Did you notice any big difference in algae buildup with the color you chose? I went with dark green barrels because they were cheaper (typical me, lol), but man, algae was a real pain. Wonder if medium gray would actually help with that or if it was just luck on your end... Did you have yours in full sun or shaded a bit? Mine were in direct sunlight, so maybe that's why they turned into algae farms so quickly, haha.
I've actually found color to be less of a factor than most people think. Had both dark green and gray barrels side-by-side in full sun, and algae grew pretty evenly in both. What really made the difference for me was covering the tops with tight-fitting lids and adding a simple mesh filter at the inlet. Blocking sunlight from getting inside is key—algae can't thrive without it. Might wanna try that before swapping out barrels entirely... could save you some hassle (and cash).
"Blocking sunlight from getting inside is key—algae can't thrive without it."
Totally agree with this. I spent way too much time worrying about barrel color at first, thinking darker would automatically mean less algae. Nope... algae doesn't discriminate, apparently. 😅
What really helped me was just rigging up a cheap DIY shade cover over the barrels. I had some leftover landscaping fabric from another project, so I stapled it onto a simple wooden frame and placed it above the barrels. It cut down sunlight significantly, and algae growth dropped off big-time.
Also seconding the mesh filter idea—it's amazing how much debris gets washed in from the roof. Leaves, twigs, random bugs... you name it. A simple mesh screen at the inlet saved me from having to clean out sludge every few months.
One other thing I'd add: make sure your overflow setup is solid. Learned that one the hard way after a heavy storm turned my backyard into a mini swamp. 🙄 A decent overflow pipe routed away from your foundation is worth its weight in gold.
Anyway, good luck with your setup! Rain harvesting is one of those projects that's oddly satisfying once you get it dialed in...
Great points here, especially about the overflow—I overlooked that initially and ended up with a muddy mess after the first big rainstorm. Lesson learned.
A couple things I'm still figuring out:
- Has anyone experimented with different types of mesh screens? I started with basic window screen material, but it clogged pretty quickly with smaller debris. Wondering if there's a sweet spot between too fine and too coarse...
- Also, curious if anyone's set up a first-flush diverter system? I've read mixed opinions—some swear by them, others say they're more hassle than they're worth. I'm leaning toward installing one, but I'd appreciate hearing from someone who's actually used one for a while.
Rain harvesting definitely feels like one of those projects that's simple on paper but gets surprisingly detailed once you dive in. Still, it's pretty satisfying seeing that barrel fill up after a good rain.
"Has anyone experimented with different types of mesh screens? I started with basic window screen material, but it clogged pretty quickly with smaller debris."
Yeah, window screen mesh is definitely too fine—I learned that the hard way too. Switched to a stainless steel mesh that's a bit coarser, and it's been way better at handling leaves and pine needles. Still gets some buildup, but nothing crazy. Curious though, has anyone tried angled screens or gutter guards to help debris slide off easier? Seems like it might save some cleaning hassle...
