Water query...

[chris]

Not sure where to post this really.

I've just taken over an allotment, and I've probably about 5/6 blue conatiners that are full of water (well, minus one as I tipped one over as a make shift bin to use).

I felt guilty wasting all that water, but recently have been thinking.. what was in the containers before? I can't see any markings ont hem - but there' a few of them on diff plots. Pic here incase you dunno what I'm on about: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...hoto%202-3.JPG

Anyway, regardless of what was in them before, they seem to be well used as said above.. would you keep the water in, or empty it out and then wait for it to refill? There's a green tinge to the water, so presume it's algae in it - I've a shed to collect water off, and it seems before 3 containers were linked (only 2 now) to syphon off the excess.

Next up, how do you lot get water out of these containers if you use them? Is it worth investing in one of those water butt pumps? There's no taps on them, and without emptying all the water out I can't put one on as I'll need to seal it I guess?

Thanks!

[VirginVegGrower]

Not sure where to post this really.

I've just taken over an allotment, and I've probably about 5/6 blue conatiners that are full of water (well, minus one as I tipped one over as a make shift bin to use).

I felt guilty wasting all that water, but recently have been thinking.. what was in the containers before? I can't see any markings ont hem - but there' a few of them on diff plots. Pic here incase you dunno what I'm on about: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_F...hoto%202-3.JPG

Anyway, regardless of what was in them before, they seem to be well used as said above.. would you keep the water in, or empty it out and then wait for it to refill? There's a green tinge to the water, so presume it's algae in it - I've a shed to collect water off, and it seems before 3 containers were linked (only 2 now) to syphon off the excess.

Next up, how do you lot get water out of these containers if you use them? Is it worth investing in one of those water butt pumps? There's no taps on them, and without emptying all the water out I can't put one on as I'll need to seal it I guess?

Thanks!

I tend to dunk my watering can into the water butt rather than use the tap or a pump.

Congratulations on getting a lottie.

[chris]

I thought about doing that, but when the water level in them is low I won't be able to do that

Don't fancy sucking a pipe as knowing my luck i'll get a mouthful of stagnent water

[Bren In Pots]

Chris I've seen hand syphons different types from around £4 to £20. would those work.

[mrpaulbradley]

I've a friend who uses these as compost bins. Bit of a pain to turn the compost over tho I reckon (I suspect he doesn't even bother!) really useful to have the water though. Rainwater is best when you can get it. Good luck with the new allotment. Happy days ahead :-D

[oldie]

These bins have usually had food quality goods in them which is why you will see loads of them on lotties. They are as safe as anything made out of plastic. I put a tap in one when it was empty but my neighbour has one of the hand syphons Bren mentioned and it seems to work O.K. £5 on e-bay.

[VirginVegGrower]

I thought about doing that, but when the water level in them is low I won't be able to do that

Don't fancy sucking a pipe as knowing my luck i'll get a mouthful of stagnent water

Where I am they tend to get refilled often - South Wales may fall into that category too. Those bins are widely used on our site. You can get a treatment that helps with algae in water butts. I scrubbed mine out with a stiff brush and good old ***** Fluid. Left to dry it's now clean and pong free.

[chris]

Where I am they tend to get refilled often - South Wales may fall into that category too. Those bins are widely used on our site. You can get a treatment that helps with algae in water butts. I scrubbed mine out with a stiff brush and good old ***** Fluid. Left to dry it's now clean and pong free.

Indeed, but last summer there was a few days rain around me and that was it! One extreme to the other heh.

I'll grab a hand syphon thanksall!