Messages

31

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 22, 2010, 06:20:11 AM »

No skill saw.  Thanks.  The skippy will be raised, so the drain will run down toward my lawn.  I feel better now that I have plans on how to attack this.  You're awesome, Esther. 

32

Pond Chat / Re: Photos of the yard

« on: May 20, 2010, 09:12:24 PM »

Great pics.  Love the pond.  The raise garden bed is a great idea. 

33

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 20, 2010, 09:08:59 PM »

Thank you for the details.  I have a skill saw.  Maybe that will cut the grid a little faster.  Also, I wasn't intending to install a drain and now I know I should.  Scrubber pads it is.  Lava rock would be difficult to handle.  Even in a mesh bag.  I'll post pics as I go.  Thanks again, Esther.   

34

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 18, 2010, 08:14:05 PM »

Thanks Esther.  I went through the list of websites. Most of the folks use lava rocks as bio.  I'm not sure if I should go that route.  Would you copy and past a pic of floor scrubber pads?  Did you just lay them in the skippy and hold them down with a crate or a florescent light cover?  Do you have pics of the inside of you skippy?  I read the official skippy site, but I really don't want to spend all that money on their supplies. 

35

Pond Chat / Re: Pink Ribbons...

« on: May 12, 2010, 04:20:41 PM »

I see it.  All slimy and green.   

36

Pond Chat / Re: Where's Joyce?

« on: May 12, 2010, 03:53:31 PM »

 

Now, about that lotus pond.   

37

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 11, 2010, 07:54:03 PM »

It's very frustrating and I know it takes patience, but I've never had clear water in the summer.  I've been ponding for 4 years now.  This is the second year with the newly constructed pond.  I've used bio filters purchased from hardware stores and clean the heck out them twice a week.  I notice a difference in the clarity, but not where I can see the bottom.

I just purchased a rubbermaid tank and plan to make it into a skippy.  That's why I asked about the type of media.  I remember what Esther's skippy looks like and I want to imitate it.  I've also research how to construct a skippy.  My biggest concern is, how often do you clean it?  Everyone has different thoughts about cleaning the media, so it's kind of confusing.

38

Pond Chat / Re: underwater lights

« on: May 11, 2010, 07:45:53 PM »

They stay away from the illumination.  Normally, the submersible lights come with a light sensor so that they turn on at night.  There is no timer.  I bought a timer used for outdoor Christmas lights.     

39

Pond Chat / Re: Where's Joyce?

« on: May 09, 2010, 08:23:38 PM »

Well, I hope she returns.  There was something missing from the forum and I knew it was her posts. 

40

Pond Chat / Where's Joyce?

« on: May 08, 2010, 10:38:30 AM »

Hope all is well.  I enjoy reading her comments and posts.  Maybe she's waiting for her lotus pond to bloom?   

41

Pond Chat / Re: underwater lights

« on: May 08, 2010, 10:35:53 AM »

I have used submersible lights.  Fish didn't like them at night.  So I took them out of the pond and illuminated the exterior area including the waterfall.  I bought a set on sale from a Petsmart about 2 years ago.  They still work and I haven't had to replace anything. 

42

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 07, 2010, 10:13:38 PM »

hmmm. 

43

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

« on: May 06, 2010, 09:21:34 PM »

Click on the link under his name, before the next post. 

44

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 06, 2010, 09:15:06 PM »

I'm in the warmer area (9a) and have a bio filter and 55 watt UV clarifier.  I clean the filter media twice a week during the summer.  If I don't clean it, I notice the water clarity affected.  I have to wait for the lilies to send out more pads as my pond is in full sun. 

45

Pond Chat / Re: First hardy lily blooms of the season

« on: May 04, 2010, 07:20:28 PM »

It's about that time.  Kat's blooms!!!! 

Keep them coming, Kat.  I enjoy the tropical water lily pics.   

46

Pond Chat / Re: Filter media

« on: May 04, 2010, 07:18:55 PM »

Don't you have a skippy?  How often do you clean the media in it? 

