DIY Rain Barrels
 

I've uploaded plans for a rain barrel that the Texas Coop Extension has distributed. It's very to easy to make. I'll attach photos later of ones someone made this year. What I like about these is that you do not have to place them under the down spout on the roof. Instead,you can place them where you get the most water.

Also, here are a couple of links for a few plans to make Rain Barrels. The one from Lowes even has a video included.

How To Make A Rainbarrel
Water-Conserving Rain Barrels

I'm adding to this post on 9/26/09

I've finally had a chance to add some photos to the rain barrels that were made. One has a faucet, the other does not. Both were made off the same basic plan from the Texas Coop.







This last image I'm including to show where we placed the rain barrels. One is under the spout. We originally had it elsewhere, but because of the lid, was not able to get much water.

The other barrel is next to it, collecting run off from the roof that misses the gutter.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

Cool, I have a cattle trough. I don't have water hoses connected though. I just use a watering can. Maybe I'll consider doing that.:waving:

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

I picked up (2) of these off Craigslist for free (no wooden pallet)
They are about 300g each & have a built in spigot
Not quite as clean as this yet...need to power wash them in the Spring
He had a few 800g tanks....was not abel to snag one of those...
I also have (5) 55g drums for rainwater
Can't wait to get everything setup
I also have a 150g cattle trough....and a 140g bin too

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

After using the rain barrell with the faucet, I recommend to lift it up a little off the ground, to increase water pressure. It works well, but if the rain barrell is at ground level, than it might be harder to get water pressure.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

Man that's pretty nifty :^)

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

Very nice, great ideas, Thanks:woohoonaner:

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

We have a recycle center that makes & sells 55 gal rainbarrels. I bought one 5 yrs ago or more ($30.00). My back deck is about 2 ft above ground plus I raised the barrel another 12 inches, & still don't have enough pressure for watering garden. I fill buckets with it. I just wish they put the spigot further down...when it gets to that point, there's still 4-5 gal water in it so I have to tip the barrel. I'll have to post a pic soon.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

It's simple physics. If the end of the hose (or any part of the hose) goes higher than the level of the water, no water will come out. Beyond that, if the hose stays below the level of the water, it will trickle out. Don't expect pressure like you would have in a hydrant...it's just gravity working here.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

Yup. I also got one for Mike's deck (where downspout is) & it is prolly 12 ft above ground. I hook a hose up to it & throw the other end down to water the garden there & even at that height, it needs more pressure to use the sprayer. I just open it full pressure & it doesn't shoot out much.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

We had to clean my mom's pond out a couple of years ago to redo it and had a similar problem with getting rid of the water. What we ended up doing was was using the pond pump to get rid of the rest of the water, after several loads of carrying water back and forth to differents parts of the yard. Maybe you can get a small pump to help remove the last amounts of water, that is if it's more than an inch or two of water. Less than that, I think tipping would be the only answer.

Re: DIY Rain Barrels
 

I just set a bucket under the spigot & when I tip the barrel, water comes out faster & is really less work than hooking up my pump & pumping it out. I also use the pump to drain the pond. The little that's left, I use a small bucket & scoop the water & muck at bottom. Ooh noo, you just reminded me I gotta do this soon!....YUK.