I've been using aluminum gutters for rain harvesting too, going on about three years now. I'm in Florida, so humidity and heavy rains are pretty common here as well. Honestly, I haven't had any corrosion issues either, but I do make a point to clear out leaves and debris regularly—learned that lesson the hard way after a clog caused overflow and soaked my porch furniture. As for filtering, I just use mine for gardening and washing stuff outside... drinking water seems like a whole other level of filtration hassle I'm not ready for yet.
"drinking water seems like a whole other level of filtration hassle I'm not ready for yet."
I totally relate to this point. I've been running a basic rain harvesting setup for about two years now, mainly for watering my vegetable garden and rinsing off patio furniture. Initially, I thought I'd eventually upgrade to drinking water filtration, but after researching the costs and maintenance involved, I decided it wasn't practical for my budget or time. One thing I've found helpful is installing simple mesh screens at the gutter downspouts—it significantly reduces debris buildup and prevents those annoying overflow issues you mentioned. Also, since you're in Florida, have you had any trouble with algae growth in your storage tanks? I had some minor issues last summer (I'm in Georgia), but adding a dark cover over my barrels really helped keep sunlight out and algae under control.
I've been thinking about setting up a rainwater system too, but honestly, the idea of drinking harvested rainwater still makes me a little uneasy. Not just because of filtration hassle, but also because I'm skeptical about the consistency of water quality throughout the year. Your suggestion about mesh screens at the downspouts is solid—I installed something similar last spring and haven't had any major clogs since.
As for algae, I did notice some buildup after a particularly sunny stretch last summer. My neighbor recommended painting the tanks black or dark green to block sunlight, and it actually worked surprisingly well. Another thing I've found useful is positioning tanks in shaded areas whenever possible. It's not always practical depending on your yard layout, but it definitely helps slow algae growth.
Maybe someday I'll reconsider the filtration thing, but for now I'm happy just using it for gardening and outdoor chores...baby steps, right?
You're definitely on the right track with the tank shading thing—I did something similar and noticed a big difference in algae growth. As for drinking harvested rainwater...yeah, I get your hesitation. I mean, filtration setups can be pretty intimidating (and pricey). But honestly, using it just for outdoor stuff is already a huge step forward. Maybe down the line you'll feel differently, but even if not, every little bit counts toward sustainability, right?
I get the hesitation around filtration, but honestly, it doesn't have to be that complicated or expensive. I rigged up a simple DIY sand and charcoal filter last year—cost me maybe 40 bucks total—and it's been working great. Just food for thought...
