The Home Improvements Thread (2)

Priapus

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
11,421
I increased my pump to a LEO MAC550, which is a bit bigger than my little jojo pump. I increased as my JoJo pump can only handle about 2 or 3 pop up sprinklers. I have a small garden and run the pump about 30 minutes a day, 10 000l lasts me most of summer with a couple of summer rains here and there to help out.

I only have one gutter section filling my tank, would like to block off one of my other downpipes to get more water coming the way to my tank. I'll have to of course keep a close eye on the gutter if I block off that downpipe, but will see how it goes during some heavy rain and take it from there.

Interesting. So then two 5K tanks and a biggish pump like yours would work well. My garage would be above the tanks if I place them next to the house. So a pump is definitely needed.

I'll do some costings to see if it's worth it, but the wife is very keen on the idea. having the solar means we already off grid for the most part (Only use it 5hrs a day) and the idea of JoJo tanks will mean less reliance on the municipality/ environment.
 

alqassam

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
4,112
Interesting. So then two 5K tanks and a biggish pump like yours would work well. My garage would be above the tanks if I place them next to the house. So a pump is definitely needed.

I'll do some costings to see if it's worth it, but the wife is very keen on the idea. having the solar means we already off grid for the most part (Only use it 5hrs a day) and the idea of JoJo tanks will mean less reliance on the municipality/ environment.
Start off with 1 JoJo and see how long it lasts. It's easy to expand tanks as you need. You also need a solid level base for the tanks.
 

Priapus

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
11,421
Start off with 1 JoJo and see how long it lasts. It's easy to expand tanks as you need. You also need a solid level base for the tanks.

I have a place in mind for the tanks. Right next to the house which has a level ground. Paved. I think you're right. Start with a single tank.

I am also considering this:
 

SAguy

Honorary Master
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
10,614
Interesting. So then two 5K tanks and a biggish pump like yours would work well. My garage would be above the tanks if I place them next to the house. So a pump is definitely needed.

I'll do some costings to see if it's worth it, but the wife is very keen on the idea. having the solar means we already off grid for the most part (Only use it 5hrs a day) and the idea of JoJo tanks will mean less reliance on the municipality/ environment.
Yeah, I'm planning to at least plumb our 1 toilet into the JoJo too. Not going the whole filter route for the water yet for shower, drinking, etc.. so for now just the toilet
 

Lupus

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Messages
50,976
Yeah, I'm planning to at least plumb our 1 toilet into the JoJo too. Not going the whole filter route for the water yet for shower, drinking, etc.. so for now just the toilet
Do you use enough to do that?
 

alqassam

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
4,112
Nope not since 2017, unless you're declared indignant.
Nope they changed it last year. Look at your bill. My bad 4.71kl
49269c33bd1a250d246a7e5dc8b4e9b8.jpg
 

Tinuva

The Magician
Joined
Feb 10, 2005
Messages
12,478
Another question - should the tanks be placed at right next to the house? I guess so if I am using the roof to collect water.
No.

I have a small tank right next to the house. The 2x 5kl tanks are right at the back of the property behind the house.

From the small tank I then have a pipe go underground past the garage alll the way to the tanks at the back. No pumps for this part, gravity does all the work.

Then I have a 0.75kw booster pump for usage. It works fine with a pressure washer.
 

Priapus

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
11,421
No.

I have a small tank right next to the house. The 2x 5kl tanks are right at the back of the property behind the house.

From the small tank I then have a pipe go underground past the garage alll the way to the tanks at the back. No pumps for this part, gravity does all the work.

Then I have a 0.75kw booster pump for usage. It works fine with a pressure washer.

Not a bad idea, the second location where I would have the tanks is at the back of the garden. But that is higher than the house; so gravity won't work here. It would have to be a pump if I wanted them up there.
 

Priapus

Honorary Master
Joined
Jun 8, 2008
Messages
11,421
Having a look online at some installation videos; it doesn't seem that difficult to install.
 

Tinuva

The Magician
Joined
Feb 10, 2005
Messages
12,478
Not a bad idea, the second location where I would have the tanks is at the back of the garden. But that is higher than the house; so gravity won't work here. It would have to be a pump if I wanted them up there.
Same here actually. But let me show a photo.

52893fe6191f6dbe9447caf44d483c59.jpg


Smaller tank was made higher with a block concrete, you can fill with sand and compact to save cost

This will work if you ba k of the garden isn't too much higher.
 

xrapidx

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
40,311
Is there a way to determine if I could have a WellPoint without spending too much, that might make it worth while.

So, maybe two 5000 JoJo tanks then? Do I need to have a pump if I am using it with a garden house?
Easiest is to ask around the neighbourhood - if people have nothing, or boreholes, chances are you won't find water.

The pressure should be quite high when the tank is full - but, the lower it gets, the lower your pressure, so a pump is recommended.
 

xrapidx

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
40,311
4x skirting boards officially painted. Loaned a sliding compound mitre saw - tomorrow is d-day. Magically fitting 12m boards into just under that space. Not looking forward to it.
 
Top