See Through/Transparent Waterbutt?

Is there such a thing as a see through waterbutt? I think itd look fantastic with fish and maybe even a few aquatic plants, like an upright pond! im looking into getting a waterbutt soon and was surprised I couldnt find any thing about getting clear ones? Am I just looking in the wrong place? Surely this is a cool idea lol

 

Light getting into a water-butt will encourage algae to grow which might be why they are normally not transparent. Might have something to do with how quickly they break down in UV light too?

I recommend getting one you can dunk your watering can in - much quicker than waiting for the piddly little tap to fill each can full ...

 

I think it's possible that you wouldn't want to see what was inside it. It'll be all the crud that washes off the roof and the gutters.

 

I agree with Madahhlia and Kristen. I used to have a large wooden 1/2 barrel in which several goldfish and waterlilies grew happily, and as long as the water was kept clear by some shade and barley straw you can see very nicely inside. Easier to look after than a pond so long as you can protect it a little in very cold winters.
As for dipping the watering can in to fill it, this is fine for the stronger amongst us but I find it quite difficult after the water level drops below half full.

 

I've raised my water butt up, so it is level with other ones I have, higher up the plot, so I can siphon-link them all together, and now its doing my shoulder in yanking the can out of the butt even when full, let alone half full!

I saw Monty Don on Gardeners World a while back, and he had a cattle drinking trough as a water butt - nice and low, and huge for dunking a can into so I am on the lookout for one of them. If it has a ballcock I'll be able to just join it to my others and it will keep itself nicely topped up





Gardeners World 2014 : Episode 17 : 5m23s in

 

What's wrong with an old bathtub? No shortage of them going begging. Just think of it as allotment-chic!

 

Actually I think I've got one lying around - thanks for that, was thinking "Galvanised" rather than "Enamelled"