Rainwater catchment

[sevfiv]

I know there's not any rain to speak of at the moment, but I was curious if any of you have ever used or currently use catchment systems such as small cisterns or barrels? If so, I'd love to hear tips, experiences, problems, other containers and methods, et cetera...TIA!

[crunchtastic]

I've been researching this lately and have been looking at some different systems. For a smaller place/apartment living, there are a number of barrel options. Here's where I started looking:

http://www.gardeners.com/Rain-Barrels/Watering_RainBarrels,default,sc.html?SC=XNET8019

http://www.composters.com/rain-barrels.php

At my last place in San Antonio my ex rigged up a homemade system to fit on the end of gutter downspouts. It worked well but I often got dead geckos in the barrels. Since I was just using it to water plants, I didn't worry too much aobut the dead critters.

[ricco67]

I've been researching this lately and have been looking at some different systems. For a smaller place/apartment living, there are a number of barrel options. Here's where I started looking:

http://www.gardeners...tml?SC=XNET8019

http://www.composter...ain-barrels.php

At my last place in San Antonio my ex rigged up a homemade system to fit on the end of gutter downspouts. It worked well but I often got dead geckos in the barrels. Since I was just using it to water plants, I didn't worry too much aobut the dead critters.

I know this was discussed previously, but can't find the thread. There were some great links posted on there as well. Would have loved to see what the final results were from those discussions.

Found it: http://www.houstonar...showtopic=20620

Edit again: That's not the thread I was thinking about, but there is one from last year that touched on this.

Edit: Found link. So there!

[travelguy_73]

Got this from Brenda Smith's Lazy Gardener Blog on the Chron:

http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/07/recycle_rain.html

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is making a start. On Saturday, Aug. 8, a Build Your Own Rain Barrel hands-on class will even provide materials. In addition to a finished rain barrel, participants will also take home a detailed instruction sheet for future reference with information on connecting multiple barrels for more water storage. Local graphic designer/environmentalist Pen Morrison is instructor.

The barrel pictured above can be afixed to a pipe from gutters or even placed under the V in a house where it can catch runoff. A hose is attached at the bottom to run water to gardens. Cost (includes materials): $80 for members, $98 for non-members. Contact the Arboretum for details.

http://www.houstonarboretum.org/rainbarrels.asp

I think I am going to take this class. While I'm not wild about the look of the barrel, the price is right, and my water bill was $100 last month, which is incentive enough!