALL sediment from going into your storage tanks.

[@anthonyortiz7924]

Dude... this is an awesome suggestion! I don't need the support beam so it would just connect directly to the tank, but I was wondering a good way to catch any sediment and how to detect it and remove it, and your idea, combined with a small *transparent* drop section, would make it obvious when there's too much sediment and provides a way to quickly detect it and remove it by adding a cap to the bottom of the drop pipe. Nice!!

[@FloridaShawn123]

Yes, that "Y" tube connector at the top near your gutter and the start of the PVC, is upside down... as some of the gutter sediment/particles/etc. could bypass the direct down turn, and instead flow directly into the tank. By putting the "Y" the opposite way you have it... you force all the gutter water (and contaminants) to go down the downspout, and as it back-fills up the downspout, it will then have only water flow into the tanks, as the contaminants (being heavier) will sink to the bottom of the downspout. And then... u need a "slow" leak in your down spout for future rains to "re-catch" new sediment.

[@markwilhelm3892]

First off let me say I enjoyed your video, enjoy your personality and think you did a good job on the project for the most part. Kudos on admitting your weakness in this particular area and hiring someone that knows more than you to help you out. HOWEVER, I've been reading the comments and I think you may be in denial in regards to the size of your overflow pipe. Due to what I thought was a rather nasty conversation further down in the comments, I guess I must provide my credentials in order to qualify my suggestions as I weigh in on this subject. I have worked at a power plant for 13 years as an operator (boilers, water treatment, turbines and the like) and now as an Electrician and Instrument tech. (We deal A LOT with pipes, valves, pressures, flows etc. at the power plant as we troubleshoot systems and improve upon professional engineering in order to make the systems work at an optimum level). I have a degree in Power Plant Fundamentals and a BS in Business Administration. In addition I have been a plumber for 15 years and own my own farm. So hopefully I'm qualified to chime in here. As was stated by other commentators, If you have a heavy rainstorm when your tanks are already full or close to it, and your inlet pipe is 4", your outlet HAS TO BE THE SAME SIZE OR LARGER to allow complete flow through, or it WILL BACK UP and OVERFLOW YOUR GUTTER. Denying this is akin to denying that your car's gas tank will not overflow as long as your engine is running while you are fueling your car. A large inlet pipe will eventually overflow a tank if the outlet cannot accommodate the same flow. Sometimes a larger (than the inlet) effluent pipe is needed to compensate for friction loss, horizontal vs vertical run, different head pressures etc. You will not see an overflow of your gutter if your tanks are empty enough to collect all the rain of that particular storm, or if the storm is light enough that a 1" pipe could handle 100% of the flow regardless of if your inlet was 1" pipe or 4" pipe. If you do not believe that your rain collection system's flow will ever overcome a 1" pipe, then you could have saved a ton of money and just used 1" pipe on the inlet piping. However, that is obviously not the case and a larger size of inlet piping is definitely warranted. Good job on the project though. Nobody is perfect. Just pause a moment to see what everyone is trying to tell you.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you Mr Mark for the comment! :) My only question..... ok I have one main question with multiple points, so please forgive my bluntness and using bullet points: • why would my rain harvesting system designer design it this way? • Why would my ag extension agency (who gave me a $3000 rebate) come out to inspect the design approve me? • how does a 4 inch pipe of PVC get completely full of water has it flows down from the gutter? This is the main question to me. My outlet from my gutter isn't even 4 inches. We WAY over sized the 4 inch pipe compared to what the outlet of the gutter is. I would say the gutter is max 3 inches and probably is closer to 2 inches. So yes again it is possible.... but seems to me very unlikely especially because I will be always using the water in the tanks like you mentioned. GREAT conversation, I LOVE IT!!! :)

[@markwilhelm3892]

