How to get water from a tank?

[donnarangi]

Hi, ive just installed a water tank but did not connect a pump instead of opting to go w a retractable garden hose.  The tanks full but no water?! 

Not sure what i need to do from here, ive opened the outlets of the tank & hose but no water..any other suggestions i could try before thinking abt installing a pump? 

I tried posting a picture but it wouldnt allow it

[Jason]

Hi @donnarangi,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. We trust you'll get loads of help and inspiration for all your projects from our wonderful members.

It would be very useful for members to see your set-up so they can help diagnose your issue. It is certainly possible (and encouraged) to post images here on Workshop. Just hit the Upload Images button. Alternatively, if you continue to have trouble, you can email a photo to workshop@bunnings.com.au and we can add it for you. 

Jason

[AlanM52]

Hi @donnarangi,

As per @Jason's request please post some photos following his picture upload instructions.

You are relying on gravity feed, the tank outlet needs to be at a higher level than the house outlet.

Cheers

[EricL]

Hello @donnarangi 

Generally speaking, most water tanks have an access point at the bottom of the tank. This is where a tap, the garden-hose or the pump is connected to. Once we see the photos of the tank, our members will be able to provide you with advice in regards to connecting your garden hose to the tank.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[donnarangi]

Thanks Eric,

Yes everything is in place as you say, but no water, lol.  Might nd to connect a pump? Ill wait till you guys have seen my photo of the set up, & wait to hear back from you.

[AlanM52]

Hi @donnarangi,

Did you check the tank system before making the hose connection?

The tank was filled with water from a garden hose above the level of the tank outlet, the brass bib tap was opened and you had flowing water - yes?

Cheers

[donnarangi]

Hi @AlanM52,

The tank was filled with rain water.  I opened the tap outlet on bottom of tank, have water, when i connect the hose back on, no water through hose..

[AlanM52]

Hi @donnarangi,

Did you ever have that hose reel connected to a regular garden tap to try it out or was it 'out of the box' installed and connected to the tank?

Inside the hose reel out of sight the inlet hose might be kinked where it connects to the hose reel.

You need to connect the hose reel to a garden tap to confirm it working and I know that's a PIA to move!

Come back when that is done and we can discuss something else along these lines

'Without a pump that is a gravity feed tank and the hose outlet needs to be below the tank outlet...'.

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @donnarangi,

Like @AlanM52 said, the issue could be with the hose reel. Try extending it out fully and then retracting it to remove any kinks in the hose.

Gravity-fed pressure is fairly low to begin with, so the next thing to consider is that you are simply losing too much pressure from the water needing to be forced up through the hose reel, then round and round, before coming out the tip of the hose.

If you had a fully extended hose, then you may have water coming out, but if it is wound, then there's a good chance you won't get any pressure.

If you'd like to be able to use the hose to its full capacity, then it's likely you will have to install a pump.

Let me know what you think, and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @donnarangi 

I would take the coiled retractable hose out of the situation, The water should flow easily then. With the setup you have now theer is minimal waterpressure  (that top 1/3 only) to push the water through, the coiled hose has air pockets everytime the hose loops ovetr the top of the reel effectivly forming a bunch of slow plugs for the water to work its way through. Extending the hose out will help, lowering the reel down would help even more so. Having no reel would be the best option for a no mump system.

Dave