Messages

1

Chit Chat / Re: Ever see a soldier

« on: May 09, 2010, 08:24:24 AM »

I love that, thank you Esther.  I choked up a bit just watching that short clip.  I always try to ask where they are going to/from and simply thank them for their service.  But there are times where it is not convenient, this will help.
 

2

Chit Chat / Love the English Language

« on: April 27, 2010, 08:30:21 AM »

You think American English is easy???

Generations, locations, and ethnic differences and we are supposed to understand each other?  Hey, we do not speak the same way; we cannot even get our language right!
Read to the end . . . a new twist 

  1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
  2) The farm was used to produce produce.
  3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
  4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
  5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
  6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
  7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
  A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
  9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let us face it - English is a crazy language.
English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all.  That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

3

Chit Chat / Re: Joke of the day (clean)

« on: April 27, 2010, 08:25:55 AM »

I loved these, more, more.

Here are a few to add to your list:

29.  WHY DO YOU PARK ON A DRIVEWAY AND DRIVE ON A PARKWAY?

30.  WHY IS A TV CALLED A SET WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE?

31.  WHY ARE PANTS CALLED A PAIR OF PANTS?  IN FACT, WHY IS PANTS PLURAL?

32.  HOW CAN A SHRIMP BE GIANT?

33.  WHY ARE STARS VISIBLE WHEN THEY ARE OUT, AND LIGHTS ARE NOT?

34.  WHY IS THE MAN WHO INVESTS YOUR MONEY CALLED A BROKER?

35.  WHY IS A BOXING RING SQUARE?

36.  WHY IS THE TIME OF DAY WITH THE SLOWEST TRAFFIC CALLED “RUSH HOUR?”

37.  CAN FAT PEOPLE GO SKINNY DIPPING?

38.  WHY IS IT THAT RAIN DROPS AND SNOW FALLS?

39.  WHY IS IT CALLED A BUILDING, WHEN IT IS ALREADY BUILT?

4

Pond Chat / Re: Picture!!

« on: April 22, 2010, 09:44:46 AM »

That is spectacular.  A place that you could, and I am sure you do, spend hours doing nothing.  Thank you so much for sharing.

5

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: "Dampening off? "

« on: April 22, 2010, 09:40:03 AM »

I have always had major problems with starting plants from seed.  So much so, that I have not even tried for several years.  I will next year, thanks to emm, pondlady, Johns and Freddie Peepers.  Amazing, the amount of combined knowledge there is out there.  I always suspected that “water gardeners” and “ponders” were above average people.

6

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Opinions on mulch. Mulch or no mulch?

« on: April 22, 2010, 09:18:44 AM »

We mulch everything here in southeast Pennsylvania.  It does four things:
    1.  Looks good.
    2.  Keeps weeds down to a minimum.
    3.  Holds moisture.
    4.  It augments the soil, after a few years, the soil is rich with organic material.
Indiana Karen is right, after the initial “heavy” layer is applied it only needs a thin coating every spring to look brand new again.
A few years ago I began using what is sold here as “double ground.”  It does not have the big chunks of wood in it that I would find before, although it is still coarse enough that it does not break down in one year. 
My pond has river jack along the “front” edge and the other three sides are mulched right up to the rock border.  The mulch does get into the pond a bit after a heavy rain.  However, it floats and what lit bit does get in, ends up in the skimmer debris basket.
I have never used landscape fabric under the mulch, but in other applications, as miguynmkoi stated, it disintegrates quite rapidly.
I also had never heard of “Preen.”  Something I will look into (although weeds in the mulch are not much of a problem, there are always a few).  I do agree with Kittyzee, I would be very cautious with it around the pond, particularly if the landscaping is level with or higher than the pond.

7

Pond Chat / Re: Chronicle your green water cycle here

« on: April 20, 2010, 02:53:30 PM »

I neglected to mention that I do I do a 30%+ water change in the spring after ice-out and then weekly water changes of about 10%.  I think this is very important.  I also use about .1% salt in the pond. 

