[windowwashers]

Lewis, you said you are 'small fry'. I hope you don't mind me asking, but I just wondered how much wfp work you did?

I am small fry too, but trad only at the moment. I was looking at some of your ideas to get a basic wfp set up.

Thanks,
Ian

Ian, go for a pro set up wfp, you will earn more than you do trad I had been trad for years I love wfp and is now coming into its own

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Hi Ian,what your asking is `off the topic` really.What I`ll do is e,mail
You privately with my own opinions and help.Thanks for your enquirey.

Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )

[Ian W]

Sorry Lewis, did go off topic a bit. To bring it back on topic, I have about 350 litres capacity from rain butts. Just wondering if this would be enough to have a go at wfp, but without the expense of going RO, DI, etc straight away? I just want to trial it really, before deciding what to do.

Ian, I probably will go wfp in the future. Some of my round isn't suitable for wfp, but the majority probably is. I just wanted to give it a whirl really before splashing out on a pro set up.

[Jeff Brimble]

Maybe,  Buy or borrow a tds meter or get the water tds tested. If its ok. Get a std pump up or small agri sprayer, or fence paint one and experiment with brushing it on and rinsing off, ground level.

[windowwashers]

Sorry Lewis, did go off topic a bit. To bring it back on topic, I have about 350 litres capacity from rain butts. Just wondering if this would be enough to have a go at wfp, but without the expense of going RO, DI, etc straight away? I just want to trial it really, before deciding what to do.

Ian, I probably will go wfp in the future. Some of my round isn't suitable for wfp, but the majority probably is. I just wanted to give it a whirl really before splashing out on a pro set up.

350l would last over a day going at it full on, if you want to play with it that is more than enough, one thing I would say is if you get spots ect it could well be the rain water, test on your house, I was sceptical about the whole thing, I now have a new system wfp and turned my back on trad as wfp after a little time is alot quicker alot safer and you can clean frames aswell with less time that doing glass only with trad.

where in the UK are you, if you are near me you are welcome to come out with me for a morning and have a go.

Ian

[Ian W]

Thanks Jeff. I will give that a whirl I think.

Ian, I am on the south coast (Portsmouth), so it might be a bit of a trek for me. But thanks for the offer.

[Jeff Brimble]

Ian, its how  started. Actually you can make as simple as just using a bucket of water. But once you start experimenting you wont stop. A backpack and pole will allow you to reach the dangerous ones you cannot reach trad and it just sort of develops from there.
If  your near the coast the tds might be up so you would have to DI - I have my unused RO for backup.

[bluez]

Thanks for that Jeff, looks good.

[Jeff Brimble]

Rains fine -dont even think bout trying that Vodka trick  (ouch)

[Londoner]

As someone who used to work for the Water Board (as it was then) when I first left school. I would like to point out that technically its illegal to collect rainwater. All rain that falls in a particular area "belongs" to the water authority for that area.
Even a garden rain butt breaks the rules. I have never heard of anyone being done for it and can't imagine they ever would.

However, with the introduction of water metering several schemes have been suggested for collecting rainwater to use for flushing the toilet. These have been kicked into touch by the water authorities by saying they would have to be licenced.

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Vince,well how about that! Collecting rainwater illegal! It dos`nt surprise me,
Ya can`t breath the air to live without being out or order! Ian,what Jeff says is
`near the mark`. Backpack perhaps,and everything goes from there.I could`nt
Mail ya anyway,no mail address.If ya do gets spots when using rainwater,it
Will be because the water youv`e collected will be say above 15ppm.Jeff `B`
Is the rainwater `guru`.Jeff,would ya say anything under 15 ppm is oaky or is
That too high?

Lewis  Doubtfire  Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )

[Alex Gardiner]

As someone who used to work for the Water Board (as it was then) when I first left school. I would like to point out that technically its illegal to collect rainwater. All rain that falls in a particular area "belongs" to the water authority for that area.
Even a garden rain butt breaks the rules. I have never heard of anyone being done for it and can't imagine they ever would.

However, with the introduction of water metering several schemes have been suggested for collecting rainwater to use for flushing the toilet. These have been kicked into touch by the water authorities by saying they would have to be licenced.

I have just checked with our Water Authority about the legality of collecting rainwater. According to South West Water not only is it not illegal, but they are encouraging all of their customers to start using rainwater wherever possible and will sell you equipment to do so.

[Ian W]

The water in my area is a high tds. I definitely couldn't experiment with tap water without getting RO and DI equipment. Rain water sounds like a reasonable way of experimenting.

I seem to remember hearing that rain water technically belongs to the water companies before. I can't imagine anyone having legal problems though. As Alex posted, most of them seem to encourage the use of rain water.

Lewis - You should be able to see my e-mail address now. Thanks!

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Getting back on `topic` so to speak.I think I`ll forget the parasol/umbrella idea and
Put the collected rainwater that’s already in my garden butts thru` a DI canister.Jeff,
Members,what parts would be needed to connect the canisters? I`m definatley going
The gravity fed `route`.Oh Jeff,while I`m online,like ya`ve done with the fishing pole
Weight comparisons etc. etc .etc. would you be good enough to outline the parts in
Detail what youv`e used in your set up.So far the only thing I`ve had to use since my
Tds started to climb rapidly,which was when I stopped collecting and went back to my RO for water was some aquarium wool from my local aquarium shop.This was just to catch all the flies,midges etc.

Lewis Doubtfire Gleem Clean ( The Blade Runner )

[bluez]

Left a bucket out overnight just for the hell of it ................... 9ppm what the hell have I been buying ro's for.

My back garden is going to be full of pots and pans from now on

[Jeff Brimble]

No guru lewis, I just asked others like Justin Ruggles on other forums
Yes its not written down will try to do a topic. try using Algarde blue aquarium filter sponge stuffed in a pipe before before the wool. I now no longer use the wool.

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

Hi Jeff,whats the advantage of blue aquarium filter wool instead of the other?
This last hour or so I`ve been `messing` around over at B @ Q and my workshop
Getting ready for an `attack`.A reading of `butt` water I`ve had for weeks that looks
Visibily as drinkable has a reading of 12ppm.

[Jeff Brimble]

looking at meteox you should be getting some good rain about now, just measure the current tds.
Not blue wool- blue sponge its firmer and easier to cut. Comes in rectangular 2x2x8 inch.
As its quiet - http://www.tropicalfishforums.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=196

Heres a pic of what your looking for, also comes in fine grade. I got a bag full of unbranded for 7 quid. You reuse it by rinsing. So you dont need much. Just Stuff it up a removeable section of pipe.  Clean every 500L or so http://www.warehouse-aquatics.co.uk/juwel-jumbo-filter-sponge-coarse-533-p.asp0L

[Jeff Brimble]

Bluez you get to be picky after a bit I only collect when the rains coming down at less than 1 tds My tap water is 70

[bluez]

70 would be nice mine is close to 300 and the pressure is pants as well.
Great info
thanks