How to Install Earthship Cisterns

[@mastersusaf]

As soon as i heard that wind in the mic i got excited, thats a great place for some windmills!

[@offthegridbuild]

I used straight cistern water for the entire year I was building my house for washing dishes, taking "showers", brushing my teeth, etc. I never got sick, but I never drank any, not even by accident. Regarding a drain. I suppose that could work, although I'd be a little nervous about making another breach at the bottom of the tank and then burying it. Another challenge would be that you'd need at least 100 gallons of pressurized water or more to spray out the tanks with the drain open...

[@muffyfromlegal]

Wow thanks for posting this!!! This was very informative. We are going to be building an earthship this spring and this was one part that made me nervous. You made it look quite simple, hope it actually is, lol.

[@JamesSchenck]

Yea! Love it. We love those cisterns but we use them in a different way. Great video guys.

[@offthegridbuild]

There are a series of filters that clean the water into domestic water used for washing and then further filter to make drinking water. That will be covered in a future video.

[@AFastPlumbing]

I am a professional plumber and own my own service company. I noticed several items that I have issue with in your video. I understand that you plan to use this stored water for potable water supply. Let's start off by addressing the first big no-no in your system. If you develop a leak on any piping, fitting or connection after the bulkhead fitting(s) of the tanks, yzou have to drain both tanks to service the system beyond it. Think about future servicabilty when you create your system and it will save you headaches and loss later. You need two ball valves screwed directly onto the bulkhead fittings of each tank. Then start your piping from each. You can capture the water in the tank(s) this way. If you need to service anything downstream from that, just simply close the ball valves. Secondly we do not use flexible pvc. Third, Pex tubing is not suitable for exposure to UV light, nor is it desingned (or suitable) for direct burial. Fourth, Sharkbite fittings are not designed (or suitable) for use in exterior applications or direct burial either. Ok, so enough about what I don't agree with on how you put your system together. Now let me say this. Kudos for planning ahead and having water storage. 2 x 1700 for 3400 total gallons is fantastic. I also like the head pressure that can be created by having the water above the dwelling. I did the math however and calculated the weight of the water within the tank(s). 1700 x 8.34 pounds per gallon = 14,178 pounds times 2 tanks = 28356 total water weight. So with the weight of the plastic water tanks themselves at a couple hundred we're at just over 28,500 pounds precariously close to a wall of dirt. It's only held back by a rock and dirt filled wall of tires that was cut into the embankment. Any earth movement or soil erosion beneath these tanks and your screwed. Once again planning for the worst case scenario. These tanks could have been twenty feet away and to the side of the building, not directly above it. . Lastly, when using "Channel lock" pliers, understand that they are designed to grip in one direction only. much like a pipe wrench does. The teeth on the jaws are cut to grip the pipe or fitting and bite in. Your video depicts the person using them backwards. Ok I'm done. . .

[@bookcadenb4584]

You do realize that Michael Reynolds has been building Earthships for 40+ years yes? Michael Reynolds is a licensed Architect and designed the Global Model after DECADES of trial and error. Those tire walls aren't going anywhere unless the Earthquake is "the Big one" in which the Earthship will still be in better condition afterwords than all structures built above ground, which will be destroyed. Also, you may be technically correct on the Plumbing fittings but Earthship Biotecture hasn't had problems with the above methods for decades.

[@nebdar]

Thanks for the walk through. Where were these cisterns purchased?

[@krishorton1854]

Would you recomend installing a bottom drain to clean out the sediments in the tanks over time? My grandparents had a concrete cistern in their basement, back then no filters were used and no one ever got sick and as a kid i use to look into the water and there would be alge growing in it. I probably wouldn't want to drink it now but back then they seemed to think it was no big deal.

[@offthegridbuild]

Ha! I loved them and I wore them till the very end!

[@offthegridbuild]

I had the 1,600 gallons trucked in because you need to fill them half way to make sure there are no leaks before you bury them. Since them I've caught around 10,000 gallons off the roof.

