Inspiring. I like you two being unafraid to trial and error everything. It's highly relatable & good for idea making.

Look forward to see what y’all have coming next!

.. this could not be a more relevant subject at this time. Creativity and practically is going to be so helpful to those who really are looking into helping themselves

Hi Jim and Jess. I like your conversational sharing with us, while also showing how you respect each other, looking at each other as you talk. It is much more natural than always looking at the camera. You two boldly research the natural building options and then challenge yourselves and others to take the steps, risks, and rewards of natural builds. Thank you!

Hey Jim and Jess, glad to see you guys addressing both pros and cons of the cistern and water catchment. The bright side is when you build smaller cisterns you got a ready-made swimming pool. LOL🤣🤣🤣🤣💜👍😎

I love the option of trials you took, and everything is a learning process before perfection. Am benefitting a lot from your endeavor. You inspired me and the limit is only ourselves. Lest we start the process, the journey will never be complete. Thank you guys and as always may God bless ya'll and the work of our hands 🙏

Well the cistern sure is beautiful.

Good morning you two beautiful couple watching all the way from southern Alberta Canada

Also the concert top on your water hole! Would have been really nice around on your Earth Bag Home to protect it

a video of all the rain that has been at your farm would be interesting video. Happy anniversary.

I love your water cistern

It was while you were building the cistern that I became aware of your channel, and a subscriber.

Its a learning experience. Two thumbs up

Great job in educating everybody and me included on the Holding of a water catch. Great education

Thank you Jim and Jess is very good information from all my friends in Canada

Good afternoon You Two thought I'd stop in and check out what you're doing hope your day is going good

Thanks!

Hi guys another great video. I look forward to watching your content thank you for your sharing your project.

You guys have worked real hard to make that a real sustaining Homestead. you've inspired a lot of people and have showed how at you can live in dry climates if you just prepare I think it's great what you're doing Rock on. By the way I'm still waiting on my song by Sonny and Cher tramps and thieves😀

live and learn thank you ALL stay safe

Thank you so much for this video. 💗 I've been watching everything for a while now. Learning a ton. I'm making the jump ( 🤞) in the next couple months. I love what you're doing. Was hoping for this specific review.

What a good idea to practice “foundation” work on the cistern before building your house. Having more but smaller ones makes sense. The one you built with the rock surround, though, is aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion. No doubt you guys are inspiring and giving confidence to others. How cool is that?

By this time, you may start to see the cement developing surface cracks. To keep it water tight, make a very liquid cement mixure and spread on the surface, the liquid will go into the micro-cracks and seal everything before the mesh becomes exposed and starts to corrode. The gabion was genius, imho. It may settle, but it holds no problem. Of course you totally could have done a concrete cover to the cistern, without the wood beams, and not be wondering now when or if they will rot, and if the ferrocement will hold itself up without support. I am no structural engineer, but I guess you should ask for advice to one. My opinion about the valve box and bottom pipe, you could go without it and pull the water out using an inexpensive solar pump.

Great to hear how y'all might have done things differently. Thanks for sharing.

I think the fact the stone wall pushed it down will have its advantage. The water will push less outwards when filled. I think that with these underground systems it will be important to put heavy loads (trucks) on the backfilled dirt and not just tamp. I have seen serious deformation on pools and reservoirs. The load of water is surprisingly heavy.

Funny, I'm planning on building rain water cisterns, and was going over some of these same questions in my mind today: like several small ones, or one big one? What materials for cost and one person building? All this rain has shown I need to do more grading around the buildings and driveway ... this was helpful.

Thanks for sharing 👍😀

Thanks so much for this update!!!

OH LORD WHERE GETTING RAIN 👏👏👏👏 PRASIED THE LORD AMEN🙏🙏

Hey Jim. it's been a while since I last commented. I just love watching the earth-ship video's, your build really reminds me of their work. One of their video's comes to mind when you talk about your water storage design, and that's one where the went to a country that didn't have a way to keep and store water for their village. They did the same thing as you guys did but when it came time to cover it, they used chicken wire like you but before they applied the mud they dipped sheets in cement and spread them over the entire surface to give them a base so the mud didn't fall through. I thought it was one of those genius moments. And so I decided that when I build my Gothic arch home that I'd use the same technique. I doubt you'll ever have structural issues with your earthbag cistern, The rock wall adds a ton of structural support.

