The rainwater in it is causing oxides to come through and make it a red colour.
2007-07-17 21:59:20 · 8 answers · asked by fun_fit_musicboy 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
You may have red algae (Rhodophyta), or a green algae that turns red under certain conditions, Haematococcus pluvialis. Your red water is likely not caused by oxides.
Regarding birdbaths and algae, you should never put algae controller or killer in a birdbath; it may harm the birds. Algae in a birdbath is normal and will not hurt the birds.
Rinse and refill the birdbath daily, using a strong water jet to loosen and remove algae if needed. You may also leave the unfilled birdbath in the sun until the algae dries out.
Your area birds thank you for providing clean uncontaminated water for them!
2007-07-18 02:04:00 · answer #1 · answered by july 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our concrete birdbath does the same thing, but in the past we've noticed it on plastic bird baths too, so it's not an issue with the concrete.
We just scrub it out with a brush now and then.
2007-07-18 14:23:42 · answer #2 · answered by dubyaaitch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know how acid your rain is or what rock your concrete was made with, but I would be more likely to think it's just red algae or fungus aka pond scum. It comes from dirty little bird feet, why do you think the call it a bath. A simple cleaning with a brush or cleaning pad should do the trick. You can try a sealer but it wont stop the scum, just make it easier to clean. RScott
2007-07-18 01:41:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have very recently noticed EXACTLY what you are talking about. I did some cleaning on it and came to the conclusion that it is a scum or algea. I empty the bird bath, spray it out, and use a scrub brush on it and it comes clean. Then i fill it up and watch it turn red again in about a week. I think this extra chore each week is the price we have to pay for bringing a little nature to our yard for our enjoyment.
2007-07-18 03:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by hoopstar231 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is the red inside the bowl? If so use a little bleach and scrun it out then rinse well. Before putting any kind of sealer inside the bowl besure it won't leech out into the water and kill the birds.
Below is a forum for just such situations involving sealers/not the red.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/wildlife/msg0508051316140.html?5
You might want to check out fiberglass liner/fabric with a very heavy duty epoxy. The marine epoxy. That is how they waterproof boats.
If it doesn't hurt the fish it should be fine for the birds once it dries. Make it much easier to clean/because of the epoxy.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Epoxy_Adhesives/dm/category_id.217271--cart_id.768272384--session_id.923390348--view_id.217271--search_type.category
Fiberglass repair kit
http://www.iboats.com/Fiberglass/dm/session_id.324885578--cart_id.228167381--category_id.217328--view_id.217328--search_type.category
2007-07-18 00:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by LucySD 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
try jetwashing it or scrubbing it out to get rid of the red , then buy a small tin of "waterproofer" or "concrete sealer" 'thompson's waterseal' from you local diy shop, this should stop the red appearing and also stop the surface degrading due to frost etc...
2007-07-17 22:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but your question has answered what I've always wondered! The same happens with my birdbath!
2007-07-17 22:06:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
plastic liner
2007-07-18 20:29:46 · answer #8 · answered by ken p 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