Rain Collection

[RogueSamurai]

Anyone here have the rain collection barrels that I see near the down spouts of people houses? Thought about getting one or two but I'm not sure if it's worth it.

How do you keep out mosquitoes etc from laying larvae etc?

[RogueSamurai]

Anyone...Anyone.....Black Panther sightings......

[Humper]

I built one from a plastic container. Have the down spout plugged right into the top and a spigot at the bottom. Never had an issue with mosquitoes I'll snap a pic when I get home

[Draco]

The ones you buy have a mesh screen in them.

There is no way they are worth the money unless you make them your self. Also there isn't enough water to be worth the effort. 50 gallons won't go very far in your watering. I have a 24,000 gallon rain water collection system and it's not enough. Lots of people use more than that every month. Just my opinion.

[Atfulldraw]

The ones you buy have a mesh screen in them.

There is no way they are worth the money unless you make them your self. Also there isn't enough water to be worth the effort. 50 gallons won't go very far in your watering. I have a 24,000 gallon rain water collection system and it's not enough. Lots of people use more than that every month. Just my opinion.

This is true.

I have one of the 50 gallon ones - it was a hundred bucks at Home Depot.

The only reason I have it is to catch the condensate that runs off my rv so it doesn't pool up under the rv and make the gravel under the storage area shed a mess all the time.

[Draco]

This is true.

I have one of the 50 gallon ones - it was a hundred bucks at Home Depot.

The only reason I have it is to catch the condensate that runs off my rv so it doesn't pool up under the rv and make the gravel under the storage area shed a mess all the time.

It's amazing how much water comes off my tin roof just from condensation. The gutters will have a little stream of water running out.

I put my system in in 2008 and it's never been full. I use a lot in watering all my gardens and putting water in my water gardens but still you would think we would have had enough rain to fill them up at least once. Darn drought.

[Dusty Britches]

I think if you do a search for rain water collection here you will find some stuff. Also, try the DIY section.

[huntmaster]

what is rain

[animalhse]

I had three 55 gallon barrels daisy chained together at my house in town. It was guttered from our shed. Used the water to strictly water tomato plants. Rain water does wonders. I'm planning on putting a collection gutter on my barn to use the rain water for our garden now.

[ZenDaddy]

RogueSamurai -

Here's where I bought mine -

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/flat-back-rain-barrel-tan.aspx?a=513834

There was a net over the top to keep mesquitos and bugs out. Worked like a charm. The nozzle at the bottom made of plastic and it broke. I replaced with one bought from Home Depot. In fact, Home Depot has several good models to choose from. I'd buy a better one as the hot Texas sun is hard on the plastic.

One word of warning -

I initially used mine to water my vegetable garden. It was brought to my attention that roofing shingles contain all kinds of nasty chemicles (inlcuding asbestos) that gets in the water - from that point on I used my rain barrel water for decorative plant watering only.

[txpitdog]

I've been thinking of building a watering system using one of the 275 gallon totes with a hose big at the bottom and garden hose run to a drip system for gardening, but now that ZenDaddy mentioned the roof shingle chemicals, I will have to run my supply off of something other than my roof

[Draco]

RogueSamurai -


One word of warning -

I initially used mine to water my vegetable garden. It was brought to my attention that roofing shingles contain all kinds of nasty chemicles (inlcuding asbestos) that gets in the water - from that point on I used my rain barrel water for decorative plant watering only.

You may be fine with the shingles. If it's a concern then you can have the water tested. There are several systems I've seen that are for drinking water and they shed from shingled roofs.

[DesertDug]

I have 1300 gallons on the ranch house out in big bend, no misquotes, metal roofing and it is our drinking water, wash water, etc. I also got a few 55 gal barrels located at the house which fill up quickly and is used to wash-up out side, water the dogs, and plants. When you live with out water for a good period of time, you get to the point of wanting to put out all the pots and pans and what ever's when it rains.

[RogueSamurai]

Very cool. I will look into this more. Thanks.

[dmk]

RogueSamurai, sent you a PM.