@@BetterTogetherLife SImply put, designers are not perfect. Inspector's aren't either, and they made a mistake. There are several craft related mistakes that were made in the design and implementation that other posters pointed out that are worth noting when evaluating the professional level of the designer. The 4" pipe probably will not get completely full unless there is back pressure created by backfall, which I could not verify without setting a level on your inlet's horizontal run. But you bring up a pertinent point in that your system is effectively orificed at the rain gutter outlet to 3". At that point, you should have gone with a 2-3" pipe as increasing piping size after an orifice gains you nothing in this particular application. Just make sure that your inlet and outlet pipe sizes match. In an effort to consult industry specific experts, I just did a quick google search on "rain water harvesting overflow sizing" This is a direct quotation taken from the website rainwatermanagement.com/blogs/news/rainwater-harvesting-101-tank-overflow "A few things to consider when installing an overflow: Match the overflow pipe size to the inlet pipe size. This makes sure the overflow can keep up with the incoming water if your tank is full of water. Example: If you have a 4" inlet to your tank, you'll want your overflow to be 4". Ensure that the overflow pipe is installed at a lower elevation than the inlet pipe. In most instances, you want to make sure that the overflow is a minimum of half the pipe diameter below the inlet pipe. This allows for overflow before backing up into the pre-tank filter/inlet pipe." Even after becoming fully aware of the mistake, you may choose to not remedy the problem, as the gain may not justify the expense. Your system will function as is, but your overflow system is definitely not optimal.

[@CleoCastonguay47]

Hey Beau, great video! Thanks for walking us step by step through the whole process. I hope your tanks fill up well and that you harvest enough rainwater for your animals. I'm not sure I understand how you're going to connect the front gutters to your tanks but I'm sure you'll show us how you'll achieve this in a video. I love to follow you. Hey from Canada, Hey ! :)

[@TheTyrial86]

If you used unions, you would be able to take this apart and clean it out. Saving $20 by not using them is a waste.

[@mermaidswhimsy8601]

You could also use the extra line that goes to the ground to attach a hose to use and spray your deck or what ever if you got a standard spicket in there. Thanks for sharing. Our family is doing very similar things. We are going to be building our homestead in Missouri soon!

[@ukgardener973]

Fantastic! And thanks for sharing. Thumbs up!

[@agostinhoantonio6835]

I really love your video and I dream to have a same tank like yours. Its amazing job you done.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yay THANK YOU!!!!

[@Dan-oj7cd]

Good job ,if it works for you why not,enjoy the new year

[@scottharvey7730]

The way you connected the overflow is how you should connect the balance line. Allows for more movement and is easier to service.

[@aduchene6091]

Did you ever have any problems with the course gravel bed and the weight of the tanks? Any leaks on the bottom? I have been told to put down a bed of pea gravel or sand. Thanks.

[@dextervandendowe8329]

Best get your foundation under your tanks smoothed out (with sand). nothing like 500p/sqi rock pressing up on your plastic tank. will make a hole in no time.

[@roostercogburn809]

He has no problems with that gravel bed.

[@JohnBoehners]

Agreed. 1/4"- is best. That gravel looks like a hole in the making!

[@roostercogburn809]

That 2500 gallon tank, when full will displace 415 pounds per SF, or 2.88 pounds per square inch.

[@eileenmccabe6148]

How do you prepare the foundation? I have seen videos where the tank is half buried. How deep is the crushed rock bed you used?

[@melissaarterburn8288]

Love your ideas. I am going to apply some of what I learned while building my own. Thanks.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yay, Melissa!

[@tybell8899]

Keep an eye on that "CENTER" PVC pipe between the tanks.. Once the tanks start to settle, they will not settle at the same rate.. Maybe it will be close enough.. But hopefully, the difference wont cause any damage.. Especially during high winds.. Yes, high winds.. Good luck..

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh wow that is a great point!!! Thank you!

[@nycelectrician5796]

I would've spent a bit more and put those big tanks on a good concrete slab just to avoid uneven settling of each one. Otherwise, your video is very helpful!

[@rhondasnair9304]

This is Awesome Love this video and so happy for yall. Can't wait to do ours 1 day

[@jasonelliott2055]

I wouldn't be worried about getting into the tanks, I'd be concerned with getting out! I wish there was a rebate program for Oklahoma.

