I’m looking to alter my gutters to be able to water my garden next year.  Anyone have either plans for gutter rain barrels that keep out mosquitoes or know where i can get those big 50 gallon plastic drums with a spigot at the bottom?

zen - 23 December 2007 09:21 PM

I’m looking to alter my gutters to be able to water my garden next year.  Anyone have either plans for gutter rain barrels that keep out mosquitoes or know where i can get those big 50 gallon plastic drums with a spigot at the bottom?

Google is your friend and there’s a site for EVERYTHING on the net… in your case, see:

http://www.rainbarrelguide.com/

Merry Christmas,

--Ralph

I think Lowes and Home Depot sold them last year and I would imagine you could also get them at their websites as well.

Hi Zen
Forget the 50 gal....go to a ag supply store or large hardware and order a 1000 gal stock tank.
When you fill 55 gal drums there is alot of transferring of water and they really will overflow immediately. Put screens or hardware cloth into the downspout to prefilter. There is usually a hose connection at the bottom of the tank, but a pumped system is better. Screen all openings and make sure to provide a overflow hole (screened) at the top.
1000 gal tank will keep water for the dry spells, 55 gals will be used up in one watering.

It is hard to explain, but there is a great leaf filter design. In the downspout place a angled screen with a opening for debris to fall out and the water to pass straight thru. it can be made with a pvc cleanout fitting. (wish I had a picture).
We have been living with rainwater collection for many years and it is our only water source for the whole house. (there is a 12,000 gal. concrete cistern under a part of the house.) We also collect driveway water into a separate cistern for watering and flushes.
If all openings are screened, it will keep out bugs and frogs, but make sure they stay intact.
If you do use 55 gal drums make sure they have been used in the food supply industry and not chemicals. Soft drink syrup comes in barrels, maybe you could find them
Nelson

Hey thanks Nuvue and everyone!

I will probably test the waters so to speak of water conservation by using the smaller rainbarrel first, and the links and thoughts have given me impetus and direction.  And i suspect i will learn that a 50 or 80 gallon tank doesn’t cut it, but also for next season see how much it does help out. 

I’m glad you people are out there!

hey zen and everyone,

just wanted to say that the ‘storm’ yesterday filled our three 55 gallon barrels (connected to the rain gutters) in a matter of hours…