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Eugene,OR

I am building a water tower which will have several plastic/food grade 55 gallon barrels to store water. I would like to use fittings to connect the barrels together and to run water into and out of the barrels. Any suggestions on the size/type of fittings to use and where I can find them without devoting my life to researching it?

2/21/2004 1:05:30 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

You'll need "through-hole" fittings. The more common fittings are threaded. Threaded fittings will only work where there is enough "meat" cast into the barrle to drill & tap a hole large enough for I'd say a minimum of 3/8" but prferably 1/2' or 5/8". Most garden hoses are either 5/8 or even 3/4". So much smaller will take longer to move the water. Probably OK if using soakers or drip.

Through-hole fittings are made in two sections. Each has a shoulder built into it. You drill a hole in a flat (end) section. The fitting includes 2 rubber washers. So it's fed through the hole with one washer in place. The the other half (and it's rubber washer) is screwed on from the opposite side. Once tightened, the washers are snadwiched tight against the barrle or tank.

Commercial plumbing suplliers, Marinas, & RV/Mobile home suppliers usually stock fittings like these.

I searched for a picture & this was the closest thing I found. Plastic is probably waht we're after but this visual should help:

http://www.plantfog.at/Bilder/Schottverschraubung016_400.JPG

If the counter help looks at you funny, tell them the fittings used in fresh & waste water holding tanks would work.

2/21/2004 7:59:03 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

This link has a pic that may be helpful.....
http://www.paradisepark.co.uk/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.paradisepark.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Butts___Compacters.html&CatalogBody

2/21/2004 9:18:00 AM

Oz

i used plastic male threaded fittings(with hose slip on ends), with a union"double threaded female" coupling.
two large steel washers(one on inside ,one outside against the barrel) and plumbers goop.
i threaded the males through the plastic.
no leaks and lots of flow. all from local hardware.

2/21/2004 10:14:11 AM

Indiana

I have seen fittings at a brewery supply site somewhere that were curved to fit the contour of a barrel you might try a google search for that.
Steve

2/21/2004 1:53:49 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Hi all,
I have a question...
When you set up these barrels do you connect them all together with water lines? Or leave them all separate. The reason I ask is it may be easier when filling them?

Doeski

2/22/2004 3:55:52 PM

Eugene,OR

I plan to connect them all together. I have wine barrel racks which stack on top of each other, each holding two barrels side by side...so I will end up with a stack three barrels high by two barrels wide. I'll run water in to the top and take it out through the bottom...it will be gravity fed.

2/22/2004 4:52:55 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

Vineman, go to WWW.DRIPWORKSUSA.COM, they set me up last
season with the hdwe necessary to tap the barrels, cheap too! They've got everything you'll need I think.
Duff

2/23/2004 7:18:03 PM

Indiana

http://www.bayteccontainers.com/accessories.html has some fittings
steve

2/26/2004 1:20:57 PM