Originally Posted by Rodney Pont[_7_]

On Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:52:12 +0000, misswaterlily wrote:


hi i need some advice about this please, i have bought a 1/2 whisky
barrel to replace the plastic pond i had. its 24" deep by 36" diameter.
i filled it with the original water from pond and put lilies in it plus
some pond weed and then topped it up with tap water which i then added
de chlorinator. it has now developed a milky colour and bad smell also
flies on the top. it has a lot of what look like tiny tadpoles but are
not, in the water which i have in abundance. also looks like a oil slick
on the top which i think is pollen. i guess in my haste i should have
washed the barrel out, but i didnt. it isnt lined as no fish will be
added. the water lily has bloomed twice but the leaves are not looking
too good. as you can tell no doubt, i am a complete novice. i have no
splashing water on the lilies but put a pump on the bottom to give some
circulation. i also have no filter except what is in the water pump.
please help as i dont want to lose my lilies or plants. would greatly
appreciate any help in this matter. i have very little money, as a
pensioner, but if there is any simple way to cure this problem ???
please help, thanks chrissy

I suspect it needs cleaning out. I'd just keep changing the water until
it stays good. Maybe change it everyday for a week say and then start
to leave it a bit longer. It could take quite a few changes to get rid
of all of the stuff in the wood. Since it won't have fish you don't
need to use dechlorinator, especially while rinsing it out. Once it's
clean using dechlorinator will allow bacteria to grow on the sides and
that will help keep it clean.

Lilly leaves do die off and rot at an alarming rate. They leave an oily
scum on the surface so should be removed when they do start to die. You
probably know that from your pond though.

--
Regards - Rodney Pont
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