I recently inherited a fountain from the previous homeowner, but it's buried about two and a half feet underground, making it a real hassle to access. I'd rather not dig it up every year, but I'm worried that if I don't, it will become a smelly nuisance. The previous owner just added chlorine, but the first time I turn it on after winter, it smells like a gross, filthy pond. I have a four-year-old who will want to play in it, so I can't keep it running in that state. Is there a better way to clean it out, or should I just fill it in and forget about it?
4 Answers
We have a similar fountain setup, and at the season's end, we usually vacuum out the water with a shop vac. When we restart it in spring, we fill it up and add a non-toxic water treatment we get from a nursery. It's worked great for us over the years!
As long as the fountain is running, the smell should subside with time. It’s normal to have some hydrogen sulfide aroma when the water stagnates. Just give it a bit of time after you start it up again, and it should clear up.
Do you think I just need to run it longer without any chemicals?
You could try siphoning out the old water while the pump is running and simultaneously adding fresh water. It might help to dilute and clear out the old muck. That way, you're refreshing the water without too much hassle.
I’ve done that before, but the smell has really gotten bad this year, so I'm not sure if that’s enough.
It sounds like the smell comes from not running the fountain regularly. When you get it going again, the circulation adds oxygen to the water, which can help eliminate the stinky anaerobic bacteria. Just remember to turn it on earlier next time!
Do you have any tips on specific products to use for cleaning?
That sounds helpful! I'll definitely ask my local nursery about a non-toxic treatment.