How to Install a 5000 gallon Rainwater Harvesting System

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@jmaiatrader2925]

I guess I would of made the whole in the actual opening lid and that's because you can always buy a new lid. I would not just put a whole in the actual container which its much more difficult to fix than a lid.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yes, but if you do that then you will never get the full 2500 gallons of storage. Well to be honest I am not sure actually. That isn't a bad idea. I am not sure what the difference in the level between the two. I know the top is higher, but I'm not sure how much higher. Great point!

[@jmaiatrader2925]

@@BetterTogetherLife I was just couple days ago at tractor supply looking at one of those. I truly want to become 100% independent and self sufficient. I'm working on my vermicompost and black soldier fly farming. I'll be getting some comfrey plants and corrohizal fungi for soil amend. This process is just a little too slow for me, but I'll get there. Thanks for the video.

[@ryan74701]

@@jmaiatrader2925 no you dont drill a whole in the top of the lid, you need to be able to look inside your tank without taking the whole inlet pipe off, you can buy Norwesco 16 inch lids with a 4 inch center lid. He should have drilled a 4 inch hole in the side of the riser where the manway opening is and then drilled a hole slightly higher for an overflow. I have a 2500g tank and a 1550g tank.

[@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?

[@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?

[@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

[@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.

[@nzmak3220]

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

[@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!

[@freddurstedgebono6029]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@samranch4519]

Your overflow system is going to cause you problems... the overflow needs to be the same volume as you inflow... you have too small of overflow pipes AND you have "choked" the flow down even smaller where you tee them together...

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Nope, it’s worked great since 2019. But thanks.

[@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?

[@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

[@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 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@rebelonatrail1182]

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

[@davidriley8590]

Interesting from DR over in the UK.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!!!!

[@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.

[@paulmurphy2314]

How come no one uses flexible hose instead of plastic down spouts and 90 degree elbows saving money .

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Flexible hose?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@kmattar]

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

[@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?

[@SimplyJanHomestead]

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

[@johnpatterson6538]

you may need to increase the size of the overflow pipe... or at least make it 1"1/2 all the way down? ......if you get to the point where the tanks are full with the size of your catchment roof and a 4" pipe feeding water into the tanks the 1" overflow pipe may not be able to cope!!!

[@BetterTogetherLife]

It could be possible, but hasn’t happened yet

[@markwilhelm3892]

@@BetterTogetherLife I will definitely happen. I sounds like the tanks haven't overflowed yet? If you need a 4" inlet you need at least 4", maybe larger because of friction loss in that long horizontal run under the porch. Good news is, when it does happen, it's not the end of the world. You will just have that mess you at your gutter/pipe junction that you mentioned. But, it WILL happen. As a side note, when you glue pipe together, always rotate the pipe in the fitting as you are joining them to ensure even distribution of the glue.

[@jamescarter8813]

I didn't see any collection for your AC drain water. For watering your plants you would be shocked how much Water your AC will produce in condensation.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

We are actually planning on this for future projects for sure!! :)

[@jamescarter8813]

@@BetterTogetherLife my wife and I are buying a house and land in Wilson county and are looking to do the rain collection as well.

[@raremedium4091]

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

[@PennsylvaniaPanda]

God loves all of us so much He came in the flesh to die and rise so that if we choose to accept Jesus as our one true Savior turning from our sins we may be gifted eternal salvation through Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross. Have a great day

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Yes, I 100% agree! Thank You Lord for the rain water..... we pray that You will bring some rain!

[@PennsylvaniaPanda]

@@BetterTogetherLife I always love when the video creator responds to the comments positively. If your fine with it can I post this in all the videos I watch from you so that others may be brought to the Lord?

[@rhondasnair9304]

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

[@ryan74701]

The amount of ignorant comments on this video is astounding.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@madhumitaroy1134]

Rain water harvesting must

[@BetterTogetherLife]

YES!!!

[@sw8741]

Should have used a couple PVC unions after the shut off valve to connect the 2 tanks at the bottom to remove the entire tee. Why? Because if he needs to drain or remove 1 tank for one reason or another he'll have to cut out the tee. Its gonna take a hell of a long time to drain a tank for that 1" line to 1/2" spigot.

