11-04-2010, 09:09 AM
I'v seen the MQ used successfully but they do have a capacitor start that can go out, actually overheat and pop open. It isn't the best but can work fine for a long time. As for adding bleach, I lift up the edge of the cover, toss in about three gallons of water mixed with a cup or two of bleach, and then stir with a kayak paddle. The 10" filters are fine, 20 micron first from the tank for the large stuff and then 5 micron carbon to get it cleaner before the UV tretment. They won't get it all though and some also have a 1 micron filter just for drinking water. The changing schedule depends on how much water you use and how much 'stuff' lands on your roof and gets to the tank.
Check out the pamphlet Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawaii by Patricia Macomber done for the CTAHR at the University of Hawaii. She lives here in Puna. No agency will take the responsibility of really telling you what to do but she has a lot of good information so you can make your own choice. It's easy enough but you do have to maintain the system. We have been using catchment for all of our household water and so far so good. (four years now)
Jay
Check out the pamphlet Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawaii by Patricia Macomber done for the CTAHR at the University of Hawaii. She lives here in Puna. No agency will take the responsibility of really telling you what to do but she has a lot of good information so you can make your own choice. It's easy enough but you do have to maintain the system. We have been using catchment for all of our household water and so far so good. (four years now)
Jay
Jay