Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi, I have a new Barrel pond and I’m having trouble with an oily film on the water. I have syphoned it out and refilled it and left it for a few weeks. I intend to skim the oily water and then syphon and refill. Does anyone have any tips, ideas ? I don’t know if a liner is the answer. Would the wood dry out ?

First question, where did you get the barrel from, second do you know if it's brand new or has it had something in it. Wood is porous and could have absorbed something nasty. Finally what are you planning on putting in it?

Hi tigerburnie, It was bought from a Cooperage in Scotland. I believe it was a Whiskey barrel that had been done up and re- banded. Don’t know if that is the correct term. I intend to use it just as a pond for plants. There will be no fish. The inside does appear to have been coated with something ( black, tar looking stuff ). I will try to clean it off if possible. I have a new problem now, since I have an injured foot, I haven’t been in the garden and I now see that the interior walls of the barrel are covered in a white film under the water. Haven’t had a close look at it yet. The main problem though is the oil slick. Also thoughts on lining or no lining would be appreciated. Thanks

Given the description you give I would advocate lining it. However this would also present a pitfall, trying to line a round object in a presentable way with a square piece of liner. It is going to have very obvious folds.

Even without the slick problem I am relieved to see that you are not considering putting fish in it. Completely unsuitable.

I suggest you store the half barrel upside down and allow it to dry completely somewhere dry over winter, pond plants arn't going to grow overwinter anyway.

In spring get a good quality pond paint sealer from a specialist aquatic store, apply 2 to 3 coats allowing each to dry thoroughly before applying the next.

You haven't stated your location so I cannot advise of a possible store in your area. If you have either a branch of World of Water or Maidenhead Aquatics in your near vicinity they should be able to supply a suitable paint.

I would contact the people you bought it off and ask the question it sounds like bitumen the white could be the thinners coming out but that's only a guess

Good straight forward logical thinking there robo, "Ask the people you bought it off"
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Now why didn't I think of that !!!

Whisky(no e in Scotch Whisky) barrels are usually old sherry or bourbon barrels that are "charred" with a blow torch prior to filling, this will be the black inside finish you see. I doubt you will get anything to stick to that surface. I would leave the barrel facing upwards over winter full of water(put a small ball or piece of polystyrene in it to protect from frost damage). In the spring empty it out and add new water and plants, there's a lot of folk up here that have these half barrels for ornaments. They have the added bonus of smelling like a distillery for a couple of years, I have been told off on more than one occasion for "barrel sniffing" when in garden centres/folks gardens lol. Don't let a barrel dry out as, like a wooden boat) they will leak if the wood starts to shrink.

Maybe cut a bit off so you can spend winter sucking it

You could always use blackjack DPC bitumen paint which is waterbased until dry.

Many thanks for all the suggestions. Tigerburnie , I will take up your idea of leaving it full through the winter as it took a long time for the wood to swell initially. I much prefer not using a liner as it is a large barrel and it would be very difficult to hide the folds . By the way there is quite a strong smell coming from it, not altogether pleasant! Never heard of “ barrel sniffing “. Robo , I’m not a whisky lover or I might have given your suggestion a go ! Thanks all, I’ll report progress in the spring, thank goodness I have patience.