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Second year grower here. I am changing my watering system from city water on a sprinkler to rain water collected in two 65 gallon rain barrels. I plan on elevating the barrels only about 1 foot off of the ground, which is about the same elevation as my patch. The patch is about 1000 sqft. and is located about 40 ft from the water barrel source. I see that t tape can be purchased to flow at a low 2lbs of pressure. My question is, do you think that the barrels alone will have enough pressure to supply the water to the patch without having to add some type of electric pump? If I need a pump can I purchase one to be placed in line with the garden hose to slightly boost the pressure? Thanks Tony

3/9/2005 4:27:51 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Tony,
I think that you may want to contact the folks at www.dripworks.com, just bought my system from them.
I will be going with a 1/4 hp pump.
tom

3/9/2005 5:29:17 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

two 65 gallon barrels for a 1000 sqft patch really isn't a lot.
130 gal. is about the amount I use on my 800sqft. patch per day during sunny, dry weather...

Martin

3/9/2005 5:42:42 PM

Western Pa.

Tony,
I encountered the same dilemna last year. Your barrels 1' off the ground will not be adequate. I bought a cheap drill operated pump which could be used in-line. Then, I opted instead to convert the kids swingset play tower into a water tower. This worked best, just make sure it's "safe" before putting 200 gallons of water 12' high!

3/9/2005 6:04:34 PM

I live in a suburban setting, so constructing a water tower just is not an option. I also do not really have the room to add too many more barrels for collecting water. I may use the rain water until it runs out and then supplement watering with my city water. I've seen a filter advertised online that claims to filter out 80% of the chlorine from the water. It hooks directly up to the hose. I may not have any other options. By the way, my water is "hard". Does the ph of water effect the plants in any way? Thanks for the advice, I will contact dripworks. Tony

3/9/2005 6:28:30 PM

Eugene,OR

Check out Brian In Oregon's 2004 diary. It has all of the formulas to figure it out...but you'd better have a PHD in Math if you expect to run the equations.

3/9/2005 11:31:15 PM

White Plains, NY

FILTER! I strongly recommend a filter to prevent clogging on any system.

3/10/2005 8:07:09 AM

Itzetown City

Tony, here in Germany we can ask the waterworks about the indigrents and ph of their water. I guess it´s the same there.

3/11/2005 5:57:01 AM