[@bucknorris6711]

i think what he was trying to say was the primer actually melts the pvc. the "glue" isn't really glue. it's pvc cement or liquid pvc. by melting the pvc with the primer and then adding liquid pvc it creates a fused joint when dried.

[@offthegridbuild]

to break up the sediment and get it to all drain out. If you are off grid, that means having another tank full of water and a pump handy.

[@offthegridbuild]

Correct. Those tires are filled with dirt and rocks compacted to 98% compaction. They are also buried on one side and encased in adobe packout and plaster on the other. They are not going to burn.

[@TOW2012]

it would have been nice to put a small water presser booster after the t. i kno its gravity fed just for added convenience. great vids so far. doing research for my own earthship.

[@offthegridbuild]

You get about .5 PSI/foot of gravity drop. My cisterns are about 5-6 feet above that valve so im getting about 3 PSI. That's plenty to prime the pump that gets installed after that supply which pressurizes a pressure tank which provides a consistant 30-50 PSI for the house.

[@offthegridbuild]

True, but I had the 1,600 gallons trucked in because you need to fill them half way to make sure there are no leaks before you bury them. Since them I've caught around 10,000 gallons off the roof.

[@maitreyaisthebeast]

Wow! How ridiculous! I had no clue...thank you!

[@JuliaB1955]

This is one of my questions, too, and I'm wondering if they cleaned out the cisterns before filling them up, since one of the guys was actually standing inside the cistern with his boots on.

[@jasonstarr1953]

I'd be more concerned about not having any water stored at all. But, I take your point. However, a good filtration system can take care of any leeching.

[@georgebird9867]

On Greek islands, there are wells and cisterns. I guess it would be difficult to build a well without stones, but what about a cement cistern. All cisterns are made out of concrete and rebar, which are underground. Pipes are installed from the roof to the cistern.

[@offthegridbuild]

I got a water delivery because i had no roof for rain catchment yet. But since then I've caught almost 10,000 gallons.

[@mainelyelectric]

Do you drink the water from the tanks?? Cause I saw you using blue block pipe dope on some of the threads thats NOT for use on drinking water lines.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Thanks for the reply. Fair enough, but why? If you daisy-chain you have essentially one big cistern, connection(s) IN for rainwater collectors and one connection into the house for "virgin" water to start moving through the 4 stage water re-use system. Seems like if you have 2 separate cisterns you have more complexity, more hardware, more costs and more difficult to troubleshoot/fix if something goes wrong. Also if you wanted to test the water you would have to do two tests instead of one?

[@offthegridbuild]

The sharkbite is temporary until I hook all this up to my finished plumbing. Not sure how I'm going to replace it with another fitting... but it will happen somehow. The sharkbite has been on there for 8 months with no leaks though, not so janky,

[@amadeusdekastle9078]

Great to see you going through with such a big project. Was curious if you considered building a cistern with brick or cement. We are planning a project here in Kyrgyzstan, but these kinds of plastic cisterns are extremely expensive. Any ideas on alternatives? Thanks!

[@offthegridbuild]

I could guess that some countries are ignoring the research that was done to prove it. Check out the report on the use of tires in housing on Earthship's official website. Earthship Biotecture will build you an Earthship for $240/sqft. I built my house for around $130/sqft without cutting any corners. By getting creative, you could definately get that number down sub $100/sqft. I don't have any solid info on cob, but strawbale is great insulation, but you cannot berm against it.

[@showman139]

OGB what do you do about the silt, dirt, and bugs that make their way to the bottom of the cistern? Is there a way to clean it?

[@michaelkalbow2142]

What I want to know is this... The guy at the beginning of the video stated that you didn't want your equalization bulk head fittings to be at the bottom of the tanks because "dust, dirt and bugs" would find their way into your water and you don't want that to flow into the house, but eventually you will need to clean that sediment out, right? How do you do that?

