How can I stop my pond smelling?
A garden pond is smelling strongly of rotten eggs, but chartered surveyor John Conlin has a natural solution.
Discover how a barbeque essential could fix unpleasant smells from your pond.
Question
We have a natural pond in our garden that smells strongly of rotten eggs.
The local aquatic centre suggested installing a pump and filter system for about £450.
Is there a less costly solution?
Pond care, cleaning and maintenance in the summer.
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Answer
The smell is almost certainly hydrogen sulphide gas, produced during the decomposition of dead plant matter.
Charcoal is an efficient purifying material. Try adding lumpwood barbeque charcoal (don’t use briquettes).
For a 9m (30ft) diameter pond about 1.2m (4ft) deep, 15kg (33lb) well distributed over the surface should be adequate. It will gradually sink as it absorbs impurities.
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