what to do when you run out of rain water??

[Subrosa]

Get a bigger collection vessel? The blue one at the far right holds about 350 gal.

[Orchid Whisperer]

The best answer depends on where you live, and how many plants you are watering.

I seem to recall you are in Florida (?). As long as salt water intrusion is not an issue for your water (I assume it is groundwater), you can probably "make do" with tap water until the next rain.

Ray is correct, if your public water uses chloramine, evaporation will not reduce the concentration. Fortunately, the good folks at Cooperative Extension believe this is not an issue: Chloramine in tap water and its effects on houseplants and gardens - Ask an Expert

If your rain barrel has a small leak, try patching it. If I was trying to fix the problem, I would use Gorilla Glue and patches made of some type of synthetic cloth (polyester etc.), inside and outside of the barrel. Water actually improves the bonding process with Gorilla Glue.

[DirtyCoconuts]

This forum is amazing. I love the team attitude.

The leak was located and will be fixed ASAP. I have some water in there still so I am using that carefully until it is gone and will then repair. Issue was, I made my own gaskets (eye roll) and I guess my cuts were not precise enough to work without caulk. This time, silicon and I’ll make a cutting die and not “free hand”


subrosa- if I can find a way to camo that and keep the better half happy I would love that but I am not even close to knowing how to do that lol. Where did you get that and what is it called?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

This forum is amazing. I love the team attitude.

The leak was located and will be fixed ASAP. I have some water in there still so I am using that carefully until it is gone and will then repair. Issue was, I made my own gaskets (eye roll) and I guess my cuts were not precise enough to work without caulk. This time, silicon and I’ll make a cutting die and not “free hand”


subrosa- if I can find a way to camo that and keep the better half happy I would love that but I am not even close to knowing how to do that lol. Where did you get that and what is it called?

It came from an aquarium store I used to manage. I'm not sure what to call it exactly, but it's just a large, double wall tub designed to be moved with a forklift or pallet jack. We used them to sell floating pond plants in season. The store was a Big Al's, and the tub came from an outfit named SaePlast in Canada.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Well basically I have to stalk aquarium store employees for access Hahahaha thanks

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Well basically I have to stalk aquarium store employees for access Hahahaha thanks

The only other Big Al's that opened in the US was in FL, and I'm pretty certain it closed down, so I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't a couple of these floating around down there. A more productive option would be to look for a place that specializes in supplies for materials handling. But I doubt you'll pay $50 each like I did when the store changed hands. I actually had 2, but sold the other to a friend.

---------- Post added at 06:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:58 AM ----------

Here's a very similar product from Grainger's:
DECADE PRODUCTS Bulk Container, Blue, 31"H x 48"L x 40"W, 1EA - 39UV43'|'M40SBL1 - Grainger

---------- Post added at 06:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:04 AM ----------

And actually those caged containers that are commonly used by lawn services to carry liquid lawn chemicals are fairly readily available on the second hand market at very reasonable prices, at least up here. They're also used to store and transport food grade products, so it's possible to find them uncontaminated with nasties. You can easily build a wooden frame around either type and cover it with some T-11 siding to keep the wife happy.

[Ray]

Reconditioned IBC (intermediate bulk container), 275-330 gallons. Around $200

[DirtyCoconuts]

Excellent!! I see those caged containers in all manner of truck around here from lake clean up to pool guys to pressure cleaning and cement....they have to be available somewhere haha

Thanks a lot!!

I have to figure out how much that bad boy will weigh bc standing that on a cinderblock might be a bad idea

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Excellent!! I see those caged containers in all manner of truck around here from lake clean up to pool guys to pressure cleaning and cement....they have to be available somewhere haha

Thanks a lot!!

I have to figure out how much that bad boy will weigh bc standing that on a cinderblock might be a bad idea

7.5 lb per gallon, plus the weight of the container, which is really negligible. Mine is actually in a temporary location, and I leveled it with bricks. This upcoming spring I'm going to pour a pad a few feet from where it is, and plumb it so the overflow drains into my bog.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Drain into my bog is beautiful music to my ears