Rainwater Harvesting from Solar Panels produce too much water?

[@garegardner6782]

Every time I tune in there is an abundance of progress to see. Your hard work is paying off.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much gare gardner! Now if I can just get on top of all of these projects!

[@kurtporter1323]

One podcast I never fast forward. Testament to you my friend. ♥️

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow thats high praise Kurt! Thanks so much for watching!

[@RatDogDaddy]

There is a free app you can put on your phone called "Picture This". You take a picture of any plant or tree and it will tell you the name. I use it all the time. And I like your Tilley hat. I have one as well. I want to do what you are doing but alas my wife is not on board. At least I can live vicariously through you. Keep the vids coming.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

So delighted its fun for you to live vicariously though my adventure here. Thanks for the tip on Picture this as well!

[@kurtcurtis2730]

I’m in the SW too - all my life- never seen such an abundant monsoon season. Seen plenty of lack of rain - think the longest stretch of no rain/ snowI saw was 18 months. The ground absolutely hissed when it finally rained due to air escaping as it was replaced by rain Bank it while its here!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I am beginning to think that global warming might actually work in our favor here. Will we be the next Costa Rica? Should be fun to see!

[@sandracimonetti5307]

The feathery wild flowers that you moved look like cosmos. The yellow ones are coreopsis. The desert is enjoying the rain.🌵🌳

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Sandra. Yep love the cosmos. and also the coreopsis. Really brighten my yard.

[@jankrijnen7374]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 i would put an ibc near your 1200 gallon tank an let it overflow in it. Same at the solarpanels. Put an ibc next to it and you have water for garden, trees etc.

[@OurNewLand]

"Kind of like a catheter." So funny. Keep up the good work!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

THanks for watching my medical videos. ooops. I mean thanks for being here.

[@shaunhall960]

Brilliant! Two birds with one stone.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep. I love this solution and all of the free water.

[@frederickwentworth4573]

My one criticism of this video, Don, is that it was too short. I want more!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thats so kind Frederick! So appreciate you watching!

[@Andbygrace7024]

Nice to see you being a good steward of your resources/blessings.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Robin! Doing my best here and delighted by so many cool things happening.

[@DesertNails]

Great work Don! It's delightful to see the rain you've captured.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Jen! I am hoping we get even more monsoon action this month too! We did last Sept!

[@johnthomas5806]

glad to see you could harvest water this way...

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Me too John!

[@fredk4136]

Another great video, I really enjoy all your projects and adventures in affordable off grid living. Another great project would be to device a way to capture rain water from the storage tent/shed.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Fred! Hopefully in a month or so the little storage tent/shed will be replaced by a more serious shed! Stay tuned...

[@karennewberry4694]

Good to see so much water catchment Don. A small suggestion, could you put a “drown saver” in the solar catchment in case ant small animals, birds, insects etc drop by for a drink and can’t exit? 🐸🦎🐘🐀

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Birds of course never use it as the pond is nearby. I did put one in for other stuff though.

[@jmknudsen5357]

I'm loving this monsoon season. Sierra Vista has had 5.82 inches of rain so far in the first 20 days of August.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Isnt it amazing? I am hoping for more but afraid its over.

[@0livelanette859]

Lovely flowers ~ ♥

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Olive!

[@sleeplessinthecarolinas8118]

Thanks for sharing your rain collection and storage system!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Your so welcome Sleepless in the Carolinas! I love that tank.

[@beachlife9419]

Super awesome job 👌👍👍👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks. Very encouraging Beach Life!

[@lindacgrace2973]

Vinegar water vs pump: acidity (and conversely, alkalinity) can degrade the pump membrane and diaphragm. It is advisable to treat the water, not the pump, which is only making a tiny contribution to any water contamination. Your set-up looks great!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks very much. Good tip on the vinegar. Thanks.

[@michaeltichonuk2176]

So GREEN!!! Abundant Rain!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep and green is such a soothing color!

[@bburnsga]

Flower whisperer -- you're adorable! I just found your channel today, & have totally enjoyed watching what you've done, beginning with the first one. It'll take a while to actually catch up, so I'm just skipping around right now. I am SO impressed with what you've done. You have more figure-it-out & know-how than most people. I'm a DIY ^ figure-it-out person myself. My former husband & I lived in the country & were pretty self-sufficient for some years, but you take it to a higher level! And at retirement age, no less. I'm 66, myself, & I don't have the energy that I used to have, but do try to keep projects going around the home. What you're doing is very wise, given what all's going on in the country & world today. I envy you in that regard, & in getting back to the land & to nature. Take care, & thank you for sharing your journey, it's fascinating!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I guess one's self perception runs the gamut of descriptions in one's own head. Adorable has never been something that passed through my mind. LOL. Thanks for all of the lovely comments and I so appreciate you watching.

