Step 2 - IBC Rainwater Harvesting System - Adapters and Foundation

One of the more difficult challenges of building this rainwater system was locating all the correct adapters for the IBC tanks. Because IBC tanks come from all around the world you are likely to aquire tanks that have valve threading not common to the U.S. Below are the links to where I purchased the adapters.
Affialate Links:
2 Inch threaded union - amzn.to/2xclv7e
2 inch buttress to npt thread adapter - amzn.to/2CYRiyI
6 mil black plastic wrap - amzn.to/2xicEkI
Adapter #1
2'' Rubber collar -Purchased at The Home Depot. Also can be found at most local hardware store in the U.S. Works good as a back up adapter but not for long them use. You will need adapters #2, #3, or #4 to properly plumb your tanks.
Adapter #2 (NPT Adapter)
2'' NPT thread female X 2'' female slip - Purchased at The Home Depot. Also can be found at most local hardware store in the U.S. You will need one of these adapters per tank. If this adapter does not fit your tank you will likely need adapter #3 or #4 to convert your connection to NPT thread.
Adapter #3 (Buttress Adapter)
2'' NPT male X S60X6 female buttress -- Purchased at JME Sales.com for $6.08
www.jmesales.co...
Adapter #4 ( Cam Lever Adapter)
Banjo 2'' polypropylene cam lever coupling ( female coupler X male npt threads)
Purchased at JME Sales.com for $9.18
www.jmesales.co...

[@ranganarasimhan6580]

This is THE best yotube demo video I have EVER seen...What a clarity in differentiating adapters! Amazing! Thank you so much!! I can take a plumber exam now :)

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+Ranga Narasimhan when making this I knew there would be a few that thank me. I had hell identifying the proper names. I had to share.

[@jeromestetsonmurphy]

wow, thanks a lot ! This is just what I needed. I too have traveled far and wide to find connectors and adaptors and still haven't found everything, until your video. I will send you photos of my water setup when I'm finished. Again, thanks a lot !!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+Scott Stanford great to hear!

[@kkutube1972]

Thank you for taking the time to share. I am doing it just because my house is hill in the backyard so instead of routing it all to the front, I am just going to collect the water.

[@MrBoogaMeister]

The thread knowledge was gold! Thanks!

[@rodrigogarciaevans4677]

Finally a propper video about adapter! Thanks!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+Rodrigo García Evans Thank you!

[@m.d.newell935]

Thank you... this was very helpful... especially the thread explanations.

[@sherriesoultra310]

Thank you so much for the explanation of tanks and threads

[@supersportchevel]

Just one quick comment on your setup. If you rotate your cinder blocks so that the holes are going up and down instead of sideways, they will be MUCH stronger.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Supersportchevel: Thank you!

[@Haliotro]

Hi Trenton, any recommendations you could give for buttress threads that are scraped up on the bottom from a lot of contact with concrete? Would the cam lever adapter be able to lock onto an IBC buttress valve through brute force alone?

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

I don't think it can, but you can always give it a try. I would just buy a new tank.

[@Haliotro]

Trenton Kaminski thanks, man! maybe would have better luck with the black compression band adapter

[@jrogers1776]

This video is EXTREMELY helpful. Thank you so much for making it.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Jonathan Rogers Thanks for watching, It is a 2 inch adapter. In the video description below there is a link to where I purchased the cam lock adapter.

[@jrogers1776]

Trenton Kaminski, thank you!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Jonathan Rogers This is a video I was looking for when I built this system, I could not believe no one had recorded a video over the adapters. It covers just a few parts, but the parts are vital for a sound IBC rain harvesting system.

[@lakefamilyfarmonthenett1125]

Thanks. It was the missing part in my tote adventure.

[@ronaldziehlke9720]

I like the detail you put into each video. This takes the assumption factor out of every step and I found it very helpful. Now that I realize just how easy it is, I'm thinking about installing my own rain collection system.

[@quaddrix07]

This is an EXCELLENT video! Thank you for doing such an outstanding job. I needed to prepare a budget on parts and you have identified all of them for me. THANKS!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+quaddrix07 Happy to help:)

[@Jansixtyfive]

Thanks mate! Learning every day. :) Greetings of a Dutchman in Italy.

[@StrongArmZZ]

Thanks for the videos m8. Gonna buy some IBCs of my own soon and these are of great help!

[@mrlakeside]

This video was very helpful. Thank you. Nice Job!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

mrlakeside Your welcome:)

[@reharlan]

Thanks so much for this great video. I felt hesitant about even trying this, but with videos of this quality, it is really going to make it easier.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

reharlan No problem, thanks for watching and good luck on your build!