[@enerzise3161]

Michael Kalbow If they had put a ball valve on each tank, they could shut off one ball valve and use up water from one tank. When that tank gets down to the point it is offering insufficient water pressure, they could pump out the rest of the water with a mud pump that would suck out all the nasty in the bottom. The tank clean out could be pumped into some drums or barrels to be used on watering plants. However they did not put ball valves on each tank. They ran flex hose right off each tank to a T fitting and stepped it down to 3/4 inch. The 3/4 ball valve you watched him turn on to show the water flow is the only valve I seen installed. If there is a line, pipe or fitting failure from that 3/4 ball valve back to the tanks. . . . um. . . well you get the picture.

[@rongray4118]

Climb in and clean the tank just like above ground water tanks. Very common practice in rural areas.

[@707fv]

7:26 makes the video all worth it.

[@preppermcgee1287]

Water storage is one of the most mission critical things on the list for our future homestead. It's great to see all the different ways people assemble them. I really like THIS idea though. -Pepper M, Website Owner, familysurvivalstrategies.org

[@mastersusaf]

do you run a pump on that line for water pressure, or are the tanks high enough to supply it for you?

[@martywatkins]

Any filters on the pipes coming off the cisterns to keep the sediment out?

[@offthegridbuild]

You get approximately .5 PSI for every foot of gravity drop, so I have a few psi coming in from that. I will be using a shurflo 24v pump to get my pressure tank to 50psi.

[@justgivemethetruth]

very cool place you have there … i am so wanting to do something like this, but i need to get information. where can you do this, how much does it cost, is this only in areas where convention jobs would be hard to find - how do you fit into the economy. how do you connect to the internet or get phone service. really great video - best of luck with your Earthship!

[@scotthatcher4673]

FYI you should never use primer when gluing polyvinyl chloride flex pipe. It weakens the pipe, not to mention the glue might be potable friendly but the primer is very toxic to plants and animals. I build water features and irrigation systems for a living (12+ years) Also, whoever said to turn the pipe 45 degrees before the glue sets is absolutely right! It ensures the glue is evenly spread without any air bubbles. I sure hope you don't have a 3400 gal leak behind your tire wall.

[@bvonmoss]

Does anybody have comments on installing tire cisterns? These go lengthwise. If I did a tire cistern, is it better to do round ones or eliptical shaped or hotdog shaped? I would think the hot dog shaped cisterns might cave in in the middle. Any comments? It is cool how the bottom of the cistern is above the floor level, so there is pressure coming in from the cistern. Water is heavy. This subsystem is awesome how very little energy is used to deliver it to the earthship sailor.

[@offthegridbuild]

Yes, stay tuned for a future video on that.

[@offthegridbuild]

Yes, it would be too much work to try and add it to the existing T. I went overkill on the cisterns so I don't think I'll need to add another.

[@FWDragon]

hi Dan, i'am assuming u have ur cistern feed u water for a everyday usage, my question to u is how do u fill it on a regular basis? or do u have a video on that as i only just discovered ur channel now and i'am planning out my sustainable house myself. thank u :)

[@offthegridbuild]

Plastic breaks down in the sun, that's why they are buried. The water is also filtered before being used.

[@aceofspades02]

Will these tanks be covered with sand? because as far as I know, plastic tanks don't last much if they receive too much sunlight.

[@almahdi20]

Very good video. Great idea! BTW Have you considered getting a new pair of jeans?

[@justgivemethetruth]

what is the ultimate "source" of water … city input, a stream, rain, a well, condensation, etc? in the end ofthe video where did all that water come from? it is drinkable at this stage ?

[@interestingyoutubechannel1]

I would love to build an Earthship, so I'm curious - why do some countries have regulations against this use of tires if its 100% safe? There must be something to it, I find it hard to believe they'd forbid it for no reason. Also, to house about 15 people & have a big enough living room & 2 bathrooms, what would roughly be the minimum cost (with free recycled materials, volunteer work etc.)? Lastly, does CEB, cob or strawbale do as good a job at heating/cooling? Sorry for the many questions.

[@kathranehunt]

So, are there any earth ships in California. I have property in Berry Creek and i think it would be great for something like this.

