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Rain Barrel

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Jennykenny | 03:51 Thu 21st Jul 2016 | Home & Garden
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Have had a rain barrel installed in the garden connected to a downpipe from the roof. It is great. Wish I had done it years ago, but if I don't use the water quickly enough it gets a bit smelly.
Heard that if you put charcoal in it, that works?
Any other suggestions.
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Really shouldn't get stinky quickly. We have nearly 42000 litres of rain water tanks here to supply our house with water as the town supply is terrible. Ensure there is a filter on the inlet and overflow and no light can enter. Algae cannot grow without light. A first flush system is also useful. the first flow of water from the roof is diverted away from your...
05:11 Thu 21st Jul 2016
The RHS suggests the use of potassium permanganate crystals to reduce the build-up of algae:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=731
Really shouldn't get stinky quickly. We have nearly 42000 litres of rain water tanks here to supply our house with water as the town supply is terrible. Ensure there is a filter on the inlet and overflow and no light can enter. Algae cannot grow without light. A first flush system is also useful. the first flow of water from the roof is diverted away from your tank, about 10-15 litres, this reduces the amount of dust, leaves and what ever else lands on your roof and guttering ending up in your tank.
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Thanks Ozzy. Had been leaving the lid off so that when it rained it would catch extra water (duh!). So won't do that again.
And Chris thanks for your advice.

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