Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Rainwater Harvesting | Things The Books Won't Tell You

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  • Опубліковано 4 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 285

  • @ourselfreliantlife
    @ourselfreliantlife  3 роки тому +7

    Don't forget you can find us on Instagram here: 🔹️ instagram.com/greendreamproject
    🔸️And Facebook here:
    facebook.com/greendreamproject1
    🔹️Check out our Facebook group here: facebook.com/groups/greensteaders/

  • @hilaireoloughlin
    @hilaireoloughlin Рік тому +13

    Simple, no pretence, straight to the point. Thanks for the great tips.

    • @jensv874
      @jensv874 7 місяців тому

      Best tip I can give you is dont use plastic tanks but concrete. Concrete counteract/neutralise acid rain water.

  • @theupsideofdownsizing
    @theupsideofdownsizing 3 роки тому +18

    Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us Jim! It looks like you have your system really dialed in. Let the rain begin!

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  3 роки тому +5

      It's definitely a lot better. I think going as simple as possible is always the way to go. Much more sustainable and less chances of things going wrong.

  • @lexliller2004
    @lexliller2004 29 днів тому +1

    Love the rocks around your cistern. Looks nice.

  • @robertbuckley9303
    @robertbuckley9303 3 роки тому +25

    Great video! These are tips that would be hard to anticipate without the experience that you've gained the hard way. One of the functions of any pioneer is to scout the territory and report back to the folks following behind. Thanks for breaking trail.

  • @vincentalaimo7527
    @vincentalaimo7527 3 роки тому +57

    If you’re going to use silicone please use aquarium safe silicone… other silicones have toxins in them.

    • @thebirdsnest9396
      @thebirdsnest9396 3 роки тому +5

      Great warning. Thanks.

    • @lmlowe9100
      @lmlowe9100 3 роки тому +5

      @@sandhills2344 maybe he does care about toxins but didn't realize there were toxins in either...or maybe he plans some type of filtration system down the road.

    • @bigglilwayne7050
      @bigglilwayne7050 Рік тому +1

      E -6000 and/or NP-1 are by far the best

  • @deborahmcsweeney1650
    @deborahmcsweeney1650 3 роки тому +17

    We studied with Billy Kniffen who was with Texas A&M Extension. I think he trained the guy who wrote those books. We got a book from Billy called Rainwater Harvesting Planning and Installation offered through Texas A&M Extension. It has so much critical information that we call it our rain water bible. LoL! You might look for it! I hope your tanks fill up this summer!

  • @wdwerker
    @wdwerker 3 роки тому +8

    Always wise to listen to folks who learned the hard way !

  • @claudiamcbride9746
    @claudiamcbride9746 5 місяців тому +6

    Flexible PVC is great for rainwater harvesting. Can be curved and go around bends without needing fittings to make the turns.

  • @StoneKathryn
    @StoneKathryn 3 роки тому +4

    Thanks Jim for going over how you have changed your system since the first time you were harvesting rain water. I really enjoyed this.

  • @donaldwarriner1640
    @donaldwarriner1640 Рік тому +5

    You're so articulate with thoughtful presentation that inspires me to do this in the future. Thank you.

  • @elizabethblane201
    @elizabethblane201 3 роки тому +8

    Such a great, organized, concise video. Seriously underrated channel!

  • @capistranogardener6100
    @capistranogardener6100 3 роки тому +11

    Jim...great job!!! May I suggest that you form the filter screens over a ball or cone before installing them...that way any debris will deflect and not clog the screen. Keep up the great work...very inspiring indeed.

  • @kennethalmond8922
    @kennethalmond8922 3 роки тому +13

    Great video. One thing I notice is those looooong horizontal stretches of pipe over the cistern. They will sag within a year based on my experience. This may be OK for you and if not, think about support to keep them straight before they kind of melt-sag based on sun :)

    • @foamer443
      @foamer443 3 роки тому +1

      Good point and being black won't help.