[@sj-gw9wq]

This was really helpful, thank you. One question please, though. If both fill evenly with just the one inlet pipe, why don't both drain evenly from the over flow pipe? I mean why does each tank need it's own over-flow pipe? If one tank went down, wouldn't both tanks go down together? I cannot afford a giant tank like yours, but I want to hook a series of rain barrels to over flow in to my old underground cistern. What if on each barrel, a few inches down from the top, I put a pipe from one to the other, barrel to barrel, with the last one being the pipe that over flows into the cistern? Open to suggestions, thank you.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Sure you can have multiple overflow pipes. We just did it this way for ease of installation.

[@nemanjagradinac5419]

Hi mate you may want to put rodent screens on your overflow pipes (this is a regulation in UK), I would also argue to put a rodent screen on your 4" inlet pipe due to the nature of the usage as you don't want birds or rats climbing into your tank, it also would serve as a brilliant strainer on your inlet pipe. And all a rodent screen is is a fitting (similar in looks to a union or a coupler) with fine mesh inside. I can see you've done a good job of it, may as well do this to future proof it a tad 👍😃

[@lauramonahan9343]

OMG, the visual that comes to mind is shocking, but you are so right!

[@brianwarren9895]

Hey - nice video, super helpful. I had a question: did you use anything besides gravel for your foundation to create a smoother surface? Have you had any issues with the gravel puncturing holes in the bottom of the tanks? I heard that this can be a problem - maybe for larger tanks, but it didnt look like you had smoother the your foundation surface with sand, so was curious if it should be a concern. thanks!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

My rocks were a little bigger, but the rock that I used had some kind of “binder” liquid stuff in it or something. And it basically created a smooth concrete like pad. We used the same stuff for our Shed to Studio foundation and it works well. But yes, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little concerned. But we’ve had ZERO issues for the last 2.5 years.

[@jonm80]

Ever thought about a Hydroponic Greenhouse setup? Might be great and help mitigate that TX heat.

[@commonman711]

You should paint the PVC pipe. It is not UV stable and will become brittle and potentially crack with prolonged exposure to the sun.

[@MrCarnagh]

Wouldn’t having a 1inch overflow be too small when you have 4inch coming in? I always thought the overflow had to be at least equal to the inlet

[@Rophimbaworld]

You made it so simple that i fully understood your system. Im living in the tropics. We have them rain plenty here but I have a land rather on a remote place. Im going to build my rain harvesting system minus the insulation. Any suggestions on filtration system? I wanted to fully utilise the collected water Drinking and cooking.

[@raremedium4091]

🤣that's what she said🤣🤣 he said under his breath. Excellent. ❤

[@mikeiturralde4910]

That pipe needs UV paint or a cover of some sort, the sun and weather can and will make the pipe brittle to the point that a light hit will break it. With that being said, awesome system, very smart reclaim system.

[@jstoutimore]

I'm new to this, so maybe this is a dumb question, but how did last winter's "Big Freeze" affect your system?

[@rebelonatrail1182]

A good way to explain this is that the water will go to the place of least pressure.

[@kaikoroma3631]

How do you clean the big tanks? Are there openings with covers on top of the tanks to enter the tanks for cleaning?

[@anthonylandrum63]

you only need one overflow pipe, since, as you pointed out, the tanks are self leveling.

[@ericfraser7543]

Poly pipe (sprinkler hose or even supply hose) is a lot cheaper than pvc, more flexible... and wont break like PVC and is weather resistant. Also will handle higher pressure if you add a pump to your system.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

You don’t use poly for inlets

[@ericfraser7543]

@@BetterTogetherLife It depends on how much water you plan on catching. your overflow transitions to 1 inch PVC, that could have easily been 1 inch poly pipe. That said you have a 4 inch inlet to your tanks, what happens when they become full? that overflow is not going to handle a torrent of rain coming down that 4 inch system it will back up, much like it would using 2 inch poly as your inlet. The size of your inlet should match the size of your overflow, there is no need to cut a hole in the top of your tank to fill it, it can be filled using the bulkhead fitting at the bottom of the tank and gravity. There are ways of plumbing your downspouts to handle a backup due to and undersized inlet line. The size on the inlet need only match the size of a typical storm and not handle the worst case.

[@d.j.robinson9424]

VERY inspirational. GREAT job buddy.