I have often wondered if this is helpful in keeping algae down a bit.  Perhaps someone with knowledge in this area can help.  I know that salt is harmful to plants, some more than others.  I wonder if algae, being a primitive plant, is weakened at all by even mild doses of salt?

8

Pond Chat / Re: goldfish

« on: April 20, 2010, 02:34:34 PM »

Are your fish gasping for air, or just hanging beneath the surface?  If they're gasping, then it's most likely a serious problem - either lack of oxygen or perhaps dirty or chemically-maladjusted water.

After a 20% or so water change last week, my fish spent some time hanging at the surface.  Not gasping and not appearing to be in distress, but just hanging below the surface.  The next day, they were back down where they usually are. 

I don't know why they were at the surface... Perhaps the new water hurt them... I didn't use de-chlor because 20% wasn't much new water.  But maybe there was enough chlorine to hurt the fish's gills.  Or maybe they were just eating something that was at the top of the water. 

Yes, if they are gasping for air, there is an oxygen problem.  Or it could be something in the water that irritates them.  If it is only a temporary thing it could be as simple as that is where the water is the warmest in the spring (you did not say what part of the United States you hail from.  Here is hoping it is the latter.

9

Pond Chat / Re: Picture!!

« on: April 20, 2010, 02:28:47 PM »

Fantastic pond, what I can see of it.  You have wetted my visual appetite and I want to see the entire pond, please send more pictures.  I have always had a special attraction to iris, and yours are beautiful.  Here in Pennsylvania we have several species of wild iris that grow along our streams, a blue variety and a yellow one.  I always looked forward to finding them in the spring.

10

Pond Chat / Re: skimmers and floating plants

« on: April 20, 2010, 02:21:02 PM »

I have used, and continue to use, both the fishing line and the drip tube hoops.  If you have a koi that thinks hyacinth roots are something to snack on throughout the day (like mine) you can add a basket to the bottom of the hoops constructed out of any type of plastic coarse mesh or “deer fencing”.  This is put together with wire ties and attached to the hoops with same.

This keeps the koi away from most of the roots and provides a place for the smaller fish to hide.  If you want a floating island, simply attach a piece of fishing line to the hoop and a non-corrosive weight of some type.  This will keep it in the middle of the pond even with a current.

I modify the hoop-and-basket idea and make them any shape I want and tie them fast to rocks along the edge of the pond. 

11

Pond Chat / Re: Chronicle your green water cycle here

« on: April 20, 2010, 01:46:24 PM »

This is only my fourth year caring for a pond.  To date (knock on wood) I have never had “pea soup” algae, i.e., green water.  I dug my pond (approx. 1000 gallons) in the fall of 2007, filled it with water and ran the filter system for several weeks prior to introducing any fish; then only three (which the heron’s got a few weeks later).  I decided not to introduce any more fish prior to winter. 

In the spring I added only six goldfish, which proceeded to spawn almost immediately.  I made no attempt to keep any of the fry and only nine survived beyond the “fish food” stage.  During the summer, my neighbor gave me another goldfish and one koi.  This was the extent of my fish population for the second year.

Last year, I did not get the heron net over the pond early enough and I lost three fish, the largest goldfish of course.  There were seven fry that survived this year and now my fish population is 20 goldfish and the one koi (I plan to remove her and put her in a larger pond with other koi this spring).

Until the trees leaf-out the pond receives full sun; after that, about seven hours of sun.  I have string algae every year as it is the first plant to grow after ice-out.  I make no attempt to kill it, only to control it by manual removal.  As soon as the rest of the plants begin to grow and I restock the pond with water lettuce and water hyacinth, the string algae subsides to the point that it is no longer a problem.

I do not know if I have just been lucky to have never had green water, or if there is something “right” about the way I have done things.  I allowed the pond to build up a good colony of bacteria prior to introducing fish.  Since that time I certainly have not overstocked my pond.  I always have (by mid summer) at least 50% to 70% of the pond covered with plants.

I often wondered (maybe others can help with this) do some people try to keep their ponds too clean?  Something must remove the nutrients from the water.  There can only be so much bacteria in the pond, especially those ponds with bare liners (I have river jack covering the bottom of my pond).  If you do not have enough plants (and I count string algae in the spring as a plant), and if you over stock your pond, then you will almost guarantee a “green water” algae bloom. 