  • @lnwolf41
    @lnwolf41 3 роки тому +11

    Why not get a couple of 55 gallon drums, use the first one for a debris filter, the second one fills 3/4 before dumping into your other tanks.
    Some people set up a diverter, so the first 5 gallons dump on the ground taking all the crap with it, so you just get clean rainwater.

  • @jayfroman3257
    @jayfroman3257 Рік тому +1

    I like making dirt, catching rain and converting sunshine into energy. I have other hobbies but those are among my favorites.

  • @Doitgood52
    @Doitgood52 3 роки тому +6

    There is no substitute for good planning/design 🔥⛈🦠

  • @christineherrmann205
    @christineherrmann205 3 роки тому +23

    This video made me wonder why you guys didn't drain the poly tanks while there was no rain and move them closer to shed, so that initial catchment was poly tanks with cistern as overflow? Probably something I'm missing.

    • @honthirty_
      @honthirty_ 3 роки тому +4

      The poly tanks are their ONLY supply of water. That is why they didnt drain them.

  • @scottrobinson491
    @scottrobinson491 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you guys for your time and energy in sharing your journey with us.

  • @teddiriggs517
    @teddiriggs517 3 роки тому +3

    Flex seal....yeah baby! Glad you used it.😁

  • @hirsutusi5536
    @hirsutusi5536 3 роки тому +9

    It might be wise to add a cleanable U trap between the horizontal collector pipe and the down-across-up link to the tank farm. Your filters will keep out most bugs and big particles but dust and sand may get through and over time block that underground gray pipe.

  • @tessahugo5448
    @tessahugo5448 3 роки тому +1

    It`s always such a pleasure looking at your videos.. I really love all Jess arts, she is so talented. Love all the types of work that you do, we can learn from you.
    Cape Town South Africa

  • @CherylSpelts
    @CherylSpelts 3 роки тому +7

    Can you show us how much you've collected with the last week of storms? I am so looking forward to seeing the payoff, to all your work, with rainwater pouring into those plastic tanks! :)

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  3 роки тому +4

      It's dark in the poly tanks, but I know we've collected close to 500 gallons so far.

  • @samyoungblood3740
    @samyoungblood3740 3 роки тому +2

    Thank you both for sharing your experiences in this whole process.

  • @BuckJones1909
    @BuckJones1909 4 місяці тому

    Thank you so much for these little but very important clips of gems of information!

  • @conquererification
    @conquererification Рік тому

    Dreamed of moving out there before I moved. When googling the areas I always saw these gaint green circles. I hope those who can drain wells are listening and
    reevaluate thier systems.
    Will check out your other vid and pick up a copy of those books.
    Thanks

  • @tuskratscrew703
    @tuskratscrew703 5 місяців тому

    thank you....buildin a system right now in costa rica....very dry and very wet all in one place....

  • @charlesweaver3427
    @charlesweaver3427 3 місяці тому

    Thanks for the sharing. One possible solution to replace 90° elbow is to combine two 45°'s. You can vary the length of the connecting pipe between the two 45°'s as the situation requires. This might create more of a gentle 90° turn.

  • @duwomaiishgabrielle9498
    @duwomaiishgabrielle9498 3 роки тому +2

    ❤️❤️I love you two! You are so down to earth! 😂😂it’s such a wonderful undertaking!

  • @davec9244
    @davec9244 3 роки тому

    jest gutters, live in Oregon have to clean my gutters twice a year they plug up, I know down in your neck of the woods no gutter on any houses you are going the right direction thanks

  • @ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune
    @ReapWhatYouSeauxLeJeune 3 роки тому +2

    Awesome video thanks for sharing

  • @bobjoatmon1993
    @bobjoatmon1993 3 роки тому +13

    I'd be interested in how much water you end up getting in the underground cistern (during the monsoon season)
    Also, please answer why you didn't move the poly tanks closer to the end of the shed (between the shed and underground cistern) as that would have simplified your piping considerably

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 3 роки тому

      @@onlyscience7120 yes, that's theory
      I'm asking what he ACTUALLY got

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 3 роки тому +2

      @@onlyscience7120 that's ridiculous logic.
      I'm not asking for that level of precision and no one else expects that either.
      I lived in a RV for years and know about what a person uses per day on average and it's 8 to 20 gallons. Yes, they've got plants and livestock but the day after a rain in that large of an underground cistern their use MIGHT be 1/10 of an inch, if that.
      So a BALLPARK estimate of the water he captured is entirely feasible and practical.

