Good video, can I give some advice ? Don't forget that the radius is the thickness of the tank higher on the inside. One thing you can do is put a small 6 inch ruler and put it against the tank on the rulers edge and the 6 inches running up and down. Slide the ruler down the side of the bottom of the tank until just before the edge of the ruler tries to come off the tank. Then measure up the ruler from the rulers bottom edge the thickness of the tank and it wouldn't hurt to go twice the thickness of the tank which will only be a total of 1/2" then mark past that half your bulkhead fittings size. I was a steel fabricator for 18 years, I just thought I'd give a little input. Don't forget you need to bevel and chamfer you pvc pipe that your going to glue together and make sure to glue them together so you can twist the male pipes into the female as they're being pushed together. If you don't twist them as your putting the pipes together the male pipe can scrape the glue off the inside of the female pipe as they're being slid straight into each other without twisting the male and also from not beveling it to. And make sure to put plenty of primer on both ends and glue on both ends , with putting a second coat of each.
Suggestion. Your way will work. But here is a way that doesn’t require more than one bulkhead. Increase size of single bulkhead to increase flow to the next tank. Insuring two tanks can handle heavy rain downpours. Connect the other two with your two inch line in series as you were going to do originally. Size to handle the first tank line for the worst rain downpour your area has experienced in last 500 years or to your comfort level. But I do like your method too. Thanks Pete enjoy your videos
Very innovative way to get the bulkhead fitting in position for the install. I was wondering how you were going to convince the wife to climb into the tank...lol. Great information, thanks much, keep them coming.
We're around the corner from you and getting ready to do this, too, so I find it very interesting. We get so much rain here! It's been nice to watch you go through the process. Thanks, Pete. *Correction: We have not gotten much rain this summer. I blame weather weaponization. We must persevere.
I would suggest including an overflow to the tanks with an insect screen. I added 3 Russo spin down sediment filters in order to prevent sludge from building up in the tanks.
With plastic tanks you should never have a rigid connection between the tanks.The tanks expand and contract as they fill with water and this bulging at the bottom which can be significant will rip the tank and pipes apart.You should have flexible connections between tanks such as hoses which are free to move as the tanks fill and empty.If you are concerned about the overflow of one tank in heavy rain you over come this by connecting the overflow outlets at the top of the tanks together in series and the final discharge goes to your final disposal point.If you fill the bottom of the tanks with sand you will restrict the movement of the pipes causing eventual failure.
Yeah, I thought the same thing also. I think he will be ok in this situation because of how he has made a U-shaped valve set up. It will be able to expand and contract to a certain degree. Still a good job for a couple of garden storage tanks.
SE Texas is zone 8B. Most Farmer's Alamanacs have planting guides in them and you can get those a grocery stores, and lots of other places. Like in all zones, you should wait in the spring until after the last frost date, but Texas actually has 2 growing seasons, so you can usually grow in the fall, too.
If you are dead set on connecting tanks at the bottom, a better method would be to connect a single big bulkhead, let's say 4", to your main tank and then use reducers to connect to the other 2" bulkheads for the secondary tanks. You ideally want to use as few bulkheads as possible per tank as these things do leak after a few years once the rubber washer wears out and it's a pain in the rear to change them. Due to the fear of bulkheads leaking, I have chosen to connect each tank's overflow to the next tank's inlet. There is no bulkhead fitting at the bottom of any tank and hence zero chances of leakage in future. In this setup, each tank will fill up in series, one after the other and not simultaneously. I have a monoblock pump whose suction line enters the tank through the top and each tank is connected separately to the same pump and controlled using ball valves. The pump is only allowed to pump water from one tank at any time. So the downside is I have to manually operate which ball valve to open while keeping all other shut. If one tank's water is low, I have to switch the pump to another tank by use of ball valves. I wish I could automate everything but the only way to do that is to connect all tanks at the bottom and I don't want to do that.
Coming together nicely Pete, maybe I am mistaken did you not say in your last video "The gutter guys is coming tomorrow"? I was thinking you already had the gutters installed, like I said I may be mistaken. Secondly, what is your plan for the exposed PVC pipe for when it gets below 32 degrees? The drone shots are a nice plus to your videos keep up the good work.
