Pump and barrels for Rainwater distribution

Janef

My well is running dry! So I am collecting rainwater off my roof for garden use. So far I have 3 bins/barrels (approx. 140 gallons) connected, and I have run a half-inch hose from the last one down to the lower end of my sloping garden, for watering my 36 sq metre polytunnel full of tomatoes and cucumbers etc.
But it's running too slowly: there isn't enough pressure to fill the drip-feed pipes in the tunnel.
I think I need to fit a pump on a timeswitch to boost the pressure. Can anyone tell me what kind of pump to get and where to put it? (In the tank or on a pipe?) And a filter to stop odd bugs, leaves etc blocking the drip hose.

Also, does anyone know where to get cheap plastic barrels in Ireland, and/or nice oak barrels for the front of the house?

Tessa · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:00 am Post subject:

Here in the US we can get them from the big food distribution companies. I've gotten a couple of 55 gallon ones that held soy sauce for about 5.00 (US) each. There's also a racing fuel place near me that periodically will sell them really cheap, sometimes even give them away. Racing fuel is highly evaporative and most of it is long gone by the time you'd use the barrel. Any residue washes out easily with dish washing soap.

I almost forgot....cheesemakers use big barrels for making the curd and will often sell the barrels. It's at least worth checking.

Janef · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:20 am Post subject:

Thanks, Tessa. I just got some that had been used for caramel flavouring by a food company, and they are perfect.

Gardensgalore · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject:

I had a similar problem, my water comes from a mountain stream high up, but goes into a large holding tank, only about 2-3 metres above my polytunnels; so I didn't have enough pressure. The solution was to install a shallow well pump in the garden, covered by an old fibreglass cold water tank. This boosts pressure a lot, but needs a mains power supply. It switches on automatically when you turn something on (senses pressure). It came from a company in Kenmare - http://www.rvr.ie/ - who delivered very quickly. With materials to build a base, cable etc it cost about €400 (not includind old tank). Its worth giving them a call.

Hope that helps
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