Browse Forums DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair 1 Mar 10, 2020 7:23 pm Hi everyone. We have just bought a house north of Adelaide. Hickinbotham built circa 2009, I have sent of a request for info from the building company but no response as yet. If anyone can identify the likely plumbing inputs/outputs I’d be most appreciative. Thanks in advance, Matt. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 2Mar 10, 2020 8:18 pm Well, I have seen some bizarre installations but this one wins the Kewpie doll. Is there a power point anywhere? If so, is there a connecting lead? What does the tag behind the pvc pipes say? The taller white pvc pipe is probably a vertical riser. As to why there is an inspection cap at the top.....??? The shorter pvc pipe is probably an overflow pipe. Can you post a photo showing the top and also the other end? Are there two separate tanks? 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 3Mar 10, 2020 8:59 pm Hi SaveH20, I’ll get some more photos tomorrow. There is no electrical connectors around the site nor leads attached anywhere. I do have some other pictures but don’t seem to be able to reply other then a quick reply. The white sticker reads 1000ltr rain water tank with 3/4” tap and inbuilt filter. Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 4Mar 10, 2020 9:42 pm Ok, the reply button is grey but I found another way to respond. Here’s three more photos from today. I’ll get a picture of the top tomorrow. I’m new to the water tank option but is that a water input tap near the top of the tank and an outlet leading into the wall? The outlet tap has a small leak from its stem but there is also a fat hose with a valve below the tap itself. Many things to look at ? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 5Mar 10, 2020 10:48 pm Clicking Reply next to PM brings up the full editor. I have found the tank. https://www.stratco.com.au/au/specialit ... alvanised/ I would love to have a look at it because I have never seen anything like it and it is always interesting to see the logic behind doing something differently. There has to be a power source somewhere because (I presume) it will have a submersible pump. It would be worth your while reading the post I have linked below under the heading SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS about the need to position most submersible pumps above the tank's floor (sediment layer). If possible, you need to check your pump. viewtopic.php?p=1866065#p1866065 It also states that it has a mains water top up system. These systems activate a mains water line to fill the tank to a minimum level when the water reaches a critical low point, i.e., it won't fill the tank. Top up systems qualify as automatic mains water switching devices which are cheaper and more reliable that the ones usually fitted. A good choice. The RainAid is a popular top up device, the link should interest you. https://www.wattsnz.co.nz/dfsmedia/0533 ... %20RainAid So...one of the copper pipes goes to the mains water top up valve (I think it would be the line with the green handled ball valve) while the other one delivers rainwater to selected fixtures in the house. Is there a pump near the HWS? If you undo the cap at the top of the vertical riser, you might find a filter inside. If so, it is probably overdue for a clean. Not knowing the system's design, I don't know how you would desludge the tank(s) which could be overdue. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 6Mar 11, 2020 4:31 pm Hey SaveH2O, thanks for the info. I’ll be looking into the above shortly. The builders got in touch today, they still had records on file about the build and the system. So for info, it’s plumed to fill the cistern on the main toilet only. There is a pump (I went outside today and heard it running when I got jnr to flush the loo), the power outlet must be located behind the panels at the bottom of the tank and although I haven’t checked yet, the pump may be located there also judging by the operating noise. This is also on my “to investigate” list. I got a pic of the top of the tank for you. You are more than welcome to have a look at the system (as you mentioned) if you are ever in the area, just sing out. ? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Rain water tank plumbing? 7Mar 11, 2020 6:25 pm I thought that the base was a stand and having a pump under there is no surprise. Do you see any leaf diverters fitted to the top of the downpipes? You have a wet system running underground (and under concrete) to the tank, if they haven't fitted a leaf diverter or two (depending on how many downpipes connect to the wet system), then you will have debris off the roof discharging into the wet system pipe plus mozzies are able to access the standing water in the downpipe(s). If what we see is the tank and not a cover, then they quite possibly have also diverted water directly into the tank unless the cover at the top of the vertical riser hides a filter. If it does, it is still the wrong place to have an entrapment filter, any filter should be at the downpipe to prevent rubbish entering the wet system. If I lived over your way, it would be worth the trip to have a look at the system. Thanks for the invite. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Can a plumber put a tap on a rain water tank which is full? Tank is similar to one in photo. Cheers. 0 1670 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10639 If you can calculate the reasonable charged head from let's say 100mm below the gutter to the top of where the vertical riser's horizontal discharge pipe will be, that… 11 17539 |