"I ended up painting my barrels dark to block sunlight—cheap fix, works great."
That's a smart idea, might have to borrow that one. I've been dealing with algae too, and it's definitely not fun. I tried covering mine with a tarp at first, but it kept blowing off in storms... rookie mistake, I guess. 😂
Honestly though, even with the algae hassle, rainwater harvesting has been pretty rewarding. My plants seem happier, and my water bill's looking better too. Haven't tried greywater yet—still feels a bit intimidating for a newbie like me—but maybe someday I'll brave the soap scum battle. For now, I'll stick with my barrels and gravity doing their thing.
"I tried covering mine with a tarp at first, but it kept blowing off in storms... rookie mistake, I guess."
Been there! If you're still open to using a tarp, try securing it with bungee cords around the barrel's middle or adding a few bricks on top. For algae, painting barrels dark is great, but I've also found adding a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide per gallon occasionally helps keep growth down without harming plants. Rainwater's definitely worth the effort though—plants love it.
"rookie mistake, I guess."
Nah, we've all been there at some point... tarps seem simple until the wind hits, lol. Bungee cords definitely help, but I ended up using a cargo net over mine—it holds tighter and doesn't flap around as much in storms. Good tip on hydrogen peroxide, btw—hadn't heard that one before. Might give it a shot next algae bloom season.
"Bungee cords definitely help, but I ended up using a cargo net over mine—it holds tighter and doesn't flap around as much in storms."
Cargo nets are decent, but honestly, I'd be cautious about relying on them alone. If the wind picks up enough, the netting can rub against the tarp and cause weak spots or tears over time. Learned that one the hard way after a storm shredded mine. Ratchet straps with padding underneath seem safer long-term, IMO. Also curious about peroxide—sounds handy, but does it affect plants downstream? I'd double-check before using it regularly.
Cargo nets and ratchet straps both have their place, but honestly, I've found that a combination of the two works best. I had a similar experience with cargo nets rubbing through tarps during heavy storms—it's frustrating to discover those tiny holes after the fact. Ratchet straps are definitely sturdier, but they can sometimes put too much pressure on certain points if you're not careful. Padding underneath helps, but even then, it's easy to overtighten without realizing it.
One trick that's worked well for me is using pool noodles or foam pipe insulation around the edges and corners before tightening down with ratchet straps. It spreads out the pressure nicely and prevents abrasion. About peroxide—I've heard mixed things about its safety downstream. Diluted properly, it's probably okay occasionally, but I'd be cautious about frequent use without checking local guidelines or consulting someone who knows more about plant health than I do...
