Thanks for sharing your experience. I work on cisterns for a living and have for several decades. A couple things to note: 1) Chlorine really is only effective on pH balanced water, between 7.2-7.8. Most of the time, cisterns that are made from concrete are going to have higher pHs, even though rainwater itself tends to be acidic. While chlorine is a good oxidizer, it is not ideal for cisterns, which is why we recommend ozone for water treatment in the cistern and UV for inside filtration 2) For those using carbon filters, beware: Carbon filters without bacteria control will actually cause bacteria to colonize inside the carbon media. To use carbon, you must also use bacteria control like UV. 3) In order to use UV, you must filter down to 5 micron level. Not all UV systems are of equal quality. We shoot for a dosage of 40 mJ/cm2 at the flow rate of the pump that supplies the house I appreciate you making this video, but chlorine alone is not safe, especially given the large amount of sedimentation inside cisterns (which, if you’ve ever cleaned a cistern, you’ll discover). Our recommendation is a good quality pre-filter, a floating intake on the pump, two to three stages of sediment reduction down to 5 micron, and UV sterilization. Chlorine tablets (NSF-rated to ensure safety for drinking water systems) are good as a maintenance dose only and should not be used as the sole means of cleaning the water, in my opinion/experience. Thanks for making the video!
Thanks for the tip, I also believe in adapting to the water I drink, too much filtration gets the body used to perfect water conditions, my mother and father drank unfiltered rain water when they were kids, so did my grandmother that died at 104 years old, I haven't put chlorine in the water for over a year now, it rains constantly here, so water cycles frequently, the concrete cistern is SHTF water, I haven't had to use that tank for 2 years, I filter my water with my Berkey filter, haven't had any issues with it.
By the way, I'm using a 12v pumping system that works with wind and solar, I designed a 12v pump with a pressure switch, I call it the mega pump, I put up a video of a small version I'm using for my chicken coop, if interested check it out, I'm also a decent plumber lol.
After huricane Maria I stop trusting the power and water company, Both these companies have crumbling infrastructure that will eventually stop working, thats when I started my plan to build my own, infrastructure I control.
I actually experimented and did not put chlorination in my water for 3 months...It got a slight fishy smell that was almost unnoticeable, but when it come to stuff like that, I would rather play it safe, my micro rain harvesting system will not see any chlorination , because it's for my experimental garden irrigation.
I just bought some 'big blue' water filters on ebay to install on our system. I bought the 24 inch ones, which I think was overkill. I got some 1 micron, 5 micron and carbon filters, so I should be good. Plus we use the pool chlorine if needed. It's unnecessary because it's good well water, but I went overboard just in case things got ugly and we had to use surface water or something. IDK. Contaminated water will take you down fast and hard.
Well water is very clean, if yo don't have sediment or cloudy water I would just use a micro mesh filter before entering your plumbing and filter what your going to consume, I find it silly filtering even water that your going to drop a loaf in lol
Thought I’d come back and watch this again. My well is down right now and I’m having to use water from the irrigation district, which comes from a huge concrete canal. So to fill my tank, I ran the water through a 10 micron filter, then a 1 micron filter, then an activated charcoal filter, then a UV sterilizer, then into the tank. So I thought I’d be good, but after about 3 days the tank started to turn green and smell. Lol. So I guess it’s chlorine for me. I’m sure the water is fine, and we’ve been drinking it, but it’s just not right. My concern is that the shock lists the hyperchlorate, but then just says “other ingredients “ . What other ingredients and do I want them in my drinking water?
Water plants add a ton of other ingredients, including fluoride that is one of the ingredients found in rat poison, your water is turning green because your using a transparent tank or a tank that's letting light in, thats why my tanks are solid black, I use water as is for everything except drinking, to drink I use a Berkey filter, in this video I explain I'm using a little extra because it's raining, shock evaporates from water and it's used in greater amounts in pools where people swim 🏊♂️ and it goes all over their bodies even in there mouth lol, used in small amounts and filtered out with a Berkey is the way to go.
@@MosaicHomestead the tank is black. I’ve used it for well water for decades without a problem. Idk. It’s weird. Everything is weird these days. I put some shock in it and we’ll see how it goes.
@@joeprimal2044 That means there is algae already in the water growing before it enters the cistern, Shock also controls algae growth, just filter water your drinking, for everything else it should be good.
