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Stacking Water Butts - mad as cabbage idea?

BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
in Tools and techniques

I have two of these…


https://www.diy.com/departments/water-butt-stand-220l/177468_BQ.prd


…water butts in the garden.  To save space, I’m thinking of stacking them.  The base of one fits perfectly into the lid of the other.  Each water butt has its own base (the bit below the tap in the picture), but if I stack them, I won’t need or use the base for the top water butt.


Anybody see any flaw in my design other than just stupid? :D  The water butts are made of rigid plastic and because of their hexagonal structure appear to more solid than a simple round plastic one.   When I press the sides there is a little bit of give but not excessive, maybe about 2mm or 3 mm.  Also, I’m assuming that having two feeds from the down pipe from the gutter won’t be an issue as once the top one is full it will then fill the bottom one.

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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    When full, one water butt will weigh over 220kg - I like the idea, but it's not something I'd risk

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    You could if you built a solid wood stand for the top one.
    Utah, USA.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I think it's a good idea, as the water pressure will improve, the higher you raise the butts off the ground. They would need good support as each litre = 1kg. If you do it, I'd love to see and hear about the results.

    Some thoughts here.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I would anticipate that the weight of the top one, once it's full, would cause the bottom one to split open?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    Just a thought,  but could you cut out the bottom of the top butt and seal the join with silicone sealant. Weight wouldn't be an issue then. 
    West Yorkshire
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited May 2018
    A gap in the market, I think. You could design a strong stacking frame and patent it. Dragon's Den?

    I do see the virtue of getting the right waterbutt for a space. You can buy thin very tall ones, or small square ones you can mount on a wall. I have two hiding in a hedge. I'm wondering if Tim needs a very tall butt. I'm not sure there would be a way to fuse the two together. The forces would get very strong. It's the sort of thing I would try.

    And Tim, don't forget that the 'mad-as-a-cabbage' ideas are the most satisfying when you get them to work; Esp if everyone said it would never happen.
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    edited May 2018
    Some good thoughts here - thanks guys.  Been pondering about the weight issue and guess that the water butt is specified to take only the weight of the water inside it (which is wanting to force the sides out), and adding double that would do as Lizzie said and split the sides.  So the bottom one will fail, the top one will topple and potentially do some serious harm or damage, and definitely make a right mess with up to 440 litres of water washing across the garden!  However, I like the idea of make a frame (thanks Scroggin and Blue Onion) that stands around the butt on the ground and then sit the top water butt on the frame so it takes the whole weight of the top one.  That would work and I could brace the top water butt to the wall of the house just to make sure it doesn't move.  Next Bank Holiday weekend project I think!  :)
  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    If you do try it remember.......................photos are obligatory. 
    West Yorkshire
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    Fire said:
    A gap in the market, I think. You could design a strong stacking frame and patent it. Dragon's Den?

    I do see the virtue of getting the right waterbutt for a space. You can buy thin very tall ones, or small square ones you can mount on a wall. I have two hiding in a hedge. I'm wondering if Tim needs a very tall butt. I'm not sure there would be a way to fuse the two together. The forces would get very strong. It's the sort of thing I would try.

    And Tim, don't forget that the 'mad-as-a-cabbage' ideas are the most satisfying when you get them to work; Esp if everyone said it would never happen.
    It does sound interesting, a stackable water butt, but then you just think...buy a 450ltr butt.  If they aren’t sold, or sold in high numbers, that’s the end of the sales pitch.
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