Cob: RE: Re: Cistern

[Jud Malone]

I made a small tank(about 100 gallons)using this method:

Dig a hole, however much water you want to store, that's how big the hole
is.

Use chicken wire and rich cement(NOT concrete mix) to make ferro-cement
walls in the hole.

This is a good way to make a very strong wall using little cement.  The more
gentle the slope you have on the walls of the hole, the easier it is to do
this.  The way I did it was to lay several layers of the wire on the walls
and floor of the hole, holding it down with rocks whenever necessary, then
simply trowel the cement into the wire, covering it completely.  It took me
a little while to get the hang of it, but after that it went pretty
smooothly.

I waited a couple of days to let the cement cure and then let it fill with
water.  It has been through 2 cold winters (-20) with no cracks at all.

I didn't put a cover on it because I just use it for watering plants, but on
my next one, for drinking water, I plan on using maybe an old satellite dish
for the cover.  I'll cut out a hatch, and apply ferro-cement directly on the
old dish.  It should be strong enough to hold a few inches of dirt with just
the chicken wire, but if I'm feeling unsure I'll use some rebar too.  The
dirt will provide some insulation in extreme temperatures.  The tank being
in the ground will help as well.

A wooden, insulated cover could also be made pretty cheaply using styrofoam
insulation, or even an old car hood if you're not worried about the water
freezing.  I've seen alot worse.

Jud

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-coblist at deatech.com [mailto:owner-coblist at deatech.com]On
Behalf Of uncle joe
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2001 10:13 PM
To: Scot Robinson
Cc: coblist
Subject: Cob: Re: Cistern


HERE WHERE I LIVE THERE IS A ABOVE GROUND CISTERN 4 MI FROM MY PLACE ITS
ABOUT 15 FT ROUND AND7 FT TALL IT SITS RIGHT BESIDE THE WINDMILL AND THE
WIND MILL FILLS IT UP THEN THEY USED TO HAVE A PIPE RUN FROM THE TANK TO THE
HOUSE OH IT ALSO SITS ON TOP OF THE HILL WITH THE HOUSE BEFORE IT FELL (WOOD
FRAME)BELOW THE HIL
UNCLEJOE(OKLA)
----- Original Message -----
From: Scot Robinson <wabbit_94 at yahoo.com>
To: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 6:48 PM
Subject: Cob: Cistern


> I am getting everything around to begin my cob home in
> the spring.  I have been looking at ideas of storing
> rainwater for use around the home, and for some in
> home functions.  I have read alot about cisterns and
> how they work.  I love the idea of one, but am
> wondering if anyone knows of a way to build one
> without buying one, or using lots of cement.
>
> Has anybody done or seen something like that done?
>
> Wabbit
>
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