[@bryaneditiontv600]

Isnt pvc like toxic?

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Nope

[@bryaneditiontv600]

@@BetterTogetherLife good to know

[@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.

[@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

[@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 ! :)

[@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.

[@Huntinwithdaboyz]

Just recently found your page. Loving it so far. Random question. Do you have the blueprints for your rabbit hutch?

[@billybunter6943]

2urs ago this was loaded. Recently I had x2 133.000 Lt 10.000g tanks delivered, and nobody will help me install them, F#*$*K... all the wife said was, Robert what have you done... they are bigger then I thought so there ie that... but the plumbing has me stumped... I've fixed some.e dairy irrigation b4 but never set anything like a full gutter to tank system up... Scary money in this economy so can't make any mistakes, coin is tight .. An I need to start woth a 16m buy 6m pad...😳YER....

[@bindiberry6280]

How about the high cost of changing battery for e-cars?! Are you all lesser than Joe Biden?!! Why don't people use shipping container modified tanks to store solar energy? For example, automating concentrated solar thermal power to pump water from the low tank to the high tank during sunny day and release water to drive electric generator and back to the low tank during the night and sharing with couple homes. You can search "Burning Stuff With 2000ºF Solar Power!!" "DIY shipping container pool" "solar power water pump" and GREENPOWERSCIENCE for a lot of examples. Actually, potential energy of the tank themselves can also be used for generating electricity already. Of course, you need to use a lot pulleys or hydraulic jacks for that.

[@glennnisidio2813]

The tee wye is upside down, too much of first flush will just funnel into tank, I am doing the same now, 2- 2100 gal tanks with first flush

[@jonc8179]

Never use Teflon tape on PVE fittings. All manufacturers void warranty if a failure occurs when you use tape. Use Teflon dope instead.

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi..... 🏡🎥👍👍👍

[@invictusbp1prop143]

This video is pretty old so I'm sure somebody has said that you shouldn't use Teflon tape on PVC threads. ...and that the dude getting the PVC cleaner and solvent all over his hands is really bad for you unless you dig on some cancer... And that pvc degrades quickly from UV in sunlight and will become brittle. Paint it or cover it. Better yet, use the grey PVC electrical conduit. It's funny how the guy is amazed by the fact that the two tanks equalize when they're connected together "because some pressure or something just somehow makes them the same". Lol! It's no different than a great big water level. The waterlines will always be level to each other in both tanks....even if one tank was sitting a foot higher than the other. If there wasn't an overflow valve in the tanks, it won't back up and blow your gutters apart. The whole system will just fill up and the gutter will start to overflow because there's no place left for the water to go. No big deal. You'll just not be able to collect all the rain that falls while you're totally full. Adding the overflows just allows you to throw a barrel under the overflow to keep collecting more than your tanks can hold. Nothing's under pressure and nothing will blow up like he's saying.

[@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?

[@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.

[@jstoutimore]

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

[@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.

[@marksferrazza5798]

I would’ve put a union at the bottom where you connected to two tanks if you ever have to service that or a piece of pipe brakes, you’re gonna have to cut it with a union you wouldn’t have to

[@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.

[@risunokairu]

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

[@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

[@robertkat]

Go flood your basement, mutch better water storage, a Cistern! Just like the Roman days.

[@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!

[@jimw3799]

It seems to me that a 4" pipe coming in with a 1" overflow pipe is going to be a problem if it is raining for a longer period of time???

[@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

[@anthonylandrum63]

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

[@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

[@Painfulwhale360]

Has this 5000 gallon been enough to provide all your water needs so far?!

[@maricruzmurillo8348]

Does go bad, the water? I understand there's a limit of time water can stay still.

