Rain Barrels This rain water collection system is simple, easy to use, and allows you to use scarce resources more efficiently. We've been in the fluid technology business for decades, and put that experience to work for you in rain water harvesting.
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Features
Bold features are something only Zebra Green products offer as standard.
- Your choice of closed top with internal reusable filter bag and diverter or replaceable screen top insert with locking lid to prevent tampering and accidents
- Welded fittings are guaranteed against leaking
- Easy to couple to other rain water systems for increased storage
- Comfortably placed brass water spigot valve to fill watering can
- Rain barrel water overflow can be directed to your garden
- Screen top model can be used with a rain chain for hard to access areas
- Detailed installation instructions make setup a snap
- Rain water filter bags catch bugs and leaves enhancing your rain water storage
- Bag filter can be cleaned and reused or replaced if required making your rain water collector more efficient
- Screen top insert can be cleaned or replaced if required
- Optional decorator rain barrel covers let your barrel blend in with your landscaping or patio décor
- Electric pumps available for pumping your water through a hose to your entire garden – Locking Screen Top Barrel only
- Ships via FedEx - weighs less than 30 pounds. Anyone can handle it!
Our rainwater collection system comes standard with water outlet fitting, overflow protection (or serial connection) fitting, rain water inlet fitting or screen insert. All fittings are specially welded in our factory so that they can't leak, ever.
Zebra rain barrels come with a 2 year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Standard terms apply. A 10 year extended warranty is available.
We've been in this business building these devices for industrial use almost 20 years. We're taking industrial knowledge and applying it to help you save money, save your garden, and save one of our most precious commodities, Water!
Installing the Rain Barrel
Your Zebra Rain Barrel System requires only minimal assembly and set-up to get started conserving water. Make sure your gutter is clean and install a downspout strainer for best results.
Your Zebra Rain Barrel System is shipped essentially ready to use when you remove it from the carton with all standard parts included for quick and easy assembly. Refer to the diagram for part identification.
Direct Connect Rain Barrel
- Your box will contain the following:
- Standard direct connect barrel
- Connection cap with internal filter bag
- Garden Water Saver downspout water diverter
- Brass spigot
- Instruction sheet
- Prepare your location:
- With the Garden Water Saver diverter you have some flexibility as to distance from the downspout. Chose which downspout you plan to use and where you plan to locate your barrel.
- Install the Garden Water Saver diverter per the included separate instructions. It is recommended that you clean your gutters and install a downspout screen prior to first use to reduce litter filling your filter bag.
- Prepare a solid level sight for your barrel. Raising the barrel on a platform made from wood, brick or cement blocks (you can paint them to improve the look) provides for better head pressure and flow through the spigot. Make sure your platform is solid and stable as a full barrel can weigh 450 pounds!
- If you purchased an optional barrel cover, now is the time to install it. The spigot must be removed to fit over the fittings. Just slide it over the barrel matching up the fitting holes. Re-install your spigot.
- Attach the water in-flow hose from the diverter to the filter screen tube and tighten large barrel cap.
- Attach a hose (not included) to the overflow fitting and run it away from your foundation or attach a soaker hose and run the excess water to other landscaping.
- Your Zebra Rain Barrel is now ready for use.
Screen Top Rain Barrel
- Your box will contain the following:
- Standard screen top barrel
- Screen insert
- Brass spigot
- Instruction sheet
- Prepare your location:
- Chose which downspout you plan to use and where you plan to locate your barrel.
- Prepare a solid level sight for your barrel. Raising the barrel on a platform made from wood, brick or cement blocks (you can paint them to improve the look) provides for better head pressure and flow through the spigot. Make sure your platform is solid and stable as a full barrel can weigh 450 pounds!
- Once your barrel is located, you will need to cut your downspout and install a downspout elbow (Not Included). The elbow should drain into the screen insert. If it does not reach, simply add a piece of downspout to the elbow for the correct reach. It is recommended that you clean your gutters and install a downspout screen prior to first use to reduce litter filling your filter screen insert.
- If you purchased an optional barrel cover, now is the time to install it. The spigot must be removed to fit over the fittings. Just slide it over the barrel matching up the fitting holes. Re-install your spigot.
- Attach a hose (not included) to the overflow fitting and run it away from your foundation or attach a soaker hose and run the excess water to other landscaping.
- Your Zebra Rain Barrel is now ready for use.
Pump Option
The electric pump option is only available as a factory installed option on the Screen Top Rain Barrel only.
- Plug into appropriate approved GFI outlet.
- If you empty your drum, unplug the pump. Running the pump dry for more than 5 to 10 minutes will ruin the pump and void the pump warranty.
- Your Zebra Rain Barrel System is now ready to use.
Maintaining Your Zebra Green Rain Barrel System
- Keeping your gutters clean and using a downspout screen will minimize debris entering the rain barrel and clogging your screen filters.
- Keep your Screen Top filter insert screen free of debris.
- Keep your Direct Connect internal filter screen free of debris.
- If you live in a freezing climate, drain barrel and reattach downspout to ground drain prior to winter.
- Use your rain water. Water sitting idle may grow algae. A couple of drops of bleach every two or three weeks will keep your drum clean.
- Rain Barrel Covers should be used with the barrel elevated so as to minimize the cloth making ground contact. This reduces the chance of mildew and splashing mud. Cover cloth is made for outdoor use and is washable.
Rain Barrel Frequently Asked Questions
- What downspout installation options are available?
- ZebraGreen™ Rain Barrels are available in two styles; the Direct Connect and the Screen Top. You can choose the style that best fits your needs.
- Are barrels available in any color besides blue?
- Most food grade recycled barrels are blue but ZebraGreen™ offers custom fitted covers made from heavy duty outdoor furniture upholstery cloth or rip stop nylon.
- Can my rain barrel be located in direct sunlight?
- Yes it can but remember that the sun will heat the water.
- What happens when dirt and insects get into my drum?
- Organic matter can decompose and cause bacteria and algae growth. Mosquitoes can breed in standing water so keep your filter screens clean. Add a couple of drops of bleach every week to keep algae from growing.
- Does my barrel need to be elevated?
- Elevating your rain barrel provides for better head pressure at the spigot. Elevation is a choice you can make to fit your needs. Every landscape situation is different. Our barrel can be adapted to just about any situation.
- I need to move my water farther than gravity can push it. Can I order my ZebraGreen™ Rain Barrel with a pump?
- Yes, the Screen Top barrel can be factory ordered with the pump installed. There are two sizes available and the pump option must be ordered with the initial purchase as it is installed at our factory. The standard pump option is 3 gpm. For those wanting more flow, an 11 gpm pump is available.
- Can I water hanging baskets using the gravity fed hose?
- No. You will need the pump option.
- Does the barrel need to sit on a pad?
- No, but we do recommend it as a full barrel can weigh 450 pounds and you do not want that falling over. If you have installed one of our optional Rain Barrel Covers, the barrel should not be touching the ground.
- Where should I locate my barrel?
- Your barrel will need to be located near a downspout or if no gutters, using a rain chain is an option with our Screen Top barrel.
- Can I paint my barrel to blend with my home or garden?
- Yes or consider our custom fitted Rain Barrel Covers.
| Features |
| Installation |
| Maintenance |
| F.A.Q. |
Additional Equipment
Rain Barrel Pumps |
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Increase your watering distance with our 2gpm Centrifugal Pump option. Ideal if you are connecting more than one barrel. |
Downspout Diverter |
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The Diverter captures water flowing down the gutter. With this particular unit, the rain barrel does not have to be directly below the downspout, but can be hidden around the corner, or on the side of the house in low visibility areas. |