  • @bfox5767
    @bfox5767 3 роки тому +1

    It looks great! I hope you collect a whole lot of water from your system.

  • @janettaylor3182
    @janettaylor3182 3 роки тому

    Good to see you'll be saving and using you're own water supply and looks good how you've done it to me...I understood why you changed it now from the old system all trail and error but that's how you learn love watching you both always amazing 👏

  • @brucestmartin777
    @brucestmartin777 3 роки тому

    Such a ambitious and ingenious system.. just amazing Jim .

  • @jefferybublitz7968
    @jefferybublitz7968 3 роки тому +1

    Hello friend, I've watched about 8 episodes of ur efforts out there, & I'm enjoying ur progress, as ur moving along. That 14,000 gallon cistern was an impressive build. Nice design too.***!!! Love Brthrn Jeff B.

  • @petersamios5409
    @petersamios5409 10 місяців тому

    Thanks for the information. You are absolutely correct about the hard 90's - you want to avoid those, You may want to split to multiple 30's or 45's to make the bends and limit those. Also, as someone else mentioned, I'd move the two tanks closer to the roof. I'd also cover them to try and keep the water cooler and less evaporation.
    Why the exposed black pipe- is that for cold nights?

  • @anapilarshaw2823
    @anapilarshaw2823 3 роки тому

    Thank you Jim and Jessica for sharing your rainwater harvesting experience. These are very helpful considerations and I appreciate your generosity. ❤

  • @catgynt9148
    @catgynt9148 3 роки тому +2

    Thanks for sharing this video and your rainwater harvest tips. How often do you sweep the perimeter of the cistern roof to minimize dust and dirt from entering your cistern? Wishing you and Jessica a blessed summer season with abundant rain and moderate sleeping temperatures. Peace brother.

  • @CBsGreenhouseandGarden
    @CBsGreenhouseandGarden 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks for the tips Mr. Jim. Time to catch some water now! Good luck and keep us updated.

  • @captnjerry4950
    @captnjerry4950 8 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This will help many!

  • @Dr.Gunsmith
    @Dr.Gunsmith 3 роки тому +2

    Great explanation 🙏

  • @andrewyang1446
    @andrewyang1446 9 місяців тому

    Thanks for the video! Was recently wondering about filtering the water from harvesting which might contain bird poop. Would love to see a video on how people treat harvested water. Thanks!

  • @saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560
    @saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560 3 роки тому +1

    Good usable information, take care and God bless amen.

  • @PaulOtis
    @PaulOtis 3 роки тому

    having the screens like you do now can allow you to remove and clean/replace as needed as well. Great info Jim & Jess!

  • @PieterFranken-e4v
    @PieterFranken-e4v 6 місяців тому

    Thanks for sharing! These are super helpful tips and suggestions ....

  • @jamesramey3549
    @jamesramey3549 3 роки тому +2

    Curios, have you thought about moving your poly tanks closer to a direct flow and then have the overflow go to your cistern? Just a question since you brought it up. I am interested in moving somewhere to the desert and your videos as well as others are a big help.

  • @ncooty
    @ncooty 7 місяців тому

    Great video.
    Totally agree about Brad Lancaster's books.

  • @jimh4167
    @jimh4167 3 роки тому +2

    System looks great
    If you find the 4 inch screens building up with dirt
    They make 4" to 6" PVC adaptors
    Might help with clogging
    Also if some of you may have problems thinking these sweeps may be to restrictive
    In electrical the 4" PVC sweeps have a much larger radius

  • @PaullaWells
    @PaullaWells 3 роки тому

    I hope to build a small system for my garden one day. I appreciate the info. Thank you!

  • @paulaaron1109
    @paulaaron1109 3 роки тому

    Jim. Excellent video. Straight to the point. Thank you.

