I want to make more use of my tank water. My big concrete tank ie no tapping, is about twice head height so a ladder job and lifting a heavy inspection port to look inside which I am not about to do.
So suggestions requested for ways to check water levels without using ladders.
AwesomeO said:
I want to make more use of my tank water. My big concrete tank ie no tapping, is about twice head height so a ladder job and lifting a heavy inspection port to look inside which I am not about to do.So suggestions requested for ways to check water levels without using ladders.
Tie a string to something that floats, throw the thing up into the tank’s opening, feed the string til you no longer feel the weight of the thing. Measuring the amount of string, do the appropriate maths.
or fit an ultrasonic tank water level sensor
dv said:
AwesomeO said:
I want to make more use of my tank water. My big concrete tank ie no tapping, is about twice head height so a ladder job and lifting a heavy inspection port to look inside which I am not about to do.So suggestions requested for ways to check water levels without using ladders.
Tie a string to something that floats, throw the thing up into the tank’s opening, feed the string til you no longer feel the weight of the thing. Measuring the amount of string, do the appropriate maths.
That’s a good one. The inspection port is usually closed and the hole where the water goes in is pipe sized and has a pipe over it, just a small gap so not a throw in job but something could be rigged.
or fit a glass pipe between the bottom and top
CrazyNeutrino said:
or fit a glass pipe between the bottom and top
I think you are in the realms of fantasy there Jones.
transparent pipe’s alright, need only be plumbed in at bottom
or float with something poking out the top indicating water height. Float with a bit of string over top with couple little pulleys, then hang it down, mark level on outside of tank’d do it, though be marked backwards, still probably easiest
and there are various electronic options I suppose.
AwesomeO said:
CrazyNeutrino said:
or fit a glass pipe between the bottom and top
I think you are in the realms of fantasy there Jones.
Must read some fantasy
http://u-ideal.en.made-in-china.com/product/YbancHKraspl/China-Sight-Glass-Level-Gauge-Glass-Tube-Water-Level-Gauge.html
http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/ProcessParameters/LevelMeasurement/LevelMeasurement.html
CrazyNeutrino said:
AwesomeO said:
CrazyNeutrino said:
or fit a glass pipe between the bottom and top
I think you are in the realms of fantasy there Jones.
Must read some fantasy
http://u-ideal.en.made-in-china.com/product/YbancHKraspl/China-Sight-Glass-Level-Gauge-Glass-Tube-Water-Level-Gauge.html
http://encyclopedia.che.engin.umich.edu/Pages/ProcessParameters/LevelMeasurement/LevelMeasurement.html
Fairy nuff. Apologies Crazy.
It is possible to rig a pulley onto the float and have a rope attached that has a permanently attached weight on the outside of the tank. The lower the weight outside, the fuller the tank.
The suggestion of a sight glass is not silly, although glass is. Mount a clear tube (eg pvc hose) inboard of the outlet tap that goes to the top of the tank. A coloured float on the top of the water can give a clear indication of height.
Michael V said:
Oh, don’t mind me. I see transition’s already suggested these. Another country boy, eh.
It is possible to rig a pulley onto the float and have a rope attached that has a permanently attached weight on the outside of the tank. The lower the weight outside, the fuller the tank.The suggestion of a sight glass is not silly, although glass is. Mount a clear tube (eg pvc hose) inboard of the outlet tap that goes to the top of the tank. A coloured float on the top of the water can give a clear indication of height.
I have one that looks like this. Not sure if it’s the same brand. Costs $18.90.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/rain-harvesting-water-tank-level-indicator_p4760065
Consists basically of a dial gauge, a float, and a string connecting the two.
I’ve always just used a short length of hose on the small outlet.. open gate valve and raise the hose to the point where water stops flowing…
It is possible to rig a pulley onto the float and have a rope attached that has a permanently attached weight on the outside of the tank. The lower the weight outside, the fuller the tank.
this. It is what we use. thick fishing line or similar. large diameter pulley, mines homemade. sinker on the outside, float on the inside. reverse reading.
JudgeMental said:
mines homemade.
Bloody terrorist.
You need to get one of these…
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
furious said:
You need to get one of these…
Boris?
dv said:
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
Despite their size they are not that thick so not something I would like to do for fear of cracking it.
dv said:
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
duh.
