Plumbing a 55gal drum.

[Shiftster]

I am setting up a 55gal drum for a auto water change system. I am using uniseals for all the piping. I want to install four float switches, two at top and two on bottom.
The problem I am having is the barrel I have only has a very small opening on top and I can't reach in to install the floats on the bottom. I was thinking of cutting a larger hole in the top, having a larger hole would also help when adding salt or testing the water. The only thing making me nervous about that is I am not sure how I would go about covering it after. Has anyone ran into a similar situation?

 

[billdogg]

What I did for mine was flip it over and then cut off 1/2 of the (now) top. You can even use the fittings that are now on the bottom for plumbing. I reattached the lid using a couple pieces of milk jug and nylon nuts/bolt as hinges. Although the DIY hinges wear out occasionally, they are easy to make and FREE! My barrel has been in service for going on 30 years that way.

 

[Mark Bianco]

Here is a trick I use for mounting my float switches and it makes it real easy to service. Instead of drilling and mounting uniseals in the barrel. I made some inexpensive float switch holders then took a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe about 8" taller then the barrel and mounted the holders to the pvc using zipties this makes it easy to adjust if needed. As for the wiring I drilled a small hole above the holders and run the wiring thru the pvc. Once that was done I drilled two small holes above the water line on the side of the barrel placed the assembly inside of the barrel and used another ziptie to secure it to the side of the barrel.

IMHO It looks good and when the float switches fail there is no need to empty the barrel you just cut the one ziptie remove the assembly replace the switch and or wiring, replace the assembly and you are done.

Hope that helps.

Mark

 

[Shiftster]

I like the idea with the float switches. I would still like some way to access the barrel though.

Bulldog why did you flip the barrel over? Was it just to you could use the existing holes?

 

[billdogg]

Yes - for years I used a spare external pump plumbed into the barrel. I'm a big fan of EASY water changes!!!

 

[Shiftster]

Me too, I'm actually setting up a auto water changer with a litermeter.
Do you have any pictures of the hinges?

 

[billdogg]

Not right off hand. I just cut a couple squares from a plastic milk jug, held them in place and drilled holes for the nylon bolts. K. I. S. S.

 

[speedyron]

Id have started with a barrel that has a removable lid. I use a brute trash can

 

[Shiftster]

Thanks again for the reminder. I do tend to forget that one and over complicate things.

 

[Shiftster]

Id have started with a barrel that has a removable lid. I use a brute trash can

Super helpful

 

[wild1]

Here is a trick I use for mounting my float switches and it makes it real easy to service. Instead of drilling and mounting uniseals in the barrel. I made some inexpensive float switch holders then took a piece of 3/4" pvc pipe about 8" taller then the barrel and mounted the holders to the pvc using zipties this makes it easy to adjust if needed. As for the wiring I drilled a small hole above the holders and run the wiring thru the pvc. Once that was done I drilled two small holes above the water line on the side of the barrel placed the assembly inside of the barrel and used another ziptie to secure it to the side of the barrel.

IMHO It looks good and when the float switches fail there is no need to empty the barrel you just cut the one ziptie remove the assembly replace the switch and or wiring, replace the assembly and you are done.

Hope that helps...... Sounds like a great DIY Do you have any pics? thanx

Mark

 

[metalfreak]

You could see if you can find an open top Poly drum. Has a metal snap ring that holds a lid on and has the same two openings that could be used to run plumbing out of.

 

[Shiftster]

You could see if you can find an open top Poly drum. Has a metal snap ring that holds a lid on and has the same two openings that could be used to run plumbing out of.

I wish. I'm in Alaska so I was lucky just to find this one.

 

[Rot26]

I got my 55 gallon drums cheap enough that I just took a saw to them to make them topless. From there, it was easy to add everything

 

[Shiftster]

Now I need some help finding cables. I want to have a EB8 and a Break out box in the garage for my APEX. The mixing station will be about 30ft of cable away from the tank and APEX. Dose anyone know where I can find a 8 pin Mini Din and USB that long?

I am building my own breakout box so I could make a Mini Din cable. I see lots of the cable ends for sale but I am not sure what kind of cable to use.

Thanks for the help guys!