12

Pond Chat / Re: Drained my pond !!!

« on: April 19, 2010, 06:47:53 PM »

I am starting to refill. Drained again this morning to finish cleaning. I have to re-fill when I am not working on it as we are so close to the water that the ground water is actually higher than the bottom of my pond. When I drain it the bottom comes up about a foot from water underneath the liner! I think it helps to regulate the temperature in the winter months. Anyway I took all the stone out except for some bigger ones that I have used to tie down my wood. I am using town chlorinated water as well as some water from a spring fed stream to fill it. Its most likely a 50/50 mix for the 3500 gallon capacity. How long would it take to de-chlorinate or should I add chemicals to speed it up? Oh and yes the fish have oxygen and a small filter. They seem happy going around in circles!

If it is only chlorine, it will dissipate in a few days.  Sadly, however, most municipalities use Chloramine (also known as Monochloramine, Chloramide or Chloroazane).  It is used because it is far more stable and does not dissipate from the water before it reaches consumers. 

This, unfortunately, is a big problem for “ponders”, because it does not dissipate from the water!  Aging the water for a few days removes chlorine but not the more stable Chloramine, which can be neutralised using products available at pet stores.  I do not have municipal  water so have never had the problem and do not know what chemicals are needed.  I am sure one of the other members can help you.

13

Wakin, Shubunkins and Goldfish... / Re: just a question i have about goldfish i got in the house

« on: April 18, 2010, 10:11:27 AM »

Goldfish tend to change color.  Most change during the first year of life, but others change throughout their lifetimes.  Inexpensive goldfish change in unpredictable ways because their parentage is uncertain and their color genes represent a random mix.  Expensive "purebred" goldfish should exhibit significantly more predictable changes, achieving similar coloration of their parents as they mature.  But be warned: If you purchase young (under a year or so), high-quality goldfish you cannot be certain that the colors you see are the colors you'll end up with a year later. 

The single most important determinant of goldfish coloring is genes.  What they inherit from mom and dad makes all the difference.

And keep this in mind always: Goldfish are not supposed to be “gold”, or any other color for that matter (they are a drab olive naturally).

 [Sorry if this gets quite technical]

While we know how a goldfish changes color, no one has defined “why” a goldfish changes color.  Scientists have identified two types of color changes in fish: physiological and morphological.  Physiological color changes are due to the spreading out or aggregation of chromatosomes.  When the chromatosomes are spread throughout the cell, the color is more pronounced to the naked eye.  However, when the chromatosomes aggregate in the center of the cell, the color is muted or not visible.  Morphological color changes, on the other hand, are due to a change in the number of chromatophores.  So a fish that loses a number of melanophores will appear lighter, and a fish that gains melanophores will appear darker.   Physiological color changes can become morphological color changes over time.  For example, a fish that is kept in a tank with a dark background and dark rocks will become darker, initially because of movement of melanosomes in the already existing melanophores.  However, if enough time goes buy, the fish will start to produce more melanophores and then the color change is considered morphological.

14

Wakin, Shubunkins and Goldfish... / Re: Fry size

« on: April 18, 2010, 10:02:13 AM »

First of all; the only silly questions are the ones not asked!

As for what determines fry size; there are at least five:
     1. As you correctly surmised, without the proper genes your goldfish will never be large no matter how well you care and feed them.
     2. How much good goldfish care your goldfish receive in the first 120 days of life is a very important factor that will determine their growth rate and size. 
     3. Proper nutrition the rest of their lives is a must!!  The goldfish food and goldfish care you give your goldfish is vital to their growth rate. 
     4. Water Quality: Excellent water quality which is a part of good goldfish care is a must for raising nice big goldfish.  That means 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, a good solid pH and very low nitrates. 
     5. Over crowding: Fish give off certain hormones that inhibit growth (self preservation).  When forced to live in over crowded conditions they will not grow (at the very best, slowly).  Also, in over-crowded conditions, fighting off numerous diseases is a constant problem.

There are many others I am sure, but these are the most important.