Great video. Love to see more rainwater collection stuff. And is that Link?

It might make a really nice underground food storage space and summer kitchen room.

@kurtcurtis2730

Жыл бұрын

Rocking greenhouse

the redundancy factor is definitely a good knowledge nugget to come out of this. I don't know what forms of water treatment you're doing post-capture, but perhaps consider using the large cistern as the primary catchment, and poly tanks as the post-filtering and treatment storage. That's personally the route i'm planning on for my future setup.

Any chance in future (when your other cisterns are built and you perhaps decide not to use that cistern) you could make that another living space?

I have truly enjoyed watching your journey - keep the videos coming

This might be a bit of a silly comment, but Jess, your hair looks so cute pulled up like that!

thanks for sharing. I am in the process of trying to get water storage out here in Hueco El Paso TX. May go with smaller underground cisterns.

I put a tube bender on my deck last year it worked where when you pulled the lever there was no deck so I extended the deck 42 inches out X 29 feet long. Well today I finished the railing I needed two weeks ago when the tube I welded together snapped while I was pulling the lever sending me flying off the deck and fortunately for me my metal rack arrested my fall. I wished I put the railing up last year .

All good and honest observations about your project. Again applying the first principle of permaculture, observation. On your point about directing water away from your structures, how about redirecting the water that invades your working area under the rain roof? You continue to inspire us all with your dedication and spirit to achieve your goals. May your future be blessed.

This is a really cool cistern. I'm up in Santa Fe county and have to do a huge erosion control project as well as very large Rainwater storage. I'm slowly working out the engineering of using gabion retention walls, and plan to put a cistern above the retaining walls. Haven't decided if I want to custom build a mostly underground tank similar to this one, or if I would be better off spending big money on large poly tanks. Maybe I'll create a channel about the process I end up going through with all the projects renovating this house to be as sustainable and comfortable as possible in a colder area with a bit more rainfall. I'll keep watching your videos, and might want to go visit your project sometime. Keep up the good work!

I really appreciate your ethos and what you are doing but sometimes to achieve our end goal we have to compromise for the sake of time, expense, sometimes it's cheaper to buy things in, in time and money and workload. I think having multiple containers are a better idea for the reasons you stated. Also just wondering is it better from a re-cycling? point of view to have small amounts of stored water getting re-freshed every time it rains rather than large amounts potentially sitting there and getting stale.

Super information

You guys should build some cheap posts that have shingled tarps around the cistern, to collect water and drive it into the cistern opening. This will also help limit water around the permitter of the cistern. Sort of like an umbrella.

We have two poly tanks as well for our rain water system. Works well but they are inside and sheltered from the elements vs outside. We have run out of water though and had to haul water from town. With the drought this year it's been tough and we're thinking of adding a third tank. Couldn't imagine the work you guys went through building that size Cistern. PS, My daughter likes your Zelda shirt!

Hey guys I really appreciate your content . You got my full admiration for the hard work and sacrifices you made in your build. Nothing is perfect but you learned a lot during the process. Doing follow up video like this not only save us time and hard work but also provides an honest insight from yourselves who did the work, Thanks for taking your viewers to your journey. All the best guys. When all is done the job satisfaction is priceless. Take care always.

Oh nice tips

Love watching!

Put about 4 more poly tanks in and forget the cistern. Love you guys!!!

You know what they say. Hindsight is 20/20. ❤️😁🥰I see in the comments all the opinions. Like b holes, er’body gots one. Lol Keep on truckin. 🍻

Heck I am a big fan of that cistern you two built. It was a lot more work but it looks so cool plus it is working from what you show us. Smaller ones will be nice to have but the mother ship will always be the awesome one. Stay safe and have a great weekend!

@ourselfreliantlife

Жыл бұрын

Thank you CB! Even though it may not be a perfect build, it will always be special to us.

Awesome

Great job guys!

