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 Rain Cistern

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Astraea

Astraea


Number of posts : 2738
Age : 62
Location : Arizona, USA
Favorite Quote : Beware the deadly donkey falling from the sky You may choose the way you live, my friend But not the way you die
Registration date : 2007-08-11

Rain Cistern Empty
PostSubject: Rain Cistern   Rain Cistern EmptyFri Mar 11, 2011 1:49 am

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Astraea

Astraea


Number of posts : 2738
Age : 62
Location : Arizona, USA
Favorite Quote : Beware the deadly donkey falling from the sky You may choose the way you live, my friend But not the way you die
Registration date : 2007-08-11

Rain Cistern Empty
PostSubject: Links   Rain Cistern EmptyFri Mar 11, 2011 3:24 am

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Astraea

Astraea


Number of posts : 2738
Age : 62
Location : Arizona, USA
Favorite Quote : Beware the deadly donkey falling from the sky You may choose the way you live, my friend But not the way you die
Registration date : 2007-08-11

Rain Cistern Empty
PostSubject: DoItYourself.com   Rain Cistern EmptyFri Mar 11, 2011 3:42 am

How to Build an Underground Cistern

An underground cistern is a structure that allows water to flow away from a building's foundation and your home. Cisterns have been around since ancient times and underground cisterns have been a part of many different cultures and societies. Building an underground cistern for your home is an easy project that can be accomplished by any level of do-it-yourselfer. The process for building an underground cistern involves digging a trench, filling it with concrete and tile, and allowing it to set up.

In order to build an underground cistern for your home you need to acquire some materials, tools and follow these steps that are explained in this how-to article.
Tools and Materials Needed

* Trench Digger
* Hoe or Trowel
* Terra Cotta Tiles
* Concrete
* Concrete Mixer
* 2 X 4 Wood
* Water
* Level

Step 1: Dig a Trench

In order to build an underground cistern for your yard you will need to dig a trench. The trench will need to be graded so that water flows downward away from the home's foundation. It is best to rent a trench digger but you can also dig the trench needed for your underground cistern by hand with shovels. The trench digger will allow you to save time and be more efficient in the construction of your underground cistern.

To grade the trench use a level to determine the rise and run relative to your trenches slope. As you remove dirt from the yard check the grading periodically to make sure that you do not remove too much dirt.
Step 2: Pour Concrete in the Trench

Once you have removed the dirt to form the trench and have leveled the ground out, you need to pour concrete into the trench. Use a cement mixer to mix the concrete in order to pour it into the trench. Follow the instructions on the bag for the concrete to make sure that you properly mix the concrete.

Lay 2 X 4 wood inside the trench at equal distances in order to form breaks for the concrete. As the concrete cures and hardens it will need a place to be able to expand and contract. If you do not create the breaks in the concrete as it is being poured, the base of the cistern will crack and you will need to rip the concrete out and start over.
Step 3: Create the Terra Cotta Walls

After the concrete has been poured in the trench, allow some time for it to dry before proceeding with your build. You should lay concrete into the sides of the trench after the base has completely cured in order to set the terra cotta tile for your underground cistern. Complete 1 side of the cistern and wait for it to set up to make sure that the tiles are placed properly before working on the opposing side of the cistern.
Step 4: Complete the Cistern

With the tile walls set in place, allow the concrete on the opposing wall to cure. Once dried, your underground cistern should be complete and ready to move water away from the house.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-build-an-underground-cistern
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Astraea

Astraea


Number of posts : 2738
Age : 62
Location : Arizona, USA
Favorite Quote : Beware the deadly donkey falling from the sky You may choose the way you live, my friend But not the way you die
Registration date : 2007-08-11

Rain Cistern Empty
PostSubject: How to Start Your Own Business Installing Cisterns and Rain    Rain Cistern EmptyFri Mar 11, 2011 4:58 pm

You can start your own eco friendly business installing rain barrels and cisterns, often without the need for a plumbers license. Here is how to get started.

