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+--- Thread: Be sure to clean your catchment tank (/showthread.php?tid=1265)
Be sure to clean your catchment tank - ef9 - 08-02-2007
I have been vacant from this site, due to the lack of internet access, and being busy with the new house.
I recently installed a new pump, pressure tank, filter and UV sterilizer.
As some of you know, my house was under two large albizia trees. The albizia leaves caused me enough headache. I recently had them cut down by a professional. the roof is now littered with more albizia leaves. My catchment tank was already collecting them as well at the bottom.
I was about to build and install a floating intake on my catchment system. If you do not know what this is, it allows the pump to suck in the cleaner water from the middle of the catchment, not at the bottom like how many people design them.
This past Monday, I woke up early and planned to go to work and noticed the water pump was running. I only flushed the toilet and brushed my teeth, that can't be enough to cause the pump to turn on! The pump took over 15 minutes to build pressure. I checked both toilets and all spigots/faucets to see if any of them were on, nada! I ran the tub to trigger the water pump, and noticed it took almost 30 minutes to build pressure. I called Flotec's tech support and they told me more than likely, my pump has a lot of debris at the check valve.
I had to call in to work, to take emergency vacation to fix this problem. Luckily I installed the pump, etc. so I would know how to perform the surgery. The inlet to the pump(check valve) was completely blocked off with albizia leaves.
Sure the repair was rather quick and painless, but I had to hurry up and build my floating intake. Luckily I purchased most of the parts at Home Depot, and was in the process of building it anyways.
Stan
RE: Be sure to clean your catchment tank - loffelkopffl - 08-03-2007
i've never heard of a "floating" intake, sounds interesting
RE: Be sure to clean your catchment tank - emorata - 08-03-2007
that sounds interesting also, do you just put a float into the catchment with the intake pipe going through the float to suction from the middle of the catchment?
interested in seeing if this is man made or purchased....
RE: Be sure to clean your catchment tank - emorata - 08-03-2007
aloha ef9,
By the way, could you kindly advise where you found a better deal online about purchasing uv and filter systems....did you have any issues with shipping/product quality/services from this purchase online?
thanks in advance...
noel
RE: Be sure to clean your catchment tank - ef9 - 08-04-2007
I made my own floating intake. Trisha Macomber asked me to make one for her, so she can show others on how to build one.
And yes, it does take in water 12" below the surface of the water, where the least amount of contaminants are found.
I bought my UV system off of ebay. Luckily the guy I dealt with was nice enough to ship via US Postal Service. You have to do the research to figure out which filtration/UV setup you want to use, as there are a ton of them out there.
You can also use froogle.com to find cheap deals on stuff as well.
Stan
RE: Be sure to clean your catchment tank - Beachboy - 08-05-2007
quote:
I made my own floating intake. Trisha Macomber asked me to make one for her, so she can show others on how to build one.
And yes, it does take in water 12" below the surface of the water, where the least amount of contaminants are found.
I bought my UV system off of ebay. Luckily the guy I dealt with was nice enough to ship via US Postal Service. You have to do the research to figure out which filtration/UV setup you want to use, as there are a ton of them out there.
You can also use froogle.com to find cheap deals on stuff as well.
Stan
eBay is great! But one must always be careful when buying stuff online instead of locally. I'm not talking about the "rip off" aspect either! I'm talking about the ability to find replacement parts locally for whatever you ordered, or even the parts online. At times it can be very difficult finding replacement parts for stuff, especially for stuff bought online.
Sometimes stuff seem cheaper online until you actually have to replace their parts. At times the Big Island can be a logistic nightmare. I found from my own personal experience it's better to find things locally to avoid hidden cost down the road.
At least if I buy locally I feel like I've done my job to help stimulate the local economy too. Plus, if something goes wrong with the product I'm able to get in the face of the retailer too. Buying online, the seller always "has you by the short-hairs"!