Rain water system/other uses for these barrels

[ShrekDawg]

Found this on Craigslist.

The website mentions a rain water system that's supposedly different.

Seems pretty interesting?

Anyone ever make anything like this and/or have any other uses for the barrels? I know there seem to be lots.

Especially interested in gardening and/or animals/livestock uses I suppose but curious about any uses haha

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/grd/6080723840.html

http://willsgarden.com/index.html

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I use plastic pickle barrels for bulk water and nipple systems.

Another possible use is for giant pumpkins or watermelons. You can put lots of loose nutritious soil in there with good drainage. Lots of room for the root system. Pick all the flowers except one or two and the correct varieties of melons will grow huge.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Wow that's a good idea about pumpkins or melons! I never thought of that!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You need to get the seeds of the giant varieties. Like the Atlantic Dill pumpkins or the Carolina Giant watermelon.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks for the info.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

The CL link isn't working for me. You mean the square 250 gal totes? Those make terrific aquaponics setups. Cut the top 1/3 off, frame and container both. Flip the top over and position with holes to drain into the bottom 2/3. It will be welded or otherwise supported cantilevered over the bottom piece with approx 1/3 hanging over the bottom, 2/3 hanging out from it. You grow fish in the bottom, water and waste from fish are pumped through growing soil in the top, cleansing the water to go back to the fish below in a closed loop system. Slick huh?

 

[tigger19687]

Before my Landlord put siding on the crappy duplex, I had 2 rain barrels from the 2 down spouts.
Worked great for the garden, but really not sure about watering chickens with it because it comes form the roof (shingles).
If it was form say a Colored Metal roof system I would, but them again you have to worry about stuff growing in the barrels too.
Those totes are HUGE and when I get a farm I will use it for watering garden.

If you have them up high enough on blocks and the spout on the bottom, you can just use a hose. No pressure but if you have no electricity say out at the barn, it works well enough