Rain Barrels!

Becca

Becca

Members
Montgomery County Rainscapes just approved our application for installing four rain barrels!!!!

They give a nice rebate so that the project will cost just a fraction of what it normally would.

Stadler Nurseries in Olney had recycled food-grade barrels at $90 for a 60 gallon barrel, which is the best price per gallon I've seen around, but if anyone has suggestions - let me know.

If you live in Montgomery County and you're thinking, "what is Rainscapes?", google it. You can get refunds for planting trees, setting up rain collection systems, etc.

They also have a program with grants for solar panels, but they don't tell you whether or not you're getting the grant until AFTER you've installed the panels, so it really doesn't help if you don't already have the money to independently buy solar panels.
 
Becca

Becca

Members
Jmty said:
Cl got barrels 55g for 25 in va.
Somewhere in Germantown area for &45 look it up


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Click to expand...

I can't do CL unless I can get an official retail receipt to present to the county. I also need to make sure they're drinking water/ food safe so I can use the water for the fish. This is going to be SO much better than collecting rain water in a stock tank!
 
Jmty

Jmty

Members
barrels are clean i been using them,receipts hmmm can't tell you about that did not get any.
 
mchambers

mchambers

Former CCA member
Look carefully at the diverter options. Some work better than others. In my experience, clogging is a real problem. (Just like aquarium filters!)
 
CichlidAddict

CichlidAddict

Members
I just ordered the one below from Ebay. It's a reconditioned drum used for food storage so it is safe for fish and garden. Most commercial rain barrels have a closed top with only a small opening to fit in the gutter. I had one flat back drum from Home depot and don't like it. So I order this one which has an openable top, and two spigots for connection to garden hose. The open top also allows me to put in a submersible pump to quickly empty the storage. Gravity drainage from the spigot is so too slow to be effective. I plan to connect the two drums together to store WC water so I can use later to water my lawn and garden.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251262878653
 
W

WendyFish

Members
We have one from AquaBarrel. We are using it in reverse of you SA/CA keepers... we fill it with our dirty aquarium water throughout the week and it's connected to a soaker hose to water the garden with yummy nitrogen rich water.
 
JLW

JLW

CCA Members
Wendy, that's a great idea, and I'm planning something similar for the Batfish warehouse.
 
BubbaJoe

BubbaJoe

Members
Here in Texas, HEB sells water collection barrels $80 for a 60 gallon barrel.

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CichlidAddict

CichlidAddict

Members
WendyFish said:
We have one from AquaBarrel. We are using it in reverse of you SA/CA keepers... we fill it with our dirty aquarium water throughout the week and it's connected to a soaker hose to water the garden with yummy nitrogen rich water.
Click to expand...

How long have you been doing it. Just wonder if the nutrient rich water will biofoul / clog up the soaker hose quickly.
 
W

WendyFish

Members
CichlidAddict said:
How long have you been doing it. Just wonder if the nutrient rich water will biofoul / clog up the soaker hose quickly.
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Just this spring since it's our first year at this house. That's an interesting question. We pump the water off the top off our tanks (e.g. not pythoning the real crap out of the bottom) but fair question what will happen to the organics in there in time.
 
W

WendyFish

Members
I should mention it, we're fully emptying it before we refill so hopefully it's always relatively new water, to help manage that.
 
CichlidAddict

CichlidAddict

Members
CichlidAddict said:
I just ordered the one below from Ebay. It's a reconditioned drum used for food storage so it is safe for fish and garden. Most commercial rain barrels have a closed top with only a small opening to fit in the gutter. I had one flat back drum from Home depot and don't like it. So I order this one which has an openable top, and two spigots for connection to garden hose. The open top also allows me to put in a submersible pump to quickly empty the storage. Gravity drainage from the spigot is so too slow to be effective. I plan to connect the two drums together to store WC water so I can use later to water my lawn and garden.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251262878653
Click to expand...

Just set up and connected my two barrels. Together, the two barrels can hold up to 120 gal. I like the red one from ebay which has an open top I can fit in a watering pot, or sink a sump pump to quickly empty the barrels. The grey one from Home Depot is too restrictive as it has a tiny opening, and draining from the spigot is too slow to be practical. By connecting the too, I solve the problem. I don't need to fertilize my vegetable and flower gardens anymore as watering them with nutrient rich fish water regularly is more than enough.

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Becca

Becca

Members
I still haven't gone out and bought mine. Trying to deal with paying for the fence, first.
 
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