In underground tanks, most people use a stick long enough to reach the bottom and still be retrieved.
dv said:
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
that is how i do the ones without the float, the float one is on a 3.5m stand. concrete might not work to well. mine are corri and plastic.
if you want to tell the amount of water in it from a distance, a broomstick with a weight on 1 end, a foam bouy float about 1 foot along it so it floats standing vertically and a fluoro/high vis flag on the top, can see it from a good distance and know the water volume from the height of the flag above the tank.
sight glasses/pipes are great, but anything clear always ends up full of algae
JudgeMental said:
dv said:
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
that is how i do the ones without the float, the float one is on a 3.5m stand. concrete might not work to well. mine are corri and plastic.
The float is the best idea. Cracks will also tell you. Salt encrusting may also help.
dv said:
I wonder if you can tell by whacking the outside of the tank at different heights.
Yeah. I do that as well. Gives a rough guide.
Stumpy_seahorse said:
if you want to tell the amount of water in it from a distance, a broomstick with a weight on 1 end, a foam bouy float about 1 foot along it so it floats standing vertically and a fluoro/high vis flag on the top, can see it from a good distance and know the water volume from the height of the flag above the tank.sight glasses/pipes are great, but anything clear always ends up full of algae
The hole in the top is only a poofteenth larger than the pipe that goes into it. I guess it was done that way deliberately to keep things out.
Check to see if there is a temperature difference through the concrete, also try knocking with you knuckles or a screwdriver handle.
AwesomeO said:
Stumpy_seahorse said:
if you want to tell the amount of water in it from a distance, a broomstick with a weight on 1 end, a foam bouy float about 1 foot along it so it floats standing vertically and a fluoro/high vis flag on the top, can see it from a good distance and know the water volume from the height of the flag above the tank.sight glasses/pipes are great, but anything clear always ends up full of algae
The hole in the top is only a poofteenth larger than the pipe that goes into it. I guess it was done that way deliberately to keep things out.
what type of pipe goes into the hole? pvc? poly?
swap the elbow going in for a Tee piece
low pressure gauge, right at the sink if wanted (if not on a pump), do head pressure conversion.
PermeateFree said:
Check to see if there is a temperature difference through the concrete, also try knocking with you knuckles or a screwdriver handle.
Actually a tubular bell would ring differently when it reached the empty part.
Stumpy_seahorse said:
AwesomeO said:
Stumpy_seahorse said:
if you want to tell the amount of water in it from a distance, a broomstick with a weight on 1 end, a foam bouy float about 1 foot along it so it floats standing vertically and a fluoro/high vis flag on the top, can see it from a good distance and know the water volume from the height of the flag above the tank.sight glasses/pipes are great, but anything clear always ends up full of algae
The hole in the top is only a poofteenth larger than the pipe that goes into it. I guess it was done that way deliberately to keep things out.
what type of pipe goes into the hole? pvc? poly?
swap the elbow going in for a Tee piece
That’s a good idea. Yeah, bit of dowl on a float, sounds like a long lasting solution. Now, for the float…
Put a duck in there and record its quacks. The reverberation period should tell you the size of the air layer.
AwesomeO said:
Stumpy_seahorse said:
AwesomeO said:The hole in the top is only a poofteenth larger than the pipe that goes into it. I guess it was done that way deliberately to keep things out.
what type of pipe goes into the hole? pvc? poly?
swap the elbow going in for a Tee piece
That’s a good idea. Yeah, bit of dowl on a float, sounds like a long lasting solution. Now, for the float…
i’ve seen it done by punching the dowel through a coke can and filling the can with expanda-foam, seemed to work ok
dv said:
Put a duck in there and record its quacks. The reverberation period should tell you the size of the air layer.
Who invited the geophysicist?
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
dv said:
Put a duck in there and record its quacks. The reverberation period should tell you the size of the air layer.
What sound is a duck’s quack in the silence?
dv said:
Put a duck in there and record its quacks. The reverberation period should tell you the size of the air layer.
s’if it will echo. sheesh.
Stumpy_seahorse said:
AwesomeO said:
Stumpy_seahorse said:what type of pipe goes into the hole? pvc? poly?
swap the elbow going in for a Tee piece
That’s a good idea. Yeah, bit of dowl on a float, sounds like a long lasting solution. Now, for the float…
i’ve seen it done by punching the dowel through a coke can and filling the can with expanda-foam, seemed to work ok
Aluminium good, expanda foam no idea. Waterproof over an extended time is it? I also drink this water.
easiest thing’s like michael said, bit of clear pipe tied up, something bright that floats in it.
idea’s probably been around as far back as the chaps the built the pyramids
clever chaps they were, knew something about getting a good level I know that
transition said:
easiest thing’s like michael said, bit of clear pipe tied up, something bright that floats in it.idea’s probably been around as far back as the chaps the built the pyramids
clever chaps they were, knew something about getting a good level I know that
From my perspective that is not so easy. Getting a bit of clear pipe that will remain straight over its entire length, putting it over the hole whilst allowing the pipe in and securing it so it remains upright against winds. We had a damaging storm cell here just the other day. V replacing one small elbow bend with a t bend and dropping into it a length of dowl with a float which I can see from the ground. So far that one works best for me.
