[lfcevans]

Have I made a mistake in the way I joined my 2 waterbutts together

I have joined them at the top, so that the first one fills first, and when thats full, the second one fills. Which seemed like a good idea at the time.

This now looks wrong. I should have joined them near the bottom so the both fill at the same time......doh

They do both have taps on, but I only seem to use the first one (due to convenience on tap) so the other has water sitting there.

[JayG]

I don't think it's wrong at all and I'd do it that way as well (the total amount of water stored is the same and a full butt comes out quicker through the tap than a half-full one!) 

[Trillium]

You've done what is known as an overflow connection - when the first tub reaches that level, it flows into the next rather than be wasted.

Since you have taps on both at the bottom, it's not a problem at all.

[lfcevans]

Thanks for the replies

The 2nd water butt tap is more difficult to get at because I have to move stuff to get at it....

IF...I join any together next time, I will join them at the bottom, it will make life a bit easier for me and I`m sure the weight of twice the water will make it come out fine....

[Trillium]

It definitely will come out with more force. I set my own taps into my water butts and used 1/2" fittings, but they're too small despite bottom connections with 4 barrels. Next year I'm switching everything to 3/4", maybe 1" fittings.

Another thing to get good water pressure is that there is some sort of air release at the top of each barrel. It can be a small hole, anything that will release displaced air in the barrels.

[Growster...]

Exactly as we did it, your picture could have been taken here - and it's fine!

[savbo]

you could always push a 3m length of hose through the connector (presuming it will fit through) so the ends dangle to the bottom and they siphon into each other. I've got a chain of 3 butts connected with siphons and they work very well...

[lfcevans]

Sounds like a good idea....i will try that

Thanks

[TerryB]

If you join them at the bottom make sure they are both on a solid foundation, because if one moves you may get a leak which will empty both butts.
We have tapes on ours but when filling more than watering-can we just take the lid off and push the can into the water.