[@fatheremmons85]

How are you filtering the water for drinking/cooking once its in the house?

[@offthegridbuild]

That is a temporary fitting. When I hook it up to my plumbing, it will be with crimp ring pex fittings.

[@lukehorobin5430]

On the Earthship official website, they have a map with areas which should in theory have no major problems accepting Earthships. Plenty of areas on there, more than you'd think. There is also info out there regarding gaining permission. California isn't brilliant when it comes to this sort of thing.

[@scottyjennings1]

How much did this build cost you? I am wanting to build a house on some land I own and I need to figure the overall cost.

[@cbemerine]

Interesting, where does the water come from to fill the cisterns? Is it trucked in? A well? Made me wonder how long 1,700 gallons (X2 will last without refilling. Very cool, thank you for sharing. My one concern will probably make you laugh, if those tires caught fire, would the heat melt the hose and/or cisterns. Tire fires are notoriously difficult to put out once started and burn very hot. Like I said, you will laugh. Great idea having an independent water source! Burying them?

[@clinthemphill]

Thanks for the video. I'm looking to do a cistern at my cabin but am confused at what part (and where) does the pressure pump come into play? can't you have a pressure pump without a seperate tank, or no? sorry, nubie with this stuff..

[@bucknorris6711]

the extra tank was to hold additional water as Toas NM only gets about 7 in of rain every year. if they dont have enough storage then they could run dry in the dry season. they need the storage to capture every drop they can. it's only about $100 to have somebody come out and fill you up and if you have a back up city water supply then you are set, but if you don't want to rely on back ups or the grid then you just make sure you have enough storage. this is calculated by your average annual rain fall and the square footage of roof or rain water catchment surface area. long story short... in toas you need more tanks.

[@Keithphotorama]

It's my understanding that those Cisterns are supposed to be resting on a surface devoid of rocks. Cisterns could be punctured once they are buried.

[@poolmotorrepairguyFL]

Is there a better way of connecting to the tanks? as I have been working on portable spa's with up to 90 fittings, it seems they are prone to leaking, it would be nice to weld or have a threaded fitting in the tank. over the years I have found that coating the gasket or o-ring with Magiclube helps protect the fitting and the o-ring. You might want to add that thread tape can be dangerous on plastic fittings, as it adds height and width attributes to early failure ! And when this is in colder climates 9-12 feet under ground, when ground heave, is a issue. digging it up for a repair is not option. Good stuff thanks for the vid, pet the dog for me.

[@snakecold6755]

This is work tank!

[@poolmotorrepairguyFL]

ankhaa battulga Do what ? !

[@ericduggan410]

How does the use of virgin plastic, pvc, and toxic bonding chemicals fit into the philosphy of a natural living existence?

[@justgivemethetruth]

if you added a new cistern wouldn't you just daisy-chain it onto the opposite ends of one or the other of the already existing cisterns ?

[@osm3u]

Is this going to be your main source of water?

[@Myopinionjustsaying]

@ 7:26 ..... Now THATS what I am TALKING about!!

[@offthegridbuild]

No, I would have a second pipe into the house and join it with the existing one there.

[@tribum]

I think you've done a lot of really cool construction. To heck with the critics! I just want to know who the gal is at 7:25?

[@AllisonChains]

How many gallons are those tanks and how much did it cost to have them filled?

[@kaitlynmyran5266]

The tanks vary depending on which ones you buy to know how much water hauling would cost figure out how much water you need and call the local water hauling company in the area they will give you an estimate 👍🏻

[@omegaman2883]

Do you have a good place to get those water tanks? cost and size?

[@abark]

@cbemerine The tires can't burn because they are filled with dirt.

[@TheOmuur]

Could you give us the link to that video?

[@TheJordano45]

estan buenas las cisternas para el manejo de lipsidiados para producir gas butano si no estoy equivocado

[@MonkeySpecs301]

what type of squeeze fitting is that at 4:50?

[@maitreyaisthebeast]

How can they stop you if you own the land??

