Up and running! just wish I had gotten it done before all the rain today instead of working on it IN the rain. Oh well, now I have a reason to appreciate the rainy days I guess.
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/grnpez/rainbarrels.jpg[/img]
If you place a tube in a barrel that has water in it and start the syphen effect into the next barrel and place the tube at the very bottom all the barrels will level out all the time and keep moving the water as long as the bottom of the tube is covered. You can hook up as many barrels as you want from the top of the barrel and they will keep all the barrels level! You have to keep about 4 inches of water in the bottom of the barrels to keep the bottom of the tubes in the water getting no air.!
oh, yeah I know what you mean. But that would require making sure the tube ends stayed at the bottom of the barrels, probably weighting them and everything. Seemed like a hassle. I just drilled a 3/4" hole and heated it up a little with a torch and the fittings threaded in very nicely. I didn't need caulk or anything to keep them water tight. And since there's no real pressure in the water, I didn't bother gluing the elbows, tees, and pipes. So if I want to add some I can just trade out the end elbow for a tee add a pipe and put the elbow at the new end.
Both methods would work though bobberman. I think the cost of those PVC fittings (about 33 cents each) though would end up being less than a section of hose for ever barrel.
Both methods would work though bobberman. I think the cost of those PVC fittings (about 33 cents each) though would end up being less than a section of hose for ever barrel.
The chicks are doing great! I can't believe how fast they are getting their feathers! IN just 2 weeks they've gone from about 90% fuzz to 60% feathers. I'm quickly finishing the coop too. These ladies need to be outside as soon as they can. They're already able to flutter up and perch on the side of the bin they are in. I have to cover it with pegboard when I'm not around because one of them tried to land on the light and pulled it into the bin on top of the pine shavings. Not cool! Luckily I was there when it happened. I don't need a fire in my home.Marlingardener wrote:Jeff, it seems you have an infinite rain barrel there with the fittings you devised--congratulations! Your method is simple, effective, and expandable.
How are the chicks doing?
They seem happy and healthy though, we're all anxious for eggs still! 
Unsightly is right lol. The more the fuzz disappears on their necks and they get those straggly feathers the uglier they get 
but in a cute way, if that's makes sense. They're getting restless I think. We are supposed to have rain tonight and tomorrow and then possibly flurries on sunday, but then right back up into the 70's. (Gotta love Va weather) I think on those 70's dry days I'll take em out for a bit and introduce them to the coop for an hour or so. As the temps in their bin get closer to the temps outside, I'll make the full time transition. I still have to get the poultry wire on the bin and the light installed. Then the shingles on the roof, and a quick paint/ primer job to protect the wood. I'll post a picture of it when I'm through, I'm actually quite proud of how it is turning out! The kids have been thrilled with them so far! Hardly 10 minutes goes by before I hear "daddy can we go check on the chicks?" lol. My 4 year old has named one Olivia (after the pig cartoon) and my 2 year old named one Dee-Dee. Who knows where that came from. The other 2 are yet to be named, but are hard to tell apart yet anyway so it can wait till they get some sort of distinguishing mark.
It's funny how they have so much personality. I didn't expect it from a bird.
but in a cute way, if that's makes sense. They're getting restless I think. We are supposed to have rain tonight and tomorrow and then possibly flurries on sunday, but then right back up into the 70's. (Gotta love Va weather) I think on those 70's dry days I'll take em out for a bit and introduce them to the coop for an hour or so. As the temps in their bin get closer to the temps outside, I'll make the full time transition. I still have to get the poultry wire on the bin and the light installed. Then the shingles on the roof, and a quick paint/ primer job to protect the wood. I'll post a picture of it when I'm through, I'm actually quite proud of how it is turning out! The kids have been thrilled with them so far! Hardly 10 minutes goes by before I hear "daddy can we go check on the chicks?" lol. My 4 year old has named one Olivia (after the pig cartoon) and my 2 year old named one Dee-Dee. Who knows where that came from. The other 2 are yet to be named, but are hard to tell apart yet anyway so it can wait till they get some sort of distinguishing mark. It's funny how they have so much personality. I didn't expect it from a bird.