Burned out pump.
During the hottest week of the last several years, the little pump in my rain tank gave out. I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised, since it was just a cheap little plastic thing that I got for free. I'm just glad I caught it before the blueberry bushes got too dried out. I decided to replace the pump with something much more heavy duty that I could count on for years. After reviewing all my options, I decided on a 1/4 horse-power sump pump with a float switch. The float switch ensures that the pump will shut off when the water level gets too low, preventing the pump from running dry and burning up.
The output on the pump was 1.5-inches, so I had to devise a series of PVC fittings and couplings to break it down so I could attach a 5/8-inch hose. I then ran the hose to the blueberries, and drilled five or six 1/16-inch holes in it at every blueberry bush. Collectively they put out around 15 gallons per hour per plant (8 plants), so I only need to run the pump for 20 or so minutes at a time. I wired the pump to a spring-loaded timer, so all I have to do to water the blueberries is step out side and turn the knob.
I also learned a very important lesson. I learned that while the plastic rain tank itself is UV-resistant, the little basket in the top is not. When I was taking the old pump out, the basket crumbled to nothing in my hands. Rather than buy another one, I improvised. I scavenged a round grill from our smoker that we rarely use, and wrapped it in window screening. I ran the pump hose and power cables through the center, and placed it on top of the tank.
The whole set up works great, and I hope it continues to work a lot longer than the last one. If I can ever get the money, I hope to upgrade to a 1,000 or 1,500 gallon tank. Considering that the drought is projected to last up to another 5 years, I can't have too much rainwater.
The output on the pump was 1.5-inches, so I had to devise a series of PVC fittings and couplings to break it down so I could attach a 5/8-inch hose. I then ran the hose to the blueberries, and drilled five or six 1/16-inch holes in it at every blueberry bush. Collectively they put out around 15 gallons per hour per plant (8 plants), so I only need to run the pump for 20 or so minutes at a time. I wired the pump to a spring-loaded timer, so all I have to do to water the blueberries is step out side and turn the knob.
I also learned a very important lesson. I learned that while the plastic rain tank itself is UV-resistant, the little basket in the top is not. When I was taking the old pump out, the basket crumbled to nothing in my hands. Rather than buy another one, I improvised. I scavenged a round grill from our smoker that we rarely use, and wrapped it in window screening. I ran the pump hose and power cables through the center, and placed it on top of the tank.
The whole set up works great, and I hope it continues to work a lot longer than the last one. If I can ever get the money, I hope to upgrade to a 1,000 or 1,500 gallon tank. Considering that the drought is projected to last up to another 5 years, I can't have too much rainwater.
New 1/4 HP pump.
Pump outlet rigged to garden hose.
Power supply wired to timer.
Crumbling rain tank basket.
Grill wrapped with window screen. That should keep the mosquitoes out.
Hose wrapped around bushes with 1/16-inch holes drilled into it.
Finished blueberry set up. Now I just need some rain.
