Pond level dropping.....
BenDover
Posts: 480
My relatively small pond has dropped about 2 inches. With no water left in the water butts and no prospect of rain very soon, thinking of topping up from the mains supply, but letting the water stand for a couple of days in the water butts with the lids off to let the chlorine evaporate. Any flaws to my idea? I assume couple of days will be long enough. I appreciate their may be nitrates I the water, but don't want water to drop even more as it will impact on the wild life in a garden who use it for drinking, washing and living!
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I think I'd do as you suggest Tim - but remember, the larger the surface area of the water the better the chlorine will evaporate, so if you've got several shallow containers to stand the water in for a while that would be better - good luck
People who keep koi carp use water treatments for removing chlorine and other stuff from the tap water, but I've no idea how the treatment affects the myriad little creatures that live in a wildlife pond.
Thanks Dove. Ive read that if I can aireate the water that helps the chlorine dissipate. I've got the idea of lying on my back, mouth over the water butt tap and blowing as hard as I can. What are my chances?
My little pond is 2m x 1m and 18ins deep. I top it up with tap water. A pond can lose up to 10cm a week in hot weather. Of course leaving it in containers a couple of days would be better, if you can cope with it.
Suggest filling the water butt using a spray attachment on the hose. This will take longer to fill it but it'll provide the best possible aeration and should allow a lot of the chlorine to disperse.
At a previous house I used to attach the spray head to the hose and fix it onto the garden fork which was stuck in the ground beside the pond so that it was like a little fountain. I expect the quality of the water makes a big difference as well though. Our water is much softer generally.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Tim, this is one subject I feel very confident advising on.
FG is right. There is no harm in topping up your pond with tap water. Use the sprayer as suggested so it is like rain water. This was what was advised by those in the know when I had to do urgent water changes about 4 years ago and which I have done ever since, when necessary. Believe me, I have had a lot of experience with a blooming pond over the past 6 years which, until recently was full of Koi. 
The advice I was given, by the way, iwas remove a third, fill with tap water and then do the same every other day.
Topped up pond this evening from water butt, using tap water that I filled the butt using a garden sprinkler spray. I found water butt pump and pumped the water into the pond, again using the shower spray, so it has been thru' sprayer twice. Result was almost instant. Could have sworn I saw a frog doing loop de loops in the topped up pond. Several frogs seen heading towards the waters edge. Pond now brimming! Thanks for help guys.
I've done it the easy way. Hose on spray, hooked through fork - Bingo. Job done.
All comments very helpful. I am new to pond life, so I will fill my water butt today and transfer to pond tomorrow. Is this long enough? There are hundreds of froglets in my pond will they be ok?
Hi Broggers- it should be fine. If you can use a spray head as suggested here already you'll get good aeration which is the key. I just used it straight from the tap through the spray headon hose but I'm in Scotland and our water is quite kind compared to some areas which may help. Hope you're getting great enjoyment from your pond - lots of froglets is a good sign anyway
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...