Water butts

[spud57]

Hi there - we are just starting out with our new allotment... There is no water supply there and we have a regular 200 litre water butt that I am concerned wont be large enough I have seen some using very large square plastic boxes in metal frames - I think that they are called "totes" and I think that they are industrial ! - I am happy to pay for an old one, can anyone recommend where to get hold of one please? I am in Northants...

[Matt.]

I guess the capacity of your water butt is relative to your ability to fill it? No point having loads of capacity if its sitting empty

If you plan on connecting it to a shed roof or greenhouse I'd be interested to know how well others fair, particularly in summer when you need it most. I think most people have access to hose pipes or wells, like myself.

As a guide I found in the summer I was using nearly 150 to 200 litres every three days. That was on a 200m2 plot but only watering half at best. You don't need to do potatoes, onions etc.

As for the container I can't help with a supplier but I think they are also called ibc? Something bulk container. Pigletwillie has mentioned them I'm sure so maybe read his blog?

[Lacelotte]

I seen some on ebay yesterday. you are looking at local pick up though. Take a look.
Alternatively We use 4 big blue drums sat next to one and other connected with piping at the top so that once the first is full the overflow goes into no2, 3 & 4.

[spud57]

Thanks for the ebay tip Lacelotte - I have put in a bid!

[pigletwillie]

We have them by our sheds and they soon fill up. Our first plot has 5 of them collecting rainwater off the greenhouses and shed giving 5000 litres of water to use.

They are a good investment.

[mclarenpitcrew]

We have one of the large containers in the garden. Off of the downpipe on the garage,a couple of really good downpours will fill it. the only downside is the weight of 1000 litres of water, And the ability to get the water out again. Ours is about 30cm from the floor and if I crack open the valve at the bottom it will trickle out, but too far and I dont need a bath that day.
We got it late in the year 2 years ago (after the dry spell) and although we filled it, we didnt use it a lot last year due to the amount of rain we had anyway.

In comparison we have 5 or 6 of the blue drums with the tops cut off at the plot which work a treat. Easy to reach into and if you spread them around the plot, they save the mileage walking back and forth with the watering can.

[number 1 suspect]

Try this site

The Tank Exchange

[ClayGarden]

mclarenpitcrew, if you need to empty your tank, cant you just tape the tap down for a bit?

By the way, cant believe we have to wait 10 days till Gran Premio de Espaniona

[areia]

ive just found 2, 40 litre galvenised tanks in my loft just trying to find fittings for the holes, im desperate for more water butts as last year i was using loads and as im on a water metre ive become alot more stingy with my water, trying to figure out how to sypon my grey water into a tank as the bathroom is upstairs round the front of the house

[Matt.]

Seriously consider working out the costs. I know its fantastic to be green but in my opinion the time and effort you will put into syphoning grey water etc just won't pay in.

As long as you use a watering can you'll never use so much money it will really hurt your pocket. After all 40l is four full watering cans - maybe a bit more? Its only the hosepipe and especially lawn sprinklers that do the damage!

[spud57]

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone I have now got an ibc off ebay and a source for the blue barrels!

[Lacelotte]

Out of interest, how much did you pay for the IBC?

I've noticed a few on there for various prices but all require pickup. None are near me and I made the choice of taking the smaller of the two cars in our house lol so I don't think it would fit in the back of mine

[mclarenpitcrew]

Claygarden. Its not the emptying to drain it. Its to use the water in the wateringcan. I has a large handle as a tap that dribbles or gushes. No good when watering the garden in the evening.