green plumbing showdown: greywater recycling vs rainwater harvesting

I've seen algae pop up in greywater setups too, but usually it's less of a headache compared to rainwater. Greywater tends to be more about soap scum and bacterial buildup - especially if you're using natural soaps. I've opened up plenty of greywater filters that were clogged with a slimy, smelly mess (trust me, not fun), but algae wasn't the main culprit there.

About the asphalt shingles though...I'm skeptical. Sure, asphalt runoff has some organic stuff, but is it really enough to feed algae growth significantly? Seems like sunlight and temperature swings might be bigger factors. Speaking of temperature, I've noticed algae growth spikes in warmer months for sure. In winter, algae still hangs around but doesn't explode like it does when things heat up.

Has anyone tried copper strips or something similar on their roof to control algae? I've heard mixed reviews on whether that's effective or just another gimmick...

Copper strips can actually work pretty well, but it's not a guaranteed fix for everyone. I've installed them on a few roofs dealing with algae, and here's the deal: copper releases ions when it rains, which helps inhibit algae growth downstream. But effectiveness depends a lot on your roof's pitch, rainfall patterns, and even how much algae you're already dealing with.

If you're thinking of giving it a shot, here's a quick rundown:

1. Install copper strips near the roof ridge so rainwater runs over them.
2. Make sure they're wide enough - usually around 3-4 inches - to get decent coverage.
3. Clean existing algae first; copper won't magically erase what's already there.
4. Be patient...it takes a while (months sometimes) to see noticeable results.

I've seen roofs where copper strips made a huge difference, and others where it was barely noticeable. Asphalt shingles alone probably aren't feeding algae significantly - you're right about sunlight and warmth being bigger factors - but organic debris buildup can still contribute a bit.

Bottom line: copper strips aren't just gimmicks, but they're not miracle cures either. Worth trying if algae's driving you nuts, but keep expectations realistic.

Copper strips can help, sure, but honestly I've found zinc strips to be a bit more reliable overall. Installed copper on a client's roof last year - did everything right, cleaned algae first, proper width - but results were pretty underwhelming. Switched to zinc strips later and saw improvement within a couple months. Might just be anecdotal, but worth considering if copper doesn't pan out for you...

Interesting, I've had decent luck with copper myself, but zinc does seem more consistent. Either way, proper installation and regular maintenance are key... algae can be stubborn if you let it go too long.

I've found copper decent for short-term setups, but zinc has definitely been my go-to for longer-term reliability. A few years back, I set up a rainwater harvesting system with copper piping and it worked great initially... but after about a year, algae buildup became a real headache despite regular checks. Switched to zinc and haven't had nearly as much hassle - just the occasional cleaning. Still, nothing beats staying proactive with maintenance, regardless of material choice.

Had a similar issue with copper myself. Set up greywater recycling for a rental property a while back - worked fine at first, but algae and corrosion kicked in quicker than expected. Switched to zinc piping and it's been smoother sailing since then... lesson learned, I guess.

Copper's tricky with greywater - seen it a few times myself. Zinc's a decent choice, but personally I'd lean towards PEX or PVC for greywater setups. Less hassle, cheaper, and algae doesn't cling as much. Rainwater harvesting has its quirks too, but at least corrosion isn't usually one of them... just gotta watch out for debris and mosquitoes. Always something, right?

"Rainwater harvesting has its quirks too, but at least corrosion isn't usually one of them... just gotta watch out for debris and mosquitoes."

Yeah, mosquitoes can really ruin your day - ask me how I know, haha. Last summer, I set up a rain barrel system and didn't think to add mesh screens right away. Big mistake. It turned into mosquito central overnight. Once I added some simple fine mesh covers, though, problem solved. Definitely agree on PEX for greywater too; switched from copper myself after dealing with leaks and corrosion headaches.

"Once I added some simple fine mesh covers, though, problem solved."

Yeah, mesh screens are a lifesaver. Had a similar issue myself - thought I'd covered everything until I found algae growing inside the barrel. Anyone else had to deal with algae buildup in their rainwater setups?