Great system Luis! What is the pH of your rain water? My understanding is that rainwater usually is slightly acidic with about a 5.7 pH, but if there are (for example) soil dust particles in the air from a long drought or from agricultural activity, then the rainwater that falls in that area could have a slightly higher pH :-)
The first dirty water is collected and diverted, I don't bother checking PH because rain water is distilled naturally alkaline water, it's a lot cleaner than what I got from municipal tap water.
I put a bit more of chlorination in the 1000 gallon tank because it's been raining everyday, the more it rains the more chlorination I put in because most of it is lost though the overflow, the big tank also pumps chlorinated water to the roof tanks to control bacteria growth up there as well...After 2 years of use, I already know pretty much what works.
I agree, the tanks are black to keep algae from growing, the small amounts of shock keeps bacteria growth to a minimum without a strong chlorine smell in the water 💧
My filters are the rain head, the diverter and the micro mesh filter on the pump, that water is then treated and enters my plumbing as is. For my water consumption it goes through my Berkey filters, thats it, Rain water is distilled naturally alkalized water, it doesn't get cleaner than that, My water is cleaner than what I get from municipal tap water. On July 1st it will be 2 years on off grid water 24/7
If Huples berkey is not at least 10 years old, it's not older than both of mine lol, these filters stay looking good a long time, super high quality stainless steel, I recommend it hands down
@@HuplesCat I have never used it, it uses one full size black carbon cartridge, it looks like a miniature version of the big ones, it cost me $129 back in the day, its older than my big ones since I started with a bug out bag lol
Thanks for sharing your experience. I work on cisterns for a living and have for several decades. A couple things to note:
1) Chlorine really is only effective on pH balanced water, between 7.2-7.8. Most of the time, cisterns that are made from concrete are going to have higher pHs, even though rainwater itself tends to be acidic. While chlorine is a good oxidizer, it is not ideal for cisterns, which is why we recommend ozone for water treatment in the cistern and UV for inside filtration
2) For those using carbon filters, beware: Carbon filters without bacteria control will actually cause bacteria to colonize inside the carbon media. To use carbon, you must also use bacteria control like UV.
3) In order to use UV, you must filter down to 5 micron level. Not all UV systems are of equal quality. We shoot for a dosage of 40 mJ/cm2 at the flow rate of the pump that supplies the house
I appreciate you making this video, but chlorine alone is not safe, especially given the large amount of sedimentation inside cisterns (which, if you’ve ever cleaned a cistern, you’ll discover). Our recommendation is a good quality pre-filter, a floating intake on the pump, two to three stages of sediment reduction down to 5 micron, and UV sterilization. Chlorine tablets (NSF-rated to ensure safety for drinking water systems) are good as a maintenance dose only and should not be used as the sole means of cleaning the water, in my opinion/experience.
Thanks for making the video!
Thanks for the tip, I also believe in adapting to the water I drink, too much filtration gets the body used to perfect water conditions, my mother and father drank unfiltered rain water when they were kids, so did my grandmother that died at 104 years old, I haven't put chlorine in the water for over a year now, it rains constantly here, so water cycles frequently, the concrete cistern is SHTF water, I haven't had to use that tank for 2 years, I filter my water with my Berkey filter, haven't had any issues with it.
By the way, I'm using a 12v pumping system that works with wind and solar, I designed a 12v pump with a pressure switch, I call it the mega pump, I put up a video of a small version I'm using for my chicken coop, if interested check it out, I'm also a decent plumber lol.
Thank you for the clear and helpful video. Your power company is insane.
After huricane Maria I stop trusting the power and water company, Both these companies have crumbling infrastructure that will eventually stop working, thats when I started my plan to build my own, infrastructure I control.
@@MosaicHomestead That's the best possible way.
Haha! *shows black screen* “check it out, the street light is completely out”!
-new sub.
It gets darker than a black screen here during a power outage at night, and up in the mountains we get a few.
great system and great demonstration as always.
Pool shock works better than bleach, it doesn't looses its strength while stored.
Maybe I'm a daredevil but I'd probably only use a charcoal filter and call it a day
I actually experimented and did not put chlorination in my water for 3 months...It got a slight fishy smell that was almost unnoticeable, but when it come to stuff like that, I would rather play it safe, my micro rain harvesting system will not see any chlorination , because it's for my experimental garden irrigation.
