[Greenbuilding] Rainbarrels

[Lance Collins]

At 03:34 AM 6/05/2007, you wrote:

>We are trying to set up a rainbarrel system for a garden. We will have
>about ten barrels in series, set about 7' above the level of the garden.
>We have several concerns:
>
>1.  Will we have enough pressure to work with soaker hoses? Assuming
>not, has anyone found away around this problem? I'm thinking we may
>simply have to fashion our own by punching small holes in old hoses.

I haven't any experience with soaker hoses but have used dripper 
systems.  Over the years I have used several types of drippers which 
you plug into half-inch poly tube.  They all require tedious 
maintenance after a couple of years especially the adjustable flow 
ones.  Punching holes into old hose might work but you will have 
cleaning problems eventually.


>2.  Should we worry about algae and crud growing within the barrels? We
>will have a screen at the intake point to keep leaves and other debris
>out, but I am concerned about the stuff that grows within then clogging
>up our soaker hoses.

You will require an in-line filter at the barrel outlet.   But this 
won't completely save you from blockages at the drip holes as stuff 
grows in the holes.  Basically water has nutrients in it which feed 
bacteria which die and leave a brown deposit.   (Look in the spout of 
any kettle).

The best filters are the disc type but they do require more head than 
a simple filter (and cost a lot more).

The best system I have used is called Drip-eze.  It's a brown 
poly-tube with drippers fitted inside the tube usually at 300 mm 
intervals.  I think it was originally an Israeli invention so you 
will probably find several variations available.   I've been paying a 
dollar Australian per metre for it. (80 cents US).
The irrigation suppliers I use stopped selling soaker hoses when 
Drip-eze became available.

I don't think 7 feet of head will be a serious problem,  it will just 
take longer for the water to drip out than if you used water at town pressure.

As to the suggestion to just use a watering can, it depends on how 
much it rains in your area.  Drippers make much more efficient use of 
water than pouring it on the surface with a watering can.   And 18 
litres of water weighs almost 40 pounds.  I sometimes use 10 litre 
watering cans and two of those get heavy quickly.

Lance
(in Aus)





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