You two are adorable. Happy Anniversary@

Thank you for these comments... I've been "thinking" about doing a rain water harvesting, and have been checking out different sources where people actually do it, to learn from them. You channel being open and letting us know what you learn is really helpful. I'll definetly take your advice on many small storage tanks instead of just one big one. My question is how long can the water be stored? Can the water be stored for 6 months? In my case I want to catch the water during the 3 month rainy season, and then slowly use it to water plants during the 9 month dry season. I've seen that you need to keep it out of the sun to avoid algae ... but my question is that that only consideration.

Really good discussion. Very candid.

Well done earthlings

Liked

Wahoo

How do you keep the water leaking from the edges of the water bags seepage

🌵💚💚

Have loved the Gabon wall on the cistern, it's gorgeous and classy. Any plans to add continuity by doing a similar design on the house (not necessarily Gabon but stonework which looks similar)?

question self supporting cement roof I'm thinking the answer is in the amount of the arch of the roof

Make this your priority..😁pip pips and carryon pilgrims

Wall cisterns have great benefit's. They support many square cisterns in a single area with less material while still separating them. Plus you can make it curved, S shaped, strait or round and square to support a roof to make as a barn or work shop. 😎👍👍

That sounds like enough water for a couple years.

😊❤🧡💛💚💙

I’m curious do you use something to move the water within your cisterns not allowing Algie to grow

What about gabeon from solid ground level where the bags started?would that work?

One thing I think about when it comes to the cistern, is whether or not you are concerned about the water going stagnant, and if you are treating, or planning on treating the water at all? Love y'all ❣️ ❤️🌵☀️⛈️🌈☮️🐎🐐

@ourselfreliantlife

Жыл бұрын

Some of those questions will get answered as the house build continues. 😁

@everettplummer9725

Жыл бұрын

Legionaire's disease should be tested and water treatments are available, for stored, unaerated water. If aquaponics is in the future, a well supplied lab, and a variety of treatments, may be necessary.

The physics on the roof are off.. in order to be self-supporting, it need way more arc! So when it is time to replace it, swap it for a steel roof, in a saddle.. gutter around the edges and let the water run towards the middle to flow into the cistern. It will still be the coolest cistern out there, just a lot less concrety🤣

Very informative video Jim and Jessica 😁 Thanks for all your hard work, providing great content!

Why not drain the big black tanks into the huge 14k one? I'm looking at land somewhere in the desert. I love watching you two. I've learned a lot.

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

Why not? Because the 14k gal cistern is a VERY open system.

😎🖐

What is the quality of the water like in the Cistern

How do you filter your water for drinking?

With the cistern partly underground would it be somewhat naturally cooled by the surrounding ground? Or would there be enough air pockets with the rocks, earthbags, and liner to insulat it from the ground temperature?

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

Cooled by evaporation. Single digit Rel. Humidity.

Thank you for sharing your experiencial thoughts on such a basic need for water storage - while in such a challengingly extreme-climate environment. I realize how important your knowledge is and hope th put this into as many brains as possible. It might be vital, maybe already is. (Community-Shared Long Bed Update: small green tomatoes, a few ripe cherry-toms, some yellow zucchini growing, tiny cukes, dill (weed and seed), parsley, cilantro, coriander, beetroot and lots of other greens!) Be blessed, my friends.

On your next cistern roof, you could use air-crete which would produce an even lighter roof. There are a bunch of Youetube videos about air-crete and many different building applications.

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

There is also a VERY detailed series of aircrete failures by "Red and April off grid"... In the same county Jim & Jesse. It is not structuraly stable.

What breed are you dogs?

For the cement a much wider knife would help, it's hard to tackle a roof that size with a 6" knife

I love the way the gabion wall looks but that snake wigged me out. I think the unevenness of the outer rim is fixable if it's compromising the integrity of the pipes going through the wall or the runoff. I agree more, smaller cisterns for future projects. I've seen some interesting UTube vids on converting shipping containers into swimming pools. Another source of rainwater storage maybe (in the future). I look forward to your videos.

I do not know if you knew you house design was similar to a design by George Van Tassel.

How long did it take for you to complete the cistern? Did you have to deal with the heat and the rain like you are now with your home build? Is as large as your house build?

