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Wildlife pond

lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
in Problem solving
The water in my little wildlife pond is getting low, my water butt is empty and my hose connection needs fixing. Can I top up water level with tap water in a watering can or am I best off just leaving it? 

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    We top ours up with tap water with no problems.
  • FireFire Posts: 17,349
    They say it's good to leave tap water in some kind of container for at least 24 hrs to let the chlorine off gas before putting it in the pond.
  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,101
    You can buy a de-chlorinating treatment for tap water so it is safe for ponds/wildlife/fish.
    I often top my water butts with tap water if there is no more rain forecast but I have used plain tap water as long as you don’t replace too much in one go. Tap water is not good for fish and in wildlife ponds could upset the balance, allowing pond weeds to accelerate. 
    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    edited June 2018
    I top up my pond with tap water - it has got fish and plants in it - hasn't caused me any problems in the last 20 years. Even for major water changes ie over 50% of the water (circa 600gallon pond) I use tap water also. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,917
    Check if your water provider uses chlorine or chloramine to treat your water. Chlorine will disperse after a while (I still advise using a treatment solution though), chloramine does not disperse and will do more harm to your wildlife.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • lovegardening77lovegardening77 Posts: 332
    Ok, thankyou, I will fill watering can tonight and then use it tomorrow night. I have never wished for rain before!!
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