[loubylou29]

I have read before when this was discussed, but no-one had tried it...
I have a water butt in the garden, I ahve heard it said that Bob Flowerdew says keeping a goldfish or 2 in the butt is a good idea, has anyone done this? it is meant to keep it clean, lid off obviously, but do you still feed the fish? any ideas?? I like the idea of having a fish or two in there, but not if it involves alot of work, or is unkind to the fish in any way! I figured they'd have loads of swimming water when it has rained and I would be very careful to ensure there is always 1/4 full.

What do you think?
I want to know if anyone has actually done it with sucsess!!

[Aunt Sally]

I keep my water butts covered with a lid and they keep perfectly clean.  I presume it is to eat and insect larvae in the butt.  Which you don't get if you have a lid.

If you want fish in it you must ensure the conditions are right for them :

The butt must be sited in the shade to keep the water temperature down on hot days.  

You must make sure any ice formed on the surface in the winter is opened up to allow oxygen in

The top must be covered with a mesh to prevent things falling in, like leaves

You must maintain a good level of water in the butt, the fish wont like it if you have used all the water on your veg.

You could add oxygenating weed (elodea is good)

That's just a few ideas off the top of my head

[loubylou29]

Thanks Aunty, yes I would have to remove an already fitting lid, so I don't think I'll bother, thanks for the advice.


L.x

[richyrich7]

If your worried about insects living in it just put a few drops of cooking oil in. It will spread out over the surface and suffocate any mosquito, midge larvae etc also see
Henrys handy hint number 2.

[flowerlady]

loubylou I have also seen goldfish in a tank in a field ... the one used by cows for water  :shock:  

... clearly the farmer did not feed them  :roll: , the tank was 4 ft across mind you so assume there was enough in there for them to live on!!

Totally agree with AuntSally's comments   ... floating plants also provide shade