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Another agricultural question - moving water from rain barrels
#1
I have 3 networked 55 gallon rain barrels catching gutter rain, with a spigot to a garden hose. They are elevated around 18” off the ground. I want the water to fill a ground level rain barrel in the greenhouse about 30' away - I don’t think the gravity is going to do it. My dad says there’s a $20 siphon pump I can get to move the water easily… I cannot find one that goes to 5/8” or 3/4” hose threads. They are either for aquariums or gasoline (no threads at all). Is there an easy way to get this going? I would love to avoid electricity, as there is no outlet where the networked barrels are, and it’s outside. I don’t want to use mouth suction every time - the water is yucky. I’m sure there is some easy answer, but I can’t find it (nor can my usual pump store genius). I have a cast iron utility pump, requiring priming, that is a PITA to get, and keep, going.

Thanks for being an awesome resource on everything.
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#2
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Drill-.../325087542
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#3
btfc wrote:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-Drill-.../325087542
Very interesting, thanks! I never saw one of those before.
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#4
RecipeForDisaster wrote:
I don’t think the gravity is going to do it.

First find out what gravity will do.
Confirm it won't do it before investing in anything more complicated and less robust.

If gravity will only fill the barrel in the greenhouse up to 50%, consider using two barrels there or a wider, lower receptacle.

Considering the whole picture, if the gutters collect water well above the height of the greenhouse barrel, you have plenty of gravity to work with.
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#5
Would a simple sump pump with a float valve do the job?

https://www.amazon.com/MEDAS-Submersible...7OCX190SLY&keywords=sump%2Bpump&qid=1695993820&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011%2Cp_72%3A1248909011%2Cp_36%3A-4500&rnid=1243644011&rps=1&s=hi&sprefix=sump%2Bp%2Ctools%2C103&sr=1-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
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#6
TheTominator wrote:
[quote=RecipeForDisaster]
I don’t think the gravity is going to do it.

First find out what gravity will do.
Confirm it won't do it before investing in anything more complicated and less robust.

If gravity will only fill the barrel in the greenhouse up to 50%, consider using two barrels there or a wider, lower receptacle.

Considering the whole picture, if the gutters collect water well above the height of the greenhouse barrel, you have plenty of gravity to work with.
The natural height of the barrels is the same (they are identical 55 gallon barrels). I have thought about burying the indoor one partway. The spigot is low on the barrel, so I think the water is going uphill to reach the fill spot on the indoor barrel. I will try (it’s dumb, the end of the hose is crushed so I can’t extend the hose long enough to try until I put a repair hose end on it).
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#7
RecipeForDisaster wrote:
I don’t think the gravity is going to do it.

Confirm this before ruling it out. 5 mins of your time to fill the rain barrel and get a definitive assessment of the situation.
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#8
d4 wrote:
[quote=RecipeForDisaster]
I don’t think the gravity is going to do it.

Confirm this before ruling it out. 5 mins of your time to fill the rain barrel and get a definitive assessment of the situation.
Yeah. I’m doubtful but it’s worth a try.

I don’t want a sump pump because of lack of electricity in the area. It seems simple enough that I would be able to do it cheaper and without extension cords outdoors…
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#9
Cordless battery option: Home Depot. Limited time offer, it appears.
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#10

My local Hazard Fraught has one for $15. My dad bought a similar one ~ 30 years ago. It died after trying to pump hot oil during an attempted oil change. Part of the problem was driving it with a single speed 120 V drill.

If gravity will work, try making a version of the 'auto start siphon' with 1" PVC.
https: //youtu.be/4SEv_GxAo70?t=96
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