Rain water in the water butt

My garden pond was enlarged this year and is entirely full of rainwater from the butt, and perhapes it is because I have been paying more attention to it than previously but I have noticed that the water is full of "life" and stinks. Is this normal ? should I worry ? can I do anything about it?

 

Sorry I should have said it's the water in the butt that stinks, I haven't noticed any remarkable smells from the pond itself

 

Water with no movement will smell as the organism and enzymes break down any organic matter that comes down with the rain thats in your butt(so to speak). My resevoir supplied water feature smells the first time I use it after a period of non use for the same reason.

 

Also the water butt will warm up being plastic and fuel the breakdown and wiff!

 

Also worth checking your butt for dead birds and such in case this is the cause.

 

A close fitting lid will stop larger creatures from getting in and drowning. I have one for which I have lost the lid, it accumulated mosquito larvae like mad and grew green mats. Having rescued numerous bees and a frantic frog from it I now keep it covered with black weed suppressant, which has improved things.

[ 20. June 2006, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: Liz ]

 

I don't like using chemicals anymore than necessary, but I have often thought of using Jeyes Fluid to their recommendations, to get rid of the smell, what do others do about this?

I have a separate very large tank for topping up the pond which I wouldn't add anything to of course.

Got a point there BM, now that I am regularly dipping the can into the butt (as opposed to using the tap), the smell seems to have diminished so perhaps during periods of non-use, give it a stir every few days?...errr the water butt that is! :D

 

Thanks for all the suggestions, the butt hasn't got a lid but it it's too high from the ground for anything other than birds to get in. Fortunately they haven't so far. The butt collects water from a roof that's directly under an oak tree, so there is always plenty of vegetation in it. I think the "keep it moving " idea is best, so I will skim it regularly and put the wet stuff on the compost.

 

I recon putting some oxygenating plants weighted at the bottom would improve things too, obviously need to keep 6 inches at the bottom at all times though, and no lid because of the light. Lids are a good idea from the point of view of dead insects and that, which are attracted to the water, but will raise temperatures and if not tight fitting will have a composting effect.

 

Thats your answer Boveytracey, vegetation. My water feature smell is sorbus leaves.

 

hi folks the heavens have opened in Leicester today the GODS are angry they have sent thunder and lightening.fancy :(

 

Might be worth trying popping a few lumps of charcoal into the water butt. Seems to work for us.

 

Good thinking Dave W, just like my giant fish tank bucket filters!

 

We throw a few chunks in and they sink and also stuff some into Mrs D's old tights which are anchored to the top of the butt.

Despite my protestations about wasting good money she refuses to wear them again!

 

Do you buy BBQ charcoal or just bonfire variety? Sounds an excellent idea. I am plagued by insect bites and so I put a few drops of paraffin on the top of the water to stop the hanging larvae.