Water storage system

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   Setting up your Freshwater holding storage{this is great for your fresh ro/di storage, not necesarily ideal for saltwater storage}:

SUPPLIES you will need:

1 - 3/8 inch drill bit

1 - float valve{kent marine, or any standard float valve, pic #6}

1 - Drill, cordless is best

1 - Water Drum,{I used a 55 gal{pic #5}, purchased from Macy's for $35, I suggest using two, this way you can set one on top of the other}

1 - 8 foot peice of 1 inch pvc tubing{pic #2}

1 - Saw for cutting pvc

2 - 90 degree elbows{pic #2}

1 - six foot peice of 1 inch pvc flex pipe{pic #5}{also known as spa flex tubing}

1 - 1 inch pvc check valve{pic #3}

and most important:

1 - beautiful wife with a hand small enough to fit inside the hole in the top of the 55 gal Drum{you can do this yourself if your hand fits}

INTRUCTIONS:

First thing you need to do is take the twist top off of the 55 gal drum. Make a mark 1 1/2 inches from the top of the barrel{Pic #1}.  Then you drill a hole in the side of the drum using the drill and 3/8 inch bit. {when drilling, you may need to bore out the hole a little bit so that the float valve fits, also make sure the new hole is drilled dirrectly below the opening in the top of the drum.}  

#1

Open the float valve and check the hole from the outside to make sure it fits. Once it fits from the outside, you can attempt to insert it from the inside. {this is when you may have to do some begging and pleading and complimenting dirrected tward you lovely wife}  As you install the valve, don't forget the seal that goes on the inside of drum. {this should come with the valve}

Now your drum is ready to begin filling. Place the drum where it will be stored. {the bottom of the drum needs to be higher than the contaner you wish to fill{pic #5}} Twist the top back on dirrectly above the valve, and remove the other twist top.  Now connect the RO/DI line to the float valve and begin filling{pic #1}. 

Now take the 1 inch pvc pipe and cut one peice to 4 inches long and another to 32 1/2 inches long{or so that it will reach almost the bottom of the drum without touching{pic #4}. Using one of the 90 degree elbows, connect the two peices. Then using the other 90 degree elbow, connect the 6 foot long flex pipe to the shorter peice of pvc pipe.{pic #2}  Now connect the check valve to the end of the flex pipe{pic #3}.{I connected another 4 inch peice to the other end of the check valve, but this is not manditory}

#2

#3

#4

Once the pvc glue has dried, take it and place the pvc pipe into the opening in the top of the drum{pic #5}.  Using your mouth, you can create a syphon on the end of the check valve.{granted the drum needs to be at least a quarter of the way full} As long as the pvc glue holds, and there is water in the drum, the syphon will hold.

#5

#6

Feel free to make any adjustments to your own system, and don't forget to thank your beautifull wife and her small hands....