Messages

31

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Newbie needing input...photos enclosed

« on: August 17, 2008, 07:49:36 AM »

I have a couple of "learned from experience " thoughts for you. If you plan to plant anything in your streams, make sure the flat areas between your falls are deep enough to hold 3-4 inches of water.

If for any reason you have to turn off the pumps, due to a leak or a 3 day power outage (been there). Your plants won't die and it tends to look more natural.

Make your stream and falls at least 6 inches deeper than you think they should be. When that water starts rushing you'd be amazed how it can climb the rocks on the edge.

Your pumps should not be at the lowest pond depth. If for some reason the stream gets diverted you won't empty the whole pond.

Give careful consideration to the surrounding terrain and water run-off; you never want run-off water in your pond.

Just my thoughts.

32

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: winter storage for my koi? zone 4 300g or 550g

« on: August 17, 2008, 07:19:30 AM »

Silly question, but why aren't you leaving them in the pond? I'm zone 5; we had a cold winter pond frozen over with snow cover from Dec 1 till March. Just had a little stock tank heater to keep a hole in the ice to vent.

If you keep them in the garage with the warmer temps won't they need filtration and the whole 9 yards?

33

Pond Chat / Re: Chameleon plants

« on: August 01, 2008, 10:52:08 AM »

I don't believe you can kill Chameleon plants. I made the mistake of planting it as a ground cover years ago. It spreads with runners and we worked for 10 years to get rid of it. Round-up, brush killer nothing could harm it.

34

Pond Chat / Re: help adding a settlement pond and filters and bog questions...

« on: July 23, 2008, 06:40:40 PM »

I don't know--could be great potential for more boulders and boulder retaining walls. If your back could take it.

35

Pond Chat / Re: What To Plant On The Outside Of The Pond Now!

« on: July 23, 2008, 02:52:54 PM »

I'm in zone 5 in full sun as well. I am trying to blend the edge with the existing landscape; but I have had good luck with the yellow Creeping Jenny, Lirope, Blue Rug Juniper (these are all low) daylilies for color and for hieght a Weeping Norway Spruce adds a lot of character without overwhelming. Put it like 3-4 feet from the pond it grows up not out. The bottom branches curl around on the ground.

36

Pond Chat / Re: help adding a settlement pond and filters and bog questions...

« on: July 23, 2008, 02:40:57 PM »

Is there anyway to put the settlement pond at the top of your falls?

My pumps are in the skimmer box of the pond and pump up into the settlement pond/bog at the top which overflows to the streams and falls.

37

Pond Chat / Re: Water Hyacinths

« on: July 20, 2008, 07:41:41 PM »

This late in the season I would only go with potted growing lilies. They will have a jump start on root development. However they are more expensive. I put a dry tuber in my pond this time last year, and it is pretty much still an infant this year. I put a potted one in at about the same time last year and it has tripled in size from last year.

38

Pond Chat / Re: Do you have to fence off a pond, like you do a swimming pool?

« on: July 20, 2008, 03:03:21 PM »

I think is totally dependent on your local laws.

Where I live any water container on private property deeper than 24 inches must be fenced. But in the Lake of the Ozarks swimming pools don't require a fence at all. Guess they figure the lake isn't fenced so why fence a pool.

39

Pond Chat / Re: icky water after a week of the 90's

« on: July 20, 2008, 02:59:23 PM »

I had to result to algae fix because the string algae was gowing faster than I could muck it off. The bottle says it works on all forms of algae. The big caution is it works by rapidly depleting the oxygen supply. This is really scary with fish.

I used it early in the season when water temps were below 70 degrees and in the morning. It says right on the bottle not to use it at night or when temps are high.

Even then the fish went to the bottom and became motionless for about 8 hours. It definitely stressed them. I also think you should follow with a sludge disolver, and physically scum of any debris on the bottom.

By the way I didn't think your pond looked bad at all I could see the rocks. 3 weeks after my pond was first put in, definitely pea soup. You couldn't see an inch below the surface. I just kept adding plants and in two weeks it totally cleared without any chemical intervention.

40

Pond Chat / Re: Water Hyacinths

« on: July 19, 2008, 09:25:20 PM »

I understand your pain with the hyacinths, last year mine looked like they burned up. I tried again this year and had them confined to a 12 inch ring anchored to the side of the pond. They now cover a 6x6 foot area, are really tall and I pull out a milk crate full every week.

I think they like to be crowded. Hardy lilies are my staple; they multiply and come back each year. Someday they will save the expense of buying the hyacinths.

41

Pond Chat / Re: icky water after a week of the 90's

« on: July 19, 2008, 09:14:33 PM »

I had to use algae fix for a month this spring due to extremely heavy string algae growth over the winter. Problem with it though is it is real hard on the growth of beneficial bacteria. On recommendation of the pond store here I started dosing with Aqua Clear and Clarity Max both natural bacterial clarifiers. They do wonders. May water stays crystal clear and I have no filter media except mechanical in the skimmer box that is cleaned weekly.

My pond is in full sun also (couldn't believe how warm the water was today, felt like a hot tub). I try to keep 50% surface coverage with plants and have a lot of dwarf cattails along the stream and in the bog without pots or dirt. They have the best root filtration.

I'm not an expert, just know what works in my pond.

42

Pond Chat / Re: Our Pond, Summer 2008

« on: July 19, 2008, 08:57:08 PM »

I know you said it is hot there; but the pond and setting look so cool and peaceful. 

43

Pond Chat / Re: My first pond

« on: July 19, 2008, 08:53:36 PM »

Your pond looks great! Love your goldies.  

44

Pond Chat / Why do they love Colorado?

