Header tank outlet

[rc mx110]

Now then......
The outlet for the plate cooler in the dairy puts the water into a sealed 3000litr tank in the loft above the parlour, which in turn feeds the main water trough in the cubicles. When the loft tank goes empty the borehole fills the cattle trough.
Due to an aging borehole it is starting to struggle when hosing the parlour out, so.....
I want to plumb in a pump to use the loft tank water to wash down with. But would like to set up a header tank next to the 3000 ltre tank so the there is always about 1000ltrs in the tank, controled by hight of header compaired to main tank
My question is hows the best way of doing it?

Easiest is to put a ball valve in the big tank a third way down, but only a small child can get into the tank.
Is there a sealed ball float valve thingy I would put under the header tank for its oulet into the main to keep it a third full. But when milking and theres more than 1000 in the big tank won't let water to run back into the header and overflow.

 

[Philip Watkins]

Put a 1000 l tank next to the 3000. Fit an ordinary ballcock to the 1000 and fill it by fitting a T in the feed to the big tank. Small tank will fill as long as the water level in the big one is higher. Make sure you fit an overflow (end where you can see it) incase the ballcock starts leaking.

 

[rc mx110]

Put a 1000 l tank next to the 3000. Fit an ordinary ballcock to the 1000 and fill it by fitting a T in the feed to the big tank. Small tank will fill as long as the water level in the big one is higher. Make sure you fit an overflow (end where you can see it) incase the ballcock starts leaking.

Quite a good idea there, Philip
except don't reallly want to add another ton of weight above the parlour.
And in thoery both tanks could be empty so no reserve. Thats not a deal breaker tho.

 

[Philip Watkins]

But you said

Now then......... But would like to set up a header tank next to the 3000 ltre tank .....

 

[rc mx110]

But you said

Yea I meant like 25-50 litre.
1000 litre would be plenty to hose down and then it could refill in its own time

 

[rc mx110]

But you said

The setup you suggest. Would work, don't get me wrong, but if all tanks were empty would take several milkings to fill the new tank

 

[Philip Watkins]

Put a T in the existing outlet with a breather pipe up the side of the tank (so it's higher than the tank) then T off this to supply the water trough. Re-route the old outlet to the volume wash. The height of the new outlet will determine how much water remains in the tank.

 

[rc mx110]

Put a T in the existing outlet with a breather pipe up the side of the tank (so it's higher than the tank) then T off this to supply the water trough. Re-route the old outlet to the volume wash. The height of the new outlet will determine how much water remains in the tank.

Oops my bad.
Forgot to say the 3000 is filled from the bottom. So the inlet is the outlet. Just an overflow at the top.
Currently the only time water enters the 3000 is when the plate cooler is in use

 

[Philip Watkins]

Oops my bad.
Forgot to say the 3000 is filled from the bottom. So the inlet is the outlet. Just an overflow at the top.
Currently the only time water enters the 3000 is when the plate cooler is in use

Same applies, just forget the inlet in my sketch.

 

[rc mx110]

 

[rc mx110]

I have just worked it out.
A normal non return valve at the base of the header will work
Thanks Phillip. Always good to bounce ideas about

 

[Philip Watkins]

Ah, can see what you're on about now. Yes that would work with a non-return valve. The higher you put the little tank, the more water you will have in the big tank.

 

[TripleSix]

You want an Essex flange.

Can be fitted from the outside of a sealed tank.

Then just plumb your small header tank with ballvalve into this at the required height.

 

[Philip Watkins]

You want an Essex flange.

Can be fitted from the outside of a sealed tank.

Then just plumb your small header tank with ballvalve into this at the required height.

He will still need the non return valve.

 

[rc mx110]

He will still need the non return valve.

After googling a Essex flange I think your right. Cause the Essex isn't gonna stop water going the wrong way

 

[TripleSix]

He will still need the non return valve.

Yes, I omitted to mention that.