Messages

1

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Question for Skippy users

« on: November 25, 2009, 03:15:15 PM »

Mike, should be no problem. I have had a "Skippy" for several years. A few inches off the bottom is good. Be sure you have a bottom drain with a shut-off that you can open once a week to pull out any sediment in the bottom. I usually do it when I'm doing a water change. And don't believe that it never needs cleaning! Mine works well on a once a year fall cleaning and an occasional draindown flush. I have my media in bags and shake them a tub of pond water. Depending on the media and the pond ( fish load, plantings), you may have clean more often. Rule of thumb- when you get about 1/4 of crud on media or waterfall seems slower - time to clean!

Ed

2

Pond Chat / Re: A question for Joyce?

« on: May 02, 2009, 09:30:35 PM »

Joyce, I used composted manure. I meant straight as not mixed with anything else. I'm just the opposite- Grew up in Calif. and moved to Iowa to attend grad school-still here 44 years later.

Ed   

3

Pond Chat / Re: A question for Joyce?

« on: May 02, 2009, 11:11:19 AM »

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it was composted manure- it was very much like soil, smelled good, no chucks or lumps and even on the dry side. I'm sure it met your description of acceptable manure. I'm in Iowa and understand your description of good vs bad. I'll add more gravel and give it some time and hopefully it will quit leaching. This is my first time using straight manure, used to using Iowa rich clay, which does not leach, so maybe my expectations were different. Perhaps I didn't pack the soil down enough. I'll give it some time and do a water change. It apparently is not an issue for you.

Ed 

4

Pond Chat / A question for Joyce?

« on: May 01, 2009, 11:31:44 PM »

Joyce,
I have potted up some Lilies using your potting mix. Yes, I followed your instructions to the tee. The composted manure is leaking tea out of the pot turning the water brown. I do have a layer of pea gravel on top and am using pots without holes.

How do you control this?

Thanks, Ed   

5

Pond Chat / Re: A "hardy" blue waterlily.

« on: January 16, 2009, 09:40:26 PM »

Mike, where are you located.