Spent $300 on a backyard rain barrel system, got mold instead of savings

Honestly I thought I was being smart hooking up three rain barrels to my downspouts last spring. Cost me about $300 for the barrels, screens, and a pump. By August the water was full of mosquito larvae and the barrels had this gross black slime inside. I tried cleaning them with bleach but it just came back. Ended up dumping all the water and now they sit empty. Has anyone found a rain barrel setup that actually works long term without turning into a science experiment?

2 comments

2 Comments

matthewross14d ago

Bruh I had the same issue except mine got infested with some weird orange algae that looked like slime from a sci fi movie. I just gave up and use the barrels for decoration now lol.

olivia_anderson14d ago

Oh man, sounds like you accidentally started a mosquito farm instead of saving water. I bet your yard was the most hydrated spot in the neighborhood though, just not in the way you wanted. At this point those barrels are basically fancy lawn ornaments that cost you $300 and a lot of frustration. I swear rain barrels are like the gym memberships of gardening gear - everyone thinks they'll use them but they just end up collecting dust and regret.