Messages

1

Dealer Deals / Re: Sequence Pumps Discount Sale! Lowest Prices on the Web! Plus FREE Shipping!

« on: June 20, 2014, 09:25:14 PM »

Do you still sell Sequence pumps? I'm looking at the 1000 series 3300SEQ21.

2

Dealer Deals / Re: Sequence Pumps

« on: June 20, 2014, 09:19:36 PM »

OK I see you corrected? the wattage of the 4200 pump.

Having done a bunch of Googling—flow charts etc, comparing pumps at 15' of head. I have narrowed pumps down to the Sequence 1000 series 3300SEQ 21, and the Cascade C1/8-36.

Do you sell either one of these? Pro's cons of either, or something more electrically efficient or better at 15' of head?

Thanks

3

Dealer Deals / Re: Sequence Pumps

« on: June 19, 2014, 01:35:58 PM »

I checked out the web page. Looking at any of the pumps you sell doesn't really help.

For example:

Sequence 750:

3600SEQ12    3200 gph    12 feet    139watts
4200SEQ12    4200 gph    12 feet    140watts

Does this mean for 1 watt I can get another 1000gph? The output is at what head height? Does this mean at 12' of head height it starts dropping off from 4200, 3200 or does it output 0 at 12'?

The Artesian pumps don't run on electricity?

It's really frustrating looking for a pond pump and trying to decide what is the best choice when there is no way to compare anything with anything else.
 

4

Pond Chat / Re: City issues a pond water warning

« on: May 06, 2014, 07:05:36 PM »

Probably depends on how often you do a water change and how long the Chloramines remain. Probably safer to add neutralizer, or run your fill water through a solid block carbon water filter. Wikipedia says "can hurt aquatic animals." That's why the city sent a warning.

5

Pond Chat / Re: waterlilies

« on: May 05, 2014, 11:33:43 AM »

I used to get much growth little bloom. I tried many fertilizer combos. The best thing I've found is some Osmocote veggie—14-14-14 in the bottom when potting, I also add several Pondtabbs. I re-fertilize a few months later with more Pondtabbs. The Osmocote makes the tubers grow, the Pondtabbs help them flower well.

I like to mix fine sand in with my soil so it's a 50/50 soil and sand mix.

6

Carnivorous Plants... / Re: ??????

« on: May 04, 2014, 07:07:31 PM »

Here are the Carnivores at the present...

7

Koi Corner / Easter Koi

« on: May 04, 2014, 06:44:07 PM »

This was in NYC Central Park, just prior to Easter. (Near the boathouse.)

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Carnivorous Plants... / Re: ??????

« on: April 30, 2013, 06:53:21 PM »

It doesn't look like carnivores are a very popular subject...

I haven't had stupendous growth to divide the plants I have but, I've had some great success with plants form this place: http://www.californiacarnivores.com/

The first time I bought from them (bare root) they sent extra plants—I was stoked. The next time they just sent what I ordered.  I did splurge for a few larger plants bare root, Sarracenia and they're awesome. I bought four varieties. I have two plants in bloom right now. My cobra is just beginning to send out runners and baby plants so maybe in the future...

I buy from them when they are doing the early spring sales...

9

Carnivorous Plants... / Re: Anyone?

« on: May 17, 2011, 07:14:10 PM »

I wish I could get mine to grow well enough to divide. If so I'd be happy to swap some.

I just ordered four more plants to try again...

10

Carnivorous Plants... / Re: sarracenia Dana's Delight

« on: May 17, 2011, 06:15:24 PM »

I have mine planted in the edge of my pond. I created some "soil" areas around the perimeter stones, still within the water level of the liner. As the water drops it keeps the soil wet, but when it's raining or full the roots are maybe 1/4" deep in water. They stay outside all winter, but the coldest we have here is frost. I had a few plants and the ones planted in mostly shade passed on. I have one that is very happy where it gets good sun. It hasn't really grown a great deal of extra plant to divide it, but I'm loath to cut full green leaves from it in winter to make it be dormant.

This year it surprised me with a flower.

11

Pond Chat / Veterinary help

« on: March 23, 2011, 02:28:39 PM »

Hey folks I came across a great resource if you have a sick aquatic creature you want professional help with.

http://www.aquavetmed.info/

You can look for veterinarians in your area who can treat your fish or other water critters.

12

Pond Chat / Re: Barley straw

« on: November 23, 2010, 04:50:49 PM »

I would guess it depends upon the age of your pond and the temperature of the water.

