Water Butt

[David90]

I've recently set up a water butt and have been looking at these water butt treatment products which keep the water clean, free from algae etc. Does anyone know the ingredient of these products? I'm wondering if its a simple chemical that can be bought quite cheaply which has been dressed up with a fancy brand name so they can sell it at an inflated price ? Thanks to anyone who can answer this question.

[woofgang]

is your water butt closed? If the only way for water to get in is through the pipe from the gutter, and the only way for it to get out is through the tap then algae shouldn't grow. Yes you will get bugs in from the gutter water but they shouldn't cause any problems. I gave got 6 closed water butts. I wouldn't drink the water but it always smells fesh and looks clear without treatment.

[bhg481]

The only problem we ever have with our water butts is larvae from some flying mosquito-type insect. I just squeeze some washing-up liquid in and the problem goes away.

[diddlydo]

Definitely no need to put any nasty chemicals into a water butt.

[melv16]

I put a handful of lime in my butts Ont allotment.

[tamborine]

A drop of cooking oil on surface water stops breeding & drowns bugs.