Rain barrel upkeep

I don't know if this is the right forum, but here goes. LIve in West Central Texas and just recently installed 3 rain barrels. One was bought, the other 2 my huband made. In one the water has gotten really smelly. I know that during thunderstorms debris has gotten washed into it. Should I be concerned? We had a new roof put on last fall and I don't know if residue washed off it into the barrel or if its all from leaves and such. When we got our first good rain, I was using water from it a lot with no problems. I first noticed the smell when the water got low in that barrel. Then we had a big thunderstorm and it not only filled tha barrel, but it overflowed and the smell went away for a bit. But now its back. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

If leaves and other things that can rot are getting into it, that's probably where the smell is coming from (I doubt if it's the stuff from the roof--that would be pretty inert and shouldn't be rotting and causing a smell). I'd get a pool skimmer or something along those lines and see if you can fish out the leaves. Or else put up with the smell until the barrel's empty, then give it a good cleaning. I'd also look at how the leaves are getting into the barrel and install a new cover or screen or something to keep that from happening.

I agree with Ecrane, the smell is caused by plant debris like leaves, or other vegetation, also you have to make sure you have a cover that is blocking out any light etc, this light will help any alga to grow and causes the smell too.

The only thing I would worry about while using this smelly water is never use it on seeds or new plants as it may spread fungus / disease and kill them.
I would use up this water first and empty out the butt, give it a good Clean and sterilize it,
One of my friends who has a small pond uses a bunch of straw to keep her pond clear, maybe it would help you.

I have the same problem as you as far as vegetation entering the rain butt, however, what helped out was when I placed a filter onto the TOP of the down pipe, this was simply the foot of a pair of ladies tights, get a piece of wire, stretch the Bum part of the tights over the wire the same diameter as the pipe, stick it firmly into the top of the down pipe to catch / filter any vegetation from entering the water but, you have to remember to clear this new filter out often, I know you can buy a plastic filter for this purpose and to stop pipes being blocked by vegetation, you ask at the builders area of the DIY store. I don't live need one of those stores so compromise helps.
Goos Luck. WeeNel.

Hi rampbrat -
I just came across this thread. Most of the rain barrels I've seen around here have a screen in the top of the lid covering the opening. The screen is just window screen material that you can buy at any hardware or home improvement store.

The next two pics are of a new rain barrel we purchased from a local nature center & haven't put out yet, but there are also other ways of doing the screen. Many of the ones I've seen have a square wooden (or other material) frame screwed on with the screen underneath.

The cost of this one was pretty reasonable & they have them in use all around the nature center, but most likely my husband will make any future ones if we can get the barrels at a good price.

By-the-way, I don't know if you have a mosquito problem where you live, but the screen also keeps mosquitos from laying eggs in the water.

And a closer view:

You'll notice on this one the actual hole is pretty small, but I've seen them all different sizes. The most important part is that the hole be covered with the screen.

Well I'd empty it all the way to make sure you don't have an invader in the bottom! I had one that also started to smell. I had left the screen off for a few days during hot weather and a squirrel decided he needed a drink. They are not very good swimmers apparently! Even when leaves and such get into mine it doesn't smell bad for a long time.

Doug

Thanks for all the advice. We're in the middle of a drought so I have this barrel almost empty. I've been using it on established plants that are heavily mulched and it hasn't caused any problems so far. We'l definatly be putting more secure sreens on it.

I was searching for a specific rainbarrel thread and came across this one. I keep plain old barrels to catch rainwater for my plants. I use fiberglas screening material on the tops to prevent trash or critters from getting into the barrels.

I did learn something from a friend this spring however. He lives off the grid and uses his rainbarrels for household washing. He said the first water in the springtime turns funky from the pollens that are washed into it. He always dumps that water and waits for fresh. I have noticed that smell but never associated it with pollen. Mine did the same this spring and subsequent fresh rains smelled fine. Perhaps that was what you had going on here.

Thanks podster. I'll keep that in mind next spring. hopefully we'll have rain.

Amen to the hopeful rain.

Yesterday, my husband snagged three sealed containers with a volume of 250 gallons each.
Now to get them in place and do a rain dance to go with the prayers for rain.

Rampbrat, there is also a product called Mosquito dunks. It is a "tablet" made from BtI...a product devised to kill mosquito larvae. It is not toxic to plants, fish or humans and works very well. Here are a couple links with info

http://www.btimosquitodunks.com/mosquito_dunks.html

http://www.ghorganics.com/MosquitoDunks.html

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef005.asp

Thanks, guys. We actually got enough rain recently, to fill my rainbarrels.