I just bought some 'big blue' water filters on ebay to install on our system. I bought the 24 inch ones, which I think was overkill. I got some 1 micron, 5 micron and carbon filters, so I should be good. Plus we use the pool chlorine if needed.
It's unnecessary because it's good well water, but I went overboard just in case things got ugly and we had to use surface water or something. IDK. Contaminated water will take you down fast and hard.
Well water is very clean, if yo don't have sediment or cloudy water I would just use a micro mesh filter before entering your plumbing and filter what your going to consume, I find it silly filtering even water that your going to drop a loaf in lol
@@MosaicHomestead LOL
That is good to know!! Thanks!
Thought I’d come back and watch this again. My well is down right now and I’m having to use water from the irrigation district, which comes from a huge concrete canal. So to fill my tank, I ran the water through a 10 micron filter, then a 1 micron filter, then an activated charcoal filter, then a UV sterilizer, then into the tank. So I thought I’d be good, but after about 3 days the tank started to turn green and smell. Lol. So I guess it’s chlorine for me. I’m sure the water is fine, and we’ve been drinking it, but it’s just not right.
My concern is that the shock lists the hyperchlorate, but then just says “other ingredients “ . What other ingredients and do I want them in my drinking water?
Water plants add a ton of other ingredients, including fluoride that is one of the ingredients found in rat poison, your water is turning green because your using a transparent tank or a tank that's letting light in, thats why my tanks are solid black, I use water as is for everything except drinking, to drink I use a Berkey filter, in this video I explain I'm using a little extra because it's raining, shock evaporates from water and it's used in greater amounts in pools where people swim 🏊♂️ and it goes all over their bodies even in there mouth lol, used in small amounts and filtered out with a Berkey is the way to go.
@@MosaicHomestead the tank is black. I’ve used it for well water for decades without a problem. Idk. It’s weird. Everything is weird these days. I put some shock in it and we’ll see how it goes.
@@joeprimal2044 That means there is algae already in the water growing before it enters the cistern, Shock also controls algae growth, just filter water your drinking, for everything else it should be good.
Great system Luis! What is the pH of your rain water? My understanding is that rainwater usually is slightly acidic with about a 5.7 pH, but if there are (for example) soil dust particles in the air from a long drought or from agricultural activity, then the rainwater that falls in that area could have a slightly higher pH :-)
The first dirty water is collected and diverted, I don't bother checking PH because rain water is distilled naturally alkaline water, it's a lot cleaner than what I got from municipal tap water.
Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest
Could you video this during the day as I could not see anything :-)
Interest system. Simple and effective
I put a bit more of chlorination in the 1000 gallon tank because it's been raining everyday, the more it rains the more chlorination I put in because most of it is lost though the overflow, the big tank also pumps chlorinated water to the roof tanks to control bacteria growth up there as well...After 2 years of use, I already know pretty much what works.
Sensible with mosquito eggs, algae and bacteria. One needs the water to stay healthy.
I agree, the tanks are black to keep algae from growing, the small amounts of shock keeps bacteria growth to a minimum without a strong chlorine smell in the water 💧
Do you stir it? Do you still filter the water?
Never mind. Just saw the Berkey.
My filters are the rain head, the diverter and the micro mesh filter on the pump, that water is then treated and enters my plumbing as is. For my water consumption it goes through my Berkey filters, thats it, Rain water is distilled naturally alkalized water, it doesn't get cleaner than that, My water is cleaner than what I get from municipal tap water. On July 1st it will be 2 years on off grid water 24/7
The Foco street light is out? Berkeley snob because of Huples. I’m just busting your gums because I have still haven’t bought one.
If Huples berkey is not at least 10 years old, it's not older than both of mine lol, these filters stay looking good a long time, super high quality stainless steel, I recommend it hands down
@@MosaicHomestead I cannot remember when we bought it but wit was years before we moved in 2014
Steve get one urgently
@@HuplesCat Tell Steve how good they look after 10 years...they look like I bought them yesterday...I also have a travel Berkey in my bug out bag 🎒
@@MosaicHomestead Is the travel one worth it?
@@HuplesCat I have never used it, it uses one full size black carbon cartridge, it looks like a miniature version of the big ones, it cost me $129 back in the day, its older than my big ones since I started with a bug out bag lol