Hack

Well, we finished Phase 1 of our landscaping project. We tackled the side yard first. Low impact, low expense. Next we're on to the back, which includes rainwater harvesting, paver patio, walls, pathways, LOTS of plantings, a Fireplace and a water feature. Phew...I don't know if I'm ready for this...

On the side yard, we had a landscape contractor do the hardscaping and rototilling/soil amendment. We did all the plantings, irrigation, lighting, mulching, etc.

We'll probably do the same with the back. A couple of pictures of the finished product as well as the plan for the back below...

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

TxBuilder

That's beautiful. Good job. How many man hours?

Hack

Sorry for the delayed reply. I don't have notifications on...

It was about 100 man hours for the hardscaping (hired out), and another 50 hours for landscaping, irrigation, lighting, mulch, etc. (me and the wife)

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

Hack

We've started Phase II of this project. Some of the highlights:

- 3,500 Gallon rainwater harvesting system (RainXchange underground cistern)
- 15' Water feature.
- 15' X 15' Permeable paver patio (over cistern)
- Two new pathways.
- Two new decks.
- Outdoor fireplace.
- Remote controlled low voltage lighting...

Enjoy!

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

oldognewtrick

Hack, what are you using for your water storage?

inspectorD

Nice Job...so that's where you 've been.
Looks like partytime on the patio.

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Just My
Made in the

Hack

The RainXchange system. It's a matrix of boxes under that patio you see. It's about 5-6' deep and 16' X 16' square. Basically an underground cistern. The patio allows water to filter through, and we've diverted a bunch of downspouts into the cistern as well. Roughly 3,500 gallons. A high volume low pressure pump feeds the water feature, and a booster pump handles the irrigation tasks.

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

Hack

Yeah, I know. I've been working on the landscaping project since summer. I have done a couple of other little things, just nothing of interest...

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

oldognewtrick

How do you see or check the water level in the storage unit?

Hack

oldog,

First, you should know that I'm lazy by nature. So the more something takes care of itself, the better. That said, here's how the system works.

There is an access cover on one side of the cistern. This gives me access to the submersible water feature pump and associated plumbing. There is also an electronic level sensor (Jandy Levolor). It senses when the water drops to a minimum level (enough to run the water feature, but not enough to irrigate). When the water drops to this level, two things happen. First, the booster pump is de-activated and water supply for irrigation is switched over to city water supply/pressure. Second, a valve opens and keeps the water at that minimum level by refilling with city water, much like the float in a toilet.

Our system turned out to be a bit larger because we had the space, and they had extra boxes. I think it was really because they read the plans wrong and dug the hole too big, but it doesn't really matter.

I haven't worked out all the control details yet. My laziness, and my being an Engineer by training drive me to automate things as much as possible. There will be some logic control on this thing at some point, I just need to figure it out.

Here's a picture of the access panel, and a diagram of the system...

For more information, go to Water Gardens, Water Gardening, Ponds & Backyard Pond Designs or Rainwater Harvesting Collection Systems | RainXChange

They have a TON of information there.

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)