tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post8530644447321371141..comments2024-03-27T22:01:59.919-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Rainwater Catchment (At Last)Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-73372068547886243102016-08-11T11:29:01.399-04:002016-08-11T11:29:01.399-04:00Its smooth, non-porous bore inhibits particle entr... Its smooth, non-porous bore inhibits particle entrapment, promoting a sanitary fluid path by minimizing potential for bacterial growth. <a href="http://www.terraflexhoses.com/terra_product_category/milk-hoses/" rel="nofollow">milk hose</a><br />jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13835847777966515522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-21360327445026530492013-04-08T19:34:12.162-04:002013-04-08T19:34:12.162-04:00Thanks, Leigh!
I ordered the book from the library...Thanks, Leigh!<br />I ordered the book from the library. We are thinking of a pond as well. Found a good place for the totes, away from the house, closer to where the water will go. Will blog on it!<br />KaatKaathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11991953409158275660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-6027758965887921212013-03-13T10:54:51.009-04:002013-03-13T10:54:51.009-04:00Kaat, good to hear from you! We actually did have ...Kaat, good to hear from you! We actually did have a problem with leaking around the connector. Dan has tried a couple of adhesives and then broke the pipe, so that will have to be fixed. I've been wanting to blog about this, but also wanted to be able to share the solution to the problem! That will be upcoming one of these days. <br /><br />Dan recently bought Art Ludwig's book, <i>Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds</i> and now wants to try his had at cement cisterns. We will probably abandon the tanks in favor of that someday. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-45952852492542217402013-03-12T18:20:41.832-04:002013-03-12T18:20:41.832-04:00Hi Leigh and Dan,
I just got eight of these babies...Hi Leigh and Dan,<br />I just got eight of these babies and am converting the whole town to this system!<br />http://blog.bolandbol.com/2013/03/12/irrigation-coming-up/<br />Does it work, with the pressure once the barrels are full? We'd love to hook up some low pressure but quite extensive drip irrigation. Any glitches you've run in? Any advice?Kaathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11991953409158275660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-32047956655528725972013-01-13T18:21:03.206-05:002013-01-13T18:21:03.206-05:00Glenda, we've talked about an underground cist...Glenda, we've talked about an underground cistern. Besides digging and burying, there's having to pump it, so at this point, we're planning to rely on gravity and pressure. Dan is planning one for toilet flushing though. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8559664669879588272013-01-13T15:46:28.345-05:002013-01-13T15:46:28.345-05:00My hubby had a in-ground tank called a cistern on ...My hubby had a in-ground tank called a cistern on his ranch when he was a kid. They used it for outside water and toilet water. Yours seems easier.Glendahttp://www.tincancooking.blogsppot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-27823398875924635882013-01-10T05:38:47.989-05:002013-01-10T05:38:47.989-05:00Bettina, Dan does talk about digging a cistern for...Bettina, Dan does talk about digging a cistern for rainwater, but that would be a big job and as you say, we'd need a pump. We do have the old swimming pool, but that would need to be dug out and we suspect the concrete is cracked anyway. He's motivate now though, so who knows!<br /><br />Icebear, the tanks have level indicators, so unpainted, we know how much is in there. If they were painted, we wouldn't be able to tell! Two coats of paint like you say, is a really good idea.<br /><br />Tom, we got our tanks off craigslist. Around here they're listed as "totes," and they were fairly cheap. You'll likely want more than 55 gallons soon. We got close to that with only an inch of rain! Good idea about including outbuildings for rain catchment. Eventually, we plan to do that too. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-10944218737101434912013-01-09T16:42:06.600-05:002013-01-09T16:42:06.600-05:00Leigh,
This is one of the projects I have wanted t...Leigh,<br />This is one of the projects I have wanted to do for ever. I have gotten some 55 gallon tanks, but really want the ones you have. And with the new CH and work shop, there is a lot more roof for rain to run off!<br />Your set up is pretty neat and seems easy to get started. Dan is still my hero and he has some great ideas!<br />Tom Tom Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08617525385016644041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26817408562207251942013-01-08T12:48:07.422-05:002013-01-08T12:48:07.422-05:00for reading water levels, maybe leaving a 2"...for reading water levels, maybe leaving a 2" vertical strip of the tanks unpainted might allow you to see where the water is. put it on the shady side so light can't get in too easily? <br /><br />you could also do a first coat of black to block light, then a top coat of a color that will match the house. the double-coat should block a lot of light.icebearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04688755441418251036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-62015555392227740222013-01-08T08:01:10.106-05:002013-01-08T08:01:10.106-05:00we bought black plastic tanks (we call them eggs, ...we bought black plastic tanks (we call them eggs, because they're domed on top). you cannot stack them, but they are very large anyway and the weight alone would prevent stacking. to give pressure to our water we build a concrete water tank at the bottom, put concrete slabs on top and put the tank on top. which means we have water pressure enough inside the house - apart from the washing machine, which needed an extra pump inside. but the black plastic prevents algae growth - and even in winter it keeps the water in the tank from freezing, unless we have extreme cold and grey conditions over a long time. we considered digging a cystern into the ground, but with our stony ground it would be impossible without using heavy machinery (not an option in an already planted garden:). might be doable for you though? you'd need a pump to get the water out, but at least it would mean a huge amount of water storage, no eyesore (the tanks around the house aren't exactly beautiful) and pretty safe from frost... Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-76203275362213898032013-01-08T06:26:21.700-05:002013-01-08T06:26:21.700-05:00Janice, it's my husband. He couldn't sit s...Janice, it's my husband. He couldn't sit still if his life depended on it, LOL.<br /><br />Becky, thanks! It actually wasn't too difficult, nor too expensive (relatively speaking). But the water for irrigating the garden will be priceless!<br /><br />Connie, interesting about collecting your washing machine water. So far for greywater, we're planning a "wetlands" and a soil filtration bed. How long do you let the greywater sit in the tank? Any problems with it going "black"?<br /><br />Starlighthill, good to hear from you! Most of the places we've lived at had wells with electric pumps, so I know what you mean about that. Annnightflyer has done her homework on this topic and mentioned a galvanized metal roof in a comment above. That might be a good starting point for more research. I just know that metal is the recommended roofing material for rainwater catchment. <br /><br />Erin, it's something we've been wanting to do for a long time. We're relieved to have finally gotten a start on it!<br /><br />Nancy, check craigslist! Dan got our for about $60 each. They were used, but the price was worth it!<br /><br />Sandy, I haven't thought much about it yet at all, lol. They're already white so who would notice. Dan thinks they're ugly no matter what color they are. Actually, I'm planning to use them as trellises for vining plants. <br /><br />Interesting about the copper wire. Copper is on my mind a lot because our goats tend to show symptoms of copper deficiency. Copper as a soil amendment is the best way to meet this need I think. I'll have to research this. Thanks for the tidbit. <br /><br />Mandy, it's on the to-do list! Along with a million other things, LOL. We only filter our drinking water and I have to say I feel a little guilty making our animals drink tap water. :(Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-13606355323331863772013-01-07T23:46:48.317-05:002013-01-07T23:46:48.317-05:00I hope you can get a metal roof then.Good going!In...I hope you can get a metal roof then.Good going!Insurance companies can be such a pain.Yeah we have a water filter on our tap and the water is so better.Misty Pines Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08987279242206006833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-88698716980875696892013-01-07T23:31:21.810-05:002013-01-07T23:31:21.810-05:00Leigh,
I like your tanks, have you thought about a...Leigh,<br />I like your tanks, have you thought about a white reflective paint for the top? Or maybe a wood storage box over the tanks with an area to vent.<br /><br />As a kid, I remember my Dad using a cooper wire to put in the water tank and this help prevent algae. Now his tanks weren't really big. It's just a thought.<br /><br />I know you don't want to use dark paint if it gets real hot where you live. <br /><br />Great start to your 2013 goals. Please keep us updated on the benefits of these tanks.<br /><br />Looking really good!!Sandy Livesayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06183449816586125720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-84482412635477389122013-01-07T21:58:36.735-05:002013-01-07T21:58:36.735-05:00Oooo, I'm lusting after your BIG tanks! We hav...Oooo, I'm lusting after your BIG tanks! We have 2-55 gallon ones, which I'd like to replace. The bigger ones are just pretty spendy here... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00576053785355324560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-23217728174917002162013-01-07T19:43:16.370-05:002013-01-07T19:43:16.370-05:00I am so having catchment envy. I'm bookmarking...I am so having catchment envy. I'm bookmarking this!!Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03394245146898073227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-83521482212957209802013-01-07T17:36:47.680-05:002013-01-07T17:36:47.680-05:00Very nice! I've been wanting to do something l...Very nice! I've been wanting to do something like this for years. We have no live water on our place & when the power is out we can't use our well. <br />I have the same type of roofing as you do & wondered if the water running off it would be contaminated. Our hay barn has a metal roof. Does anyone know what type of roofing metal is safest for this?Diane Barnardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15485392779317806184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-3382562413776128482013-01-07T15:29:56.237-05:002013-01-07T15:29:56.237-05:00We have been wanting to do the same thing but we n...We have been wanting to do the same thing but we need to get gutters I love the idea of stacking the tanks we have fourof them one we use to collect gray water from the washer ,And were just going to use one but I was wanting to collect more water then what one would hold. I can’t wait to show my hubby. Connie from frugallivingonthewatkinsranch.blogspot.com<br /><br />frugallivingonthewatkinsranch.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03275164585460071746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-60754991255879543512013-01-07T15:26:15.473-05:002013-01-07T15:26:15.473-05:00That is a very clever way to catch the rainwater! ...That is a very clever way to catch the rainwater! I have access to some of those containers, so need to get hubby busy on this project.