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Hey everyone, I'm about to dive into building my own rainwater harvesting system and wanted to get some thoughts from the community before I start ordering parts. My plan is relatively simple: diverting rainwater from my garage roof into a 275-gallon IBC tote.I'm thinking of using a standard gutter mesh to filter out larger debris and then a first-flush diverter to get rid of the initial runoff.
I'm primarily going to use the collected water for watering my garden and maybe washing my car. I'm not planning on making it potable. My main concerns are about water quality over time and the best way to keep algae and mosquito larvae at bay. I've read about using mosquito dunks and covering the tank, but I’m curious about other methods.
Also, for those who have done this before, what are some common pitfalls to avoid? Any advice on choosing the right pump for my needs (garden, car washing) without breaking the bank? Any input would be greatly appreciated!