Veg plot irrigation

[EddieJ]

Following on from the veg plot thread the-start-of-my-veg-plot-t28199.html I have now started the irrigation set up for it.

I've managed to get hold of six used IBC tanks which will hold 1000litres of water each. So ultimately we should have a capacity of 6000litres or 219gallons.

This is the very attractive tanks!



Fearing a break in the weather, I took last Friday off work and set about preparing and concreting the base to sit the tanks onto. The base size is approx 7000mm x 1300mm x 125mm
After knocking the concrete up and pushing the barrow the 30m to where it was required, I have decided that I am getting too old for this game!





This shot shows the inlet pipe from the guttering and also what will be the overflow pipe. I'm also going to install a sump before the water reaches the tanks, to help prevent sediment and rubbish from entering the first tank.




Whilst an electric pump would be handy, getting power to the plot isn't easy or practical to do. I shall be sinking an additional water tank fitted with a float valve, which can be used as a sump in which to fill watering cans from. By using a float valve, I won't have to worry about turning taps on or off.
I also intend to make a trellis to hide the tanks and grow climbers over them.
The tank on the left is going to remain with a tap fitted, whilst the others shall be linked and feed into the water trough.
This is the progress as of this afternoon. Sadly I can't get the remaining fittings until the end of next week, but at least the tanks are now inked and can start to fill up with water should it rain. The inlet arrangement is just temporary.





Tap set up



Water pipe set up.

[wine~o]

Bloody hell...could do with you in Kenya...










No offence to any Kenyans meant implied or otherwise...

[thescruff]

Good those tanks we use them for anti-freeze for the ground source heating, tough as old boots.

Haven't you trained the daughter to push a wheelbarrow yet

Don't forget to notify the water supplier, as you get a discount for not returning surface water to the drain.

[EddieJ]

Bloody hell...could do with you in Kenya..

Zola Budd pushing a wheel barrow... Now there's a plan!!!

Good those tanks we use them for anti-freeze for the ground source heating, tough as old boots.

I have to admit that it surprised me just how strong the things are. These ones even have the plastic crate, so at least I shouldn't ever have to worry about that one.

Haven't you trained the daughter to push a wheelbarrow yet

Nice idea, but Zola Budd is coming round for any future barrowing work!!

Don't forget to notify the water supplier, as you get a discount for not returning surface water to the drain.

Is that a wind up or for real? I had assumed that I would just get in the sh*t for taking their precious water. Beside the rain water is better than tap water debate, the reason behind doing this is because we are now on a water meter, so any means of saving costs has got to be good. Having said that, I bet that I could buy a good few cubic metres of water before this lot pays for its self.

[wine~o]

Don't forget to notify the water supplier, as you get a discount for not returning surface water to the drain.

We get a 5% discount from wessex water, who handle our drainwater..provided all water from the roof of the property goes to soakaway, and any water falling on the land goes to the earth.

[Inky Pete]

6,000 litres is about 1320 gallons.

Hope you haven't sized the whole system based on a requirement for 219 gallons!!!

[EddieJ]

6,000 litres is about 1320 gallons.

Hope you haven't sized the whole system based on a requirement for 219 gallons!!!

F**K!!!!!! I best go get the hole saw out again!! Or put a nought on my original figure.

[thescruff]

thescruff wrote:
Don't forget to notify the water supplier, as you get a discount for not returning surface water to the drain.


Is that a wind up or for real? I had assumed that I would just get in the sh*t for taking their precious water. Beside the rain water is better than tap water debate, the reason behind doing this is because we are now on a water meter, so any means of saving costs has got to be good. Having said that, I bet that I could buy a good few cubic metres of water before this lot pays for its self.

Nope, you get a 5% reduction if no surface/rain water is returned to the drain.