47

Pond Chat / Re: lily pond

« on: April 26, 2010, 05:48:47 AM »

Good job on both.  I really like the ground level one and how the water is above the rocks.  Great plant selection as well. 

48

Pond Chat / Re: Tuber question

« on: April 06, 2010, 09:05:14 PM »

Place a tuber in a sandwich ziplock bag, fill the bag with pond water about 1/4 of the way, and allow it to float in your pond.  Of course, temps outside should average above the 70's during the day.  Give it a week or two and you'll see some sprouts. 

49

Pond Chat / Re: Reputable Place for Pond Plants?

« on: April 06, 2010, 09:02:18 PM »

I purchase plants from members here on the forum.  I'm sure there are others, but the following are great folks to work with and sent me true name plants: Tranquility, Kat, and Matherfish

Check with those members for what your looking for.

50

Pond Chat / Re: pondovac3 trial run

« on: March 26, 2010, 09:12:20 PM »

That's good to know.  Thanks.     I might have taken those things off otherwise.

51

Pond Chat / Re: pondovac3 trial run

« on: March 25, 2010, 08:18:48 PM »

I bought mine last Monday and have used it twice already.  The first time, I didn't use the mesh bag and allowed the water to run straight to the grass.  That left an algae of mess.  Today, I used the bag and all the algae was kept in the bag.  Not too bad.  I did experience the suction loss, but I fixed that by running the hose through the handle, into the intake, and tightening the handle in the resting position.  I've never vacuumed my pond with anything else, so I'm not sure how to rate the system.  It works.  There is a period of wait in between discharge, but not too long.  The filters inside the machine do not really serve a purpose.  I guess it would be used if the vacuum was used as a dry vac?  Don't think I would use it for anything else, but the pond.   

52

Pond Chat / Re: where do you get your dirt for your lilies?

« on: March 21, 2010, 08:00:16 PM »

I used topsoil for 2 years, but the koi would make a mess of it.  Now, I use the clay soil dug up from my last pond remodel.  Topsoil and clay dirt work well for me. 

53

Pond Chat / Re: If you could do it all over again...

« on: March 21, 2010, 01:07:20 PM »

I've rebuilt my pond 3 times do to different things I've wanted.  If you're planning on having water plants, shelves are ideal.  Bigger is better, but make sure you have proper filtration.  Depth is also important for koi.  Waterfall, oh boy, those are a pain.  You can lose lots of water if the waterfall is not done right. 

54

Pond Chat / Re: A question for those that use plant spikes.

« on: March 21, 2010, 12:31:03 AM »

Sometime they'll sell them at the 99 cent stores.

55

Pond Chat / Re: Lotus tubers and more tubers and ......Those who wanted my tubers please read

« on: March 20, 2010, 07:24:21 PM »

Every year I take you up on tubers.  Unfortunately, I have failed to grow them every year.  You are wonderful for the offer year after year.  I have given up on lotus.  It is just too darn hot here.   

56

Pond Chat / Re: A question for those that use plant spikes.

« on: March 20, 2010, 07:21:37 PM »

I've been using the tomato spikes for 3 years.  I seem to get more blooms with them.   

57

Pond Chat / Re: You know your a ponder when...

« on: March 19, 2010, 10:06:08 AM »

You knock it down and rebuild it 3 times to make it better.

58

Pond Chat / Re: Fertilizer question.

« on: March 17, 2010, 08:24:47 PM »

Osmocote doesn't last throughout the season here in Buckeye, AZ.  I use dirt and Jobe's tomato spikes.  Using the spikes, I am able to fertilize every other month.  Hardies are potted in a plastic oil pan.  Tropicals are potted in a gallon (deeper the better) pot.  1 spike per pot.  I break it in half and place each half on opposite sides. 

59

Pond Chat / Re: Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach

« on: March 17, 2010, 04:36:04 PM »

I love how the koi are as big as the duck.  Wonderful pics.

60

Pond Chat / Re: Pond Vac III

« on: March 17, 2010, 04:23:19 PM »

My koi are fairly large and quick.  I should receive it by Monday.  Hopefully everything arrives in perfect condition.  I know Webb's is pretty good about shipping.  The price wasn't bad at all.  $269.