15

Wakin, Shubunkins and Goldfish... / Re: I don't know what the difference is...

« on: April 17, 2010, 03:56:09 PM »

To “greenthumbnail”:
Common Goldfish - Common goldfish, or Hibuna in Japan, are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their color.  Most varieties of fancy goldfish were derived from this simple breed.  Hibuna come in a variety of colors including red, orange/gold, white, black and yellow or 'lemon' goldfish.  The Common goldfish has a single tail, nothing really special.  They are extremely streamlined.
Shubunkin (SHOE-boon-kin, meaning “red brocade”)– Sometimes described as “calico” the basic body color must be blue (at least 25%), it must contain red, and it must contain black spots that extend into the fins and tail.  It may also posses overlapping patches of orange, gold, white,  grey and black (along with dark spots).  Blue is the most prized color in shubunkins, the more the better. (A few new varities are being developed that are all blue, inspite of the calico description.)  There are three varieties of Shubunkin; Bristol, London and Japanese/American.
Wakin - The Wakin (wa-keen or wah-keen) is a Common goldfish with a divided, fantail-like tail and is the Common goldfish of the Far East, particularly in Japan; in fact, our Western Common goldfish with wild-type, single fins all round is uncommon in the Far East. 
Depending whom you ask, there are between 20 and 29 varieties of goldfish (to nit-pick, some claim as many as 300).  The most common are: 
  1. Black or Broadtail Moor – Black Peony, Popeye, Telescope, Demekin Moor, Black Dragon-Eye
  2. Bristol Shubunkin – Bristol Blue Shubunkin
  3. Bubble Eye – Froghead, Toadhead
  4. Celestial – Choten Gan, Demeranchu
  5. Comet – Comet-Tailed Goldfish, Kometto, Swallowtails
  6. Common – Hibuna, Gold Carp
      Crown Pearlscale - Hama Nishiki
  7. Eggfish – Maruko
  8. Fantail – Western Ryukin
      Fringetail – (considered by many as the long-tailed version of the Ryukin)
      Shubunkin – Japanese/American Shubunkin, Speckled Goldfish, Harlequin Goldfish, Calico Goldfish,  Coronation Fish (considered by many as a calico colored Comet)
  9. Jikin – Butterfly Tail, Star Tailed, Peacock-Tail
       Lionchu – Lionhead-Ranchu (a cross between the Lionhead and the Ranchu)
10. Lionhead –
      London Shubunkin – Londonderry (considered by many as a calico colored Common)
      Man-yu – Oriental Twintail (the common Chinese Twintail, an intermediate between the Fantail and       …….    .the Veiltail)
      Nankin – Izumo Nankin; a tranditional white and red Ranchu variant
11. Oranda – Shishigashira (Japan)
12. Pearlscale – Chinshurin (Japan) Chee-lun (China)
      Phoenix Eggfish – Egg Phoenix (an Eggfish with a long, flowing and deeply forked caudal fin)
13. Pompom – Pom Pon, Pon Pon, Velvetyball Eggfish, Velvet Ball, Hanafusa (with dorsal fin)
14. Ranchu – Buffalo-Head
15. Ryukin – Onaga, Nagasaki goldfish (both antiquated)
16. Tamasaba – Sabao, Mackerel Tail, Yamagata Goldfish
17. Telescope-Eye – Globe Eye, Dragon Eye, Demekin
18. Tosakin – Curly Fantail, Peacock Tail
19. Veiltail – Philadelphia Veiltail, Oriental Twintail, Feather-Dressed Long Finned Man-yu
20. Wakin – Japanese Goldfish
      Watonai – Long-Bodied Ribbontail (a cross between the Wakin and the Ryukin)
 
You can “Google” any of these names to see beautiful pictures and to learn more about them.

To “whiskyb”, your goldfish which you described as all red with a white face is most likely a Sarasa Comet, a variety of Comet which is red and white only.

16

Chit Chat / Only a Man Would Attempt This.....