[@YO2LYP]

I am using buttress valves (I am in Europe), 5.5cm în exterior diameter. My initial thinking was to use some plumbing pipes, adapters etc. I wasn't able to find something to that buttress thread. Second step was online sellers - there are many options - expensive in my opinion. I realized that all those options had in common the part which is going to be fastened on the buttress thread - so I ordered blank caps for ibc totes. Those have to be drilled and you can attach the a hose adapter or garden faucet. Even more, I was around some heavy excavators and bulldozers and the guys had many plastic jugs (I hope this is the correct term) of 20 liters (5 gallon?) with oil, lubricant etc and guess what? The caps from these jugs are fitting 100% to the 5.5cm buttress thread! You have to clean them before use and then you can proceed to drill and attached your preferred hose adapter or garden faucet :)

[@championdiscusco.9648]

much needed info...I have 2 water totes...and have no clue what fits the outlet

[@doubled473]

Nice job Sir! You saved me a ton of hassle! Thank you!

[@durganbuilt5703]

Great explanations again!

[@SpectreTheHorseman]

Just what I needed, thanks!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

👍

[@albiecraig9359]

Super helpful. Thank you sir

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

👍

[@duramax78]

Another thing to consider if you have a basement, and a few tanks, that's a lot of weight.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Each tank is around 2400 pounds, adds up very quick.

[@elliottstreamliner]

Thanks for the video. I have purchased two different adapters both of which didn't thread. Now I can see that I need the cam lever adapter. I found one on Amazon and plan on trying it. I hope this one will connect so I can plumb them together.

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

Very informative about the valves. Thought I should mention however, that your concrete blocks are facing the wrong way. The holes should be facing up and down...not sideways. Blocks are meant to carry vertical loads, they are not meant to carry loads on their sides. Installed properly, a hollow core concrete block can take a load of roughly 1000 psi, and all the manufacturer specs say that rating is "significantly" reduced when the block is used in the wrong orientation. I regret that I could find no compression tests for improperly oriented blocks to get an actual psi rating.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+AndTheCorrectAnswerIs thanks for the info. I turned them to the correct position a while back but haven't made an updated video.

[@kittykitty1873]

Great video! You helped me a bunch and I subbed!

[@popapoco]

Hey man thanks that was great , lol you prob, saved me 3 weeks of running around with 1 thumb up the dark zone and the other hand covering the eyes scratching my head , looking for the right part LMAO Live long and prosper

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+Blackdogcamper 👍

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+Trenton Kaminski you should have seen me😂

[@VitorMadeira]

No word to describe how helpful this video was. One other question: is it possible to remove the valve? Is there an easy / non permanent way? Thank you so VERY much and greetings from Portugal.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

I don't think it can be removed, but I am not positive.

[@deanzhot12]

Everyone talks about the thread beyond the container itself....! Please, explain the thread(s) that the IBC containers have, WIthout any fittings....! This knowledge is necessary when replacing a leaky valve. Thank you...

[@ovimike2000]

Great info ! thank you much

[@MrDavidelliottjr]

Ty so much

[@cbbloco]

Very helpful!!

[@kabzikGNIEZNO]

Try to separate blocks form the ground ( earth ) to protect from capilars water. Maybe not in your region but it will protect blocks from short life

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Thank you for the info

[@VapinXsmoker]

Nice camo job.

[@tapejm]

so much awesome info - bravo and thank you Travis! question: wouldn't wood shipping pallets work for bases?

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Pallets would work but will eventually rot.

[@girtonj]

By far the most specific and helpful video I've seen. Thank you. I have the cam level valve. The OD measures 2.5". Do you know if that means 2" or 2.5" when I order the cam lock coupler?

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

Thanks for watching. If your OD is 2.5 then my guess is the ID is 2''. I would order a 2'', the ID is what they are going to base the measurement off of.

[@MultiTravelingman]

Great job! My outlet looks like the cam adapter but measures 2 1/2" outside diameter can't find that size anywhere any suggestions?

[@brandonfoy9583]

Trenton Kaminski do I need to put plumbers tape or anything on the IBC tote valve? Thanks so much for your videos you’ve allowed me to get my own done Right!

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

It won't hurt

[@AnubhavShah]

what of the drain? say instead of adapter i drill into the cap and add a spigot?

[@grumpygkf1]

Thank You. Cam lock, not threads. Thank you.

[@scottyday5255]

I GOT MORE OUT OF YOU I DID ANY ONE THANK YOU

[@mjba852]

What do you call the 2" black adapter ,the plastic one,is it available at the Home Depot? Thanks

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+MJ BA video description.

[@ashwinurs]

I think I have type 4 cam lock valves. So I followed your link under that and it takes me to jme website with: Part A - 2" Polypropylene Part A Male Adapter x Female NPT with price of $3.24 But your description says "Female coupler X male npt threads" and on JME website that title matches with that of Part B - See this link www.jmesales.com/catalog/productinfo.aspx?id=5914&cid=7170&skuid=KUPPB200 and the price for this also matches to that in your description. The valves on the totes that I have look exactly like the one in your video at time 3:34 and to me seem like male threading (3 rounds) and NPT pitch. So which one should I buy PART A or PART B on the JME site ? Also it would help if you showed what the Valve for Adapter #2 looked like. Thanks for the help and making this great informational video.

[@TheKombuchaCompany]

+adu You will need part B.