Any one use “Blue Barrel” system

[Jrmcmich]

Wondering if anyone has used blue barrel rain collection system? Looking to see about improving my water so figured rain collection be best. This system can join multiple barrels together but all fill at same time versus others that flow from one to next. Was looking at 6 barrels in location I have.

Here’s a picture of setup I would be similar to.

 

[JudyB]

I use water barrels they are easy and effective collectors. Any of them can hook up together, so it should work fine.

 

[gooeytek]

Yup, I use 2 sets of 2 barrels connected to each other. One for each opposing corner of the house.
Pretty much the same way as in your pic, with the barrels upside down.

 

[Jrmcmich]

You do all your watering by hand? Was watching couple videos to add pump to hook up to automated irrigation system

 

[penumbra]

This tank holds 275 gallons and collects water from only 1/4 of my roof. A rain of 1/2 inch fills it. Tank was $60, pump about $100, plumbing, including a heavy duty 100 foot hose was about $150. Structure was about $300.

 

[Jrmcmich]

This tank holds 275 gallons and collects water from only 1/4 of my roof. A rain of 1/2 inch fills it. Tank was $60, pump about $100, plumbing, including a heavy duty 100 foot hose was about $150. Structure was about $300.
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Nice setup. Where you find tank? I saw at TSC like close to $500

 

[WinstonWolfe]

Wondering if anyone has used blue barrel rain collection system? Looking to see about improving my water so figured rain collection be best. This system can join multiple barrels together but all fill at same time versus others that flow from one to next. Was looking at 6 barrels in location I have.

Here’s a picture of setup I would be similar to.

View attachment 557432

Do you have structural support under that? If they are full, I'd have concerns about the decks ability to sustain the weight

 

[shohin_branches]

This tank holds 275 gallons and collects water from only 1/4 of my roof. A rain of 1/2 inch fills it. Tank was $60, pump about $100, plumbing, including a heavy duty 100 foot hose was about $150. Structure was about $300.
View attachment 557951View attachment 557952

Do you have issues with Algae with this container? I had been using white buckets to store rain water in my basement over winter and ended up painting them all brown because they were too close to my grow lights and started growing algae.

 

[penumbra]

Nice setup. Where you find tank? I saw at TSC like close to $500

There are a lot of empty ones out there. The farm I bought mine from was near Timberville VA in the valley. It had an organic fertilizer in it. If you look under marketplace on FB you can find them.

Do you have issues with Algae with this container? I had been using white buckets to store rain water in my basement over winter and ended up painting them all brown because they were too close to my grow lights and started growing algae.

I might paint it but the algae that has formed on the walls has not really presented any issues. Somewhere I remember seeing covers for these tanks but never looked further in to it.

 

[Underdog]

Kind a sorta... I have the gutters of my house running to this blue barrel

 

[gooeytek]

You do all your watering by hand? Was watching couple videos to add pump to hook up to automated irrigation system

I have sprinklers that go on in the early AM, but I use the rainwater for the middle of the day or early evening if needed.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Nice setup. Where you find tank? I saw at TSC like close to $500

I see these fairly cheap on craigslist

 

[Jrmcmich]

Yeah just looked on Facebook marketplace and there are quite a few. Wonder how IBC totes compare to blue barrels that are food grade? Not sure about buildup inside between them but see the blue barrels are about $30 each and can get totes for 60-150 used

 

[gooeytek]

Yeah just looked on Facebook marketplace and there are quite a few. Wonder how IBC totes compare to blue barrels that are food grade? Not sure about buildup inside between them but see the blue barrels are about $30 each and can get totes for 60-150 used

I was tempted to get the tanks also, but found someone selling the barrels for $10 apiece. Grabbed my buddy's van, and got 5 of them

 

[penumbra]

Wonder how IBC totes compare to blue barrels that are food grade?

That is why I questioned what was in them. It was an organic fertilizer. First ingredient was molasses. Then it was micro-nutrients. This type of fertilizer is useful for establishing and feeding soil organisms. He even gave me a couple of gallons that I have long since used.

 

[Jrmcmich]

That is why I questioned what was in them. It was an organic fertilizer. First ingredient was molasses. Then it was micro-nutrients. This type of fertilizer is useful for establishing and feeding soil organisms. He even gave me a couple of gallons that I have long since used.

Gotcha. Definitely would be an easier setup with less leak points with single IBC compared to 4-6 barrels

 

[BillsBayou]

Wondering if anyone has used blue barrel rain collection system? Looking to see about improving my water so figured rain collection be best. This system can join multiple barrels together but all fill at same time versus others that flow from one to next. Was looking at 6 barrels in location I have.

Here’s a picture of setup I would be similar to.

View attachment 557432

Water alone is 2,748 pounds (1,246 kilos). Add 360 pounds for bricks and 132 pounds for barrels.

That poor deck.

 

[penumbra]

Gotcha. Definitely would be an easier setup with less leak points with single IBC compared to 4-6 barrels

That was my thinking, but honestly based upon what many small nurseries and garden centers have already employed.

 

[Jrmcmich]

This tank holds 275 gallons and collects water from only 1/4 of my roof. A rain of 1/2 inch fills it. Tank was $60, pump about $100, plumbing, including a heavy duty 100 foot hose was about $150. Structure was about $300.
View attachment 557951View attachment 557952

So I found A tote on facebook marketplace like you said. Thanks for tip. I am wondering did you plumb in gutter to side and did you make an overflow so when it’s full it automatically goes back out gutter? Seeing various things but not sure one I love Yet

 

[penumbra]

So I found A tote on facebook marketplace like you said. Thanks for tip. I am wondering did you plumb in gutter to side and did you make an overflow so when it’s full it automatically goes back out gutter? Seeing various things but not sure one I love Yet

I ran the gutter right into the top and used a hole saw to make an overflow. BTW, I got my pump at Harbor Freight.