Barley straw is supposed to be a slow release of hydrogen peroxide as a by product of it's breaking down. I used to pull mine out in the fall when the water temp would drop below 50 degrees. There isn't a lot of  bio activity below this temperature and the biofilter bugs are sleeping and will do nothing to help your water deal with by-products of your fish or plants. I also had raccoons tear up the net bags of barley looking for the grubs that were living in them.

When my pond was new I tried all kinds of stuff, now that its several years old it kind of takes care of itself. If your pond is older it probably doesn't need anything. If it's new it just needs time, or more filtration...

13

Pond Chat / Re: Quick lotus question

« on: June 11, 2010, 10:01:38 PM »

I don't have a lot of experience but, I have used small pebbles in topping potted lilies in the past as well as aquatic expensive cat litter gravel. I don't use pebbles anymore as they are more difficult to deal with at repotting time and the cat litter gravel is to costly and can build up in my poor bottom drain line. I too like to use a layer of sand, which I then clean off the bottom of the pond with a net for the rest of the growing season and I don't have koi. The sand flushes easily through the bottom drain pipe.

We try different things and use what seems to work best. I too don't see a need to use, or remove gravel from a whiskey barrel. Though I'm only familiar with oak 1/2 wine barrels... (French or American usually toasted.) After the raccoons have had their fun, it doesn't matter what soil I use in my lotus pots...

14

Pond Chat / Re: Tons of tiny wiggly things?

« on: June 11, 2010, 09:39:35 PM »

I have those also in mid spring. I think they are gnat larvae. The damsel fly nymphs hunt them down for lunch.

15

Pond Chat / Re: Osmocote??

« on: June 11, 2010, 09:14:55 PM »

I have used Osmocote, tree stakes, tomato stakes, Pondtabbs with humates, and the pond tablets (higher nitrogen) at the local nursery. The Osmocote 14-14-14 gives great tuber growth, not so much flower production, and leaves me with little yellow round things on the pond bottom with the sand that comes out of the pots. Tree stakes and the local nursery pond tablets don't offer the same level of growth, but leave me with a lump of gross smelly black ick in the pot to get rid of when repotting, makes me think they don't give up nutrients well. Tomato stakes are so flimsy they rubberize before I can push them into the soil. Pondtabbs I find give me much better flower production, but not a lot of tuber growth, and I have to add them more frequently 2-3 times a season, but there is nothing left of them at season's end. Making me think they dissolve well. I also don't have a blast of algae when using the tabbs.

So I use a little Osocote and Pondtabbs when repottiing. I'm not partial to Osmocote. I'll use whatever sustained release pelleted Osmocote type fertilizer that's cheap at HD...

When I sell folks my potted lilies I show them the pondtabbs, I add one to the soil when they take home a plant. I tell them they can use Osmocote when repotting because I know most folks are familiar with it and it works. Pond specific fertilizers at the local nurseries are expensive and don't work well...

I think we use what works and avoid what doesn't, but it takes time to learn these things—thankfully we have forums to save time in the learning process.

16

Pond Chat / Re: attacked by a dragonfly......

« on: June 03, 2009, 03:30:02 PM »

Maybe it ingested to many African killer bees, or cross bred with them? Lets see video tape.... please please please

17

Pond Chat / Re: not a Heron or Egret

« on: June 03, 2009, 03:25:02 PM »

I think it would be prudent to know what kind of bird it is before any course of action is taken. Pictures... If your close enough to shoot it, try the camera first... I have mourning doves wash and drink in my falls. It would be especially heart breaking if it were something endangered, and protected.

http://www.squidoo.com/mourningdove

18

Pond Chat / Re: Dead Fish

« on: March 02, 2009, 09:33:38 PM »

Hey Esther I'm sorry to hear about your fish. It's always heartbreaking to lose one of the herd. Sounds like you were hit especially hard. Koi are supposed to be more demanding in their water requirements.

You could try using the drain on the water heater to melt a quick hole, if you can reach the pond with a hose from the water heater. Be careful the first bit out could be full of crud, if you haven't drained the heater in awhile. A small propane torch for soldering copper pipe might work quickly too.

I remember awhile back someone built a 'hole in the ice' contraption with a simple 100 watt bulb in some kind of floating contraption. Upside down bucket or some such with foam around the base to keep it floating. I don't remember if it was insulated or not or how cold the winter got where they were but they said it kept a hole in the ice to allow for gas exchange.

If your looking to reduce goldfish populations I've had great success with mosquito fish (which breed like mice) eating most of the eggs. Keep the plant cover (parrots feather and the like) at a minimum while they are breeding so they haven't anyplace to hide the eggs.

