Ball cock self filling reservoir

[Bigmallly]

Would it not be easier to use soaker hoses/irrigation tubes attached to a timer?

[Jay-ell]

On the site in London where I had my first plot there were no stand pipes, just dip tanks. One of the plot holders collected the rain water in a couple of IBCs and connected a cistern with ball cock. Flushing the cistern filled up his watering can alot quicker that opening the tap from the IBC and by the time he had walked away, emptied the can and came back again the cistern was full again.

I supposed he could have used a leaky hose connected to the IBC to save him carrying the watering can all over the plot but I didn't ask him about that.

[jonny the plant pot]

AQUAvalve & Accessories
If you are that determined then look at these

[mic]

Back on track, have gathered everything needed. Will be using 4 half drums as planters.

Article I saw this from says to only have 5-15% of the soil surface area. How do I work that out in the half drum?!

Basically let's round up and say half a drum will hold 100 litre. I'll only fill with 90 litre and save 10 litre at the bottom for water. 90 litre is 5492 cubic inch. 10% being 549.2 cubic inch. What is that as surface area? Am I on the right track?!


How to make a genuinely ‘self-watering’ container garden

Thanks

[Bigmallly]

Looks good if you like DIY mic but personally, timers would be a lot easier to fit.

[mic]

Halfway there. All in place and levelled up, loads of mastic on the pipes to seal em. Should finish it tomorrow when it's dried.
And find something more suitable to stand water tank on!

[jonny the plant pot]

Wouldnt it work better with trays to keep a constant level

[mic]

Yep that's the halfway there part. Have worked out how much % of water needs to come through, will knock something up tonight at work

[jonny the plant pot]

Are you like that scientist in back to the future...

[mic]

I'm much younger

[Bigmallly]

[mic]

I have stumbled across something very usable tonight. Tomorrow will be a successful day indeed.

[mic]

Everything leaks

The stuff I picked up is great. So I've been playing with water levels and see that I did a rubbish job at sealing the pipes connecting the drums, and even the tap on the water tub I bought off eBay leaks. So now I'll have to empty all water and attempt sealing again... unless I can live with a dribble
Might just monitor it and see how much water it looses in 24 hours.

[jonny the plant pot]

Try changing the fitting to overflow connections you will get a true and proper seal

122097611776 ebay item number these will be perfect for you

[mic]

Unfortunately my enthusiasm is larger than my tool collection and ability. I didn't have anything to cut nice smooth holes in the drum, I drilled in circles and punched the middle thru. It's a bit messy.
I'm actually thinking of getting a bit of ready mix cement to use to try seal it

For the water drum, there's a plastic outdoor tap fixture in Poundland. Might see if that can fit as it has screw fitting for hosepipe connector.