D Nikolls wrote:I really hate those ball style first flush diverters.
The idea is neat, but you need a sizable first flush reservoir for it to be a meaningful amount on even a medium sized roof. Worse, in my experience the little drain thingie at the bottom clogs up despite having a nice fine screen at the entrance point.. then it stays full and no diversion happens until you clean it out. Then it clogs again.. rinse and repeat..
Then things freeze and the damn thing explodes. Then no rainwater collection happens.
Then you say a lot of VERY rude words, startling the cat and annoying your wife, and buy a different system. In my case a Graf Optimax Pro, there's also the Wisy Vortex, among other options. Both are STUPID, like surely you are joking, expensive. I found a deal on Ebay or would have tried DIYing with these 2 as inspiration.
That's as far as I've gotten, can't report on how well the Graf works as it's not installed yet.
Phil Stevens wrote:I'd put the ball design in the category of "cost effective, works great if you make it a monthly or quarterly habit to check the drain and blow it out if it's got schmutz in it" and also add the caveat that one reason they're popular here is the mild climate. In most of the North Island it just doesn't get cold enough to freeze one of these things...and if it's full of water on a night that is that cold, the rain stopped a long time ago and you should have checked the drain. Another motivating factor for keeping on top of this is that a blocked drain means it's not diverting and you're getting bird poop, pollen, and who knows what in your tanks.
Rainwater harvesting is not a set and forget system, in my experience. Gutters need to be cleared, screens washed, valves inspected, and tanks vacuumed out from time to time. If you're used to outsourcing all the operational overhead to the municipal water works, then providing your own supply requires a shift in mindset and a reasonable maintenance schedule.
Rad Anthony wrote:That's what the ball is for,
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8tUXD5IfQ14
Rad Anthony wrote:Yea have at it. You should be fine. Build redundancy in your lines so that you could always divert or bypass tanks for cleaning servicing. The first initial wash of the rain is the worst quality, then it gets better until it stops raining lol.
Gravity is your friend here. Store first then purify. If you're able to, create a pond for extra reserve and to help the ecosystem. Liners are really popular and cheap nowadays. They have calculators to scale your system tanks and pipes. Aim for flow vs pressure, let the pumps or air tank guide you for pressure.
Brad lancaster has good info to your approach. Use the orientation of the sun and your home to your advantage for freezing pipes etc. build a compost pile around even lol, run hot water lines, get creative bud. Have fun with it, but keep timelessness and practicality in mind with your creations and you will be fine. Best of luck.