Has anyone used tanks to harvest rain? Is there another forum that I should go to? Sandi
rain harvesting
We haven't been getting enough rain here to do it. :( We have had some rain lately tho and I've just been using buckets to catch some. Before last year I used trash cans. Big difference!
hi bubbles!
here is a thread I found you can look into:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/420156/
Thanks for the link Merae.....we were in Dripping Springs this morning looking at tanks. The one I wanted just won't fit in the yard. The short, fat one holds 1100 gallons and would be great, but I don't think the neighbors would want to look at it. We can't sink it because we're on solid limestone except for the soil we've trucked in. Looks like we'll have to get a few of the tall skinny ones and disguise them as trees or something....it'll be more expensive. I was hoping that maybe someone in Texas forum had put one in recently. Had a fellow Master Gardener out to give us advice, but he has a huge yard and no close neighbors to worry about. He said we needed two 1500 gallon tanks!
Sandi
here and following are some pics of my water barrels
another one behind the garage
a different view of the two beside the house
I am really interested in rain harvesting. Water shortages are going to be a major problem in the future. We should all take notice. I like the gutter/cistern idea but it is not financially feasible here at this time. Grew up with an underground cistern. We did not drink that water but it was pumped into the house for washing, bathing, etc. Carried drinking water from a spring fed well.
We are in a rural area where we frequently loose power. Not uncommon for up to a week at a time. We have a deep well and with no power you need a generator or do without. We do have a generator but I do use rain barrels and catch "run off". I use it to water plants. In a pinch, it works well to flush/wash etc.. I used to use Mosquito Dunks and although they say it is safe, decided to try something different last year. I covered the rain barrels with fiberglass screen. It keeps both mosquitoes and trash (leaves bugs) out. I do use from them so the water stays fresher. It is amazing how quickly they fill from what we think is a small rain. No gutters, just catching run off. Water harvesting is probably more important to those who live where it is in short supply but with the population growing it is getting serious.
Absolutely! I'm still waiting for this guy to install my gutters, and I plan to put in rain barrels. It astounds me that they cost so much, though! I'll have three spouts to harvest from, and for a while at least, I plan to use big trash cans. Not ideal, I know, but at upwards of $150 each, gee whiz! If I decide I can afford a "prettier" one, I'll put it in the front. Of course, they hold more water as well. But not only will it conserve water, it's SO much better for the plants than tap water.
I have tropicals out back and know that Austin is going to annex our subdivision within 3 years. We'll be on city water and city rules, including restrictions.. I think that rain water makes everything perk up also. Think if we get the tanks in now, we'll be that much farther ahead of the game.
Like your barrels, Renatelynne. I just need a lot more water! Friends who've bought the rain barrels from the city say they find they need more and more. I just don't have a spot for 'em that's hidden from the street. Want to have a plan so we can have the gutters replaced and tanks in place before fall. At least that's MY plan...not sure if it's DH's....
I can understand needing more than the barrels. I do too. I have a french drain that puts a LOT of water off my land towards the back. I would love to have a huge catch for it. The problem would be getting it back up the hill again.
Yes, we've already been told we'll need a pump....no matter where we place the tanks.
Bigbubbles, could you disguise the short fat tank by surround it with a rock wall for asthetics? If you have lots of natural rock in your area that maybe would be more attractive...
The tank is 64" wide and 78" tall. It's pretty big around. We don't have that big of a yard. I hope we can put something on the side of the house behind the fence. The 1000 gal. would take nearly the whole yard across on that side. The tall tanks are 34" X81" tall. But, they only hold about 300 gallons. We'd need more of them. Would love to disguise tank with rock, but would be very expensive. I'm thinking more like morning glories! Sandi
I watched a program on water collection several years ago. They were using it as their only water source so their "tank" had to be really large. Theirs was built out of concrete but the concept could be used in a smaller fashion. They built a deck on top complete with a roof. Along the sides of the tank they had planted vines and plants to hide the concrete. Really pretty.
Patsy
The one we grew up with was underground and water pumped into the house. I read an article about one that was elevated for water pressure. I think if you did vines, add some evergreen for the dreary winter days.
Good ideas....!