Best Water Bucket

[mtjim]

I've tried Stainless Steel - Rubber - galvanized etc. And all my buckets get green and scummy in the summer. Is there something I can do to keep this from happening?

[markj]

Keep them out of the sun, photosynthesis makes algae.

[Big Dave]

I like stainless in the summer for it's ease of cleaning. I use rubber in the winter so I can stomp out the ice.

[snips]

You can swirl Bleach around the outside, let them sit a few minutes and then rinse. They will not turn green as soon if you have killed the Algae, then refil, you can even put a tablespoon of bleach in the water. Helps.

[Neil Mace]

I use stainless milk buckets, change the water every other day or so, and put a capful of bleach in an 11 quart bucket. Because of chlorine, those on city water do not have the problems those of us on well water have.

NEil

[phillipsgsp]

The bleach will not harm the dog? If this is safe I think I will give it a try. I rinse and scrub everyday to keep my galvanized buckets from going green in June July, and August.
Chad

[Neil Mace]

I have been told it is bad for horses, so you might want to check with a vet about dogs. I don't believe it, or every dog and horse on a public water supply would be harmed. I think it is the amount of bleach, a cap full for a full bucket is not much.

I went to the stainless milking buckets because the algae does not grow as fast and they are not as likely to burst when frozen, they are pricey, but I have some that are 20 years old and that is how long I have been adding bleach to the water without ill effects.

Neil

[highcotton]

I use stainless buckets, dump them refill them every day. Once each week I wash them with dish washing detergent and a tire scrub brush. Keeping them in shade helps but there is no way around having to scrub them every now and then.