  • @RVBadlands2015
    @RVBadlands2015 3 роки тому

    Super good info when I set up my rain water harvesting.

  • @EricWhiteChooseGod1st
    @EricWhiteChooseGod1st 3 роки тому

    Beautiful rainbow. Very well thought out, I appreciate the tip about the 90's most.

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken4482 3 роки тому

    Research is the way to go. Your doing a good job

  • @steve37341
    @steve37341 5 місяців тому

    Couple observations. The code suggests/requires that there be a downspout for every 30 feet of gutter. That was why you had such problems with just two downspouts. Second, there are special seam sealers for gutters. The pro guys use. They dry like epoxy and stay sealed, keeping the gutter sections from pulling apart with heating and cooling of the seasons. A sort of white/yellow color when dried.

  • @KrissBartlett
    @KrissBartlett 3 роки тому +1

    Good Job there Jim !!!!

  • @bobbebbington5356
    @bobbebbington5356 3 роки тому +1

    Jim, if you are anything like me you will do it at least three times before you get it right. The system you have should work well but you will have fine dirt build up in the pipe underground which will be a problem over time. Build a diverter to catch the first flush and this should solve the problem.

  • @jellyellis6813
    @jellyellis6813 3 роки тому +1

    Love yall

  • @UpperSkyDJ
    @UpperSkyDJ 3 роки тому

    Its so true that you learn by doing and sometimes re-doing.😉 Thanks for sharing, you brought up ideas that I can incorporate into my eight yr old water catchment system. Also love Brad Lancaster's books 📚.

  • @seekerbee4494
    @seekerbee4494 3 роки тому

    To think you could have only put out such an excellent video on water catchment was from all your previous missteps. Nice job!

  • @tomrobbins6166
    @tomrobbins6166 Рік тому

    Thank you.

  • @timklassen421
    @timklassen421 3 роки тому

    Thanks Jim one of are customers might try water harvesting her well only yields 2 gpm and she has a lot of horses she has a indoor riding arena 200 by 75 feet and may opt to only use halve of it we get a lot more rain here in Alberta thanks for the tips.

  • @ChennaiPaiyan739
    @ChennaiPaiyan739 8 місяців тому

    Thank you it was helpful to generate my system in the woods 🎉

  • @Tunzbig
    @Tunzbig 2 роки тому

    Thanks for Taking the time to make this

  • @lmlowe9100
    @lmlowe9100 3 роки тому +4

    Two questions...
    1) Why didn't you build your pole barn high enough to park your RVs under?
    2a) Why drop down to (under)ground level, the ten foot section at the end of your gutter run?
    2b) Why not just run the pipe straight across to the cistern and then over to the black holding tanks? (Ok, technically three questions...lol}
    Thanks and I enjoy your videos.

    • @foamer443
      @foamer443 3 роки тому +1

      My thoughts precisely. Adding those four? extra 90's plus the rise on the other side will be a huge resistor in the water flow.
      Installing a pipe stand either beside or on top of the cistern I think would have been far more practical and probably less work in the end.

    • @TripleBRanch
      @TripleBRanch Рік тому

      I thought the same thing. As he was saying “keep it simple”, he’s got that drop, 10’(?) stretch underground and then 6’+ back up to the top of the cistern. Why not just run that span overhead? 🤔

  • @Mouse2677
    @Mouse2677 3 роки тому +11

    Nothing will seal the gutter when they are 100" long as the expansion and contraction of the Aluminum is going to either take the joints apart or take the screws loose and then they come down.

    • @TerraFirmaX
      @TerraFirmaX 3 роки тому +5

      hmmm, that's a good point.

    • @kebertxela941
      @kebertxela941 3 роки тому +1

      Hopefully that will take a couple years(or better a few),might be a good time to start a fund to start saving to replace.

    • @ard8785
      @ard8785 3 роки тому +2

      Gutters don't need sealants esp.
      IF they are properly spaced and placed, correctly angled and sloped and well-placed proper supports. Sealants have chemicals which are dangerous to health and unsafe for drinking... I am speaking from experience. Many decades thriving on rain-water for drinking and other house use from my rain-catcher.

