Watch HOG designer Sally Dominguez explain vertical HOGs installed at Malibu Country Mart

Below is the diagram your LA plumbing inspector might want.

HOW TO CONFIGURE HOG RAINWATER TANKS

THE BASICS: Connecting to downspout, constructing an overflow.

​Ideally you will have gutters and downspouts to gather your rain and direct it to the HOG tanks.  If you do not have downspouts a rain chain also works.  You need to construct an overflow to redirect the water once the HOG system is full.

DOWNSPOUTS give you two options for connection to your HOG.  The opening from HOG to downspout should always be screened for mosquitos.
  1. For 1-3 HOGS and under 800 square feet of roof use the Graf DIY all in one to make a closed connection with built-in overflow, filtration and winterization.  The Graf will work for horizontal or vertical HOGs.  It overflows back into the existing downspout.
  2. For more than 3 HOGs or heavy water flows create an overflow with the same dimension as the inlet pipe, ideally above the HOGs on the downspout.  See diagrams below.  Use the Inlet Screen or a RainHarvest filter to screen the inlet rainwater.  Buy the 4-HOG 200-gallon complete system here.
  3. To create additional openings in HOG tanks use Ty seals to suit the pipe diameter.  
Rainwater screen
150 micron steel screen sold with HOG Inlet/Outlet Kit
first flush diverter for rain harvesting
First Flush Diverters remove the debris in the first flush of rain

VERTICAL HOGS: Standing HOGs for maximum gravity pressure

Usually this means standing the HOGs against a wall or fence.  These structures are not taking any additional load from the HOGs because they are bearing downwards on a base of either compacted gravel or slab or cinder block.  The Wall Kit is used to ensure the HOGs do not tip or tilt forward in a seismic or other event.  Similar to the way your water heater is strapped to the house.
  1. The Wall Kit contains everything to secure your HOGS EXCEPT the screws and washers to fix the slotted channel to the wall.  You will choose your fixings depending on whether your wall is masonry, concrete or timber.  The channel has slots (see diagram on right) that may require washers to work with your screws.
  2. If you want to stack HOGs or otherwise use a non-standard length of threaded rod or you want a long single piece of channel all the parts except the Steel Plate are available from Unistrut.  Contact us for plate-only pricing.
HOG installation at NYC
Custom lengths of slotted channel are best for long HOG installations
HOGs store rainwater for toilet flush
HOGs stand 2 Deep holding rainwater to flush toilets. Custom length threaded rod secures them.

HORIZONTAL HOGS: Space-saving rain storage under decks, in crawl spaces or within structure

HOGs laid side by side can connect using the screw-in connectors provided, or they can be hard plumbed in a closed system.  The HOGs must be installed on a hard-packed surface such as gravel, pavers or a slab.  The HOGs should fall from inlet to outlet at least 2 degrees.
  1. The location of the overflow will determine whether you use the standard HOG vents, or create a closed system.  The vents allow each HOG to "breath" and not "suck" when the water is drawn out, and because they are mesh they must be located above the overflow height or the water will pour out the vents before it gets to the overflow. 
  2. Flat tanks have very little gravity pressure so you will need to pump the water out unless you elevate the HOGs or your water is to be used downhill.
  3. For systems of 4 or more HOGs consider using Ty Seal connections (see photos below) instead of the standard connectors.  The HOG connectors are a DIY design but if a licensed tradesperson is installing the HOG system hard 2" or 3" pipe and ty seals connecting HOGs at the top and bottom form a closed system that is extremely solid and durable.  Contact us if you want to purchase HOG tanks without the standard connector and vent.
HOGs storing rainwater horizontally
Vents are extended above the level of the overflow
hogs buried in trench
Closed system using ty seal gaskets and custom holes without vents

HOGS on their side and other non-standard installs

You can use HOGs on their side and even combine water storage with seating (20" being a great height for a bench seat or garden wall).  Get as creative as you like, just use ty gasket seals instead of the threaded connectors, and make sure the threaded openings are sealed securely with the threaded plugs and plumber tape.
  1. If the HOG is on its side, the threaded 1" openings are not at the base of the tank so you need to make additional openings using ty seal gaskets and hard pipe.
  2. HOG is 1/4" UV-stabilized plastic and can take the weight of two or three people sitting on it.
  3. HOG will work as a low retaining wall if stabilized properly and secured to a sound base.
Find detailed installation on each of the HOG components on the Product Pages under Installation Notes.
overflow for rainwater on HOG
This overflow uses 3" pipes and a ty seal in the side of HOG to create a large flow overflow back into the downspout. The cut end is the First Flush Diverter.
Rainwater HOG wall kit
Components of HOG Wall Kit
HOG wall kit slotted channel
HOG Slotted Channel
The HOG VENT comes in 2 parts which you screw together like this.
Picture
The HOG CONNECTOR comes in 3 parts which you screw together like this.
the HOG WALL KIT  is NOT designed to bear load, but works like a strap on a hot water heater to support the HOG upright.  The Wall Kit comprises 5 parts: Stainless Steel disk (fits into the O on the HOG like a giant washer), threaded rod, spring nut, unistrut and dome nut to hold the washer in place.
IF you don't want to use the 1" threaded connection points at the top and bottom of each HOG, or if they don't allow the water to flow in the orientation you require, Ty seals in 2" or 3" are a long lasting, robust alternative when used with rigid piping.
There are 2 INLET OUTLET KITS that work with HOG to strain the water coming in to the tank, and enable you to extract the water out of the tank.  Both Kits use a 150-micron steel mesh inlet like this. 
The outlets supplied are either FAUCET, which has a 3/4" hose-compatible thread and a faucet handle like this:
Picture
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Or a simple 1" BALLVALVE.  The standard INLET/OUTLET KIT uses the BALLVALVE.