[@jamescecil4629]

You should have tied them together with some tygon tubing not a good idea to hard pipe.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@hildebertocarreiro9232]

cover the plastic water tanks from the sun 🌞 because it damages

[@ricksanchez2090]

10:19 YOU ARE A FOOL TO GET INTO ONE WITHOUT A FULL BATTERY IN A 1/2" DRILL AND A SAWZALL WITH A FRESH BLADE IN A DRYBAG

[@edbroussard4096]

Where are you located in Central Tx, and do you let visitors come by?

[@jimjustice8410]

I think that wye fitting at top should be reversed based on your design.

[@tomdix5167]

If you ever need to enter the tanks follow applicable SAFETY precautions. More than one person has died in an unventilated tank.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Oh man, I certainly will have backup up above and ready. lol

[@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.

[@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.

[@jamescecil4629]

Should have set them tanks on some indoor outdoor carpet.

[@alanmalmberg1549]

What county are you in? Is the rebate a tax credit or actual money (as in a check)?

[@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..

[@scottharvey7730]

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

[@merryc.5466]

"More..." THAT is what she reality said. Bwahahaha! *roflsnort* :P

[@Zeknix]

"Try to do that by yourself?" Unions anyone?

[@TheTyrial86]

That is what I was thinking. Like you won't want to be able to clean this out?

[@0409nathan]

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

[@jamescecil4629]

Your man cover has a 4” cut out in the center for the pipe

[@edmundc3191]

Amigo... your overflow pipes is undersize ... the input size is 4 inches ... overflow is at 2” And reducer down to 1” ... the water Will flow back to your gutter ...

[@BetterTogetherLife]

No, rain doesn’t work that way. That 4 inch pipe will never be fully flowing with 4 inches of water.

[@mohammedali808]

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

[@d.j.robinson9424]

VERY inspirational. GREAT job buddy.

[@luckyomo6047]

how much cost of this tank and how many month can u used this tank water

[@Internethugg]

Your lids are vented and will act as an over flow too.

[@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.

[@lacrayfrancis8030]

CAN YOU DRINK THIS WATER?

[@lauramonahan9343]

Friends of ours supply their home and farm with 16 of these tanks. They add a little bleach twice a year to kill algae, and have a filtration/UV system coming into the house that they also built themselves. We're just getting started ourselves, but hope to do the same.

[@TORAH-613]

@16:30 you just described the concept of the flat earth. We don't live on a ball. The earth has its own ginormous level. The ocean. Thats why they call it "sea level". Search, Eric Dubay on youtube.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

I don’t know how to respond to this. I am just thankful for you watching and commenting! All the best!

[@anthonylandrum63]

why not use 5" green sewer pipe, less than half the price.

[@spencerguffey5078]

you've probably realized by now the overflow pipe should have gone from 1 1/2" from one tank, 1 1/2" from the other, to a 3" pipe running around the house to under the steps. reducing the size of the overflow pipe was a no no.. you need the size of the overflow pipe to be able to handle the amount of water coming in from the source (the gutter) or the water will get backed up all the way to the source (the gutter) and overflow excess water there.. which would be bad if you had so much water weight sitting in your gutters that it was overflowing there. Could rip the gutters off the house.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Nope. The overflow as been PERFECT!

[@robertbeeson6594]

You need a 4x4 to support the downspout weight.

[@beverlypowell4254]

Sorry to say this, but having water flow under your home to the back of your home is bad feng shui. The Chinese Art of War came from the writings of Feng Shui. Loss of energy (money)

[@BetterTogetherLife]

I don’t have water flowing under my house. I’m confused.

[@alanmalmberg1549]

How did you get a $3000 rainwater harvesting rebate in TX? Is it specific to your particular location or is it a statewide rebate? I can't find anything about it and live in Texas.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Talk with your county extensions office. We actually found one through a cooperative county program.

[@Dan-oj7cd]

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

[@psoren423]

So you did this project based on an annual homeowner tax incentive? I didn’t fully understand that portion of the video. I love doing projects but not sure how you would find out if it’s a project that earns a discount/credit.

[@BetterTogetherLife]

Great question. We did this project as part of our to-do list on the property. We aren’t looking to be off grid, but this does give us some considerable sustainability, especially in our drought summer months, for animals and our garden.