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Pond water

theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
in Wildlife gardening
Hello, I need some help about barrel rain water in my pond please. We have had no rain for a few weeks now but the barrels are now full again. Unfortunately, the new water smells terrible . Please can you tell me if it is still safe for the creatures in the pond? If not, do I have to empty out 4 barrels and clean them? your help will be much appreciated . Thank you.
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  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    How long have you been using the barrels to collect water?
    Where is the water coming from, house roofs, sheds ?
    I would not use it for ponds with fish in. Fish are really delicate little so and so's. The slightest upset and they turn up their tails and die. Even a sudden hard bang near a pond can sometimes kill them with the shock of vibration.
  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    Hello, Thank yo so much  for your reply. The barrels have been in constant use for 3 years. The water comes from the cottage roof and drain pipes. The barrels have never actually been completely empty as we get a lot of rain in Wales!! However, after a very dry period,we have had a fair bit of rain this week. The pond is just for wildlife and we have Frogs, Toads, Newts and Dragon flies. Also, the birds use it too.
    I know we cannot use tap water. The pond is approxamitely 3 feet deep and 3 metres at its widest point. It is about half full at present. There are no fish in the pond. 
    Do you think I should empty the barrels on the garden plants and hope for more rain after I clean the barrels out?
    Many thanks. Hazel.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    I would be inclined to use the water from your barrels on plants. Give the barrels a good clean and start afresh. You can keep plants in buckets of water etc. until you are ready to replant them. If all 4 barrels are affected, I would be suspicious of the water. I have no idea why it should suddenly start smelling. A single barrel might suggest a corpse of some kind rotting but not all 4.
  • barry islandbarry island Posts: 1,847
    Could you take a bucketful and let it stand so that any sediment sinks to the bottom and then scoop the clear water from the top to use in your pond?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think you need to line the barrels. The wood doesn't perform well after long periods of time, and you'll be getting all sorts of debris coming from the roof/downpipes etc too.

    We used to have wooden water buckets for horses where I worked. Lovely, but they were scrubbed daily.   :)

    You can certainly use tap water for your pond. If you have soft water it's fine, or alternatively you can collect it in something else and leave it for a couple of days before using. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    Thank ou all, for your kind advice. The barrels are heavy duty plastic with the taps attached at the bottom,and  lids that fit on top of the bins where the drain pipes attach through the lids to fill them up. I will try all your suggestions and then give them a good clean when empty. I also have 2 large dust bins, (no lids) that fill just with the rain but they are both fine, no smell at all, so, I think the the others need cleaning. Luckilly today we have had rain again so all should be well again soon. However, I am fully aware that, with the climate changing, I have to re think and stay on top of things. I am most grateful to you all. HAPPY GARDENING! 
    Hazel .
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Apologies - I assumed you meant wood when you said barrels  :)

    It can't do any harm to give them a good clean though. Water becomes stagnant even in containers if it's there for a long time. It's also worth checking to see if anything 'live' has fallen in and died. It can happen quite easily - especially with mice. 
    It's worth putting  netting or similar over your open dustbin ones to prevent that. 

    Hopefully, a clean out will help, but let us know if there's still a problem later on  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • theconstantgardenerinwalestheconstantgardenerinwales Posts: 71
    Thank you so much for your help. I will do as you say. Hazel.
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    I personally wouldn't worry about it. In fact i can't think of anything better for a pond than rainwater (tapwater shouldn't be used). Whatever is making your barrel smelly is likely organic and comprises of the same crud that makes all ponds smelly, to some extent. 
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    I've always found that putting a silver disc in the water butt helped to keep it "fresh".  Maybe they can help in ponds too?
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