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Prevent Algae from Growing in Your Birdbath

By flaflwrgrl
December 10, 2011

To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide. You could also use a small length of copper pipe or tubing, or any other copper coin. I have found this to work extremely well with the exception of those times when the temperatures stay above 90 for extended periods. Copper is not safe for fish so this would not be a good thing to use in a fish aquarium or a pond that has fish in it.

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sheryl
Dec 15, 2011 9:28 AM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
A little Liquid Nails, a little pattern.... there ya go!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #190356 (1)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 15, 2011 1:12 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
As long as the liquid nails isn't toxic it sounds like a winner to me! Keep thinking of things like that ladies! Or maybe a birdbath could be made with concrete & like Dave did with the stepping stones; embed pennies into it while it's still wet?
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #190432 (2)
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sheryl
Dec 15, 2011 3:52 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Yeah, or a coil of copper tubing for a spiral effect...
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #190498 (3)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 15, 2011 3:54 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
There you go! Perfect! Thumbs up
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #190503 (4)
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sheryl
Dec 15, 2011 3:57 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Or little scrap pieces of tubing from a construction site to make a sunburst effect...
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #190506 (5)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 15, 2011 3:58 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Ooooooooooo I like THAT.

Keep working it girl!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #190509 (6)
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sheryl
Dec 15, 2011 4:04 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
Of course, there's copper wiring that you can make in squiggles, too, or loops, or.... tell me when you have had enough, Ann!!!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #190519 (7)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 15, 2011 6:17 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
It's all good from my perspective. I just want to get to building & get the house done so I can play with things like that. So keep the ideas coming.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #190609 (8)
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sheryl
Dec 15, 2011 7:38 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
You have my total and complete sympathies. Renting is *no* fun.
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #190689 (9)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 15, 2011 8:27 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
I agree Hate it!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #190710 (10)
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Marilyn
Dec 18, 2011 10:40 PM CST
Name: Marilyn
Kentucky (Zone 6a)
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Region: United States of America Rabbit Keeper Hummingbirder Salvias Charter ATP Member Birds
Echinacea Butterflies Tender Perennials Bee Lover Container Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
I just now added 16 more cents (all wheat pennies) to the bird bath tonight, making for 20 pennies in it. The bad thing is I'll have to get all 20 cents each time I change the water.

I can't remember if the first 4 pennies were wheat pennies or not. Have to check in the daylight hours.

Let's see how that does. Thumbs up
Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias Forum!

Hummingbirds are beautiful flying jewels in the garden!


| @Marilyn | Post #191837 (11)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 19, 2011 9:42 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
You could try putting the pennies in 2 of those mesh bags fuit comes in from the grocery store. That way you could just pull the bags out, wash & refill the bird bath & throw the bags back in.

OR

You could go to the hardware store & get a coil (ice maker tubing) big enough to go once around in the bath inside like a hoop & then everything would be very easy to deal with.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #191926 (12)
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Marilyn
Dec 19, 2011 5:09 PM CST
Name: Marilyn
Kentucky (Zone 6a)
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Region: United States of America Rabbit Keeper Hummingbirder Salvias Charter ATP Member Birds
Echinacea Butterflies Tender Perennials Bee Lover Container Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Ann,

"You could go to the hardware store & get a coil (ice maker tubing) big enough to go once around in the bath inside like a hoop & then everything would be very easy to deal with."

That's a good idea to think about (after Christmas and New Year's Day)! I tip my hat to you. Thumbs up

I've the 20 pennies all around the birdbath. Is it better to do that or just pile them in the middle? Does it make a difference?
Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias Forum!

Hummingbirds are beautiful flying jewels in the garden!


| @Marilyn | Post #192055 (13)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 19, 2011 5:34 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
I can't say. I spread my pennies around but I never tried putting them all in one spot. I had read the tip myself about 2 years ago & tried it & it worked but it never said to bunch the pennies up or spread them around. I liked the look of them spread around. I think as long as the copper is in there it's doing the job either way. Shrug!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #192062 (14)
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Marilyn
Dec 19, 2011 6:03 PM CST
Name: Marilyn
Kentucky (Zone 6a)
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Region: United States of America Rabbit Keeper Hummingbirder Salvias Charter ATP Member Birds
Echinacea Butterflies Tender Perennials Bee Lover Container Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
I like mine spread all around too! Green Grin! Thumbs up
Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias Forum!

Hummingbirds are beautiful flying jewels in the garden!


| @Marilyn | Post #192073 (15)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 19, 2011 6:23 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
The reason I said a coil to go around like a hoop is because I have this thing about balance. Things must balance. Not that one has to put 2 of this the same size on one side & the same 2 things on the other side but whatever it is must have a balance to the whole effect. In this particular case if one wants balance as well as ease then one coil going all the way around in a hoop effect is the best way to achieve both. Shrug!
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #192084 (16)
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sheryl
Dec 19, 2011 8:09 PM CST
Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Region: Southwest Gardening Charter ATP Member Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises
That mind just never stops.... Big Grin
In the end, only kindness matters.

Science is not the answer, it is the question.


| @sheryl | Post #192139 (17)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 19, 2011 8:10 PM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Sticking tongue out
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #192141 (18)
Image
Marilyn
Dec 19, 2011 10:36 PM CST
Name: Marilyn
Kentucky (Zone 6a)
Laughter is the Best Medicine!
Region: United States of America Rabbit Keeper Hummingbirder Salvias Charter ATP Member Birds
Echinacea Butterflies Tender Perennials Bee Lover Container Gardener Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Hilarious! Green Grin! Thumbs up
Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias Forum!

Hummingbirds are beautiful flying jewels in the garden!


| @Marilyn | Post #192191 (19)
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flaflwrgrl
Dec 20, 2011 5:30 AM CST
Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)
Garden Sages Region: Ukraine Native Plants and Wildflowers Xeriscape Organic Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Dog Lover
Sheryl! You changed your horse avatar to your doggie avatar. Tell us.
I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown
| @flaflwrgrl | Post #192239 (20)

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