tubing into 5 gallon bucket

[spencer11]

what type of tubing should i use if i have tubing running into a 5 gallon bucket on the ground? i would have 2-3 taps per tree going into 1 bucket. i dont know if it matters but is one better than another?

spencer

[Pibster]

I'm using the blue 5/16" tubing from CDL. It's much more durable than the clear pvc tubing and cheaper. I think it only comes in 500' rolls though. Still only $50 a roll.

[emo]

That is what I use. 5/16 tap to the blue tubing into the lid on 5qt jugs. I think it took a 7/16 drill bit through the lid allowed the tubing through, but it holds tight enough that the jugs do not blow off the tubing when it gets windy. I have been considering using 5 gallon buckets if expanding to trees not on my property.

[spencer11]

does it matter what kind of 5/16" tubing? like does leader max flex work better than the 30p? and i would need a few hundred feet so a 500' roll wouldnt be a problem.

spencer

[happy thoughts]

I don't think it matters as long as it's rated food grade or for potable water.

[spencer11]

well i guess ill just get the cheepest i can get then, since everything else in this "business" is way overpriced.

spencer

[kinalfarm]

Spencer, I would put only 2 taps to every 5 gal. Bucket because they will run over in one day if it runs good.

[maple marc]

Spencer, you might want to rethink the tubing to bucket plan. I tried it and decided I was better off just hanging the 5 gallon bucket on the 5/16 tap. Too much hassle setting up the tubing, trying to clean it for the next year. If you have a wind issue, tie a "belt" around the tree and bucket with some baling twine and a section of old innertube. If you're worried about rain and debris getting into the bucket, just use the lid and snap it on only on the side away from the tree. Keeps just about everying out.

Marc

[spencer11]

ian, i am planning on only 2 taps..only 3 for real big trees. this year i have laterals running into 5 gallon buckets with some up to 5 taps, i found out that they would probably over flow after i had set them up. wish i was thinking about it when i put them up.

marc, i was considering that but i would need twice or 3 times as many buckets. and i would have to empty 1 bucket for each tap, where as if i had 2-3 taps per bucket i would only need to empty 1 bucket for 2 or 3 taps..it just seems like a time saver for me..and i would probably need a metal bucket tap instead of a tap for tubing.(big price difference if buying alot) a friend of mine does the tubing into 5 gallons buckets and it seems like he likes it.

spencer

[maple marc]

Spencer, if you have good trees and big runs, you will need a separate 5 gallon bucket for each tap. During some runs my buckets will be filled. I would lose sap if I ran two taps into one bucket. Yes, the plastic taps for tubing are cheaper than the metal bucket taps, but it is a one-time expense. If you use drop tubing into buckets on the ground, you will have to buy lots of tubing and replace it frequently, and of course wash what you don't replace--a real pain. And as you move taps around the trees each year, it requires a different tubing length each year. And don't forget you will be buying Ts as well. Just my 2 cents!

Good luck and keep us posted,
Marc

[spencer11]

good point about the 1 tap expense. i will consiter all of the info. how many of the 5 gallon buckets fill up in a day on 1 tap? seems like ALOT of sap to collect!

spencer

[Asthepotthickens]

what type of tubing should i use if i have tubing running into a 5 gallon bucket on the ground? i would have 2-3 taps per tree going into 1 bucket. i dont know if it matters but is one better than another?

spencer. Use the blue tubing 75$ per roll

[spencer11]

if your talking about the lateral tubing...where is it $75 a roll?!!?


spencer

[smokeyamber]

I would agree with others on the extra work of tubing into buckets, I have buckets on the trees and to collect you just tip em' into a pail and you are done... I also know that I can leave my buckets up almost two days during a run and they won't overflow. Thats per tree.

End of season is way easier in my mind... rinse buckets, dry, stack, done. Taps are re-usable every year. A final note. If you plan to go tubing at some point you can always re-coup costs on buckets and taps...

I did add dump stations this year, which worked out awesome on my hillside location, still get to hear the tink,tink of buckets, but I collected in 1/4 the time !

[spencer11]

i just found out a couple of my friends use drop tubes into 5 gallon buckets and they say it works good...and my trees dont seem to give more than 2 gallons MAX per day, even on a really good run. so i just wont got more than 2-3 taps per bucket and it should work.

spencer

[Pibster]

The sap stays really clean using tubes into buckets, no need to filter the sap.