[@darwincrabtree6580]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. One observation: I think you said that you wanted to eventually bring 4" from your front gutter to the storage tanks by travelling under the house. I would think that on a gravity feed system, that would create a significant "head pressure" problem. Wouldnt you need to bring the 4" line from the front gutter at least the same elevation as the outlet of the rear gutter system? Seems that anything lower would result in backflow. Yes/no? Great vide

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Thank you! Well rainwater storage is like a lake, it will always find LEVEL. So all you have to do is plumb them together and they will fill at the exact same level. So as long as the INLET is higher than the OUTLET they water will flow.

[@ajfvajf5]

Be sure to paint the PVC pipes to protect from UV deterioration

[@azmel20]

im think this is uPVC pipe, and have more tolerant than normal PVC pipe.

[@anthonylandrum63]

what would you do differently? thanks for sharing. Tony/Texas

[@reneepuvvada]

Idea for your Leaf Eater: instead of using that sanitary tee right up on that gutter downspout, connect a piece of straight pipe down from the downspout, then Leaf Eater, then straight pipe, then sanitary tee to your first flush and main inlet pipe.

[@SnipercuteVlogsTeamALRYANS1103]

Interesting vedio nice sharing sir

[@houstonfirefox]

I'm worried about overflow capacity during a heavy rain event. You have 4" going into the tank but only 1" overflow with several 90s impeding the flow. If it's a heavy enough rain it could overflow back into the gutter.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Well, if our system is completely full and there is a backup....then we can just open the first flush pipe. Easy peasy! BUT!!!!! This is an EXCELLENT comment/question for next week's Q&A!!!!!!

[@TheTyrial86]

@@BetterTogetherLife You should be thinking about installing a one way valve to keep that from happening.

[@tylerneedham6693]

I was going to mention that!! You want more discharge than feed

[@edmundc3191]

Correct... basic math ... say the over flow Pipe is not enough ... if it have not happen yet then simply means the rain fall so far is for 1” only ... heavy rainfall That reaches a volume of 2” Will already give the system problem

[@sammypratt4884]

My thought exactly on the overflow.

[@MR-ri1qp]

Your first Wye is upside down. In order for a first flush system to be effective, the vertical pipe must fill up, and then backfill into the containers. Your containers are still getting contaminants into them.

[@rogaineablar5608]

Should put the tanks on the side of the house, that way both front and back gutters could meet in the middle.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

We didn’t want it there due to it being super ugly when we drive up. But yes, that would have worked easier. 😁👍🏻

[@rogaineablar5608]

@@BetterTogetherLife Makes sense.

[@livingoffthegrid6956]

Thank you so much and I subscribed! 😊

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Wow, THANK YOU soooooo much!!!!!!!!

[@freemankenyoane2883]

Hii.. How come your overflow pipe is smaller than your pipe collecting water from the gutter?? Don't you think your inflow will be greater than the outflow or the overflow. I'm just curious... am I missing something?? Anyways it's beautiful how this has been set up.. great job both of you. 👍

[@OKRMetric]

your overflow pipes will possibly be a problem.. you are running what looks o be a 1 or 2 inch pipe out of each tank and then bringing them together at the bottom into a pipe that looks o be half the size. that will severely restrict the flow and may cause backup in heavy rain. just a thought... great video thanks..

[@lionolee5480]

Where are you guys out off? We are currently looking to move out of the city and start our homestead but don’t know where to begin any idea is better then our thanks

[@jefferybublitz7968]

I enjoyed ur presentation, & sharing of all that u accomplished in this video. Thanks for sharing. Brthrn Jeff B.

[@risunokairu]

How is it holding up? PVC pipe becomes brittle and breaks down in uv light including sun light.

[@mohammedali808]

How do you get water into the house? Do you have a pump?

[@patrickshanahan8357]

Just a general question, but are you concerned about freezing your overflow pipe or other pipes in the winter when it gets below freezing? Do you think you may still able to appropriately use the system?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

There shouldn’t ever be water in an overflow pipe. Also we are down here in Texas, so no

[@bobbydelcavallo7181]

Absolutely Brilliant 🥳🥳🥳

[@morgankuphal3417]

My family’s property has a steep elevation change. I wanna try to make a solar battery with similar tanks. I figure if I can elevate 5000-10000 gal of water 20 meters I’ll have plenty of energy to run an energy efficient house.