PermeateFree said:
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
Put a plant there to use the otherwise wasted water each time.
Can you open and close the inspection hatch from ground level with pole?
if so just a camera on a selfie-stick over the hatch should work.
AwesomeO said:
transition said:
easiest thing’s like michael said, bit of clear pipe tied up, something bright that floats in it.idea’s probably been around as far back as the chaps the built the pyramids
clever chaps they were, knew something about getting a good level I know that
From my perspective that is not so easy. Getting a bit of clear pipe that will remain straight over its entire length, putting it over the hole whilst allowing the pipe in and securing it so it remains upright against winds. We had a damaging storm cell here just the other day. V replacing one small elbow bend with a t bend and dropping into it a length of dowl with a float which I can see from the ground. So far that one works best for me.
simple’s good. No rocket science required
party_pants said:
Can you open and close the inspection hatch from ground level with pole?if so just a camera on a selfie-stick over the hatch should work.
Nahh, it’s toward the middle and a heavy hunk of unhinged concrete that needs to be lifted up like a manhole cover.
AwesomeO said:
transition said:
easiest thing’s like michael said, bit of clear pipe tied up, something bright that floats in it.idea’s probably been around as far back as the chaps the built the pyramids
clever chaps they were, knew something about getting a good level I know that
From my perspective that is not so easy. Getting a bit of clear pipe that will remain straight over its entire length, putting it over the hole whilst allowing the pipe in and securing it so it remains upright against winds. We had a damaging storm cell here just the other day. V replacing one small elbow bend with a t bend and dropping into it a length of dowl with a float which I can see from the ground. So far that one works best for me.
As Stumpy pointed out. Not necessarily smart to introduce light to grow algae.
PermeateFree said:
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
this sounds good.
roughbarked said:
AwesomeO said:
transition said:
easiest thing’s like michael said, bit of clear pipe tied up, something bright that floats in it.idea’s probably been around as far back as the chaps the built the pyramids
clever chaps they were, knew something about getting a good level I know that
From my perspective that is not so easy. Getting a bit of clear pipe that will remain straight over its entire length, putting it over the hole whilst allowing the pipe in and securing it so it remains upright against winds. We had a damaging storm cell here just the other day. V replacing one small elbow bend with a t bend and dropping into it a length of dowl with a float which I can see from the ground. So far that one works best for me.
As Stumpy pointed out. Not necessarily smart to introduce light to grow algae.
It wouldn’t be much more than the light getting in now and less than the meshed plastic tank allows so should be ok. It is also cold water.
roughbarked said:
PermeateFree said:
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
Put a plant there to use the otherwise wasted water each time.
Well you could always hold the end of the pipe at the top of the tank, then slowly lower it until water comes out, which will indicate the tank’s water level.
Ian said:
I’ve always just used a short length of hose on the small outlet.. open gate valve and raise the hose to the point where water stops flowing…
That has advantages as well, no need to muck around on top of the tank to set it up and I only need periodic chicks no need to monitor constantly which the dowl method would allow.
PermeateFree said:
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
This sounds good to me. We had a fitting for a fire pump fitted at the outlet too. With FIRE written on the side of the tank above it.
throw a bucket of water over the side and see where it dries to. the water inside will keep the concrete cooler slowing evaporation.
Still liking my first idea, plus or minus some pulleys…
JudgeMental said:
throw a bucket of water over the side and see where it dries to. the water inside will keep the concrete cooler slowing evaporation.
You’re a ‘ken genius Gump.
Has this tank been cleaned in the time you have been there? We haven’t done it for a couple of years, but there is a bloke around this district that cleans them with something rather like a pool vacuum. The sludge goes onto the grass for us, good nutrients. And the cleaner can tell you where you are at.
buffy said:
PermeateFree said:
Where the water leaves the tank at the bottom. Fit a T section and a tap onto it, to which you can attach a piece of garden hose, To test open the gate value to the hose, then lift the hose until the water stops coming out, which will be the tank water level. Turn off tap and repeat when necessary.
This sounds good to me. We had a fitting for a fire pump fitted at the outlet too. With FIRE written on the side of the tank above it.
if there was an outlet marked ‘fire’…
I’d be slightly disappointed when water came out…
dv said:
Still liking my first idea, plus or minus some pulleys…
I thought about that, setting up the pulleys was an issue. My bigger issue which may sound silly was the string. Stuff like that around here just doesn’t last outside between brutal sun and frosts, I have used string and tapes etc in the garden and a couple of seasons is all they last.