[@placefor16]

Great video! I believe the name of the flower is cosmos.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

HI Esther. Thanks! I am hoping there are even more of them this summer!

[@RedHotFiat]

I love seeing all your progress. I'd be in Arizona too but my wife grew up there and hates the heat. I love desert flowers and when we lived in Phoenix one of my favorite places to go was the Desert Botanical Garden. My wife and her family thought I was nuts. Last time I went I convinced my sister-in-law and family to go with me. They last 10 minutes. Everyone lives in air conditioned spaces so they can't take the heat anymore. The first cluster of yellow flowers with the large center disk is called Bidens curnua or common name Nodding beggarticks,. The second yellow flower looks like Heterotheca subaxillaris or common name camphorweed. It could be coreopsis but the leaves are different than mine. The third purple flower looks like morning glory, which is a vine as you can see it twisting around the other plant. The fourth flower purple with yellow pistil is a Solanum elaeagnifolium or common name silverleaf nightshade, sometimes called prairie berry. The next flower, also purple but with yellow stamen, is Allionia incarta or Trailing Windmills. The little pink flower looks like stachytarpheta indica or porterweed. The last one in yellow is Zinnia grandiflora or Rocky Mountain zinnia. Just an FYI if the plastic you used to line the trough is just regular clear plastic sheeting it probably doesn't have any UV inhibitors and will likely start to get brittle and break down before the end of the year. Can you make a wood lid that will protect it from the sun? A benefit is the darkness will also slow algae growth.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow RedHotFiat. I cant believe your kindness in naming all of these cool wild flowers! At 4600' elevation its really not all that hot. When its 108 in Phoenix its only about 90 here.

[@pmlm1571]

I love your videos. I can smell the desert flowers. Please place a long stick into the long water tank--I keep picturing a mouse swimming round and round frantically, needing a ladder out! Thanks for posting, I look forward to you.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

HI PM LM. Thanks for watching. I did as you mentioned and now have a big stick in the tank.

[@pmlm1571]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 You are kind.

[@leethebee1560]

Hey Don good ideas with ur water.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Lee. Water is everything here for sure.

[@sondraflesch1463]

I always transplant wildflowers and thanks for your water catching advice. You are my Mesa living buddy. I'm 71 on Taos Mesa.

[@sondraflesch1463]

I'm looking forward to monsoon.. We had snow yesterday lol.. April 14th

[@jerrypruitt7432]

great videos keep them coming. GOD bless.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

God bless you as well HJerry and thanks so very much for watching.

[@judypell6701]

Vinegar is excellent disinfectant and sanitizer.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Congrats Judy your the first to view and thanks for stopping by!

[@debb9008]

nice that your getting the rain... maybe get a 55 gal barrel or 2 for some extra storage for the monsoon season... stay safe and healthy friend... from Deb in South Dakota

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep got to get more surface area plus stuff to store the water in. Bit by bit I guess.

[@heleneconte330]

That’s awesome, Don!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

No your awesome Helene. grin.

[@thelazyehomestead]

It’s looking and working good keep up the great work

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Still got to plumb it and run piping out of it and create a cover etc but that will come.

[@thelazyehomestead]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 oh yes! By then it will be a great investment for rain water

[@sherryh7485]

What an enterprising fella you are!

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Yes - he puts me to shame!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Sherry! Got to be resourceful here when your not rolling in cash LOL.

[@dodgerblue7381]

This has been an incredibly abundant monsoon season. I would try to expand your water containment.

[@kurtcurtis2730]

I agree

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep got to do that Dodger. All about finances and time as always.

[@dodgerblue7381]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 Wouldn't life be Grand if finances weren't an issue? Probably not, Then something else would happen. Take care

[@deanharris309]

You could get an RV water hose(s) the length you need. RV water hoses are drinking water safe - no bad chemicals in the build process. Amazon, Camping World, probably even Cal Ranch in Sierra Vista will have them

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Great tip Dean. I wont be using this water for drinking but still great to know about the RV water hoses!

