I installed a rain harvesting setup about two years ago without a first-flush diverter at first, thinking the same thing—why spend extra? But honestly, after dealing with clogged mesh filters every weekend (and sometimes mid-week if it rained heavily), I added one in. Made a noticeable difference. Now I only clean the mesh once every month or two, tops. It's a small upfront hassle but saves you tons of time down the road... definitely worth reconsidering imo.
I get why you'd recommend the diverter, but honestly, I've seen setups without one run just fine for years. It really depends on your roof type and how much debris you're dealing with. Still, it's a relatively cheap insurance policy against weekend filter cleaning marathons...
Yeah, I've seen setups without diverters too, and they do okay...until they don't, haha. My uncle skipped one on his place—worked great for a couple years, then one stormy weekend he was out there scooping sludge from the bottom of his tank. Not fun. You're right though, roof type matters a lot. If you've got minimal debris, you might skate by just fine. But personally, I'd rather spend a little upfront than lose a weekend elbow-deep in gunk.
"My uncle skipped one on his place—worked great for a couple years, then one stormy weekend he was out there scooping sludge from the bottom of his tank."
Haha, sounds like your uncle learned the hard way. But honestly, how often does that really happen? I've been debating skipping the diverter myself to save some cash upfront. Is it really that common to end up with sludge, or was your uncle just unlucky? I mean, if my roof is pretty clean and I check things regularly, maybe it's worth the gamble...or am I just kidding myself here?
Honestly, I get the temptation to skip it—saving money upfront always feels good. But sludge buildup isn't just about luck or roof cleanliness; pollen, dust, and random debris can sneak in over time. My neighbor skipped his diverter too, and after a couple years he had a similar sludge-fest weekend. Not saying it'll definitely happen to you, but seems common enough that I'd personally rather avoid the hassle...