  • @kezzatries
    @kezzatries 3 роки тому +2

    You should also put a slight down turn on your sheets of iron, this will stop water running back under the panels

  • @TomBTerrific
    @TomBTerrific 3 роки тому

    Good information and tips. Experience is the best teacher.

  • @jacklily999
    @jacklily999 7 місяців тому

    Well spoken thoughtful video. Thank you for sharing all these tips. You might have read Geoff Lawton, an expert on water retention for soil.

  • @AnAlaskaHomestead
    @AnAlaskaHomestead 3 роки тому

    Thanks for the good tips. If your only water source is rain water you need to have the ability to catch as much of it as you can while it’s raining. We get pine needle build up in our gutters and in the screen that covers the downspout. We lose some water because of it but luckily for us in SE Alaska, rain is not in short supply😂

  • @tropicalshrimp
    @tropicalshrimp 3 роки тому

    thank you

  • @anthonyromero2605
    @anthonyromero2605 3 роки тому

    Thank you so much for your humerus you and knowledge

  • @mikeunum
    @mikeunum Рік тому

    Very well done but logical things to think about.

  • @sianbentley1527
    @sianbentley1527 3 роки тому +1

    As they say 'trial and error' is the way forward. You are definately moving forward every day with your hard work and enthusiasm. Thank you from UK x

  • @kevinwilliams8662
    @kevinwilliams8662 3 роки тому

    Enjoyed the show

  • @charolettewilliams8834
    @charolettewilliams8834 Рік тому

    Thx for the video. My question is regarding freezing temperatures. Do you have to insulate pipes to keep from freezing? I am using 55 gal blue barrels and worried about water freezing and cracking my barrels. I havent seen anybody address this.

  • @brusselsprout5851
    @brusselsprout5851 2 роки тому

    Amazing trailblazing!

  • @jmbpinto73
    @jmbpinto73 3 роки тому +11

    Someday in the future, You could expand the roof a bit to cover the RVs, and colect a bit more rain while saving the RVs roof from the scorching sun.

    • @bobjoatmon1993
      @bobjoatmon1993 3 роки тому +1

      Well, hopefully eventually they will move into the earth bag house and not be living in the RV at all.

  • @jonijones8123
    @jonijones8123 7 місяців тому

    Excellent information but I have a problem with having screened catchers a little ways down from my roof and when it rains really hard they overflow. Somewhere I read that there is an optimum distance between the heights of the downspout intake and the height of the intake on the storage tank. Do you know what this distance should be. The distance between the downspout and the top of the tank is now is about 12". thank you

  • @dethmaul
    @dethmaul 3 роки тому

    I didn't know that about silicone, thanks!

  • @allthingsgrowing
    @allthingsgrowing Рік тому

    I'm curious.
    Can you tell me a little bit about your water treatment over time?
    Do you have to treat water for algae or anything? Like adding tablets? Etc?

  • @MH-cj1gz
    @MH-cj1gz 3 роки тому

    You said it best. K.I.S.S. Method. I hope monsoon season fills your tanks.

  • @thelonghorncow5084
    @thelonghorncow5084 Рік тому

    Thanks for sharing! Most of Arizona have desert like environment but I wonder Why people/you don't live in the Northern part like Flagstaff areas??

  • @Mkulimadigital2000
    @Mkulimadigital2000 Рік тому

    As a young farmer...you have really inspired

  • @funkydave100
    @funkydave100 10 місяців тому

    how large is your poly tanks and your cistern? and how did you size it because im in a similar situation here in mexico where i have some what similar weather patterens as you do in arizona

  • @cowgirl2mk505
    @cowgirl2mk505 3 роки тому +3

    We live off grid in the high desert of norther NM, and catch our water. We bought the property with a system in place and have been making improvements - or at least try to make improvements as we can. I am curious why you went off of your roof clear down below ground and then back up again instead of supporting a stretch above ground between the roof and the cement cistern (using a downward sloping pipe). I'd be worried about water backing up because it had to rise again. Also, do you think you'll get sediment buildup in the ground level pipes?
    Love your solution for the long expanse of gutter. I may try something similar in an area where we have issues. Did you use 4" or 6" pipe?

