How to add additional storage tanks?

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jacharya

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I have a low yield well (2gpm) that when we are in drought, as Tennessee currently is, can lower to a rate of .25 gpm. With this the case, the existing two storage tanks (250 and 300 gallons each) are not sufficient for a home with 5 bathrooms and 4 adults/4 children. my pump saver is constantly blinking that it has shutoff the well pump due to a dry well and the tanks start to empty fast. This puts us all into lockdown mode.

I want to add a couple of larger storage tanks (1000 gallons each or more), but cannot figure out how to do this given the existing setup does not match what I see online regarding the optimal setup. Most seem to show a top fill and bottom outlet. My tanks only use the bottom outlets. See the attached picture of my current setup. The second pic with the green tank is on the other side of the wall in the garage and is not the tank with the float valve. I want to add some vertical or rectangle storage tanks next to it. How can I do this? My other concern is it seems like any new tanks will only fill to 250 gallons max. I say this since our 300 gallon tank in the garage only fills to 250 gallons.
 

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Reach4

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Storage tanks are normally not pressurized. One pump (called the well pump) is controlled by a float switch, and that pump fills the atmpospheric tank(s).

The tanks feed a "pressure pump", and that pump is controlled by a pressure switch. There is a pressure tank with the pressure switch.

https://www.plastic-mart.com/storage/ has many kinds of tank at a reasonable price. A cone bottom tank can let you blow out sediment.
 
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jacharya

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Storage tanks are normally not pressurized. One pump (called the well pump) is controlled by a float switch, and that pump fills the atmpospheric tank(s).

The tanks feed a "pressure pump", and that pump is controlled by a pressure switch. There is a pressure tank with the pressure switch.

https://www.plastic-mart.com/storage/ has many kinds of tank at a reasonable price. A cone bottom tank can let you blow out sediment.
Thanks. The second pic shows our second storage (atmospheric)tank. Can I just create a "T" from that pipe and connect to the bottom inlet of an additional tank? My concern is if I add a 1000 gallon tank, will the float switch on the primary 250 gallon storage tank allow the 1000 gallon tank to fully fill? My second tank currently only fills to 250 gallons even though it holds 300.
 

Fitter30

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Storage tanks have to be piped in parallel top and bottom. U don't flow enough water. Need to have water delivered. The 250 gal tank has to raised the the 1000 gal tank. Water levels have to match unless u want to add motorized valves and program to operate the valves with float switches integrated into the program.
 
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Reach4

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Storage tanks have to be piped in parallel top and bottom. U don't flow enough water. Need to have water delivered. The 250 gal tank has to raised the the 1000 gal tank. Water levels have to match unless u want to add motorized valves and program to operate the valves with float switches integrated into the program.
If the tanks are vented, I would think a single pipe would let the water level equalize.

I guess having the water come into one, and leave by the other, would help keep the water from getting stale.
 

jacharya

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Storage tanks have to be piped in parallel top and bottom. U don't flow enough water. Need to have water delivered. The 250 gal tank has to raised the the 1000 gal tank. Water levels have to match unless u want to add motorized valves and program to operate the valves with float switches integrated into the program.
I am not fully understanding as currently my two storage tanks are only connected at the bottom. Assuming I have a surplus of water in my well at the time, what would keep bottom connected tanks from filling over time. I want to add a third tank that is much larger then the first two. I am not clear if all three tanks need to be the same size so all three fill completely. If not, does the float switch need to be on the on the largest tank?
 

Fitter30

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I am not fully understanding as currently my two storage tanks are only connected at the bottom. Assuming I have a surplus of water in my well at the time, what would keep bottom connected tanks from filling over time. I want to add a third tank that is much larger then the first two. I am not clear if all three tanks need to be the same size so all three fill completely. If not, does the float switch need to be on the on
Exactly what are the 3 tanks? Assuming there open to the atmosphere since there's a float switch. Being connected at the bottom the water level in each tank can't be any higher than the shortest tank if there sitting on the same level.
 

jacharya

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Exactly what are the 3 tanks? Assuming there open to the atmosphere since there's a float switch. Being connected at the bottom the water level in each tank can't be any higher than the shortest tank if there sitting on the same level.
I think I am clear now. My smallest tank (250 gallons) was the only tank when we moved in and had the float switch. The well vendor tgen added a 300 gallon tank and now I am realizing it fills to the exact same height at the 250 gallon tank. So it sounds like it if add a 1000 gallon tank and it is much taller, I will need to raise the existing tanks so the tops of each tank are at the same height. I wondern if it would just be easier to start from scratch and buy two identical 1500 gallon tanks.
 

Fitter30

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I think I am clear now. My smallest tank (250 gallons) was the only tank when we moved in and had the float switch. The well vendor tgen added a 300 gallon tank and now I am realizing it fills to the exact same height at the 250 gallon tank. So it sounds like it if add a 1000 gallon tank and it is much taller, I will need to raise the existing tanks so the tops of each tank are at the same height. I wondern if it would just be easier to start from scratch and buy two identical 1500 gallon tanks.
Here's water use calculator to give u a better idea how much u use.
 

Valveman

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All the tanks can be connected at the bottom and vented at the top. Doesn't matter how large the tanks are, but they will all fill to the same height as the float switch.
 
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