Copper pennies might seem like a clever shortcut, but honestly, I'd be cautious about relying on them for algae control. Copper leaching could be minimal, sure, but why risk it with edible plants? Plus, detergents in greywater might actually boost algae growth—seen it happen before.
Yeah, copper pennies always seemed a bit sketchy to me too. I've been leaning towards rainwater harvesting myself—seems cleaner overall. But speaking of detergents, anyone tried those biodegradable soaps in their greywater systems? Wonder if they actually cut down on algae or if it's just marketing hype... Wouldn't mind hearing some firsthand experiences before I dive into setting something up.
I've tried biodegradable soaps a couple times in my greywater setup. Didn't notice a huge algae difference, honestly... but plants seemed happier overall. Maybe it's less about algae and more about soil health? Curious if anyone else noticed similar results.
I've seen similar stuff with biodegradable soaps in greywater setups. Didn't notice algae changes either, but the soil did seem less compacted and plants perked up a bit. Could be more about improved soil drainage or microbial activity than algae control... just my two cents.
Interesting point about microbial activity, but do you think the soap itself might actually be hindering some beneficial microbes? I've heard mixed things about biodegradable soaps—some folks swear by them, others say they can still disrupt soil biology a bit. Maybe your plants perked up because of the extra water rather than the soap itself? I dunno...my tomatoes seem happiest after a good rain, soap-free. Could just be my questionable gardening skills though.
