Waterbutt

I had to reposition my water butt, which was to heavy to move, so I half emptied it.
On doing so, I noticed a strong fishy smell coming from it.
In the bottom is a thin layer of sediment, which collects from the down pipe of the house.
I haven't had it very long, what is causing the smell and why fishy?

 

Fonzie, simular problem, i had to stop using mine, it was at the end of my garden where there are 2 huge pine trees, the needles were falling into the gutter and collecting in the butt, after only a few days the acid smell was rotten. Tried netting the gutter, but still did'nt stop the smell.

 

Thanks keving. I'm lucky that I have no trees near enough to have debis falling from them to contaminate the guttering.
I used to have that problem from an ash tree pre waterbutt, but the tree was removed because it was dying.
The rubbish that gets into the butt is small particals of airbourne dust and dirt that collects in the gutter over a period of time and washes down.
I suppose I'll have to clean the butt out periodically.

 

Do you have a filter on the downpipe Fonzie?
Not sure what size matter they keep out, or exactly how it all works, as I don't have one myself - but it's always seemed like quite a good idea...

 

No I haven't Claire.
Is this a special filter for butts?
Can you get them in garden centres?
I'll certainly get one if they do the job.

 

not sure if you can get them separately, i've only seen them as part of those kits you can get to create a take off from the down-pipe...
But I guess you could do a DIY bodge - I seem to remember reading of someone doing this with an old pair of tights?

 

Maybe a filter for a pond-pump could be cut to size?

 

Claire,

Took the words out of my mouth. Tights/stockings act as perfect filters. Cheap, disposable and keep pretty much everything out of the water butt.

TO

 

Errr... except the water, i suppose, T&O? :D

I'm glad that wasn't just a product of my fevered imagination. I have just started writing up my PhD and thesis madness is setting in...

 

Drop a bag of charcoal in, you will not stop some sediment getting in if you ever have a filter small enough to keep it out you will be forever unblocking it.

 

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try the charcoal.