I'm leaning towards greywater too, mostly because it seems easier to integrate into daily routines. Rainwater harvesting sounds great in theory, but I've heard similar stories about algae buildup and mosquitoes...not exactly fun surprises to deal with. A friend of mine installed a rain barrel last summer and ended up battling mosquitoes for weeks before realizing the lid wasn't sealed tight enough.
One thing I do like about rainwater systems, though, is that they can be pretty low-maintenance once you get past the initial setup hurdles. Greywater feels more practical day-to-day, but you have to be careful about what soaps and detergents you use. We recently switched to biodegradable laundry soap, and it's actually been working pretty well—plus it makes me feel better knowing I'm not dumping harsh chemicals into the yard.
Climate definitely matters too. We're in a dry region, so greywater recycling makes sense for us since rain isn't exactly abundant year-round. But I can see how someone in a wetter climate might prefer collecting rainwater instead.
Either way, it's cool seeing how many people are starting to think seriously about these options. Feels like a step in the right direction for sure.
You're right about the mosquito issue—I've seen that happen more times than I'd like to admit. Usually, it's just a matter of making sure your rain barrel lid fits tightly and adding fine mesh screens to any openings. Algae can be controlled pretty easily too, by keeping the barrel out of direct sunlight or using opaque materials.
Greywater systems are definitely practical for daily use, especially in dry climates. Just make sure your plumbing is set up correctly—greywater systems need separate piping from blackwater (toilets), and local codes can vary quite a bit. I've had clients surprised by the extra plumbing work involved, so it's good you're already mindful about detergents.
Honestly, both systems have their quirks and benefits. Greywater is steady and predictable; rainwater harvesting is more seasonal but can store larger volumes if you have space. If you ever decide to go with rainwater later on, consider a first-flush diverter—it helps keep debris out of your storage tank, reducing maintenance headaches down the line.
Good points about the mosquito control and algae, but I'm not sure I'd call algae control "easy"... I've had barrels tucked away in shade still get stubborn growth. Maybe depends on your local humidity or something? Has anyone else found opaque barrels still need occasional cleaning?
I've gotta say, algae can be pretty sneaky stuff. I once thought I had the perfect setup—opaque barrels, tucked neatly behind my shed, shaded by trees, the whole nine yards. I was feeling pretty smug about it too, until one day I popped the lid and found a mini swamp monster habitat inside. Turns out algae doesn't always care about shade or opacity; sometimes it just wants to party.
Humidity definitely plays a role, but in my experience, temperature swings and even the type of roof material can influence algae growth. My barrels under asphalt shingles seemed to get funkier faster than those under metal roofs. Maybe something about the runoff chemistry? I'm no scientist, but it felt like the asphalt runoff was basically algae fertilizer.
I eventually gave up on the opaque barrels and switched to those large IBC totes wrapped in black plastic. Easier to clean, and the larger opening makes scrubbing less of a chore. Plus, I rigged up a simple inline filter using some old pantyhose—don't laugh, it works surprisingly well at catching debris before it hits the tank. Still gotta clean occasionally, but it's way less frequent now.
Honestly, though, algae might just be nature's way of keeping us humble. Every time I think I've cracked the code, nature throws me another curveball. Keeps things interesting, I guess...
"Turns out algae doesn't always care about shade or opacity; sometimes it just wants to party."
Haha, that's a pretty accurate way of putting it. Algae definitely has its own agenda. I've had similar experiences with rainwater setups, and your point about roof materials got me thinking—could it really be the asphalt shingles feeding the algae? I mean, asphalt runoff does have some organic compounds, right? Maybe that's enough to give algae a head start.
I've mostly stuck with greywater recycling myself, partly because I was skeptical about rainwater harvesting for exactly the reasons you mentioned—algae and maintenance. But now I'm wondering if greywater systems have their own sneaky issues that I haven't noticed yet. Does anyone know if greywater setups are as prone to algae growth? Or is it more about bacteria and soap residues causing trouble there?
Your pantyhose filter idea is actually pretty clever, by the way. I've used something similar—a piece of window screen—to catch debris in my greywater setup. Simple solutions like that always seem to work better than expensive filters from the hardware store.
Still, I'm curious: have you noticed any difference in algae growth between summer and winter months? I imagine temperature swings would play a pretty big role, but maybe it's more complicated than that. Like you said, nature seems to enjoy throwing curveballs our way...
