Large fountain problems....?
Question:Recently my wife got me a VERY large (oversized) three tier fountain - it is beautiful but where I have placed it there is no electricity so right now it's used as a large bird bath. The birds seem to love it and it looks great in the landscape. However, the bottom dish is so large that in between adding water, it turns green and slimy.
I do not have the time to take all the water out each time, scrub it and then replace the water.
I was wondering if adding a little bleach would help the green water issue but was not sure how it would effect the birds that frequent the 'spa' area of the back yard.
I don't want clean or clean(ish) water with no birds but the birds don't come after it gets nasty.
Any suggestions?
Answers:
try a little bit of chlorine . add a little at a time until your formula keeps the water clear. i think that is better for the birds than bleach
Don't use bleach! It will harm the birds. Green slime grows where there is sunshine. So you can always move it to a shady spot. Or just take your garden hose and 'pressure wash' it when it starts to get dirty forcing the water out with the hose and refilling it. Can you get a long outdoor extension cord?
you could add clorine or bleach but most likely it will 1) ruin your fountain. 2) kill the birds. 3) evaporate and you'd still have a green slimey mess in a few days. Just like a pool needs constant care with its clorine levels so would your bird bath. You should try talking to someone at Lowe's or another home and garden center/person. They may have a good idea to help you find a solution without damaging your fountain or killing off the wildlife!
you could try watter lillies (or there is another type of water plant but i forget the name) plants keep the water from getting green but then it is more like a little pond instead of a fountain...and also the plants will reproduce and you will have to take some out sometimes...but it is a natural solution
This situation will continue for as long as you delay in getting a receptacle installed to power the fountain. Contact an electrician and request a price for installing an outside receptacle with type "UF" wiring. It's not super expensive, around here it would cost around $75. And no, don't chlorinate the water...
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