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Ferrocement water tank resources

 
Instructor
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Location: Reno, NV
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Hi all,
I got a bug for researching ferrocement tanks and found all these resources with detailed DIY designs and instructions.

Next I need to layer in the cold climate freeze protection strategies. has anyone done this already???

Enjoy.

A collection of articles and papers

I first heard about ferrocement tanks through Art Ludwig's book Water Storage http://oasisdesign.net/water/storage/index.htm

floorplan http://oasisdesign.net/water/storage/WSp110-112.pdf

Here's some additional resources I found useful. some are much more extensive and detail intensive than others.

How to build http://www.aprovecho.net/2009/09/constructing-a-ferrocement-tank/

Design and construction http://www.unhcr.org/49d089a62.html

cover http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/research/structures/dtu/pubs/tr/rwh/tr-rwh04.pdf

comprehensive manual for 1000 gal tank http://www.crsprogramquality.org/storage/pubs/watsan/bangapinoy.pdf

the wildfell tank http://www.permaculture.org/nm/images/uploads/The_Wildfell_Ferrocement_Tank_by_Patrick_McGinn.pdf

thorough book with history and many tank size construction designs http://www.samsamwater.com/library/Book7_Water_from_roofs.pdf

short design brief http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/36-ferrocement-water-tanks.pdf

design practicum and install photos http://mcedc.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/111118%20Barbee%20Practicum%20Report%20BPD%20Rainwater%20Catchment%20(1).pdf

lots of various water articles at this site http://www.samsamwater.com/library.php
 
Posts: 42
Location: Costa Rica 100 meters above sea level, Tropical dry forest
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Neil Careful the ferrocement can become an addiction. I first used it to build a 16,000 gal. fish tank and planters. Then rain troughs and catchment basin tank. Lately some large sinks. Also a waterproof floor for my new compost bin to prevent seepage to groundwater. In my mind is a relaxing tub for 2. I've found a layer of thinset inside helps to seal more waterproof. Can also be sealed with parrafin or pool paint. Not sure about the colder climates. Mine just went through 2 earthquakes one 7.6 turned tank into a wave pool. So far so good. Best to keep the cement from drying for 30 days. I fill with water after a couple hours here to set up, also wet burlap sacks and plastic to hold the moisture. I use 3 parts good sand to 1 part cement. They say to work it fairly dry, I still have to work with it wet. Best Wishes!!
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I also got the same book and now I am imagining everything I own being made out of ferrocement.

One thing I have yet to find out after all my Googling and YouTube watching though...

All the videos seem to show large groups of cheap labour coming together to build these giant water containers and they seem to do it all in one go.

I could probably trick one suitable person into helping me but there is no way we could complete my design in one hit, it would take a couple of weekends.

Nowhere can I find out if you can build them in sections. I am aware that traditional concreting does not recommend cold joints but when does the join go cold? Can I leave it halfway overnight and start again in the morning or will my watertank leak along the seam?

Is there a way of retarding the cure so I can extend the working time?

Cheers

Mark
 
steve temp
Posts: 42
Location: Costa Rica 100 meters above sea level, Tropical dry forest
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Shouldn't be too much of a problem continuing the next am, if you keep it wet. I did the floor in my fish tank with a good helper running the mixer and hauling mortar to me. It was very hot and almost killed me in the tank by myself, not 16 anymore. Wire kept working down as I walked and hauled cement over it and was a battle to pull back up. Did the floor 1st day and kept wet overnight. Found a couple more guys to help with the walls the following am.
 
Mark Livett
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No leaks!?

Good to know, I can probably con a few people into helping me but I am not longer of an age when I will be jumping in and out of the tank either. More hands the better!

Cheers
 
steve temp
Posts: 42
Location: Costa Rica 100 meters above sea level, Tropical dry forest
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No leaks in the big tank. I have since built several others and a couple did have leaks. We chiseled out the cracks as deep as possible then patched with the same mortar. No problem.
 
Mark Livett
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Cheers, no problem with the leaking water causing the internal iron to rust? Did you need to grind back the metal at all or just plaster over the top?
 
Posts: 61
Location: Minnesota
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I'm also looking for an answer to the freeze question. S Minnesota is a long way from S Indiana where I helped build some of these. Does anyone have info on subzero temperatures? (and thanks for all the info links)
 
pollinator
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Location: Zone 10a, Australia
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Have you got space in your basement? Make it under ground or heap soil over it a little mountain in you backyard, could be combined with a greenhouse...
 
Of course, I found a very beautiful couch. Definitely. And this tiny ad:
A rocket mass heater is the most sustainable way to heat a conventional home
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