[spencer11]

i agree with that. i kinda did it this year(with laterals running to buckets) and there was never anything in the 5 gallon bucket...unlike my metal buckets

spencer

[Ausable]

This year - for the first time - I used drop tubes into 4 and 5 gallon buckets with lids and was very pleased. Bought a 500' roll of soft drop tubing from Leader along with a couple of bags of 7/16 plastic tubing spiles. The outside diameter of the tubing is also 7/16 so the work went rather quickly. I just drilled through the lid and inserted the other end of the tube and it cut easily to length with a side cutter or a pocket knife. Had as many as four and as few as one hole in the lids. Instead of snapping the lids closed - I held the lids on the buckets with 2' lengths of slab wood to keep the wind from blowing anything away and it worked. As already stated in another post - did not get the insects and other debris in the sap like I normally do and just a glance at the side of the bucket tells you where the sap level is. Only down side I can see is that the outside of the bucket gets dirty from rain and dirt splash from sitting on the ground - but - that cleans up easily. I did a rough ID on the lids with a felt pen so I know about where they go next year --- But - I have a bunch of tubing spiles and tubes hooked together of all different lengths and I know that is gonna be fun to sort out next Sugarin Season. Filled a Wash Tub with water and let the tubes and attached spiles soak in that. My wife had some Jacobs Hooks in the yard so I hung my tubes over them to drip dry. To store the tubes so they won't mildew of have mud daubers or orchard mason bees or spiders setting up shop in them - I placed them all in a large cotton cloth bag with a draw string and hung them from a rafter...... Well - So far I'm happy with this way of gathering sap. ---Mike---

[SPILEDRIVER]

ive ran as many as 150 taps this way for several years...i really like it......i have no cost at all in bucketts as ive gotten them all for free from a local bakery chain.they are happy to get rid of them.i use 3.5/4.25/5 gallon bucketts...i run about a equal amount on gravity tubing

[68bird]

I run into 5 gallon buckets with as many as 4 taps. works great. I wish I had one over flow this year! I drilled the bucket just below where lid sits with a 7/16 bit, so it wont let rain in the bucket. Otherwise lid acts as a funnell.

[spencer11]

i had holes drilled in my lids (on another setup) and i just made sure that the tubing fit in tight and it didnt leak. im kind of confused about what you mean by funnel?

spencer

[seclark]

Spencer, if water lays on top of the lid and the tubing goes through the lid water could find it's way into the bucket even though the tubing is tight in the hole,thats what was meant by the funnel effect.I drilled into the side near the top also on my 5 gallon pails and it works fine for me.Washing the tubing is no big deal,I soak them in a barrel of water at the end of the season and let them drip dry on the clothes line,of course I don't have hundreds of them to wash either.

[spencer11]

i didnt wash my 3 drop tubes after this season just let them drain, but should i wash them cause they arnt wet at all. and i dont have hundreds of them...until i get enough taps :cool:

spencer

[Ausable]

i had holes drilled in my lids (on another setup) and i just made sure that the tubing fit in tight and it didnt leak. im kind of confused about what you mean by funnel?

spencer

The water on the lid was not a problem here either. The tubing fit tight enough it wasn't an issue as the lids would be almost full of water after a rain or snow melt and it did not funnel into the pail. I was concerned about this at first - but - it never happened - at least to me. Now an oversize hole in the lid and the funnel effect would be a problem. I agree with Spencer - it works great. -----Mike----

[spencer11]

i also use the gray lowes buckets and lids and just snap on one side so i can pick it up and dump it into another bucket or tanks si the lid is at a little angle.

spencer

[Ausable]

Seems like all the 5 gallon buckets and the 50 gallon barrels I pick up have had pickles in them. So - have to wash and rinse a couple of times and air them out good to De-pickle them. But - after that - they work fine for my setup. ----Mike----

[SPILEDRIVER]

dont know if you guys have any dairy farm supply stores in your areas but i get used 15 and 30 gallon food grade plastic drums from our local store, they have had chlorine/sanitizer solutions in them(for sanitizeing bulk tanks and food processing equipment) they are super clean and heavy duty.ive got a bunch and hardly any money in them,4$ each for the 15 gal,and 8$ each for the 30 gal.should have wrote that better,no there not for sale,was just stateing theres cheap ones out there if you know where to look

[fishman]

I use the tubes into buckets . I just snap the lid onto the bucket on the side away from the tubing so the lid sits at an angle and rain wont puddle on the lid. the tubing fits so tight the water won't leak through anyway even if the lid was level. Doing it this way leaves one side of the lid open a little bit and I do get a few bugs in there. When I pump my collection tank I put a prefilter around the pump and it filters any debris that is in the sap. I haven't seen a lot of operations but this seems to work pretty well for me.