Rain Harvesting the Right Way - Preppers Must See

Leaf Eater 3" - amzn.to/2nAkEqK
Downspout First Flush Diverter Kit - 3" amzn.to/2n5x5hP
Looking to harvest clean rain water. These are must haves for any system. We are now catching clean water for using in our greenhouse. This prevents the need for us using an RO filter in our hydroponics/aquaponics systems. Our tap water measures 8.3PH, 660ppm and is extremely hard. Rain water is measuring 6.6-7.0 PH and 3ppm. It's crazy to see how clean even pre-filtered rain water is compared to tap water.
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[@MrNelsonhsieh]

Bird droppings and pesticides are on the roof. The rainwater collected half an hour ago is used to water vegetables, and the rainwater collected half an hour later is used by myself.

[@deanbarrett511]

That is a nicely done DIY system. Using the right components make all the difference.

[@georgemaze7926]

Outstanding video thanks please make more videos thanks, keep up the good work on rain hervst.

[@deanbarrett511]

The product name is Leaf Eater and First Flush Diverter.

[@michaelfredt573]

Great information. Good job. Thank-you.

[@ShipmanAdventures]

No problem! Thanks for watching, still works great!

[@mrgallbladder]

Preppers is a plural of prepper. No apostrophe needed.

[@ShipmanAdventures]

Sorry, had to get on my computer to finally fix the title. Thanks for watching and correcting my grammar!

[@greensgillsgreenhouse-g3868]

That's all looking good. I'm always experminting and looking for the best, most productive way. That's how we learn and grow. So keep up the good work. Thanks, Von

[@jamespeavy28]

very cool I never thought of that gonna have to build one thanks

[@MeredithThomasNJ]

Thanks for sharing. Do you have links to the plans to build?

[@ShipmanAdventures]

Sorry I just measured to fit my specific structure. Really just cutting pvc pipe and clue on ends. It's been a while!

[@johnmcdonald5998]

Wow...looks great, thanks for sharing!

[@battleax4609]

In my opinion i would put unions on some of that piping in case you want to move it

[@ShipmanAdventures]

The inside pipes were just pushed together, no reason to even glue as it pushed together nice and snug. It did come in handy being able to move those pipes now and then.

[@steverushton4670]

You mentioned testing your water. What resources do you use to test your water hardness? Is there also a way to test for other contaminants like bacteria or substances that may blow onto the roof?

[@earthdweller4685]

Yes, I did a hardness test with a chemical set for my water coming from the city. It was off the charts and is why I built the rain harvester system. No I don't test for contaminants as the water is only used for the plants and not drinking. I wouldn't think about testing run off rain water going to the garden either. I do keep my tanks covered, preventing growth due to sunlight. The water sits in the IBC totes and settles, my fill line is hooked in about 6" off the bottom. I clean my tank out every 6-months or so, washing out anything that may have settled. I hooked the IBC tote drain to a 2" pipe that goes outside the greenhouse if I need to drain and wash. Pretty quick and easy. If you want to drink you'll need a filtration system and probably some sort of UV filter. I've gone to only using rain water and it's been great! I really don't add PH up or down, I just leave the PH alone. The MasterBlend does lower my PH a little when I add it, however, everything grows great and I don't have to struggle with the dirty city water. I need to post a video, lots of greens growing right now. Not as many as I could, but I have limited time and we can only eat so much.

[@alankee1065]

In WV the county health department will do a minimum round of testing on your well/water source (spring, cistern, etc). This testing includes Fecal Coliform. I am a retired water inspector. A clean metal roof will not be a source for organics. Possibly some metals, especially zinc and aluminum. If you were worried about organics, a simple carbon filter will remove them.

[@keithhoward4059]

Thank You

[@timaphelps]

You should elevate your touch and you won't need a pump

[@LordJesusChrist1968]

How and what should I do to keep the rain water safe for drinking? I do not want to had anything (chlorine etc.) to the water..I want to keep everything natural...Lastly, how long can water sit around in barrels before its not safe for drinking? Thanks 😊

[@ShipmanAdventures]

We don't drink ours just use for greenhouse and plants. You'd have to research or consult an expert, I know when I did research RO filters and UV light filters seemed like good options.

[@LordJesusChrist1968]

@@ShipmanAdventures thank you

[@ryanb2369]

Can add a DI filter to a RO system to get it down to 0 TDS.

[@ShipmanAdventures]

You can look up specs for clean drinking water but I don't think you need to get it down to 0. I was looking at UV light filter combined with hole house filter. For greenhouse use, I can just use the rain water as-is.

[@ryanb2369]

Correct. The DI filter is not for drinking water. I used it only for my reef tank. Ive heard of people using it for gardening like hydroponics so they know extacty what nutrients and amount the plants are getting.

[@alankee1065]

What does DI stand for ?

[@garybensel6680]

What do you use for a pump? If you got one

[@ShipmanAdventures]

No pump. All gravity. I did have a pump to push pressurized water to the garden but it was cast iron and cracked during a random freeze. Haven't replaced it and really haven't missed it.

[@07Timmers]

can the leaf eater block pine needles from going through?

[@ShipmanAdventures]

07Timmers I would think it would be perfect for that.

[@07Timmers]

all right thanks for the advice.