« on: April 09, 2010, 01:01:35 PM »

A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:
 
Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest.  The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie.  What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse- sized tazer.  The effects of the tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....??
WAY TOO COOL!  Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home.
Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right?  There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.  I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it.  But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.  Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately  on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and tazer in another.  The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant.  Longer bursts would do more.  I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as if to say, ' don't do it stupid, ' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.  I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it.  I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and 
 
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD..... WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION..... WHAT THE .....!!!
 
I'm pretty sure Hulk Hogan ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again.  I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs?  The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.
Note: If you ever feel compelled to ' mug ' yourself with a tazer, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself!  You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor.  A three second burst would be considered conservative?
A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape.  My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace.  The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was.  My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching.  My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs.  I had no control over the drooling.
Apparently I pooped on myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone.  I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair.

P.S.  ... My wife, can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!

 If you think education is difficult, try being stupid !!!

17

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Home made boi-filter

« on: April 09, 2010, 12:06:37 PM »

Loved your pictures.  It is quite easy to see that a lot of TLC went into the pond.  I thought I would drop a note concerning your “local Indian” water lily.  Check this out. 

Spatterdock - A Plant With Many Uses
Spatterdock, a useful native plant, is a rooted, floating-leaved plant with bright yellow flowers commonly seen in Washington lakes and ponds.  Its scientific name is Nuphar polysepala, and it is also commonly called the yellow pond or cow lily. 
In early spring the spatterdock's leaves are below the surface, light green in color, and look like lettuce growing on the lake bottom.  But by late spring the broad, dark green, heart-shaped leaves float on the water's surface or often stand above the water as the summer progresses.
The floating leaves are connected by long stalks to large horizontal roots in the sediments.  The roots can be up to six inches in diameter and many feet long!  The roots look something like palm-tree trunks, with knobby scars where leaves have grown.
The bright yellow, ball-like flowers bloom from June to mid-August and also stand just above the water surface.  They are composed of several broad fleshy yellow sepals, with many inconspicuous petals inside.  In the center is a yellow flask-shaped seed pod.  The flower emits a strong brandy-like odor which attracts pollinating insects.  Spatterdock reproduces by seeds and spreads by growth of its large fleshy roots.  It will also grow from fragments of roots if the plant is broken up.
Humans have put spatterdock to many uses.  Historically many cultures ate the roots cooked fresh in stews or dried and ground into flour for baking.  The seeds were gathered by Native Americans and either ground into flour or popped like popcorn.  The leaves and roots also contain tannin which was put to use in dyeing and tanning.  Medicinally, the leaves were used to stop bleeding, and roots were used in a poultice for cuts, swelling, and other ailments.  The Quinault Tribe believed that some of the roots looked like men, and others like women, so they chose a root appropriate for the patient before using it as a pain remedy.  Most recently spatterdock has been used as an aquarium and water garden plant.
Spatterdock is also a valuable plant for fish and wildlife habitat.  Its large leaves provide shade, cover from predators, and a home for many tiny invertebrates which fish use for food.  The seeds are eaten by ducks and other birds, and muskrat, beaver, and nutria will eat the roots.  Deer have also been known to browse the flowers and leaves.  When spatterdock is accompanied  by other native aquatic plants, it is very beneficial to wildlife habitat and an important part of a lake ecosystem.

18

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Looking to build my first pond

« on: April 08, 2010, 01:11:33 PM »

Best of luck with the pond, it sounds like it will be very nice.

I have a pond that is more “kidney” shaped than “L”.  It is 15 feet long and about 6 feet at the widest.  The water fall is near the middle, on the inside of the “kidney” shape and spreas out to about five feet wide.  I have a river jack (some people call them beach pebbles) bottom.  I only have one skimmer and there is a bit of debris build-up at the other end of the pond, two would be better. 

My pump is 2500 gph and is more than enough for my pond (makes for a very beautiful water fall).

I cannot speak to the advantages of a bottom drain, but assume that there would be less build-up of mulm on the bottom.  I stir mine up occasionally with a garden hose and then clean the filters.  If the build-up of mulm becomes too great (usually only in the spring after ice-out) I will vacumm the bottom.