1

Start your own green business and help homeowners conserve water by installing rain barrels and cisterns and earn a good side income. In most areas you don't need a plumbers license, as long as you are not connecting to the home water supply. Rain barrels and cisterns are becoming more and more popular as homeowners try to cut their water bills and keep plants alive during periods of water rationing. You will need some basic construction skills a truck and trailer, and a helper to get started.

2

Determine what kind of tanks work best for each situation. Plastic tanks such as the ones in the photo above can be used as cisterns. Smaller containers, such as wooden and plastic barrels can be used for rain barrels. You can make them more attractive by ringing them with fence pickets and a couple of galvanized metal bands, so as to appear as an old fashioned wooden barrel or tank. You will need a pickup truck and a trailer of at least ten feet in length to transport the larger tanks. You'll often have to bring in a load of sand to build a platform for the tank to sit on or carry heavy loads of paving stones to form the base, so you should choose a full sized truck.
You'll need a couple of ladders, one stepladder and a folding or extending ladder for accessing gutters.

3

Learn how to install and modify all types of gutters. When starting your own business installing rain barrels or cisterns you will need to become familiar with working with gutters of all types and how to divert rainwater into the cistern or rain barrel so as to filter out leaves and debris. Some homeowners may want to add a pressure pump for yard watering so basic plumbing and electrical skills are necessary.

4

Get a good helper. When you start your own business installing rainwater collection systems you will most likely need a part time helper to move the bulky tanks into homeowners backyards. You might consider building a two wheeled dolly that you can place under the tank and strap around it, to make moving it easier. Many cities offer courses in rainwater collection techniques, especially in the Southwest. Contact your local county extension agent or water department for more information. You can see examples of rain barrel and cistern design in the resources section below. After you become familiar with the various rainwater collection techniques, find out what requirements exist for small handyman contractors in your city, if any. Then place advertisements for your business in local gardening magazines, Craigslist and on gardening and eco friendly websites.

Read more: How to Start Your Own Business Installing Cisterns and Rain Barrels | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4947851_start-installing-cisterns-rain-barrels.html#ixzz1GKK2WEf0

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Astraea

Astraea


Number of posts : 2738
Age : 62
Location : Arizona, USA
Favorite Quote : Beware the deadly donkey falling from the sky You may choose the way you live, my friend But not the way you die
Registration date : 2007-08-11

Rain Cistern Empty
PostSubject: How to Make a Filter for a Water Cistern   Rain Cistern EmptyFri Mar 11, 2011 5:09 pm

Water cisterns are an environmentally responsible way of collecting water. Unfortunately, harmful pollutants already taint much of the water that you collect from the environment. It does not make much sense to add a commercial filtration system to your cistern. The solution is to add your own filtration system to your water cistern. Natural ingredients such a sand, gravel and charcoal can be used to filter out pollutants.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need:

* Cotton batting
* Gravel (fine and large grain)
* Sand (fine and large grain)
* Charcoal

1.
Place a layer of cotton batting to the bottom of your water cistern. Depending on the size of your cistern, you will probably need 1 or 2 inches of cotton batting lining the bottom of your cistern. Use more material for larger cisterns.
2.
Add a layer (roughly 1 or 2 inches thick) of granulated activated charcoal. Purchase this charcoal at pool supplies stores or retailers that specialize in water filtration.
3.
Place a layer of fine grain sand (roughly 1 or 2 inches thick) on top of the charcoal. Add a layer of large grain sand to the top of the fine grain sand.
4.
Place a layer of fine grain gravel on top of the large grain sand layer. Follow this layer with a layer of large grain gravel. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have a relatively thick (about 1 foot) level of material to filter the water.
5.
Test the filtration system. Pour water into your cistern and let it filter through the layers. The water should come out clear and clean. If you notice the water is not clean or clear, add more layers to your cistern.


Read more: How to Make a Filter for a Water Cistern | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6209292_make-filter-water-cistern.html#ixzz1GKMBVvd5
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