[@ericfraser7543]

You did a good job at explaining how the second tank balances and is filled using the outlet from the first tank. Why couldn't you have filled both tanks the same way and at the same time? You could have used the same bulkhead fitting on each tanks for your inlet and your outlet. You could have avoided cutting a hole in the top of your first tank if you plumed your 4 inch drain into your outlet tee going into both tanks. Each tank would be balance and fill at the same time via gravity since your gutters are higher than both tanks. You would still need your overflow line which would equalize the air pressure of the tanks when filling. The overflow line should be matched in size to your inlet line otherwise you are still gong to get that mess on your roof once both tanks are filled.

[@ericfraser7543]

Pluming the tank using the bottom bulkhead fitting, would allow you to move your tanks away from your house, by running a poly line underground to the remote location of the tank. That line and tank would need to be at a lower elevation than your gutters.

[@tomdalton4016]

Good video ! I love dogs so when I heard the dogs breathing on mic I laughed

[@TheNakidGardeners]

So I am rewatching this video since we just got approved from NCRS with getting up to 8.5K gallon tank. Where is the place you purchased your tank from?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Congrats on that approval! I just saw your other comment. I know the prices can be super disappointing. But I do think the sooner, the better to get them installed and start saving in a different way.

[@TheNakidGardeners]

@@BetterTogetherLife Yea we are going to see about purchasing it after we start with the high tunnel. We are going to get the high tunnel from Bootstrap Farmer since we feel that will be the most work to do ourselves.

[@GanderFlight]

Water water everywhere! Well done Beau - now you just need some rain ◡̈

[@lktopview]

Why don’t you use it for your household water? Rainwater is the best water on earth!

[@walkerfamilyhomestead]

Can you point us to where you purchased your tanks from? I thought I heard you say this was $3000 for 5000 gallon storage? Maybe the prices have gone up so much in the past year or so but I can’t find anything comparable.

[@thethiefonthecross9092]

It really don't have to be one tank the reason why I wouldn't do this is because anything can happen someone can trip over it the dogs can chew on it down there and if it gets broke somehow all the water will come out. I would have just made a overflow up high from one tank to the other once one tank gets filled up it pours into the other tank simple like I like it LOL also what do you do in the winter are you afraid of it freezing? I was told these tanks were supposed to be buried at least halfway? I always set my stuff up with shtf in mind

[@markflippo4140]

Great Video, Thanks! One question @ 8:52 - What is the black fitting that fits into the gutter before you attached the Tee-Wye?

[@markflippo4140]

aka downspout

[@michaelsims7318]

Hi! I see this video is a year old already but wanted to share a thought with you. You do not need to use 4" pipe to connect the systems. A smaller pipe will work. It may just move the water more slowly, but will still work.

[@HarmonyHillHomestead1]

Thank you for answering my question. What size would you suggest?

[@solfeinberg437]

9:13 the rain head spinning thing - it either goes straight down. Or straight back. It doesn't go straight forward. If you're plumbed together, you can take your water down and bring it back up, though. So if your tanks were farther away from your catchment surface the inflow pipe could be in the ground and come back up - as long as the place the water goes in is higher than any other place.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

It is working fine for the last year. Thanks a bunch!!!!

[@markfcoble]

Thanks!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

You are welcome!

[@roymustang2013]

Cool system. But what do you do for winter?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

We live in Texas. 🤣🤣 Not a lot of winter here. You could sink the tanks into the ground if needed.

[@kellyb.7392]

How often would you have to get in there and clean the tanks out?

[@0409nathan]

Since this is black will going over heat the water in the summer ?

[@haroldgray5811]

What do you do about freezing weather? Won't the PVC fittings freeze crack and leak?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Not if there’s not water pressure. You just drain them out before the freeze.

[@haroldgray5811]

Then you can't have running water in freezing weather. Bummer.

[@dorcaspowellpowell5971]

Kudos...very smart move.

