water butts

[jane E]

How do people link water butts together, so that a full one fills an empty one etc. Has anyone a system for draining the water butt water off through seep pipes across the veg.patch? Not that I need that at the moment! But I do need the collection advice and I WILL need the other when summer comes!

[Compo]

You can drill a hole in near top of on same size as hosepipe, when it gets full the water comes out of the hole, into the pipe, which u then put into another water butt, if the hole is right size it will give a good seal, if not a little silicone will seal it, you can link several like this, emptying the one furthest down the chain first, I have three like it at home.


compo

[Allan]

More versatile is to fit a short length of pipe onto the tap and a female Snaplock on the end then you can couple various combinations. For instance coupling two butts will bring them to the same level or put a leaky hose on. Unfortunately there isn't a hose-to-male snaplok available at most GCs or shops, Opella still make hose-to-male but male-to-male with inline tap is available via internet shopping and comes with two female connectors which is well worth having. You can extend with 3-ways, timers etc. as the need comes up.
When Hozelok started one could buy hose to male connector but they saw fit to discontinue those as many suppliers found it cheaper to fit male inputs to their equipment as it was cheaper which scuppered the original M-F-M-F concept. Of course you can still link butts with lengths of pipe with simple syphons into open tops, no holes required. You just have to check that the pipe ends stay filled as air entry will break the siphon.
Allan

[richard p]

the male to male nipple that joins two female connecters together can be rammed up the end of half inch hose and secured with a jubilee clip. the insertion can be eased by dipping the end of the hose in a jug of just boiled water to soften it. this enables all hoses to have one male end(supply) and one female end(delivery) i usually use a female shut off connecter on the delivery end

[oldherbaceous]

jane E, confused yet
If you do find the list of items a bit confusing, you can buy a kit with all the bits you need, from a garden center or plumbing store.
You will still have the problem of drilling the holes, if you have not got a drill big enough i'm sure you could find someone to drill them for you.
Hope you get it sorted.

Kind regards Old Herbaceous.

It will either rain or get dark.

[Tigger]

If you find the thread I put on earlier in the year, water butt supplier) you'll find they supply all you need at a fair price.

[jane E]

Many thanks for all those replies. What I do now is sit my husband down in front of them and ask him to sort it out over half term and he doesn't have to start figuring it out from scratch, but can take advantage of your experience.So thank you.

[Allan]

When you get to the irrigation bit, I think you will want some leaky pipe if it is for general watering in strips. Have a look at Interploy Irrigation website for budget-priced components. Also discount outlets are getting 'kits' in at very low prices for drip irrigation (made in China)e.g. all you need for 20 drips for £6.00. I got one at Malvern show, have yet to use it.
24/05/06
p.s. It's the Am-Tech Water container drip kit. Code U 2375. One website has it which you should find by search but they ask you to contact them for price.