@stevethomas5209

Жыл бұрын

No because that property was not Arizona desert at the time due to climate warming the area their in was closer to Michigan at that time. So it was a good choice to build it two years ago because now that their in the desert their going to need extra water now.... sarcasm ha ha. 🤣

would burying polytanks be a reasonable solution?

@ourselfreliantlife

Жыл бұрын

I don't think poly tanks are designed to be buried.

@ITSecurityFTW

Жыл бұрын

@@ourselfreliantlife depends on the tank. But you're right that not all tanks are, and if their not meant to be put underground you don't want to put them there. If you're curious you can check with the manufacturer, but if you don't know, the answer is probably no since the ones meant to be buried cost more typically.

@revminTphresh

Жыл бұрын

@@ourselfreliantlife they seem pretty tough, but only bury to top 1-2'? u could rig the tanks in a circle around cistern so they fill first and then overflow goes to cistern. dont know if that would b more cost effective or not, but def less labor/time intensive. best of luck to u both in this amazing endevour. thanks for taking us along on your journey.

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

@@revminTphresh they are 100% reliant on the polytank water. No other source of water is available. To now bury the tanks would require tank be empty so it could moved. Turn off your water for a week?

@revminTphresh

Жыл бұрын

@@honthirty_ when did i say that, FFS?

I think the rock wall basket are going to drawl a lot of> Rattle Snakes, Scorpions, and Centipedes

What are your thoughts on a small reservoir or pond?

@elizabethblane201

Жыл бұрын

The cistern is a reservoir.

@ITSecurityFTW

Жыл бұрын

They live in a desert. Notice how all their water is protected from the sun? That's because if they don't do that the sun will evaporate it all so a pond is right out. They did an episode (I forget which one) where they even have to cover their gray water discharge system otherwise the sun will evaporate the grey water discharge before the trees can get it.

#600

I'd be worried about the cement affecting the quality of the water, i know PH can be affected by certain cement.

Love your videos! Maybe make some giant funnels over alot of those 300 gal water totes catch the rain ! 🌧️✌️

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

Because with monsoon rains comes 60mph (100 kph) winds. The funnel would be a sail.

Have you thought about making a green house, out of the geodome? Aquaponics?

If you decide to eliminate the big cistern then you could turn it into another living quarters. Straw bales? A dome? Or a yurt style home. Air B&B baby. Cha Ching. Design it right and I bet it would be a nice temp all year long.

@stevethomas5209

Жыл бұрын

Global warming won't allow it.

Did you know that the masons, since antiquity, would pile dirt as high as they needed, then build the huge arches that we see in cathedrals? People often wonder, how'd they get the length and height? That's how. One just digs out the dirt when finished.

@shelleybelly66

Жыл бұрын

I saw a home built this way, a huge earth mound with rebar bent across, covered in hardware cloth and then sprayed with shotcrete. Then, they pulled all the dirt out and there was a dome home. It was very interesting!

the ferro cement .!.. if only you added some 1mm fiberglass shards too it! ) gl

less recaps, more new vids pls ty

You made some very good points. Also, I noticed you used black liners inside the cistern. What is the average life of the liner(s)? Will it need to be replaced at some point?

Slightly above ground, and a metal roof, and a wall or fence around it, would be quicker and cheaper. Rectangular construction, would increase speed too. I know the most efficient storage shape, is a sphere, but the cap or roof, would be far easier to do with proven methods, leaving you to not worry about the future.

Oh come on ! Get your bathing suits on and give us a tour inside the cistern ! Thanks for being honest and showing the part that’s settling . It helps drive home the point about building on top of backfill.

You never let Jessica finish what she's trying to explained come on let the women speak..oh n by the way your doing alot of work grate job sweetie n by your self the electric n other things stay strong both of you very come a long ways .tc God bess

Hey Guys. This video I am posting below is about increasing your solar power and producing water from your panels. I found it fascinating.

@HeatherNaturaly

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/ho191rFylbvUZpM.html

@honthirty_

Жыл бұрын

No video. Gathering water from AZ desert air is make believe. %R.H. is single digit.