I know what you're thinking. All you wanted was a rain barrel and now look at all the
decisions you're faced with.
So here is a list of questions that will help you determine what parts you might need
to complete your rain barrel project. If you're still unsure, just send us a couple of
photos and we'll help you figure it out.
Are you just looking for a set of DIY instructions to build a rain
barrel from? Go here.
If you already have a plastic barrel and just need a kit with the
parts to convert it. Go here.
Do you want a large capacity 214 gallon unit that has a pump ( for
delivering water under pressure )? Go
here.
Are you in an area where the water would freeze? The 80 gallon rain
barrel has a by-pass diverter built into it. (Diverters are useful
where there is a chance of the rain water freezing. You will want
an easy method of diverting the water away from the rain barrel during
those cold months.) Go
here.
Need something that hugs the wall? The 20" x 24" RainBox has straight
sides so it fits closer to the wall. It has a debris filter built
into the top of it. Go here.
Looking for a basic 55 gallon rain barrel? This kit includes the
fittings and the barrel. Go
here.
The bottom of that webpage will have Special Savings Groupings!
Why do I need a downspout diverter?
Because a rain barrel should not collect rain water during freezing conditions.
ONLY the 80 gallon unit has a downspout diverter built into it.
Why do I need a downspout filter?
IF you do not have a gutter cover to reduce the amount of particulate
matter coming down the downspout, you should have some type of pre-filter
unit. Only the 75 gallon unit has a debris filter built
into it.
How do I get from the downspout to the top of the rain barrel? Most
folks are looking for an easy way to jump from the downspout to
the top of a rain barrel. Use this flexible
pipe.
What should I use for the overflow pipe on the 55 and 80 gallon rain
barrels? The 4 inch plastic pipe that fits the 55 and 80 gallon
overflow ports I found at the hardware store is to rigid.
Is there something better? Yes,
you want this.
I am having trouble figuring out how much water is in my rain barrel.
Do you have someway for me to know how much water is in there without
me going outside to check? Yes, go here.
I want to bury the 4 inch landscape pipe. But what about erosion?
The solution to capping off the buried landscape pipe is here.
Do you have a large cistern and want to divert the first flush
of rain water from the roof? Check out this Australian made product
here.
