Gardening and Horticulture - HowieK about rain barrells
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jlob66
03-22-02, 08:32 PM
Thank you for the site; I haven't visited it yet.
I've been thinking about the barrells, and want to try two approaches
1. Some kind of simple sand filter over the tops of the barrells; the sand should allow the rain through, but keep out (or even keep in) the mosquitoes. Then I can add my dish rinse water to the rain barrell.
2. I'd like a wind-turbine/pump that would pump air through the water; we get a surprising level of wind here even in the dead of summer, I suspect because we are close to a river. My spouse thinks I am crazy.
I've been thinking about the barrells, and want to try two approaches
1. Some kind of simple sand filter over the tops of the barrells; the sand should allow the rain through, but keep out (or even keep in) the mosquitoes. Then I can add my dish rinse water to the rain barrell.
2. I'd like a wind-turbine/pump that would pump air through the water; we get a surprising level of wind here even in the dead of summer, I suspect because we are close to a river. My spouse thinks I am crazy.
howiek
03-22-02, 11:15 PM
Hi jlob66
Interesting ideas :)
I wonder, if you were to use gravel instead of sand, would you be able to suspend it over the water with a screen, sieve or even a collander? The gravel wouldn't be as likely to be displaced by rapid collection of water during peaks in rainfall like sand might, and the coarser particle size would allow water to pass more quickly while still maintaining a barrier to those pesky little critters if the layer is thick enough. Adding dish rinse water to the mix will probably also help deter the mosquitos. (Just watch how much grease gets into the system)
Creating moving water with a turbine/pump is a very interesting idea - you'll have to report back how effective it is for mosquito control if you get it up and running. I'd just be careful about how much dishwater you put in if you try this system - you might end up with a bubble generator if there's enough soap in the mix :rolleyes:
When I get around to re-assembling my barrel system, I will post pics on Sierra - it almost looked like spring was here (....errr... it IS, officially - now if the weatherman would just co-operate). We got really nice, mild temps until March 21st, then the North winds picked up, temps dropped to -8C/18F and we got some more (well, a smattering) snow... Maybe next week (I hope)
Will post on this thread when I get my barrels back up.
Keep us posted on your progress :cool:
Howie :)
This sentence is for my own reference - original thread is Bomber's Garden Plans 02/28/02
Interesting ideas :)
I wonder, if you were to use gravel instead of sand, would you be able to suspend it over the water with a screen, sieve or even a collander? The gravel wouldn't be as likely to be displaced by rapid collection of water during peaks in rainfall like sand might, and the coarser particle size would allow water to pass more quickly while still maintaining a barrier to those pesky little critters if the layer is thick enough. Adding dish rinse water to the mix will probably also help deter the mosquitos. (Just watch how much grease gets into the system)
Creating moving water with a turbine/pump is a very interesting idea - you'll have to report back how effective it is for mosquito control if you get it up and running. I'd just be careful about how much dishwater you put in if you try this system - you might end up with a bubble generator if there's enough soap in the mix :rolleyes:
When I get around to re-assembling my barrel system, I will post pics on Sierra - it almost looked like spring was here (....errr... it IS, officially - now if the weatherman would just co-operate). We got really nice, mild temps until March 21st, then the North winds picked up, temps dropped to -8C/18F and we got some more (well, a smattering) snow... Maybe next week (I hope)
Will post on this thread when I get my barrels back up.
Keep us posted on your progress :cool:
Howie :)
This sentence is for my own reference - original thread is Bomber's Garden Plans 02/28/02