19

DIY Corner / De-Icer

« on: April 08, 2010, 12:48:41 PM »

  Now that the snow and ice are gone, I thought I would tell you how my DIY de-icer worked this past winter.
  I bought a small water pump designed for a pond fountain; about 190 gph.  I “borrowed” an old Tupperware bowl from my wife.  I drilled a hole in the lid for the out-flow of the pump and several smaller holes for wire-ties and attached the pump to the lid.  I then skeletonized the bowl part, cutting large “V” shaped holes in it.  I removed the small useless foam filter from the pump (it would clog in about three days), snapped the lid (with the pump attached) onto the bowl, and slid the assembly into an old panty hose leg (takes the place of the filter), cutting a small hole when the out-flow is.  I set the pump and new filter assembly in the pond with the out-flow about four to six inches from the surface; just close enough to keep the water “rolling”.  While there was six to eight inches of ice on the rest of the pond, this kept a large hole open all winter (except when the 2 plus feet of snow drifted it shut). 
The pump only draws 21 watts of power, as opposed to the floating heater type de-icers that draw 200 watts and up (and, by the way, did not work as well).

20

Pond Chat / Re: what kind of algae

« on: July 26, 2009, 10:01:02 AM »

I you are fortunate enough to have a pressure-washer, they work very well, and in my experience, they algae does not return as quickly, BUT IT WILL RETURN!

21

Wakin, Shubunkins and Goldfish... / Pond Doc's Fish Food

« on: July 19, 2009, 09:12:17 AM »

Has anyone ever used or knowns anything about Pond Doc’s fish food?  Their web address is:

   http://www.ponddoc.com/index.html

22

Pond Chat / Re: New here.

« on: July 19, 2009, 08:31:05 AM »

Lovely, lovely pond, welcome to our “community” as you put it (I like that as well).  I also like you choice of fish, my favorite is the Shubunkin (I also have Comets and Koi).

23

Pond Chat / Re: My Floating Plant Solution....

« on: July 19, 2009, 08:25:05 AM »

I like it, great idea, thank you.  Another idea that I have used to great success for larger mattes of plants is monofilament fishing line.  It is inexpensive and designed to be nearly invisible in the water.  I anchored it in the rocks across a corner of the pond and it keeps all the hyacinths and lettuce where I want it.

24

Pond Chat / Re: Help!!! with string algea

« on: July 19, 2009, 08:18:01 AM »

Pa Nancy is correct, at least in my experience.  When I have string algae the water is crystal clear.  If there is a way to keep this stuff from blooming, I have not heard of it.  In my experience it happens in the spring and early summer, before the rest of the plants have had a chance to explode, and suck up all the nutrients.  Once I have established a lot of plants, the string algae disappears. 

There are things that may help, such as Barley Straw, or perhaps, as Pa Nancy suggested, Koi Clay (I have never tied it).  Water changes may help, but excessive changes can exacerbate the problem (depends on your water), continue your normal routine with water changes.  Sunlight + nutrients = algae.  If you pond receives excessive sunlight you might try an artifical shade barrier of some type.  Watch you feeding practices.  Overfeeding is a problem, both if there is food left in the pond and the fact that overfeeding causes excessive fecal matter in the pond.  Either are an unnecessary source of nutrients for the algae.  The digestive system of a goldfish is like a tube, the more you put in the one end, the more comes out the other, even before it is fully digested.  Not a good idea to feed the algae instead of the fish.

Actually, although it is not very attractive, I like it in the pond in the spring.  I never allow it to take over, but a mat here and there is not a problem.  It is used by the fish for cover until the other floating plants provide it for them.  It makes a good spawning mat for the fish and it is a source of food for the fish, particularly the tiny fry.

25

Pond Chat / Re: Mollies jumping upstream

« on: July 19, 2009, 07:45:39 AM »

Thank you for sharing that lovely event.  What I could see of your pond was lovely, and your listing of the fish you have made me quite jealous.  Do not get me wrong, I love my pond, my goldfish and my koi, but WOW!  I had aquariums most of my life prior to this pond, so I had many of the fish you spoke of.  To keep them in an outdoor pond would be pure heaven to me, but here in Pennsylvania…..

