Looking after your water butt

[oldie]

I have a water but for the first time and looked into it to-day to find it nearly full, but the water looks very dirty - brownish colour. Do any of you use products to keep it clean, free of algae and not smelling?

[Two_Sheds]

Why is the water brown, is there mud getting into it?

I have goldfish in my water butts ( to eat the mozzie larvae, and coz they're nice )

[Pies]

my butt has a piece of black plastic over the top,held in place with some bungee cord.Some slits are cut in the centre.A few pebbles are placed on the top

Water still enters the butt,as no light enters algae cant grow,no debris can enter either

Simples

[zazen999]

I have a bag of manure slung into each of mine, so the water is lovely and fuggy. Good for the crops when we DO use it.

[Jeanied]

I have goldfish in my water butts ( to eat the mozzie larvae, and coz they're nice )

Tell me more TS - how big is the water butt, how many goldfish, - is there a lid on the butt or do you leave it open to let the light in- is it on the lottie or at home - do they live there all year round and do you put weed / food in for the goldfish? Just a couple of questions really!!

[Two_Sheds]

the water butts are standard size (100 litres)
There are 2 goldfish in each - I leave them open to let the light in
They used to be on the lottie, but are now at home - they live there all year round (they survived this cold winter - in deep water - without a problem, and I didn't lift the ice out every day either).
I feed them pellets April - November

[Jeanied]

Hmmm - now I'm thinking - but I reckon between the cats and the herons round here my little waterbutt stands no chance - it is a water 'copper' which catches the rain from my kitchen roof. Never mind - think again!