But my husband wanted me to ask...about a possible solution...to our algae that would not harm our birds and animals that use it. I'm glad this thread got started as I am having the same problem and am tired of scrubbing. If they say bleach is ok, they will be able to help you figure out how much to use. Thanks to a recirculating pump, a quiet gurgling attracts them from a distance. How To Keep Fountain Water Clean For Birds? You’ll wind up doing some type of balancing act in the long run because in order to kill the algae you’re going to have to poison it with something, and chances are what you use will be toxic to other living things, e.g. Most have the sense not to drink it. Online stores regularly propose buying an algaecide, yet most brands use copper. Helpful. Dead animals found in filtration systems are because they drowned, not because of Chlorine. Need some plumbing help with your fountain? Be warned that blue fountain water can stain anything it touches over time. birds and other visitors to the site. Many feathered creatures use the fountains to wash. Ryan has seen 64 species in that birdbath. The chlorine in bleach will evaporate in no time after cleaning and rinsing, especially if your birdbath is in the sun, and is not going to be around long enough to harm anything. No, we don't see that and we think all is fine - well it is not fine. The chlorine levels would have to be near 50% to hurt us, but animals are much smaller (of course) and the toxic levels are directly proportional to size. Reply. The amount you use determines what dies. Refill with clean water to increase the probability of birds coming back to drink, bathe, and enjoy the fountain. Jennifer Helen Wilson. Use Chlorine Only If Needed. Well, of course, chlorine and bromine are poisons. To use pond dye in a fountain, add it at one-half the recommended strength for ponds to start, then gradually add more until you achieve the color you want. Adding a simple homemade dripper to the bath can be easy and effective, with no power source needed. Preventing Algae Growth in Bird Fountain Sure we can see the birds drink the fountain water with the bleach, how ever a small amount, the birds fly away and we think, all is well no harm done. You should then allow the bird fountain to dry completely before refilling it with water. Hence, it’s critical to keep up all attractions in the water included for birds, so the water stays protected to drink. Check with a local trusted greenhouse, not a big box store, they will be able to give you suggestions that will not harm your birds. He lives on a tract of restored natural habitat and has a water fountain styled to look like a rocky cascade. Let me ask, do you watch the bird nests every day, do you see any damage to their eggs or babies? However, most come to drink. The dye won't harm birds, pets or people. Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company, would love to lend a hand! However, with good cleaning, it won’t hurt or repel birds from enjoying the dives. While many fountain-style bird baths do require a nearby electrical outlet to keep the water circulating, there are also battery-operated designs or bath accessories that can keep the water moving without a cord. Fountain pumps aren't designed to work with concentrated levels of chlorine, but if an algae bloom won't die down, add 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach for every 5 gallons of water, and run the pump overnight so it circulates long enough to disinfect the entire system. If I put bleach in my fountain to kill mosquitos will it harm the bird. gardener41/Flickr/CC by-SA 2.0. They kill living things. 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