Algreen Castilla 50 Gallon Plastic Rain Water Collection Barrel Drum, Charcoal

This rain barre works perfectly well, and it looks very nice. However, a standard blue barrel costs a quarter of the price, works just as well, and you can always disguise it with lattice or fence pickets. If you need it for function, go traditional. If you need it for aesthetics, this is a perfectly fine (but expensive) option.

I purchased two of these urns and if I had more space, would add more of them, as more than 100 gallons of water flows off our roof with as little as 1/8 inch of rain. If we have a downpour, I have to leave the drain hoses extended which basically empties the barrels. So they work great when you have small showers. In subtropical areas such as the gulf coast, I would recommend attaching a longer hose to the 4 foot hose provided so you can empty out into a lawn or under a tree, when larger storms move through your area.

I love the look of this rain barrel, and it is currently functioning well with no leaks or issues. We've had it about a month. However, it did not come with any instructions, or recommendations for the best way to connect it to the gutter. We tried several different options that were hit-or-miss before settling on a pipe pouring straight into the mesh top piece. Also arrived with a dent (called customer service, they were great!) which popped out after it filled up the first time.

I first purchased in 2009 because it looked like terra cotta and is so attractive. Loved it but after 8 yrs the spigot went bad and needed to use the hose so decided to replace with the exact same rain barrel. Love the look and convenience of this rain barrel. Hope this one lasts as long as the first one or longer. Only thing I don't like is the top 1/2 has section that accumulates water so I drilled three holes for water to fall in barrel. I would prefer the entire top with removable screen (like 1/2 currently is) and able to open to clean if necessary.

It arrived with a big dent above the spigot, but it is too huge and bulky to try to return so I kept it. Living in a long term drought, I bought it to use to store water from the shower - transferring by carrying buckets to the urn and pouring through the small opening. So far I haven't filled it to the top spigot yet, but thought I could attach a hose to the bottom drain and water plants from there. No luck. The purchase kind of feels like a bust. But it migh work for what it was intended to be used for.