19

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Re: Anyone in the Bay Area? Want some free lilies?

« on: August 27, 2008, 01:29:32 PM »

Others have asked about shipping... I'm reluctant at this point. I was just hoping someone local could just drop by. Hasn't been the case. I made contact with a local nursery, don't know if they'll do trade or not yet. I may consider shipping once we're dormant and the weather is cool, where shipping would not be such a risk at a poor outcome.


UPDATE: Hey all, I found a local nursery to take the plants in trade. They even replaced my pots. So they aren't available any longer....

20

Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Exchange / Anyone in the Bay Area? Want some free lilies?

« on: August 04, 2008, 08:34:04 PM »

I have an overgrown small pond of plants—can't see the fish anymore. I have three 'Almost Black' Hardies I'd be happy to give to anyone willing to drive here to pick them up. (I do want to keep the pots they are in though) Two of them are vigorous and huge, the third is a bit wimpy. I just pulled them and pruned most of the pads and put them back. I could probably be talked out of an Arc-En-Ciel as well, as long as the Almost Black go.

I also have an excess of water hawthorne (dormant now) in 4" pots. If you'd like some yellow eyed grass, I could part with some of them too...

21

Pond Chat / Re: Pump problems

« on: June 04, 2008, 09:55:16 PM »

Yes, but they should show up on the outflow side.

22

Pond Chat / Re: wondering if anyone has a used 1000gph or bigger pump fs

« on: June 04, 2008, 09:50:28 PM »

There's always Craig's list...

23

Pond Chat / Re: Lotus! First there was one...

« on: June 04, 2008, 09:48:29 PM »

Sounds like my lotus, first one, now two.... leaves... 

Actually the one out front is cruzin' with a forth leaf uncurling...

24

Pond Construction & Filtration / Re: Efficient pumps - opinions

« on: June 02, 2008, 08:57:06 PM »

I submerged my Wave 1 1/4 external pump, 6+" rain in several hours. Got a little noisy, after I dried it out. I sent it back to William and he replaced the bearings and impeller at no charge...

25

Pond Chat / Re: Group plant purchase W/ Texaswaterlilies.com

« on: March 21, 2008, 09:58:28 AM »

I finally got an e-mail from him this morning... 

26

Pond Chat / Re: Somebody here was absolutely correct...

« on: March 18, 2008, 09:47:55 PM »

I've had good success with electric deer wire around the pond, though I still lose the biggest goldies each year. I've seen a coon jump over the wire and swim across the pond—one morning at 4 am. So, much of the pond now has double wires. I lost all my lotus last spring, 4 pots growing well. Last week I dug them all up to find a runner left in one pot—that's all that was left of all of the great tubers I had planted earlier. I cover them with hardware cloth and leave rat traps around the edge of the lotus pots now, and one has the rat trap floating in it. I'm still looking forward to finding a paw left behind.

I've treed them with a garden hose spray nozzle, blasted them with a water fire extinguisher, chased them, barked at them, they alway return and do damage when I least expect it, when I'm usually sleeping.

27

Pond Chat / Re: Group plant purchase W/ Texaswaterlilies.com

« on: March 18, 2008, 09:32:01 PM »

Bare root is exactly that, the plants/roots are buck naked... tubers wrapped in moist newspaper usually, ready for a pot with soil. Can't speak for the marginals as I've never bought them mail order.

28

Pond Chat / Group plant purchase W/ Texaswaterlilies.com

« on: March 18, 2008, 08:50:57 PM »

There is a group discount offer on lotus, lilies, and marginal plants. Pretty good prices and the plants were good as well

http://www.koipondtalk.com/smf/index.php?topic=2189.msg20521
 

Spring is coming...

29

Pond Chat / Re: POND LETTER/PENNSYL DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY-----Please read

« on: February 28, 2008, 07:05:01 PM »

That's a great letter that went around the internet some years back, some of the language has changed I think but it's a great story.

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Pond Chat / Re: 'Coons. $#@#%&*! Now it's MY turn! @(&$@&#%!!

« on: February 13, 2008, 04:42:07 PM »

Yes systemic rose food is quite hazardous. Read the label carefully. Many pets, i.e. dogs walk in a rose bed that has been "fertilized" and end up at the vet. Not all survive despite intervention. Yes this is from simply walking on it. Being that it is systemic, using it on lotus would make eating them a deadly proposition—solving any bad coon problems... but then it will most likely travel down the food chain.