syphoning water

[lez]

I read an article from a well known gardener about setting up syphons to move water about his plot. I have done this and it works very well. saves a lot of to and froing. my first question is does any one else use this method of moving water around thier plot? my second is, how do you stop the hose kinking where it goes over the edge of the butt? I have spent ages un kinking it to allow the water to flow. a flash of inspiration gave me the idea of using the plastic waste hose clips of washing machines clipped on my hose. will it work? has someone else got a better idea?. I am considering broken chair legs where the frame bends to the seat. hope to hear from you all soon god luck and good gardening.

[Sanjo]

What about using an "elbow" joint where the hose goes over the edge of the butt. The sort that goes with watering systems (B & Q) sell them

[Pies]

wrap it it stiff wire

[Two_Sheds]

does any one else use this method of moving water around thier plot? ... how do you stop the hose kinking where it goes over the edge of the butt?

I do, and I cut a notch into the side of the barrel/butt where the hose rests.

you can just see it in this photo

[lez]

thanks for the replies. I had thoght about wire and the elbow is a good idea if it will fit a small hose. I will have a look if I fail in my experiment. I see two sheds that your water butts are close and your idea would do the job only I am moving the water thirty yards up the plot. very good though and I will file it away in my memory bank as the two butts together would support it. if only I had seen that before drilling holes and fitting alcathene pipes between them. I like your idea of posting a piccy and will try to do that myself aswell to show what I mean. thanks and good gardening to all.

[Two_Sheds]

I see ... your water butts are close .... only I am moving the water thirty yards up the plot.

It doesn't matter how far apart the butts are, it still works. I did have them spaced 10 yards apart around the plot, but the hose annoyed me, so I put them all together behind the shed

[chris]

I don't mean to sound rude, but there's kink-free hosepipe that you can buy.. The latest cheapo hose reel I bought isn't (my other one is) and I'm forever unkinking it - does my head in!

The moment I can get rid, I'll replace it with kink-free.

[Davyburns]

I don't mean to sound rude, but there's kink-free hosepipe that you can buy.. The latest cheapo hose reel I bought isn't (my other one is) and I'm forever unkinking it - does my head in!

The moment I can get rid, I'll replace it with kink-free.

I bought kink free one from B&Q, it broke my heart to pay �32 for a hosepipe, but its a good sturdy one, and should last a long time (if it doesnt fall foul of the rotovator)

[weekendwellies]

I read an article from a well known gardener about setting up syphons to move water about his plot. ...

I would be interested in seeing this done so I can understand and use it on my plot. Any chance of a link?

[Two_Sheds]

I would be interested in seeing this done so I can understand and use it on my plot.

You might be able to see from my little photo. If not, it's like this, except you use sections of hosepipe to link one butt to the next.

The butts all have to be the same level (so if your butts are different sizes, you may need to dig into the ground, or raise on blocks to get everything level).

To fill: hold your hosepipe underwater until all bubbles stop coming (or fill from a tap). Keep the ends blocked with your thumbs until you can release both ends to drain into the waiting butts (one end goes under the water level in Butt One; the other end goes into empty Butt Two) You may need to have a few goes until it works.

The water will siphon from the full butt into the empty butt, until they are both half full (or half empty ) Repeat as necessary, linking even more butts in the chain.

Obviously if you have your butts some distance apart, you'll need a helper.

[Two_Sheds]

There are further (probably simpler to understand) instructions here and here

[weekendwellies]

Thanks for those links. I see now how it works. They have given me ideas now for having a few butts dotted about my plot for next year. This would save me hauling the watering can up and down all the time. The hose pipe ban this summer really made me think more about how I use water and appreciate the value of water much more.

[lez]

hello two sheds, I saw the video link of your plot. very good. how do you do it. I am still struggling with getting a picture for my avtar and putting piccies on the computor as my oh bought me a fancy digi camera.

[Two_Sheds]

hello two sheds, I saw the video link of your plot..... how do you do it.

I use Windows Movie Maker, and upload to utube

You need very small pictures to use as avatars: I use resizr.com to make mine diddy

[lez]

sucess. my experiment works. the hose went a bit flat but did not kink and water keeps flowing. I will modify it a bit but it works. I did have some piccies but am failing to load them/ I will try again later, Two sheds you are streets in front of me. thanks anyway