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Pond Chat / Re: today's shots

« on: July 19, 2009, 07:29:43 AM »

The pond is finally starting to be very relaxing and enjoying. The plants are starting to actually grow. I'm in love! 

You have a lovely pond and some beautiful fish.  Yes they are relaxing and quite enjoyable.  I was always a nature lover and an armature photographer, and spent a lot of time along streams, ponds and lakes.  Age and arthritis has slowed me down quite a bit.

My pond has filled in, in many ways.  I get to enjoy the fish, watch them spawn, constantly looking for food, and apparently ‘playing’ (probably anthropomorphism).  I delight in finding the new fry of the season, and watching them grow.  I see the life cycle of frogs and toads, see Dragonflies and Damselflies mating and dipping their eggs into the shallows.  I watch water striders, and boatman and other small aquatic insects in and around the pond.

The pond is also a magnet for many other of God’s creatures, particularly birds, and yes, the occasional heron.  I do all I can to stop them, short of harming them, and despite my dislike of them eating a few of my fish, they are magnificent, almost stately, creatures. 

And then there are the plants.  I love plants.  Not only because they are a vital part of good pond management, but because they add so much color and life to the pond.  Awaiting the first green each spring, and then the first flowers.  They too bring a host of airborne creatures to the pond.

 So while I can no longer commingle with nature as I once did, I have managed to bring much of nature to my back yard.  Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

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Pond Chat / Re: water lettuce

« on: June 22, 2009, 04:07:20 PM »

Actually, they do bloom but the blooms are the same color as the rest of the plant. You really have to look close to see them. Also, WH's produce seeds.

Just call me Mr. Invasive Species.


 

The flowers are dioecious (requiring male and female), and are hidden in the middle of the plant amongst the leaves.  Small green berries form after successful fertilization.  The plant can also undergo asexual reproduction.  Mother and daughter plants are connected by a short stolon, forming dense mats.  This is the normal method of reproduction in non-tropical zones.

Invasive is not the word for it.  From the Nile near Lake Victoria in Africa, it is now present, either naturally or through human introduction, in nearly all tropical and subtropical fresh waterways.

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Pond Chat / Very interesting book

« on: June 22, 2009, 03:54:34 PM »

I just read a very interesting book.  It is “JAPANESE GOLDFISH, Their Varieties and Cultivation” by Hugh M. Smith, U.S. Commissioner of Fisheries.  It is only 92 years old (printed 1917).  If you take into account the age of the book and ignore the vastly outdated material (things about steam ships and all), it is really interesting.  It deals extensively with Wakin, Ryukin, Ranchu, Oranda, Demekin, Deme-Ranchu, Watonai, Shukin, Shubunkin, and Kinranshi.  I was amazed how much useful information there is on breeding, feeding, and raising fry.  If any one is interested (it is less than 100 pages) it is at:  http://www.archive.org/details/japanesegoldfish1917smit

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DIY Corner / Re: Our DIY pond pics

« on: June 21, 2009, 08:18:42 PM »

Yes this is the first time I have planted directly in the rock, so far so good but this pond is only several months old. I've planted a lot more since these pics and it all seems to be doing great. I had many people tell me that the plants don't need dirt to grow so I wanted to try it. I used the baskets in my old pond and they were a total pain! Roots grew out the bottom causing them to fall over, the pots constantly split, I was always messing around replanting and it was a pain and a mess! So this seems real easy!

I have often thought of trying this.  You are right, many water plants do not need soil, and it does appear that it would be much easier, a no brainer.  The only reservation I have is the invasiveness of many water plants.  They might be quite hard to control once they have become esablished.  Has this ever been a problem for anyone?

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DIY Corner / Re: Our DIY pond pics

« on: June 20, 2009, 11:30:31 AM »

Very nice job.  I love a pond with a rock bottom, we call it river-jack here, and did mine that way.  Pictures were very nice as well (except for the last one).  They should be helpful to anyone wanting to do a DIY pond. 

It appears that you have you plants directly in the river-jack rather than pots.  Have you done this before?  I would be interested to know (from you or anyone) how this works out, as I have considered it.  I was a bit hesitant with concerns of the plants running wild and taking over.