[@alicecoppers8980]

Add some liquid kelp to the water for tiny Kitelpa tree. All plants love it

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow had no idea about this one alice. I wonder if it helps them grow?

[@GRIMRPR6942]

Hey Don, If ya want to get more height (instead of width) out of those Paulownia trees, nip off the small chutes at the base of the trunk closest to the ground. That allows more nutrients up to the top, similar to trimming lower stalks off tomato plants to get a taller plant and a better harvest instead of a tomato shrub lol The homestead is looking great and love the progress!!

[@ashevillegeorge3316]

Here in western NC, Paulownia trees are considered invasive.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Grimrpr6942. Yep I am already pruning some of them. They are now waist high!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep makes sense Asheville. Here they will only survive if tended carefully. Too dry and harsh in a desert climate otherwise.

[@JohnP538]

I would also provide a good layer of mulch as far out as you want the roots to spread.

[@saintracheljarodm.holy-kay2560]

Maybe it means you have a,green thumb. Just run the water through a filtration system, and it 6-8 eye droplets of regular chlorine bleach per gallon too rid the microbials . Anyway glad to see your getting lots of water. Take care and God bless amen.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep super excited by the rainwater catchment. I wont drink this water its just for shrubs and trees.

[@angelatheriault8855]

I love all the gorgeous flowers!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Angela! Me too!

[@a1f1l65]

Enjoy your videos!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

So enjoy you being here A1F1L

[@joycefuller4366]

I really like your idea and I can see how you made it work for you 👍 P.S. I hope you collect enough water from these storms to fill your tank up

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Hi Joyce. Yes both tanks got filled !

[@offpherj7884]

Just use PVC to transfer that water. You would have to rig the pump part with the tubing though. What else do you have to do anywho? Not that I think your just sitting around doing nothing! Projects are fun! Thanks for posting...

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep I am constantly scratching my head wondering how to keep entertained here... (grin)

[@budgillett9627]

Curious do you ever have down days? Ever get depressed and just want to sit in a corner and think about how bad it is? It seems if you trip over rocks and fall to the ground you just get up, gayer the rocks and build something useful. Makes me think of my favorite verse: Philippians‬ ‭4:8 “In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.” GNT Or as Zig Zigglar said: no stinkin thinkin. Keep doin what you’re doin. You’re such an example!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Hi Bud. First thanks so much for watching! Being a human in the post fall period I definitely get depressed/angry etc. But my general outlook and view is that of one who has been so blessed it is hard to not be thankful for all of the kindness God has shown me. It feels more like I get spoiled all the time by my creator to be dead honest. I had to laugh at the "trip over the rocks and build something out of them" statement. Golden. LOL. Thanks so much for watching.

[@amarieshearer7613]

So glad your rain catchment is working so well. I don’t know the name of flowers are but I sure like them. I bought wild flowers seeds and they are beautiful. Hopefully they will come back next year.you might get a 50 foot garden hose.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks AMarie. Yes the wild flowers are totally delightful.

[@amarieshearer7613]

You have a beautiful day!

[@KrissBartlett]

Very good Don works really good

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much mate. Its so fantastic to have more water.

[@fieldsendart]

Wow, great job, Don! Love watching all of your progress, it's so helpful!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Offgrid Artist. So lovely to have you here. I wonder what art you do. Bird paintings?

[@dustya1982]

I just binge watched your videos you sir ar a true inspiration I'm currently remodeling a modest house built in 51 currently I produce 98٪ of my own power and about 40٪ of my own water

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow sounds like you have some serious projects Dustya. All the best and thank you for the binge watch!

[@commonman7776]

thumbs up

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Tom.

[@eakerz5642]

Capturing water and water management will become the new gold rush. We should slow down the water in the mountains and hills and leave wide open spaces for water to expand on the lower planes.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep capturing water is amazing for sure.

[@Matthew-ju3nk]

Here's a tip that I learned with moving fish tanks around. Float a block of wood in your buckets which will dissipate the mechanical energy of the wave and the water won't slosh out nearly as much when you are moving them around in the gorilla cart.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I tried that this afternoon. But maybe my pieces of wood were too small hmm.

[@Matthew-ju3nk]

Float a piece of 2x4 6in long. You can also do 3-4 pcs that are shorter (around 2in).

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

@@Matthew-ju3nk Okay thanks.

[@Matthew-ju3nk]

Okay. This is me just being a wise a$$ (and you should feel free to throw a brick in my general direction) but the thought just occurred to me that you could just put a top on the buckets?

