Rain diverter works too well

[Ninjasquirrel]

We have a rain barrel that we got for free so we wanted to be able to utilize it for our garden. We purchased a rain diverter that hooks up to the downspout to catch the rain. It works great...too great. Everytime it rains a lot the barrel overflows. We have to hook a hose up to it and let it slowly drain out...which kinda defeats the purpose. Are we doing something wrong? Any advice?

 

[PirateGirl]

I don’t think you are doing anything wrong, you just get more precipitation than your system can handle. If you want to be able to store more water for a longer time you will need a larger collection barrel.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

I don’t think you are doing anything wrong, you just get more precipitation than your system can handle. If you want to be able to store more water for a longer time you will need a larger collection barrel.

This is a 210 gallon barrel. I suppose we could get another one...but i fear thatd overflow as well

 

[Acre4Me]

This is a 210 gallon barrel. I suppose we could get another one...but i fear thatd overflow as well

1. Be more proactive about using the water.

2. Get another tank/reservoir

3. Become a preppper and install a cistern underground for major water storage

4. Create a rice paddy for fun and food

5. Get ducks, and supply them with a great water spot

6. Create a scenic "stream" where the water overflows and plant water loving plants that like their feet wet. If not always flowing water then create a beautiful "dry riverbed" for when the excess overflows and plant it up. Add a small scenic bridge..etc. Could be a garden focal point!

Good Luck!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

1. Be more proactive about using the water.

2. Get another tank/reservoir

3. Become a preppper and install a cistern underground for major water storage

4. Create a rice paddy for fun and food

5. Get ducks, and supply them with a great water spot

6. Create a scenic "stream" where the water overflows and plant water loving plants that like their feet wet. If not always flowing water then create a beautiful "dry riverbed" for when the excess overflows and plant it up. Add a small scenic bridge..etc. Could be a garden focal point!

Good Luck!

Its not about being more proactive in its use. I use it daily. We've just had a lot of rain. I would like to have a pond and raise ducks. We considered ducks before our chickens....until we found out they will never have clean water...ever. If we had a pond ducks wouldnt be an issue. But as my SO put it: "theres a lot of BS to having a pond". Not sure what it involves. Our neighbor has a pool and im sure there is similar care involved. He threatens to fill it in every year.

 

[archeryrob]

You need an overflow pipe on your rain barrel. Pipe it back into the down spout or route it way from the house foundation.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

You need an overflow pipe on your rain barrel. Pipe it back into the down spout or route it way from the house foundation.

Thank you for this!!! Just showed it to the SO. "Well why didnt I think of that" lol

 

[hubrad]

Those rainwater diverter kits, if installed correctly, just let the butt overflow back down the fall pipe; possibly yours is out of line. Adding a second butt will still allow things to overflow.
I did our house ones differently, so as to maximise water collection.. the fall pipe goes directly into the water butt, then I fitted an overflow pipe to go down the drain. Works great even in heavy rain as we often get in Northern England, east of the hills! An empty butt can fill in a couple of hours.
If we ever sell the house it's an easy repair to put it back as it was.

 

[MountainGaurdian]

I noted that you talked about how tough ponds are to deal with. I have five ponds that I don't have to do anything with here on my farm. One is full of large mouth bass and the others are full of catfish. Now granted my ponds are pretty good sized, the small ones are 40 or more feet in diameter and like 14 feet deep.

If you have room for a decent sized pond and decide to make one, just make sure it is deep enough that seems to be the biggest issue with ponds. If it is deep enough they generally stay pretty good and you don't have to care for them they just naturally do their thing. Having a good population of fish and vegetation in them helps also. Then you need ducks or geese to help keep the vegetation in check. I quite enjoy my ponds. You might do some actual study on ponds in your area, it might work better and easier than you realize.