AwesomeO said:
dv said:
Still liking my first idea, plus or minus some pulleys…
I thought about that, setting up the pulleys was an issue. My bigger issue which may sound silly was the string. Stuff like that around here just doesn’t last outside between brutal sun and frosts, I have used string and tapes etc in the garden and a couple of seasons is all they last.
Maybe a chain then.
buffy said:
Has this tank been cleaned in the time you have been there? We haven’t done it for a couple of years, but there is a bloke around this district that cleans them with something rather like a pool vacuum. The sludge goes onto the grass for us, good nutrients. And the cleaner can tell you where you are at.
I can tell where I am at but it is a ladder job and a pain, it would be full now, recent rain has it overflowing. I want to use sprinklers this year so more important to keep a handle on what the water is doing. This tank has only been used for house stuff and is usually overflows with any decent rain so the level never drops much. That is what I meant by saying I wanted to use more of the water this year.
AwesomeO said:
buffy said:Has this tank been cleaned in the time you have been there? We haven’t done it for a couple of years, but there is a bloke around this district that cleans them with something rather like a pool vacuum. The sludge goes onto the grass for us, good nutrients. And the cleaner can tell you where you are at.
I can tell where I am at but it is a ladder job and a pain, it would be full now, recent rain has it overflowing. I want to use sprinklers this year so more important to keep a handle on what the water is doing. This tank has only been used for house stuff and is usually overflows with any decent rain so the level never drops much. That is what I meant by saying I wanted to use more of the water this year.
What are the dimensions of this tank?
dv said:
AwesomeO said:
buffy said:Has this tank been cleaned in the time you have been there? We haven’t done it for a couple of years, but there is a bloke around this district that cleans them with something rather like a pool vacuum. The sludge goes onto the grass for us, good nutrients. And the cleaner can tell you where you are at.
I can tell where I am at but it is a ladder job and a pain, it would be full now, recent rain has it overflowing. I want to use sprinklers this year so more important to keep a handle on what the water is doing. This tank has only been used for house stuff and is usually overflows with any decent rain so the level never drops much. That is what I meant by saying I wanted to use more of the water this year.
What are the dimensions of this tank?
Probably 11 or so feet high and about the same across the middle.
AwesomeO said:
dv said:
AwesomeO said:I can tell where I am at but it is a ladder job and a pain, it would be full now, recent rain has it overflowing. I want to use sprinklers this year so more important to keep a handle on what the water is doing. This tank has only been used for house stuff and is usually overflows with any decent rain so the level never drops much. That is what I meant by saying I wanted to use more of the water this year.
What are the dimensions of this tank?
Probably 11 or so feet high and about the same across the middle.
We use SI units on this forum.
AwesomeO said:
dv said:
AwesomeO said:I can tell where I am at but it is a ladder job and a pain, it would be full now, recent rain has it overflowing. I want to use sprinklers this year so more important to keep a handle on what the water is doing. This tank has only been used for house stuff and is usually overflows with any decent rain so the level never drops much. That is what I meant by saying I wanted to use more of the water this year.
What are the dimensions of this tank?
Probably 11 or so feet high and about the same across the middle.
So that’d be about 30 000 L, gee.
sibeen said:
AwesomeO said:
dv said:What are the dimensions of this tank?
Probably 11 or so feet high and about the same across the middle.
We use SI units on this forum.
how many Olympic swimming pools would it fill ?
sibeen said:
AwesomeO said:
dv said:What are the dimensions of this tank?
Probably 11 or so feet high and about the same across the middle.
We use SI units on this forum.
Probably 2.24120837035416E-11 or so au high and about the same across the middle.
5 psi pressure gauge’d do it
AwesomeO said:
I want to make more use of my tank water. My big concrete tank ie no tapping, is about twice head height so a ladder job and lifting a heavy inspection port to look inside which I am not about to do.So suggestions requested for ways to check water levels without using ladders.
https://www.jaycar.com.au/ultrasonic-water-tank-level-meter-with-thermo-sensor/p/XC0331
I have had a look at the tank and a bit of a think and decided that the hose method will be the best. I have to get a plumber in to relocate the pump and some pipes and put in a tap so I can use the domestic water supply to also run sprinklers and will get him then to replace an existing tap with a threaded tap so I can put on a hose fitting.
Cheers all.
fit a plastic tube along the side of the tank so you can see the water level.
allowing too much light on the tube means algae will grow and you’ll not see the water level