[@ROHDESONTHEROAD]

Truly impressive Mr. Don. Gonna use these ideas.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much for such wonderful praise. I hope its helpful to you.

[@edwardmathews9546]

Those flowers are beautiful, and glad to see your getting alot of rain. Beats having to buy water, enough to fill your tank, maybe ?😄🌧🌻

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Edward! Yep tank is pretty much full.

[@kenkiekens7746]

the blue trumpet type flowers very small, and have a thin vine, those are called morning glories that open in the morning and close at night, and are found in almost every garden in the west at least. the vine is very loosely climbs other plants and is great for putting on a fence or trellis.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Its absolutely lovely. I really love them.

[@Heather-xm9ul]

Canners add vinegar to the water here in Arizona to preserve the condition of the canner and the jars. The downside is that it increases the rate of rusting on the rings and lids. Your pump won't be happy with the sudden change of acidity, even if the results are invisible for a while. You could add very small amounts of vinegar to the water, but I'm not sure how you'd want to estimate the amount.

[@robine916]

Perhaps instead of buying 50+ feet of new tubing, measure your existing tubing then buy enough to add onto it (with an adapter) to reach the tank. Nice to see the rain!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Great idea Robin. I will have to consider that.

[@ServiceTrek]

enjoyed the video. and liked the desert flower segment. suggestion: in edit add an on screen number for the flowers; 1...2...3...etc so that when people in comments identify them it's easier to follow/remember .... maybe even a number and a color would be better; 1 red ... 2 yellow ... 3 purple ... etc. anyway, it would make it easier for me, lol.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Service Trek. Got to busy and had to put the vid up but thankfully all the plants have been I.D. by kind commenters!

[@thomasjess5986]

Love the “catheter, oops”

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

LOL.

[@dnixon205]

You could make an in ground irrigation system from your over flow to your plants and trees.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Stay tuned. Your prophetic because that is exactly what I am hoping to complete later on.

[@jimmiesmart]

I believe the purple flowers with white centers are Ivy Leafed Morning Glories.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

They are stunning and I really love them. Thanks Jimmie!

[@dantespeak138]

I visited my brother who lives in Sierra Vista last year and liked the town because it wasn't too populated but had all the major stores that you would need. Was even surprised that they had a Jersey Mikes sub shop. (I live on the Jersey Shore}.My brother shares the water and the maintenance costs of the well pump with his neighbors.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

It may not have a beautiful downtown region but I love that Sierra Vista has everything one needs.

[@bondpaz]

We got a full inch of rain last night in about an hour! It was insane. The worst storm we’ve had in a long time. Hopefully you’re doing well. 🥰

[@kurtcurtis2730]

It would be great if those of us the SW knew we could always expect the rain. Feast or famine right?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Some crazy storms this year for sure Pam!

[@johntemp1692]

Glad you moved the water out of that open trough other wise you would have a great mosquito breeding ground

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

For a bit and then it gets so dry here they dont have a chance.

[@stanpak007]

I wanted to build the water harvesting roof directly on the gentle slope. The problem I have is not so much of that slope to put the classic plastic tank to collect immediate rainfall, as the tank is just too high. But you gave me an idea to build my own open large gutter. I just would directly allow the water to go there instead of using gutters. If I used strong pump I would be able to remove that water quickly enough to larger tank. The system would work fully automatically of course and I would use transfer pump and not the one that is submersible one you used. Thank you and good luck with your projects!

[@kittykat999a]

Can you dig out some dirt and make the tank sit lower?

[@stanpak007]

@@kittykat999a Good suggestion. I was thinking of this initially. This would need to be special tank that is designated to go underground. These are 2x more expensive as the on-ground ones. And the installation cost is greater as you need to dig a hole. I was also thinking of a set of smaller barrels sitting in the ground and connected together...

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

No because this tank will be used for shrub/tree irrigation and will be gravity fed. So I cant make it lower.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

The beauty of rainwater harvesting is that one can make specifically what works for the property you have. Hope it goes well!

[@mountainloversoff-grid155]

Water,water everywhere. Don how about a small IBC tote next to the solar panels set on skids to store.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep I could do that Mountain Lovers but would have to use a pump cause the IBC is taller than my harvesting tank.

[@brianasamuels]

A simple garden hose attached to your pump should work just fine. Have you considered putting a swimming pool under the solar panel array? It should not cost very much money and it could handle a great deal of overflow. Cover it with cheap plastic to keep the Water from dissipating.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I like the idea Brian but I need to access the wiring etc under there easily.