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06685781248356472461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-40535842453362952852013-01-07T14:25:12.441-05:002013-01-07T14:25:12.441-05:00But wait, I don't even have my 2013 calendar o...But wait, I don't even have my 2013 calendar out yet . . . and you two have already crossed off something on your "to do" list! You're certainly off to a great start, good for you guys!CaliforniaGrammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05137556336315915924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-69478655827727932772013-01-07T12:24:53.725-05:002013-01-07T12:24:53.725-05:00K. Crane, so glad it's of use! Dan got ours of...K. Crane, so glad it's of use! Dan got ours off craigslist, so you might check there if you need them at a discount. Now he's looking for 1000 gallon containers!<br /><br />Kev, I should have mentioned about building codes. At least you can put one underground; I've seen some amazing diagrams of underground cisterns that work very well. In fact, my grandparents' home, built in 1905, had an underground cistern. All the drainpipes emptied roof water into it. I think at one time it was the house's only water source. My grandmother just used it to water her garden.<br /><br />Good question about the algae. I was told we needed to guard against it but really haven't researched it myself. I will have to do that!<br /><br />Stephanie, me too LOL<br /><br />Mandy, when we first bought the house, the roof was terribly worn and in need of replacing. Dan and I were found a DIY supplier for metal roofs and planned to install one ourselves. Then our homeowners insurance got involved and threatened to cancel our policy if we didn't get a new roof pronto. We could not do it ourselves within the time frame they allowed, and could not afford to have someone install it. Hence the asphalt roof. That said, the plan is to eventually install a metal roof ourselves, one section at a time, though that is still way future. <br /><br />You are correct about the contaminants, but OTOH, the contaminants in municipal tap water include the ones you mention plus and many more. We use a Berkey to filter our drinking water and figure we could use it for rain water if it ever came to that! ;)<br /><br />Sherry, aw shucks.<br /><br />Serenity, water the garden! And fruit trees and bushes, and herb garden, and even the grain field. :) I almost tripled my water bill last year during our dry spell, and I let somethings dry up at that. This will really help with that, both for us, and for our municipal water levels. <br /><br />Renee, yeah, I heard Colorado was pretty backward, er, tough, when it came things like that. So you don't "own" your greywater? Didn't you pay for it via your water bill? Or maybe their thinking is you just rented it???? What do they do about the stuff you consume?!?!?! LOLOLOL Still there's hope. It wasn't too long ago when Colorado didn't allow folks to collect rainwater either as I recall. It's true though that the other option is very wasteful. The powers that be keep telling us there's a water shortage. If they believe that then they need to untie our hands to help solve the problem. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-9252986679820459992013-01-07T12:13:59.311-05:002013-01-07T12:13:59.311-05:00Wow! Barely a week into the new year and you'...Wow! Barely a week into the new year and you've already knocked out one project! Way to go!<br /><br />Like Kev commented, we aren't allowed to catch our rain water...at least not where anyone can see it. :p We're also not allowed to catch our grey water as the water board has claimed that we don't own that. Of course folks here do both on the sly. <br />I don't know if I can talk hubby into catching rain water or not. I know we both are upset watching all the sprinkler run-off from our neighbors homes.Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-18139154108197609452013-01-07T11:54:57.104-05:002013-01-07T11:54:57.104-05:00Very cool setup. What are you gonna do with that w...Very cool setup. What are you gonna do with that water????Bootzeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01664655090937726673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63833875636312346452013-01-07T11:24:04.721-05:002013-01-07T11:24:04.721-05:00You guys are just amazing. I sit here in awe!You guys are just amazing. I sit here in awe!MTWagginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17823827748782425907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56692882503641792792013-01-07T11:11:09.156-05:002013-01-07T11:11:09.156-05:00Hey Leigh we were gonna do the same at the cabin.I...Hey Leigh we were gonna do the same at the cabin.I was reading where a galvanized roof is better for rain water cause it wouldn't have contaminates from a regular roof.The heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons from asphalt shingles and other contaminants that may deposit onto roofs from air. It appears that contaminants that rainwater washes off of shingles may be a significant source of surface water contamination. The contaminants that are washing off of roofs include zinc, lead, chromium, arsenic, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. It is similar to what you might collect off of a parking lot.Just a thought,a galvanized roof is better for collecting,as long as you don't use it for drinking.{{hugs}}Misty Pines Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08987279242206006833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-1888082960181278682013-01-07T10:41:20.980-05:002013-01-07T10:41:20.980-05:00Oh I can't wait to see the results of this :) ...Oh I can't wait to see the results of this :) Great job!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com