Pond and Flower gardens
- Thread starter DannyD
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Is there a tool or vacuum for ponds. I have nice clear water, and a dirty bottom. My "pump" is the submersible type with a foam filter that seems to be doing OK, but still the dirt settles on the bottom. Also what have you folks used to control algea. My pond is not in the sun much, but I am getting some growth.
Thanks for your excellent advice
Thanks for your excellent advice
Mark_in_IN
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2001
- Messages
- 62
- Location
- Clayton, Indiana
- Tractor
- John Deere M 1951, John Deere LA 1941
It is o.k. to have a dirty bottom, in the pond of course and also you will get an algea buildup on the walls which as long as it's not stringy its good for the pond. make sure you clean the pump filter often to avoid burning the pump up. As far as algea control, you can use chemicals /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif or find the right balance of plants and fish to keep the algea under control. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You will still have some and you can just scoop it out with the FEL, i mean net. Also the more surface of the water that is covered with plant leaves like water lillys the less algea you will have, recomended is 60% coverage.
hope this helps I have learned alot about water gardens as I have put in two already.
mark
hope this helps I have learned alot about water gardens as I have put in two already.
mark
Thanks so much Mark. I do not have that much of the surface water covered, so I will have to get some more plants. We dont have fish yet, as I am not happy with how things are going......yet. I noticed the algea growth mostly on days the pump was not running.
With your experience let me pick your mind on something. It seems that my well constructed /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif rock wall, has a problem. When I put water going down it, some of it runs behind the wall.....loss of water in pond..... The only place I can see is right down next to the pond liner (drop in). I want to seal this area, but am torn between mortar or silicone to make sure the water goes back where it came from, the pond.
Any hints, Ideas, or fixes would be appreciated.
BTW, where are you in Indiana
With your experience let me pick your mind on something. It seems that my well constructed /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif rock wall, has a problem. When I put water going down it, some of it runs behind the wall.....loss of water in pond..... The only place I can see is right down next to the pond liner (drop in). I want to seal this area, but am torn between mortar or silicone to make sure the water goes back where it came from, the pond.
Any hints, Ideas, or fixes would be appreciated.
BTW, where are you in Indiana
lrunge
Silver Member
As Mark said, about 2/3rds of pond surface should be covered with plants. If you have fish (they will eat some algae) you do not want to use chemicals. Get a net bag full of loose Barley straw (only Barley straw works) and add some plastic balls to keep it floating. About 8 oz straw per 1000 gal water. This helps control some algae but takes some time to build up the good bacteria in it. It last for about 6 months. Several places on Web sell it. Best bet is to have a bio filter and leave the pump running all the time.
As for your leak, you can use a spray can of foam under your liner (if rubber) to raise it up to prevent water running out. I'm not sure I understand where the leak was occurring.
As for your leak, you can use a spray can of foam under your liner (if rubber) to raise it up to prevent water running out. I'm not sure I understand where the leak was occurring.
Mark_in_IN
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2001
- Messages
- 62
- Location
- Clayton, Indiana
- Tractor
- John Deere M 1951, John Deere LA 1941
For your wall leaking, you can use the expanding foam sealant that comes in the can. Fill up every void, Water will get through the smallest hole. I have to add water every couple of weeks due to evaporation and any water that might leak out.
I've attached a picture of my large pond, built around two Years ago.
I'm located in clayton, about 15 miles west of indianapolis
mark
I've attached a picture of my large pond, built around two Years ago.
I'm located in clayton, about 15 miles west of indianapolis
mark
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My only fear is that now that we are certified amateurs, she will get the idea to go pro on me and I will have to make a pond like that. My ONLY saving will be that we also have lots of TREES in the area, and lots of ROOTS. I like what we have, and when I get the water to go back in the pond from the wall, it will be done. She has planted some things around the pond and it looks good. Got the ground cover stuff to get for the mound behind it yet.
Water is clear, sides green and bottom with some dirt, it is going to stay that way.
thanks for all the advice, and I will post a photo in a bit
Water is clear, sides green and bottom with some dirt, it is going to stay that way.
thanks for all the advice, and I will post a photo in a bit
DONE, well at least till she gets another wild idea about this pond. Took the water out to clean out the bottom of my mortaring mistakes, and wash it all down again, real good.
Put the water back in, and turned on the water fall......after half a tube of silicone to seal around the liner and in some places that mortar should have been.........here is what we have now.
Put the water back in, and turned on the water fall......after half a tube of silicone to seal around the liner and in some places that mortar should have been.........here is what we have now.