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  3 роки тому

      We used 4" pipe. Sediment may accrue, but we'd expect it may take awhile before enough collects to hamper flow.
      Check out our last video for the explanation of our "wet" system.
      ua-cam.com/video/oCrmQJYAPQ8/v-deo.html

  • @roverdogs_keithwhelchel
    @roverdogs_keithwhelchel 6 місяців тому

    how do you get your water pressure up for house? Pump setup etc

  • @robertvincent4847
    @robertvincent4847 3 роки тому +2

    I do not know if you do J but if you don't have a screen over your over flow pipe as you do all your inlets it will allow all things alive small enough to get into your water

    • @jmbpinto73
      @jmbpinto73 3 роки тому +1

      From where i see, the second overflow pipe is redundant, as it's about the same level as the overflow opening at the other pipe.

  • @cmilimt
    @cmilimt 3 роки тому

    Me encantó este tipo de reflexión de aprendizaje.

  • @gissie391
    @gissie391 3 роки тому

    Can you get circle large surface area over the storage tank too.?a step system down slopes just to get a water flowing faster.

  • @phillaboody
    @phillaboody 3 роки тому

    Have you considered how you are going to clean out the pipes you put underground? and the sand and dirt on the roof will find its way into the lowest point in the pipes and that is underground.
    You might want to consider putting a 'First Flush' system in as that would be much easier to clean.

  • @rojerww
    @rojerww 3 роки тому

    Thank you for sharing.
    I may end up missing out on this whole season’s monsoons as I have yet to get a cistern. I’m hoping to buy one or two this week in Santa Fe but I’ll still have to do all my gutters and pipes. I’ll have 360’ of gutter alone - 105’ each side of a pavilion alone and the rest across 10 edges. No way to keep it as simple as yours is currently. I wish. My PDC instructor suggested I try ferro-cement but I’d already seen what you went through. My thoughts are to take 4” PVC pipe and cut in half and hang that with lags and brackets maybe but I do like what you ended up doing. So thanks again for sharing.

    • @thebirdsnest9396
      @thebirdsnest9396 3 роки тому +1

      I thought of pvc cut in half also but Jim said he tried it and is now using standard ducts so I guess it didnt work out but he didnt elaborate. Maybe he will share that with us both here.

    • @rojerww
      @rojerww 3 роки тому

      @@thebirdsnest9396 - I’m not certain I saw that episode. If I give it a try - I would use sch. 40 - not thin wall (sch. 20?). Thin wall wouldn’t be any better than the stuff that got perforated by golf ball sized hail. A “neighbor” in the construction business did that. He’s hardly ever home so I’ve not seen what he did.

    • @ourselfreliantlife
      @ourselfreliantlife  3 роки тому

      I think ferrocement could still work. We just need to refine our technique

  • @michaelf1434
    @michaelf1434 3 роки тому +1

    With the wet system, are you concerned with freezing this winter? I remember you having problems in the past on your poly tanks.

  • @SpringRiverHollar
    @SpringRiverHollar 3 роки тому +1

    Hi guys , I'm far from being a expert like some of the people so I'll just follow along and pay attention .
    Keep it close , keep it simple.....gotcha👍

  • @tanja8907
    @tanja8907 3 роки тому

    Thank you sir.

  • @beachlife9419
    @beachlife9419 3 роки тому

    Nice 👍👍👍👍 work

  • @mrearthshome1375
    @mrearthshome1375 3 роки тому

    In regards to your gutter system and getting the water to the main tanks, why not put one pipe from the gutter going downwards to the tank?

  • @bruce-le-smith
    @bruce-le-smith 7 місяців тому

    super informative, thank you!!

  • @dilsaliosatos8797
    @dilsaliosatos8797 3 роки тому

    Tank you for you information

  • @johnconnor6725
    @johnconnor6725 7 місяців тому

    I'll be using UV lights and silver to try to make the water safer. Also will be solar boiling to distill it and If that isn't enough my excess wind power will help distill it