I haverecently set up a whiskey pond barrell. I'm having trouble keeping
fish alive in it.They seem to be gasping at the surface and are very
lethargic. This would suggest a lack of oxygen? I have several plants in
there including a lily the leaves of which seem to blacken after a
while. There is a also quite a pungent smell within the barrel. Due to
the lack of fish there is a huge amount of midge larvae. I don't have a
pump and don't intend to use one.

I've changed the water several times since setting up.

Can anyone help with the above. Suggestions for the fish and midge
larvae problem?

The smell?

cheers




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brionjames