No ponds; ordered 2 more rain barrels

[RalphVa]

Gardeners' Supply had a special on 2 rain barrels; so, I've ordered them to put on the downspout just outside the corner where I'm sitting. Rain from that downspout has started to erode the grass. I already have a gizmo part way up the downspout that takes off the first part of the water from it, but it empties half the upper roof of the house and still has a lot of excess.

I've 2 330 gallon rain tanks. One's on the other half of the upper roof of the house, and the other takes all the rain from the carriage house plus half the garage. I've gizmos on 3 other downspouts to collect water into the swimming pool. This is where the gizmo off the downspout I'm adding the new tanks to goes to. The pool is pretty close to full up. This year, I've one of those creep crawly things connected to vacuum the pool BEFORE I remove the safety cover. Before I remove the cover, I'll likely have to backflush once or twice to get the pressure down on the filter. That'll use some of the excess water in the pool.

Even without the 2 added rain tanks I've ordered, I made out pretty well in last year's realitvely dry summer.

One more chore: gotta remember to put the plugs back into my 330 gallon tanks. I've the plugs to which the faucet is screwed into removed to keep the tanks drained for the winter right now.

What rain collection system does anyone else have?
_________________
Ralph
The natural gardener
God's original intent

[GTO]

none here

Ralph do you have any skeeter control in the water tanks?
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Retirement means a full time Commitment to Gardening!

[Ruth Ann]

I don't collect it either but do have it run off into the cedar hedge which only gets watered by nature.

[GTO]

Ralph dp yp have a picture of your system?
I recently saw a presentation on water conservation/rain water recovery
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Retirement means a full time Commitment to Gardening!

[RalphVa]

GTO, I put pictures of the 2 big tanks in the picture gallery. Hope you can find them.

Agri Supply currently has the best price on the 325 gallon tanks. There, they're $350. TSC price is currently $500.

Best price/gallon is a 1100 gallon tank, with connections, from Agri Supply. It's $1200, incl. connections and shipping.

My mosquito control is to put about 1/2 cup of kerosene into the tops of the tanks. You only need to do this during the really hot period of the year.

I've several articles I could send you covering the TSC tanks, recent Gardeners Supply barrels and my rain water diverters to collect water off other downspouts into my swimming pool. Want them? Think I have your e-mail under your real name. Just searched for GTO in my mail box and found you.
_________________
Ralph
The natural gardener
God's original intent

[RalphVa]

GTO, I just sent you a note with 3 articles, hoping your e-mail hasn't changed.
_________________
Ralph
The natural gardener
God's original intent

[Penny]

I love the looks of those, i have thought of getting one for here.

[RalphVa]

If you get one of the plastic tanks, I think the key to keeping them from developing cracks is to remove the bung in the winter. This bung is where you screw a spigot into the middle of it to use the tank. Don't think you can rely on the spigot staying unplugged all winter, even if you left it open. Removing that 2 or 3 inch bung will keep it drained and empty during the winter.

If you get accumulations of dirt/sludge, you can back blow with air and get some relief from a plug. If it's severe, you have to remove the inlet line into the big (approx.) 24" hatch and the hatch on top. Then use a long snout on a wet/dry vac to suck out the debris. Have done this once on the tank off the carriage house. The tank off the mail house is fed by topped gutters. Haven't had to suck stuff out of it yet. Back blew it a couple of times.
_________________
Ralph
The natural gardener
God's original intent