[@offthegridbuild]

I ended up putting tape on the rest of the joints later on

[@paradigmcare]

where is this located?

[@AllisonChains]

Sry I just saw where it said 1700 gallons, still wondering about cost though, thanks

[@Brat4PrimeMinister]

y no isolation valves ??? if u need to clean out that silt once in a while then ull hav to empty both ergo no water....

[@lsirois4893]

why are the tanks so close to the house? doesn't seem like there would be enough water pressure only 10 feet above

[@noxagol]

The water is pressurized with a pump and pressure tank.

[@lsirois4893]

Interesting that you dilled holes at the bottom of the tanks...and thank you for showing that. I chose to put my tank bulkhead further up because these tanks cannot be left less than 1/4 full...now you dont need to put a pump in to get the water out of the tank...why not put it up a hill so that you dont need power to pressurize your water? Unless that's not an option due to the site?

[@bucknorris6711]

Goldie Sirois it is gravity fed to a water operating module located on the inside back wall of the earthship directly in front of the tank which pumps it to a pressure tank to give the house 50 psi throughout. another reason... water is a wonderful form of thermal mass, 3 to1 against concrete or adobe because it is so dense, therefore it is buried in the berm to benefit from this. you would need to build your house at the bottom of a mountain and put the tank at the top to receive enough static pressure to match the tiny pump and pressure tank. could you live with 2psi trickling out of every fixture... yes... is it practical? no.

[@hillbillybone21]

how much did it cost you

[@oborealbert6744]

hai my abroad friendz am also enjoing plumbing in Uganda and the things are just moving in asmart run

[@offthegridbuild]

keep up the good work !

[@offthegridbuild]

True, but my tanks are completely buried.

[@delindsay90210]

The state of Colorado has had shady laws about rainwater collection for years. Mind linking what you are referring to about it being illegal to capture water ANYWHERE in the USA as of 2013? Not that it would surprise me, the political system in the USA is so fawked up it's depressing.

[@stevesiverling3316]

If we run out of tires we may need to start using more convential rammed earth. If they dont' produce tires without lead in them that is what we may need to go to. I am not sure what else can be done.

[@offthegridbuild]

+Steve Siverling no chance of running out of tires any time soon. That would be a glorious day

[@simongomes790]

good

[@offthegridbuild]

@osm3u Yes, my only source of water.

[@Lawiah0]

Tape your Two Cans together (Primer & Glue).

[@gregvids494]

i hate the blue stuff the clear or grey is so much better it hold. but if the blue hold if you dont get it wet

[@fynngilbert281]

Check out the Venus Project if the Earthship idea convinced you

[@offthegridbuild]

$1,850 each. Check out my Expense Itemization post on the offthegridbuild website.

[@PaperSandia]

I would be concerned about storing water in plastic.

[@multigunlover]

that shark bight fitting seems janky. other then that this is epic

[@averagemale2000]

dude read the instructions on the glue can, you need to turn 45 degrees when connecting...

[@offthegridbuild]

Taos, NM

[@dotalessons]

3:16 dog is like, da fuq is dat smell, stupid humans, peace!

[@justgivemethetruth]

that thing is HUGE … it must cost a fortune

[@sonicqtip]

Plumber's butt alert at 0:30!

[@52ortiz]

As in i think i see part of a football sack..

[@omniexistus]

well I'm interested now..I'm single and my fuckin water/sewage bill is $86.63

[@monkeyboy8me]

Crack kills

[@michaelbeary]

bruh, that's some brown lookin water

[@infidel556x45]

lost all respect for your ability when you pulled out the shark bite.....smh

[@israelv1159]

jajaja casa ecológica y usas productos de fabricas, herramientas y ellos usan ropa q con los tintes exterminan a los ecosistemas de los ríos. INCONGRUENTES

[@GreenOptima]

How much does one of these Cisterns cost and where did you get them?

[@omegaman2883]

Do you have a good place to get those water tanks? cost and size?

[@offthegridbuild]

$1,850 each. Check out my Expense Itemization post on the offthegridbuild website.