« on: July 04, 2008, 07:47:42 AM »

Everytime Colorado blooms the Koi eat the blossom. 

I can have four other lilies blooming and the minute Colorado opens they tear it apart! Tried yelling and scolding them; did absolutely no good.

45

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Just gotta love WalMart

« on: July 04, 2008, 07:44:15 AM »

I have a Bloodgood in the front of the house that has been in for 15 years and is now maybe 15 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It was much larger and pricier ($189 back then) when planted. Guess our winters really do hold them back.

You're right though; 25 feet would take out the Gazebo. The one that grows is that Artic Willow; I trimmed it back by half this spring. It was only supposed to be 6 feet tall.

Mostly what I like about WalMart is the bargains.

46

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Just gotta love WalMart

« on: July 02, 2008, 05:54:03 AM »

Since our huge storm (110mph wind) Friday we don't have any blossoms; so I don't really know if they have a scent. When they come back I'll let you know.

47

Koi Corner / 3+ days without power

« on: July 01, 2008, 06:39:28 AM »

Our electricity is back after being off for more than 3 days. Sure learned a lot.

Don't over stock your pond.
Can't have too much surface coverage.
Koi are smarter than I knew.
You can run 2 air-stones off an inverter and your car battery for over 10 hours.
Streams really do add lots of oxygen.

The first 10 hours after loosing power the koi did okay. But then they lay motionless on the bottom of the pond under a mass of floating plants. I bought a two outlet air-stone and hooked it up to an inverter we rotated between cars. We lucked out because temps were only in the mid 70's for two days. But as temps began to climb and we were in our second day, I knew further intervention was needed.

Everyone I called about a generator didn't think they would handle the 2 4500/gph pumps. We are lucky to have a motorhome with a powerful generator. We brought it home and hooked up the pumps; within 20 minutes the koi were back in action. Can't tell you how good it felt to see them swim again.

I no I'll have some issues regrowing my bacteria because the bog was dry and I've lost some cattails and plants in the streams. But my koi are all alive and that is a very good thing.

48

Pond Chat / Re: Planting pond plants in pea gravel??

« on: June 26, 2008, 05:53:59 PM »

My lilies are growing right in my river rock. They probably would do better in soil, but they do bloom. The Koi have taken to eating the blooms lately anyway. :'(

49

Pond Chat / Re: lotus blooming and around the pond... big HAIL storm today :(

« on: June 23, 2008, 09:55:30 AM »

Everything just looks gorgeous

50

Koi Corner / Re: New Koi

« on: June 09, 2008, 10:06:13 PM »

I know what you mean about the fins. Here is a link to a higher resolution of the image:
http://diannesgraphicdesign.com/images/longfin.jpg
The white one, Dancer, has the most beautiful fins. When he hovers I think of the lead in Swan Lake.
The grey one, Ghost, has a split in one pec.
The orange one in middle, Pony Boy, has one short pec; it was long last year?
Angel, the yellow one, has scraggley short fins. He is growing fast and they say they can outgrow their fins.
And there's Malcomb he doesn't have but one pectoral.
http://www.americanponders.com/forum/index.php?topic=5679.0
WOW...I just looked at that old post. My water has sure cleared up.

51

Pond Chat / Re: "Salt Shock" - What do you think of this mini-quarantine method?

« on: June 09, 2008, 07:42:19 PM »

I don't buy large fish (mainly because they cost too much) but where I get mine the guy always puts a "stress" tab in the water.
I have no idea what it is. He says it reduces the trauma of transport??

52

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: In the last three days

« on: June 09, 2008, 05:21:40 PM »

Do you have a pic?

53

Pond Chat / Re: Hot weather garden tour at my yard

« on: June 09, 2008, 07:45:59 AM »

Wilbur is adorable! Your yard amazing!

54

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Just gotta love WalMart

« on: June 08, 2008, 06:08:12 PM »

Tinkster -- It really took hold last year and just blooms its heart out. It is pretty much in the sun until about 4pm.

55

Terrestrial Gardening / Re: Hydrandea Row

« on: June 08, 2008, 05:58:48 PM »

Just beautiful! Mine have just started to bud. (envy)

56

Pond Chat / Re: Reflections On Water

« on: June 08, 2008, 06:59:09 AM »

Beautiful.

57

Pond Chat / Re: Can't believe this

« on: June 08, 2008, 06:57:19 AM »

I have 5 hardy lilies just in the rock, they probably don't bloom as much, because I don't fertilize them. My pond guy said they filter the water better when not in pots and the fish provide nutrients. It must work because that lily wasn't there last year. I grow them mostly for the cover the pads provide and the lilies are a beautiful bonus. I do have some large buds coming up right now.

He installed four when he built the pond and I hope to post some pictures when they open so maybe you experts can tell me what they are.

58

Pond Chat / Re: Fish in skimmer

« on: June 08, 2008, 06:38:00 AM »

I maybe didn't use the right word. It's a bellows. I'll pm you--maybe you could come look at mine.

59

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: What is in the bottom of your pond.............

« on: June 07, 2008, 02:19:05 PM »

My pond bottom is covered with rock. I like the look.

Most sources don't recommend that because of cleaning. So far I haven't seen it as a problem. The pond is about 34 inches deep and I can see the rocks on the bottom now. This spring not so much, lots of crud down there. I just fluff the rock around with a skimmer net and cleaned it out.

Bottom drains aren't commonly used around here because of the winters. I just use a good biological clarifier in season and it helps reduce accumulations. I also minimally feed the fish.

60

Chit Chat / Re: New pond additions

« on: June 07, 2008, 11:40:56 AM »

Looks more like pickerel