You are correct, but I also said "we'll see how that goes around here" meaning if they'll even show up 🙂 and of course they didn't. I then had another gutter company come and gave me a ridiculously high estimate. Finally called the company that built the metal building and it was more reasonably priced.
Because to connect your last PVC pipe, you would have to move the tank out then back to connect it. Also not wise to put it straight because the tanks expand and contract as the tanks fill and empty.
Yes that's a good way of doing that too. But my 3000 gallon full line is right at the top of the tank lid. So my overflow pipe is going there and I have no room to put a fill pipe in above that line. I could of still done it, but it would not be a 3000 gallon tank then.
Hey wasn’t the valve supposed to be the first thing applied on the tank just in case the pipes would of break like winter freeze or someone or something step on them ????
I would like to paint them but I will have to do some research on how to get the paint to stick to plastic. I don't want it pealing off in a year, that would look terrible.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading an extreme bonding primer applied before the paint should work. I like Sherwin Williams. Call the paint guys at your local paint supply store and they should be able to recommend the right product.
It only comes with one rubber casket and it goes on the inside of the tank. The other ring is plastic and goes on the outside and it serves to push the tank against the rubber gasket so you have a good seal.
It's an older dji phantom 3. It was fairly easy to learn. Just take your time and remember how much you paid for it and you'll be extra careful 🙂. I'm no pro but I have the basics down good.
27:26 OH NO not again. Well aftr using way to much material pipe fitting he says he likes the sleek look of his 90s and because they dont restrict the flow as much as SCH40 Who told you that?
Hello Pete, firstly, I'm a plumbing dummy ... sorry for all these questions. Will you be doing the 1st flush system? If you are, won't that restrict the flow going to the 1st tank anyway? Also, why the bend / elbows in between tanks? Is it because of the way the tanks are situated? I figured a straight pipe in between the ball valves will have better flow?
A straight run to the tanks would be better for flow but I would not be able to connect the pvc pipe together without moving the tank out and back in to connect the pvc pipe together. I will be doing a first flush with a big 4 inch pvc pipe, one for each side of the garage gutters. That should be plenty of flow for the water to travel and more then the gutter it self can give it.
Plus... this will allow for a little flex in the pipes as the tanks settle in and fill the first time. Each tank is going to have 12 tons of water in it when full. They are going to shift a little. Straight pipes would have very little flex and risk cracking or leaking, unless you used a flexible line. Never priced that kind of pipe/line but figure they are probably a little pricey lol.
Did you drain your tanks in the winter? It seems like it doesn't get cold enough for long enough to freeze the tanks, but the overflow would probably freeze. What do you think?
Good video, can I give some advice ? Don't forget that the radius is the thickness of the tank higher on the inside. One thing you can do is put a small 6 inch ruler and put it against the tank on the rulers edge and the 6 inches running up and down. Slide the ruler down the side of the bottom of the tank until just before the edge of the ruler tries to come off the tank. Then measure up the ruler from the rulers bottom edge the thickness of the tank and it wouldn't hurt to go twice the thickness of the tank which will only be a total of 1/2" then mark past that half your bulkhead fittings size. I was a steel fabricator for 18 years, I just thought I'd give a little input. Don't forget you need to bevel and chamfer you pvc pipe that your going to glue together and make sure to glue them together so you can twist the male pipes into the female as they're being pushed together. If you don't twist them as your putting the pipes together the male pipe can scrape the glue off the inside of the female pipe as they're being slid straight into each other without twisting the male and also from not beveling it to. And make sure to put plenty of primer on both ends and glue on both ends , with putting a second coat of each.
Suggestion. Your way will work. But here is a way that doesn’t require more than one bulkhead. Increase size of single bulkhead to increase flow to the next tank. Insuring two tanks can handle heavy rain downpours. Connect the other two with your two inch line in series as you were going to do originally. Size to handle the first tank line for the worst rain downpour your area has experienced in last 500 years or to your comfort level. But I do like your method too. Thanks Pete enjoy your videos
Thank you Pete I did learn so much. 1 use bulkheads, 2 use joint compound. on pvc.
Looks great. Looking forward to the next installment and then a big rain. Nice editing and explanations.
Good to see you playing with the drone for your videos. Nice video pete. See you on the next
Bird's eye view.
