Not so crazy - farmers have been putting goldfish in the watering troughs for years - also keeps down the algae cause the fish have to eat something! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Just returned from living in Australia for 4 years, water catchment systems where everywhere and we plan on installing similar systems as we develop our property in Central Western Oregon. I did get a couple devices that allow for diversion of the initial portion of roof run off, 20 to 100 liters (4-25gallons appx) before allowing it to go into the collection tank. The link is listed below, they have adapters for US pipe sizes and ship here (disclaimer have not used the devices yet nor do I own or have financial interest in this company)... There is another site in Portland that has used this device and is listed below also.
[img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] Don't forget to harness the condensate water off the air conditioning coils. We get about fifteen gallons per day in summer, and it's good water for the kitties and the doggy and the critters at night, and the birdies. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] A guy once told me that CRUISE SHIPS use condensate water for general fresh water use aboard ship. [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]
When we were on St Thomas for vacation a couple years ago, the house we stayed at had the cistern. There are no rivers or streams there. Either you catch rain water, or you but water and have it trucked in by tanker.