Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Getting water into lawns 21Nov 26, 2009 1:07 pm I had previously seen the watergator systems at Mitre 10, but the price was a bit beyond what i was prepared to spend. Went to Bunnings, bought a 240L wheelie bin ($120) and pump ($80) and have pretty much the same thing at half the cost. Re: Getting water into lawns 22Nov 26, 2009 1:16 pm yer they are a little expensive, but when you include the plumbing they have in it and the quick connect couplings and hosing it does make it more valuable for the money. Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Getting water into lawns 23Dec 02, 2009 4:57 pm Just bumping this topic up again... So I have been doing some further research and have just heard back from a plumber that they want to charge $1300 for installation of a rainwater tank to a down pipe + pump set up. Does this sound crazy expensive or about right? I'm just curious because I am not getting what I thought was 'fancy' plumbing (connecting to toilets/showers etc) I thought it wouldn't be too much money to just connect a downpipe to the tank and then have the pump there so I can hose the garden? Considering I don't get th $500 rebate from the government because I am not connecting to toilets etc, I only get $100 back so I'm looking at about $1200 for the tank + pump etc, then $1300 for plumber so about $2500 all up for entire rain water tank installed.....I'm starting to wonder if a drip line irrigation system connected to the bath/shower or even a downpipe would be cheaper and more effective>?? Any one care to share their thoughts My karma ran over your dogma Re: Getting water into lawns 25Dec 02, 2009 8:25 pm what exactly does the $1,300 include? pumps, concrete base for the tank, electrical connection for the pump? i always install my own tanks as its pretty easy if that price includes a good quality pump it could be where the money is, good pumps do cost money Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Getting water into lawns 26Dec 02, 2009 8:33 pm How big and what kind of tank is it? 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Getting water into lawns 27Dec 02, 2009 8:35 pm Hmmmno the price is for installation only - the tank will be installed in our sideway which is already concreted flat. We only want it connected to a downpipe - that's why I thought we could do it ourselves too, surely it couldnt be that hard? The pump and tank was going to set us back a further $1200.....which is the bit that you need the plumber for? Connecting the pump?? That installation price was based on a 2300L slimline tank from hellohello.com.au My karma ran over your dogma Re: Getting water into lawns 28Dec 02, 2009 8:40 pm Well if you are up to it then have a go. I know all irrigation shops here in Perth sell all the bits you need including pumps and a bit of sound advice. You'll need a power point bunged in for power to run the pump. Re: Getting water into lawns 29Dec 03, 2009 8:30 am Its a really easy thing to do, give it a shot yourself. Its just common sense type stuff. You can grab some fittings and the pipe from your local hardware store, pipe is just over $20 for a 6 metre length and the fittings are a dollar or so each. Just make sure you secure them if your running them any distance. Make sure you have the overflow from the tank running somewhere suitable, its legally supposed to go into the stormwater but as long as its safe and not going to run into your neighbours yard. The tank will come with a threaded male fitting, just get some adaptors again from your hardware store and run them to your water pump. You can get some good bargains around on the net, if your only using it for hosing your garden etc you wont need a big pump at all, id only be spending a few hundred for basic home use. If you want to do lawn irrigation you need something with grunt but otherwise anything will do the job. if you decide to have a go yourself just post in here if you get stuck and we can help out. But its a very simple job. Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Getting water into lawns 30Dec 03, 2009 9:50 am Thanks so much for all your help guys... We are having the excavation done in the next week and we won't install the lawn until after Christmas so don't need anything until then, so I am still researching. I was thinking maybe the 2300L tank might be too big too if it is only for the garden and was thinking maybe a 1000L might be more suitable? We do have a few friends who might be able to help with the installation too, far handier than DH or I We are still considering the grey water gator thing too and scrapping the tank all together....I think Adrian was using this on his lawn and it seemed to be working. The only thing I wasn't sure about switching my washing powder - my son is very sensitive to certain washing powders and I finally found one that works so didn't really want to change it My karma ran over your dogma Re: Getting water into lawns 31Dec 03, 2009 9:56 am if you do a fair amount of washing and/or have a smallish sized lawn a gator might do the job, im using one to water my back yard. its always hard trying to find somewhere to squeeze in a water tank. ive decided im putting mine on our easement, the council will love me for it. just hope they dont ask me to move it Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Getting water into lawns 32Dec 03, 2009 10:07 am I probably do 2 loads of washing a day sometimes less (bloody DH and his dirty training gear ) Back yard is about 8m x 15m and front yard a bit less so not overly huge. In fact the more I look at the gator system, the more I like it.....I did look at the better washing powders too and it said to choose low sodium and low phosophorus, on the graph it had Biozet with added softner right down the bottom with NO phosphorus and very low sodium, so I might give that a go Can you set up the gator system so your put the washing machine hose through a brick wall? i do have a sliding window in my laundry but it has a flyscreen on it and I don't fancy taking off the flyscreen everytime and connecting the hose to the system outside, I'd prefer to have it attached permanently My karma ran over your dogma Re: Getting water into lawns 33Dec 03, 2009 10:18 am Not sure on the brick wall. We have a sliding security door in our laundry so ive just cut a whole in one of the screen sections and popped it through that and leave the deadlock the security door. it comes with the quick connector so you can take it off if you want after youve finished washing for the week. thats working well for us and it only takes a second to setup. Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Getting water into lawns 34Dec 04, 2009 12:13 am Just think carefully on the position of the tank. Get it somewhere that it can be plumbed into the dunny and washing machine in the future. Why I say this is because like it or not, your summer weather is changing to become long and dry, similar to Perth. No rain in summer is when you need the water on the lawn. The tanks will be full all winter when you don't need the water Thanks for your advice. So far i have not noticed any issues with doors and windows. Builder advised they will organise drainers to inspect 2 weeks ago but no further… 7 18953 I use Tramex moisture meter and it will tell me instantly if the wall is cement sheet or plaster or masonite but most people dont have the equipment. 5 7129 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11903 |