AWESOME!!!
Very innovative way to get the bulkhead fitting in position for the install. I was wondering how you were going to convince the wife to climb into the tank...lol. Great information, thanks much, keep them coming.
Enjoy your content ... like the way you think things out and work through the processes of every project you tackle.
Good luck with your newest project!!
Thank you
We're around the corner from you and getting ready to do this, too, so I find it very interesting. We get so much rain here! It's been nice to watch you go through the process. Thanks, Pete. *Correction: We have not gotten much rain this summer. I blame weather weaponization. We must persevere.
Looks good! Like the drone video!
thank you for the info - especially the info on the pipe dope.
Nice work very inspiring!
Great job ! We are in the area as well, my concern would be isolation on those pipes.
Thanks, I will be covering the pipes with fill dirt and a couple inches of white rocks once I know there's no leaks.
I love this project!!
Great planning and details! So, I guess you weren’t able to convince wifey to drop down into the tanks to pass the bulkhead fittings thru, huh? ;-)
I tried but she won't go for it 🙂
I would suggest including an overflow to the tanks with an insect screen. I added 3 Russo spin down sediment filters in order to prevent sludge from building up in the tanks.
Yep thanks, the over flow is my next project.
With plastic tanks you should never have a rigid connection between the tanks.The tanks expand and contract as they fill with water and this bulging at the bottom which can be significant will rip the tank and pipes apart.You should have flexible connections between tanks such as hoses which are free to move as the tanks fill and empty.If you are concerned about the overflow of one tank in heavy rain you over come this by connecting the overflow outlets at the top of the tanks together in series and the final discharge goes to your final disposal point.If you fill the bottom of the tanks with sand you will restrict the movement of the pipes causing eventual failure.
My thoughts too. Do you know if rigid connection is ok between steel tanks though?
Yeah, I thought the same thing also. I think he will be ok in this situation because of how he has made a U-shaped valve set up. It will be able to expand and contract to a certain degree. Still a good job for a couple of garden storage tanks.
Is east Texas the same as south Texas zone. Also is there a book or something on when we can start planting
SE Texas is zone 8B. Most Farmer's Alamanacs have planting guides in them and you can get those a grocery stores, and lots of other places. Like in all zones, you should wait in the spring until after the last frost date, but Texas actually has 2 growing seasons, so you can usually grow in the fall, too.
If you are dead set on connecting tanks at the bottom, a better method would be to connect a single big bulkhead, let's say 4", to your main tank and then use reducers to connect to the other 2" bulkheads for the secondary tanks. You ideally want to use as few bulkheads as possible per tank as these things do leak after a few years once the rubber washer wears out and it's a pain in the rear to change them.
Due to the fear of bulkheads leaking, I have chosen to connect each tank's overflow to the next tank's inlet. There is no bulkhead fitting at the bottom of any tank and hence zero chances of leakage in future. In this setup, each tank will fill up in series, one after the other and not simultaneously. I have a monoblock pump whose suction line enters the tank through the top and each tank is connected separately to the same pump and controlled using ball valves. The pump is only allowed to pump water from one tank at any time. So the downside is I have to manually operate which ball valve to open while keeping all other shut. If one tank's water is low, I have to switch the pump to another tank by use of ball valves.
I wish I could automate everything but the only way to do that is to connect all tanks at the bottom and I don't want to do that.
So, following up on your work. Did it perform as well as you planned or did you over think it?
It's been working great. We use It to water our garden and greenhouse but have the option to run water to the house in an emergency.
Are you planning on installing drain valves incase you might need to drain the tanks for whatever reason.
That would be a good idea, but I think I'll just syphon it out or pump it out with a portable pump. I'm already turning the tanks into Swiss cheese 🙂
looks nice pete. did you use a level with the piping at all?
Level is not absolutely necessary but you do want it fairly close. Once the water level goes up above the pipes, it's not going to matter.
Coming together nicely Pete, maybe I am mistaken did you not say in your last video "The gutter guys is coming tomorrow"? I was thinking you already had the gutters installed, like I said I may be mistaken. Secondly, what is your plan for the exposed PVC pipe for when it gets below 32 degrees? The drone shots are a nice plus to your videos keep up the good work.