[@baconwhiskey821]

I'm not an electrician, but it's not a good idea too reach into a bucket of water with a 120v submersible pump plugged in. Love your videos and progress!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Hmm good observation Bacon Whiskey. Thanks.

[@docholiday4843]

The flower at timestamp 8:28 is silver leaf nightshade. We have a lot of it up here in Northeast AZ.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Nice I.D. Thanks Doc!

[@johntemp1692]

You can certainly collect more water as long as your tank is lower than the gutter it would keep filling up. The inlet can be under water as long as the collector is higher

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Your so correct John. I just keep embracing the learning curve. grin.

[@StephaniRyan]

Had the same idea why not it's there.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

So fun to get about 400 gallons of free water everytime the DIY tank fills up.

[@Vytor01]

Let's all help Don get another water tank! I put up $10, who will match it and keep paying it forward?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow thanks Brian G. How thoughtful!

[@937mike]

I'll add $10

[@the300poundleprechaun9]

Nice work Don, Alway's thinking, Your little tree may just be in the wrong place. We had to move a couple of our's due to not taking in the sun/shade factor over summer/winter. But Im sure you will figure it out.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks. I'll give it a year to see how it works out. Hoping it adjusts.

[@sharynduncan5692]

cosmos, comes in various shade of pink

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Excellent Sharyn. I like that they are real hardy.

[@graemesaunderson4218]

Well Don ,i have no idea what the wild flowers are called ,i just know they look beautiful .It`s good to see that your water catchment system is overflowing with success (sorry) and that all your plant`s needs will be well catered for.As usual ,it`s always good to see your progress ,particularly when you manage to think out of the box to in order to tackle any obstacles that present themselves during your quest.Really quite inspiring. ATB plant whisperer

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Graeme. Hope your dealing okay with the atypical hot summer there. Thanks for the lovely comments.

[@graemesaunderson4218]

Loving the hot summer Don.I live in a very damp climate ,so a bit of heat is welcome for a change. ATB mate.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

@@graemesaunderson4218 As someone from Canada where its cold heat is welcome even still for me. Thanks mate!

[@FloridaJack]

Glad that you are able to collect additional water.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Me too Jack!

[@lilolmecj]

Flower number two, Coreopsis, number three is a Nightshade, probably Silver Nightshade, their berries are considered poisonous as they are a potent source of Belladona.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Carole. Before we know it it will be flower time again!

[@kipcudd7253]

In our submersible pump I pour 1 gal of bleach down my well then run my water till you don't smell the bleach at your faucets and it cleans and sanitizes all the lines in the house, hot and cold side.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Good tip Kip. Thanks!

[@brucemonteith5525]

consider making a lid for your solar water trough. It will keep the sunlight out and debris.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Been there done that.

[@robertaungpe8125]

How about sucking the hose to get the water transfer going? Keep rolling!

[@unofficialobserver]

The plants you dug up is cosmos, they like to grow in patches. The other flowers grow in Canada also, just little bit different sizes. What about have water tank behind the solar panels.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep love the cosmos. I need to access my wires etc under the panels. The tank works at this location. Thanks for watching!

[@kenkiekens7746]

the ones you transplanted are corn flowers, common in the fields of Canadian west.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks ken. Other name is Cosmos I am told.

[@kenkiekens7746]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 primrose is native there. maybe someone planted the cosmos.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

@@kenkiekens7746 I planted the cosmos. It was part of a wildflower mix and I threw away the bag but I dont think it i.d.ed the plants contained.

[@bondpaz]

Sorry Don, I don’t know the name of any of the wildflowers. I get all of the same ones though. I don’t pull the flowers I just pull the weeds. 😌💜👍 I really don’t think vinegar would hurt the pump but I’m no expert.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks Pam and some kind commenter told me all of the names of the plants how cool!

[@johnpruitt2534]

An extra 55gal barrel under the tank over flow would help with excess water.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yep. Too many things to do and purchase... !

[@937mike]

For a new water tank

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

How thoughtful! thanks 937mike!

[@jamaicaigot9335]

Can you post these videos as audio only on audea? Would really appreciate just the audio! love your stuff btw, keep pushing out amazing content!

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks so much Jam! Very encouraging.

[@mountainloversoff-grid155]

You gonna need to build bigger cages for those trees please.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

At this rate Mountain Lovers they will soon be over the cages and be trees LOL.

