Lazy man's heavy duty base

[Kobus Jooste]

I often work alone on my systems' construction, and have always been looking around for some quick way to do something that may otherwise need more than one person or, alternatively, may take a much longer time to complete following the traditional path.  When I constructed my larger system, I added two 5000 liter water reservoirs for rain water to be used in the system.  I did not want to have to cast heavy slabs for these, as I may just move the whole thing in the future.  I opted for pre-stressed pre-cast lintols in stead.  These can be spaced a small distance apart, which means that you need less material to complete the base as you space the lintols apart and fill in the gaps with gravel.  The cost of the lintols were similar to the cost of the materials to make a base - concrete, gravel, sand, re-enforcing.  It does cut a lot of labour though - have them delivered, level the soil (I have clay soil and did not even vcompact), and move the lintols into place.  Fill in the gaps with gravel and you are done.  Both tanks are currently full, thus the base is carrying 10 tons and have not moved or dipped anywhere.  Not bad for an instant base.  30 minutes of work.