ii. How to Build the Small and Medium Drip Tank System

2. The Multi-Tank Water Reservoir for the Drip System

Use these instructions if you need to make a reservoir by connecting several tanks. If you prefer to use one large tank, you will need to install an overflow drain and the outlet for the drip line as described in this section.

a.    Tools

Same as listed in the Tools Section of How to Build the Holding Water System.

b.    Parts

Same as listed in the Parts Section of How to Build the Holding Water System. You will only need the medium boxes, not the small boxes. Use 3 or 4 to have a good-sized reservoir.

c.    Construction

Construct the medium tank setup using the techniques described in the Construction Section of How to Build the Holding Water System, with the following differences:

In addition to the blue drain kit installed in the end of the tank, you will need two additional drains in one of your reservoir tanks, one for the overflow drain, the other for the outflow for the drip system (Figure 24). (Note: If you are using a single large reservoir tank, you will only need the overflow and drip hookup drains.) When you install these two drain kits, be sure they are placed so they will fit through whatever grating is supporting the tanks. Do this by setting the tank in place and marking spots for the drains from below. (Figure 24)

Figure 24

This picture shows two additional drains kits installed in one of the reservoir tanks, placed to fit through the yellow decking. The first (a) is the outflow for the drip (shown unfinished). The second (b) is the emergency overflow drain. The third drain kit connecting this tank with the other reservoir tanks is not visible.

These two drains can be installed in any of the reservoir tanks. Just be sure to run the water inflow hose into the tank with the overflow drain (Figure 25). At high flow rates, this tank will fill to the top before the others, so it is important to have the overflow drain here to prevent spilling.

Figure 25

Drip System

  • a. Medium tank
  • b. Water lines connecting tanks
  • c. Water inflow hose
  • d. 1" diameter PVC overflow pipe, approx. 7” long
  • e. 1” ID vinyl tubing drain line without Ball Valve
  • f. 3/4”slip x 3/4” MPT PVC Coupling
  • g. 3/4” pipe Thread to 1/4” tubing adaptor
  • h. 1/4” black vinyl tubing carries water to each tank below

You should construct a separate overflow drain tube without a Ball Valve for the reservoir system, rather than trying to tie it in with the drain from the tanks below. The reservoir drain will need to be unobstructed to allow water from accidental overfilling to pass through to the floor drain