[@GregC1953]

Why not a good 100 foot garden hose problem solved

[@ccrbonline1752]

I have a long white water hose that is specifically for transferring water. I got it in the RV section at Walmart.

[@mushinman1]

@@ccrbonline1752 That's right, the white RV hoses are safe for water consumption, garden hoses are not safe.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Great idea. However this water primarily slotted for irrigation for trees/shrubs

[@ndlz1]

Probably you found out the name of the pink flower by now. Just in case not so, I believe it’s a Desert Globeflower.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Thanks ndlz1. I have had people tell me its a cosmos. Hmm.

[@scottwhite2109]

Sorry I meant to say tank

[@charlesurrea1451]

Too much water? Never too much water. Never enough storage.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Exactly and so true Charles.

[@dalesql2969]

too much water in the tank. Sounds like a good problem to have. While you have an abundance of water, time to do things like purge out the dirt and dust that settle in the pipelines and the bottom of the tanks. Also, instead of that easily kinked tubing, I'd go for a high quality regular water hose. Get one that's rated for potable water, as that will be made from materials that won't degrade from chlorine exposure. get a set of spare gaskets, and change them out annually.

[@dalesql2969]

Just had a thought. the garden hose, get one that is dark in color, and lay it out someplace like around the solar panel array. That can be kept full of water and be an easy source of solar heated hot water for washing up.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I have a green hose that I do just that with. Thanks.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Great suggestions dale. Thanks!

[@ndlz1]

🥰🙏👍🏻

[@captainkrunch6372]

Could you get a smaller cistern and collect the overflow water from tank into it?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Once its hooked up to irrigation I think the issue will be solved. Thanks so much Captain!

[@ILGuy2012]

Do you have a rain gauge to measure how much rain you've received? I'm curious how much rain you get a day during monsoon season. Are catalpa trees native to parts of AZ? I have a small one that started growing in my yard here in Central IL. I really don't want to deal with the seed pods, plus I already have too much shade in my yard, so I'm planning to transplant it to another spot in the country. I think they look pretty cool when they bloom.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I had a fancy electric rain guage that kept blowing over in the wind and was useless overall. I will get a simple one. Catalpa is not native to AZ at all. Way too dry for them. So for mine to do okay it will have to be watered pretty frequently I figure. I will plumb a shower to it so it gets some water in the future.

[@dafringe]

If the rainwater you collect is intended to be potable, I hope your solar panels are glass-clad, and your roofing material is properly rated.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Hi George, thanks for watching the video. Those are excellent points. For my rainwater harvesting with a roof I chose a toxic free metal so that’s taken care of. For this with the solar panels it’s never intended to be drinking water. It’s only for irrigation. Thanks so much for the great comments. Cheers.

[@dafringe]

@@affordabledesertliving3487 Ok, I figured you were on top of it, but just wanted to make sure you weren't drinking toxic water! BTW, from one senior to another, congrats on all you've accomplished out there on your own. You certainly have my respect. :)

[@joycehagins9900]

U probably can get a 50ft water hose to pump that water.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Will figure it out some how Joyce! Thanks for watching.

[@williamklein6749]

If you run out of water in a dry year do you have it delivered?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Yes William. I usually order about 2 times per year. Its $225.00 each time for 1600 gallons.

[@sevendaughs7d]

Do you have a method to prevent the solar rain trough water from evaporating?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Excellent question stv jns. Once I finish some other projects that have priority I will put a cover on the whole unit.

[@scottwhite2109]

What do you do to treat the water in your water text

[@mushinman1]

I think he filters the water used for drinking with a Berkey filter system.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Scott anything used for drinking is double filtered. A hose filter and then a Berkey filter system.

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

It's not a pump, but my sleep apnea machine is ok to be cleaned with a vinegar solution

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Good tip John. Thanks.

[@kenkiekens7746]

don't know exactly where you are in Arizona, but did you get washed away with the rains lately. have you been able to video the daily 1,000 year monsoon rains you have been having.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

I am in SE Arizona near Sierra Vista. Yep should have taken more monsoon footage.

[@Vytor01]

Put this towards the purchase of another water tank.

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Wow thanks for the thoughtful financial gift Brian!

[@RevThomasTroxell]

I just bought five acres not far from Douglas Looking for someone to help me set up my solar. Are you close to that Area?

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Congratulations Danny. No I am near Sierra Vista.