rec.gardens.ecosystems homepage -> archive: MOD$000819.94@rec.gardens.ecosystems



Subject: Re: Water Gardens / Ponds
From: pmlaw@ulster.net (Polly)
Organization: Thrums End Art Studio
Date: Sat, 19 Aug 00 18:40:50
Message-ID: <MOD$000819.94@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$000817.17303@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$000817.20549@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$000818.1872@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



In article <MOD$000818.1872@rec.gardens.ecosystems>, Steve Reid
wrote:

>William Kurnig wrote:
>
>: Ray, thanks for the feed back.
>: I have gold fish, shabunkins, comets (and donners and :-) ) and a
>: couple of common koi. I also have quite a few water lilies which are
>: blooming nicely, submerged plants,water fall and aerator.
>
>: I also have "PEA SOUP" I really don't want to add chemicals and can't
>: afford a UV set (at least this year), the pond cost me plenty.
>: I just think I should be able to see the fish other then feeding time.
>
>Check out rec.ponds. Several people there have websites that describe
>how to make an inexpensive, three-part filter (with mechanical, bacterial,
>and plant filtration). No chemicals at all. I made one, and my pond stays
>clear.

Hi William,

I have a small pond, about 20' x9' with half of it only 6-12" deep the
other half 2' deep. I have about 14 goldfish and 4 golden orfes that live
in the pond year-round. I use freshwater mussels as a natural filter as
well as floating aerators (water lettuce and water hyacinth) to help
reduce the amount of water exposed to the sun. (The floating plants also
provide great spawning places for the fish.) I got the mussels several
years ago from Waterford Gardens in Bergen Co. NJ and they have increased
on their own and seem to do a go job of filtering the water. It is
generally clear. I occassionally have to scoop out some algae but that is
usually because the neighborhood kids have been a bit too generous with
the fish food. I also allow a good layer of muck to build up on the floor
of the pond (it is lined with rubber) and i think there are organisms in
that muck that also feed on the fish excrement. Like Steve said rec.ponds
is a good resource.

Good luck,

Polly M. Law/Thrums End Art Studio
in the beautiful Mid Hudson Valley of NY, USDA zone 5

**********************

Look for the Flying Teapot, your assurance of Delight!
<http://www.thrumsend.com>

Our motto: "Insolitores Res Contiguerunt!"
************************

All P.M.Law/T.E.A.S. email is meant to be read in a spirit of calm joviality, not the LIVID ANTAGONISM usually inferred to electronic discourse