Mesh screens do help a ton, but algae can be stubborn - especially if the barrel gets direct sunlight. Had a similar issue last summer and ended up painting mine black to block out the sun. It worked surprisingly well, though I wondered if it might heat the water a bit too much. Still, algae growth dropped significantly after that. Might be worth considering if you're still seeing buildup...

Painting the barrel black is a solid move - blocking sunlight is key. I did something similar, but instead of paint, I wrapped mine in reflective insulation. It kept algae down and didn't heat the water nearly as much as I thought it would. Might be worth a shot if you're worried about overheating. Either way, good call tackling algae head-on...it's a pain once it gets established.

I've thought about reflective insulation too, but wasn't sure if the cost justified it for me. Instead, I ended up using some leftover landscaping fabric around mine - kept algae manageable, but probably not as effective for temperature control. Curious though, has anyone compared algae growth between greywater systems and rain barrels? Wondering if the nutrient levels in greywater make algae worse or better...might influence which system I expand with next year.

I've noticed my greywater barrels definitely get algae quicker than my rain barrels. Probably the soap residues feeding it... Rainwater stays clearer longer, at least for me. Not a huge difference, but noticeable enough to factor into planning next year's setup.

Interesting observation about the algae issue. I've actually found the opposite in my setup - my greywater barrels tend to stay clearer longer, surprisingly enough. Could be because I use soaps specifically labeled as biodegradable and low-phosphate, which might limit algae growth. Also, my rain barrels are exposed to more direct sunlight, which definitely encourages algae blooms.

Have you considered the placement of your barrels? Even a bit of shade can drastically reduce algae growth. Another thing worth checking is whether your greywater system has enough filtration before it hits the barrel - sometimes even a simple mesh or gravel filter can make a noticeable difference in water clarity.

Not saying your experience isn't valid, just that there might be other factors at play besides soap residue alone...

"Even a bit of shade can drastically reduce algae growth."

Good point about shade - I noticed something similar when I moved my rain barrels under a tree. Algae growth dropped noticeably, but then I had to deal with leaves and debris clogging things up. Have you had any issues with debris buildup in your greywater filters? I'm thinking of adding a gravel filter myself, but I'm curious if maintenance becomes a hassle over time...

I've been using a gravel filter setup for my greywater system for about three years now, and debris hasn't been a huge issue. Every few months I do have to rake off the top layer of leaves and gunk, but it's pretty straightforward - takes maybe 15 minutes tops. One thing I'd suggest is putting some coarse mesh or screen above the gravel bed; it catches most of the bigger stuff and makes cleanup way easier. Have you thought about how deep you'll make your gravel layer?

I've seen setups with mesh screens, and yeah, they do help a lot with the bigger debris. A buddy of mine went a bit overboard though - used a really fine mesh thinking he'd catch absolutely everything. Ended up clogging constantly, and he spent more time cleaning the screen than anything else, lol. Finding that sweet spot between too coarse and too fine is key. Curious if anyone's tried layering different gravel sizes to improve filtration? Seems like it might help...

"Curious if anyone's tried layering different gravel sizes to improve filtration? Seems like it might help..."

Tried exactly that on a rental property a couple years back - layered coarse gravel at the bottom, medium in the middle, and fine stuff up top. Worked pretty well initially, but eventually the finer gravel got compacted and slowed drainage way down. Ended up tweaking it by swapping out the top layer for something slightly coarser, and it's been smooth sailing since. Might be worth experimenting with different combos to find your own sweet spot...

Did something similar for my greywater setup, but honestly, I found sand layers mixed with gravel worked better than gravel alone. Gravel-only setups clogged faster in my experience...sand seems to catch smaller particles without compacting too badly. Might be worth a shot.

"sand seems to catch smaller particles without compacting too badly. Might be worth a shot."

Yeah, sand definitely helps with finer particles, but from my experience, it can still compact over time if not maintained properly. I've seen setups where sand layers were great initially, but after a while, they started slowing down drainage significantly. Gravel alone does clog quicker, you're right about that...but sometimes the sand layer can become its own headache if you don't keep an eye on it.

Still, your approach sounds practical and well thought-out. Regular maintenance and occasional stirring or replacing of the top sand layer usually keeps things running smoothly. Good on you for experimenting - greywater setups are always a bit trial-and-error anyway.