[@kmattar]

That’s enough water for a commercial farm! For more pressure you need a simple water pump, solar power is available.

[@bolapromatoqueejogodecampe9353]

Really good video with lots of information. Question: How long is the gutter? How many feet for the downspout? I am going to install one in our house. We have about 60 feet length of roof and I am wondering if I can use one downspout or if I need two downspouts. Thanks!

[@0robsatx0]

thx for the tips . . but I was under impression that pea grave should be used to avoid puncturing the tank. These rocks look like they will damage the tank with all the weight of the water?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

You will never be able to keep pea gravel underneath the tanks when moving it. You’d have to use a crane. Nope. You want rocks that are 1-1.5inches

[@0robsatx0]

@@BetterTogetherLife I agree I ended up going with crushed limestone that are very small. They compacted really well. The rock guy said same thing. I was thinking pea gravel to avoid any punctures in tank. Appreciate your reply! :)

[@deanpburell5106]

I am in North Texas... we have had some pretty good freezes. is that insulation sufficient to keep those pipes and fittings from freezing? I used some pipe heater tape when connecting the water line to my trailer after it froze a couple years ago, that seemed to keep it warm enough to not freeze.

[@Mr_-Skelly]

Great video😃 How do you stop the overflow freezing? I’m in Northern Ireland, not too sure how cold Texas gets, we go down to -15ish. Also how do you stop the bottom of the tank from freezing?

[@cinzafenix08]

Cheers from portugal

[@OldReddingFarm]

wow that is so cool This is exactly what we want to do

[@alanthompson4912]

Do you think one tank could be set approximately a couple of feet below the other and when one hits top off point it overflows into the other?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

You don’t need that. You just plumb them together like I did in this video and they fill at the same time just like one tank. It’s like a lake..... water will always find level.

[@kuzadupa185]

Im sharing this info as ive only learned of it recently and some people may be asking whats a first flush, whys the pipe look like that, etc why isnt the water going straight to the storage tank. The way I understand it is between rains, your roof is also collecting other things/substances, not just rain drops. We talking about bird poop... squirrel poo... pollution and dust, perhaps sand, leaves and other bio-matter... SO! The first rain comes, and it flushes all that debris and gunks off the roof, to the gutter and... if you have nothing else, all that harmful nasty crap will eventually land up in your rain collection barrel system, where it may end up being food/a home for some bacteria or fungus or algae, whatever. BUT! That first "flush", if its instead diverted to a long vertical pipe, that debris and gunk will slowly fall to the bottom of the pipe, and mostly clean rain water will fill up the pipe and continue to fill tillbit over flows, the theory being the over flow will be mostly clean, minus any large physical debris, and that cleaner water will be whats stored in your rain catch system. Any corrections/additional info that I left out, please let me know!

[@MrManueleh]

Compared to the future headaches gutter guards would save they seem worth the cost.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

It’s not a bad idea.

[@harley121]

How do you keep contaminants (bird poop, bugs) out of your water supply??

[@tonycortese2165]

Very good But you have all that roof catchment area a 4 inch collection pipe and future another 4 inch on the other side that's 8 inches collection and only 1 inch overflow. I think you better have a bigger overflow to be safe Good job I enjoyed the video

[@BetterTogetherLife]

It doesn’t exactly work like that. The overflow never needs to equal the intakes.

[@roblawrence9495]

@@BetterTogetherLife Once the tanks are full, overflow has to = inflow or you get backup. I'm currently designing a 10,000 gallon system off of 8500' of roof (barn and house). In NE Oklahoma, we average several storms per year that drop .5" of rain in 15 minutes. That's 300 gallons per 1000sq' of roof in 15 minutes, or 20 gpm per 1000. You have about 2000' of roof. If you tie it all in to your tanks, you will easily overwhelm a 1" (approximately 16 gpm max) overflow line during a moderate storm. It probably won't hurt anything, but it will overflow your gutters and drop water where you don't really want it. With 8500' of roof, I'm sizing for 240gpm to account for 2year storms. 4" pipe is necessary. And you aren't kidding, it ain't cheap!

[@roxannel7283]

My friend has two garden he waters he waters with lemon water and he pumps it from Tusings barrels