You are correct, but I also said "we'll see how that goes around here" meaning if they'll even show up 🙂 and of course they didn't. I then had another gutter company come and gave me a ridiculously high estimate. Finally called the company that built the metal building and it was more reasonably priced.
I forgot to answer your question, but I will be burying the pipes once I know that there is no leaks.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading OK that makes sense especially after a leak check.
You may have explained this or responded to question, but I missed. Why are the connectors between the tanks not straight?
Because to connect your last PVC pipe, you would have to move the tank out then back to connect it. Also not wise to put it straight because the tanks expand and contract as the tanks fill and empty.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Your response is very clear. Many thanks.
Wouldn’t it be better up top? Can fix leaks easier without loosing your water
Yes that's a good way of doing that too. But my 3000 gallon full line is right at the top of the tank lid. So my overflow pipe is going there and I have no room to put a fill pipe in above that line. I could of still done it, but it would not be a 3000 gallon tank then.
Hey wasn’t the valve supposed to be the first thing applied on the tank just in case the pipes would of break like winter freeze or someone or something step on them ????
I did but had to put an elbow first because I didn't have enough room in between tanks to put it straight.
Are you going to paint the tanks, ie with that white reflective paint that keeps roofs cooler on containers and schoolies, or leave as is?
I would like to paint them but I will have to do some research on how to get the paint to stick to plastic. I don't want it pealing off in a year, that would look terrible.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Roger that
@@petebeasttexashomesteading an extreme bonding primer applied before the paint should work. I like Sherwin Williams. Call the paint guys at your local paint supply store and they should be able to recommend the right product.
Did you use both rubber gaskets on the inside? Isn’t one of them supposed to go in and one out?
It only comes with one rubber casket and it goes on the inside of the tank. The other ring is plastic and goes on the outside and it serves to push the tank against the rubber gasket so you have a good seal.
What kind of drone do you have, Pete? Was it easy to learn?
It's an older dji phantom 3. It was fairly easy to learn. Just take your time and remember how much you paid for it and you'll be extra careful 🙂. I'm no pro but I have the basics down good.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Thanks Pete!
@@petebeasttexashomesteading You're hilarious.
are you going to vent each tank seperately
The tanks already have a vent built into the tank inlet cover.
With those 10 feet tall tanks, you'll never get more than city pressure. Actually you'll never exceed half of it. You should be fine
27:26 OH NO not again. Well aftr using way to much material pipe fitting he says he likes the sleek look of his 90s and because they dont restrict the flow as much as SCH40 Who told you that?
10:27 and the goofball doent know how to set the drill chuck to drill mode . . haha haha
☹
Hello Pete, firstly, I'm a plumbing dummy ... sorry for all these questions. Will you be doing the 1st flush system? If you are, won't that restrict the flow going to the 1st tank anyway? Also, why the bend / elbows in between tanks? Is it because of the way the tanks are situated? I figured a straight pipe in between the ball valves will have better flow?
A straight run to the tanks would be better for flow but I would not be able to connect the pvc pipe together without moving the tank out and back in to connect the pvc pipe together. I will be doing a first flush with a big 4 inch pvc pipe, one for each side of the garage gutters. That should be plenty of flow for the water to travel and more then the gutter it self can give it.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Thanks.
Plus... this will allow for a little flex in the pipes as the tanks settle in and fill the first time. Each tank is going to have 12 tons of water in it when full. They are going to shift a little. Straight pipes would have very little flex and risk cracking or leaking, unless you used a flexible line. Never priced that kind of pipe/line but figure they are probably a little pricey lol.
Did you drain your tanks in the winter? It seems like it doesn't get cold enough for long enough to freeze the tanks, but the overflow would probably freeze. What do you think?
It doesn't get that cold here and even if we get cold enough, it would have to last a better part of a week to freeze those tanks if they're full.
@@petebeasttexashomesteading Thanks, Pete. That's what I was thinking.
Yeah four 90s don’t restrict the flow any smh.
Unsubscribed a whole minute of just drone shots with no helpful information then two commercials no thanks
🤣
Talk about making something simple complicated
Sorry but way too much talking! More talking then doing!
😡
Seriously? nearly 2 minutes of "view" shots before even starting the actual substance.
Cut to the chase, mate.
😔