By Usernut
scotland,
United Kingdom 
i,ve just been given a large water butt to collect rainwater. Do I need anything to add to it to keep the water from going stale? it will be used constantly so the water won't be lying for any lenght of time and the water will be getting used as fast as it's collected?
15 May, 2010
Answers
Don't whatever you do add oil to the butt to stop mosquitos - it apparently goes rancid and smells vile! A lid on the top is a help to stop leaves etc getting in.
15 May, 2010
Thanks, it has a lid on it.
even though it rains a lot here, I can never get enough for all my plants so i,m looking forward to collecting more.
15 May, 2010
No, nor me! Can't make use of any downpipes on the house because it's listed....so the back of the garage is the only place I can collect rainwater.
16 May, 2010
Previous question
I would say that's no problem if you're using it all the time, that's what we do and it seems to be fine. You get lots of mosquito larvae etc in there, but all the more snacks for the birds etc : ))
15 May, 2010