Water Butts

[Maydup]

I have three water butts, one in full sun, one in semi shade and one in full shade, in case the position makes a difference.

The one in full shade attached to the down pipe on the north facing wall was very smelly, so I emptied it out, hosed it down and left it to air all through the winter. I re attched it to the connector in the spring and it filled up again. I am just startung to use it now on my vegetable garden only to find the water to be frothy and pretty foul smelling. The other two are fine, what can be wrong?

[Buenchico]

You probably needed a bit more than just a wash with water to get the butt really clean. Scroll down to 'Water tanks or water butts' here to see how it should be done:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=731

[tamborine]

If the water is static its ideal for algae growth and mosquito breeding. Either cover the water or add cooking oil to cover surface water to deter mozzies.

[Maydup]

Thank you both, I did scrub it well and it is covered with a proper well fitted lid. It has only had water in it a couple of months now, and from the same roof as the other one. I suppose I should find a way to check the downpipe and make sure its not got debris stuck down it? Although it does have a filter grate in the gutter.

[RobNorth]

Are you sure its only rainwater in the down pipe? I have seen bath and sink wastes attached to them or discharging into gutters...

[Maydup]

Just rainwater Rob, and from the same roof as the other butt. Its a large outbuilding to which we fitted a butt each end taking in water from the two downpipes.

[woofgang]

yes, it sounds like its filtering the water through something nasty before it reaches the butt. Either that or there is something in a nook or cranny somewhere in the bin....maybe around the tap? but yes I'd be checking the downpipe and also the gutter even though its grated

[Chipchopper]

Any overhanging trees involved ?.

You could try something like 'HOZELOCK WATER BUTT TREATMENT' or similar products.

[rowanwitch]

Try putting some aquarium filter wool up the pipe securing it with some mesh and an elastic band. Change it the day after any heavy rain.

[melv16]

I throw a handful of lime in my allotment water butts. It keeps the water clear and free from mozzies.

[rowanwitch]

If it's just a mozzie problem anything that breaks the surface tension is ok,, washing up liquid is ok. But I used to keep fishing the larvae out with a fine mesh net and putting them in my goldfish pond.