Pond/Water Garden Project

[dmartin88]

Looking good.

We had some algae problems earlier in the year but after increasing the plant coverage on the water to about 40% this helped a lot. We've also been told that adding new water each week is a big help as well, we've had a lot of rain here this year so easy to do but if we don't get rain, we add about an inch or two of fresh water each week and this seems to help as well. We have a barley ball as well, some people swear by them but going by the amount of algae that grows on the ball itself, I'm a bit skeptical.

By algae problem, are you talking about algae growing on the liner/bottom or turning the water to pea soup? As I understand, the coating on the lining or bottom is beneficial and it's the string or pea soup version you would be worried about?

Lots of fun but like most hobbies/projects, they do tend to cost more than you expect!

 

[jwstewar]

It has been a little of both. When we first started it looked like the pea soup. Then we did a partial (3/4) water change by accident. That has cleared most of it up, but still not quite "clear," but we'll get it there.

Now to tell you how we did the water change. I used an extra 100' of hose in addition to the normal 150' of hose I normally use to add water to the pond. When I shut the water off I just left the end of it in the pond and didn't think anything about it. Next evening I wanted to use the hose for something else, since I have quick connects on all of my hose fittings I picked the hose up, disconnect, and dropped the extra 100' with the other end still in the pond. When I had it raised it formed a siphon and sucked out about 3/4 of the water /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Took a while to figure out what happened, but at least it helped clear the water. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dmartin88]

Recommendations I've seen are for a 10-15% water change per week for smaller ponds (ours is about 4500 gallons). With evaporation, that seems pretty easy to do.

 

[jwstewar]

Actually evaporation isn't a substitute for a water change. Back in my aquarium days evaporation actually leads to a higher concentration of nitrates and waste products. You actually still need to remove 10 - 15% and then refill the 20% or so you are now down. Though I never did it quite correctly instead of doing 10 - 15% every couple of weeks, I would wait and do 50% about once a month to every 6 weeks. Wasn't as good for the fish, but it fit into my schedule better. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BTW, cute statue. I like it. We will eventually want to get us a couple of statues for ours.

 

[dmartin88]

Makes sense about the evaporation not being a substitute for removing water-- I'm checking the various levels with a test kit weekly and so far, they look good and the water is clear. Don't have a lot of fish but fun to watch.

 

[Inspector507]

Jim,
I've got rocks.......big rocks little rocks.......all free for the asking......I'll even deliver /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Jim,
I've got rocks.......big rocks little rocks.......all free for the asking......I'll even deliver )</font>
About how long do you think it will take to get here? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Wish you lived closer! John

 

[Buck]

I am amazed that you can dig like that without a tooth bar. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> I've got rocks.......big rocks little rocks.......all free for the asking......I'll even deliver </font> /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jerry

I'm sure I live closer than Jim. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'll be wating at the end of the drive to show where to drop the load (loads). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Did I say big rocks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Maybe someone else needs the little rocks. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[jwstewar]

Hey, I bet Monica would take you up on that offer. I could stop and help you load one night (like a Friday) and then you could come down on Saturday and we could unload and whatever.....or if you have a better plan. Monica keeps bugging me where she could get more rocks.

Thank you, thank you. Did I say Thank you? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif