What is in the bottom of your pond.............

[Chevy Girl]

I am just curious, as to what substrate is at the bottom of "your" pond?
I need something, Just not sure what........right now, I have  some algae.
any suggestions????
I really want my  to be happy...........

[Sonny]

No substrate in the bottom of my pond.  Just two bottom drains to help keep the bottom free of sediment.  I belong to 'school of thought' that substrate collects debris that is not good for fish.

[Sunbeam56]

When I had a show pond, we kept the bottom as clean as we could.
Now I have leaves, mulm, and all sorts of baddies in the pond intown - because its not being used for fish.
And mud in the bottom of the mud ponds. 

[EagleEye]

Rubber roof liner in the bottom (and sides for that matter) of my ponds.
But then again there not all that big.
Steve

[Chevy Girl]

does anyone have rock in the bottom?

[crazyfishlady]

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.

[Chevy Girl]

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.

Thank you, I thought I was the only one....

[flyhawk]

my pond has a 2 foot, 1 foot, and a three fot section. the 1 ft is covered in small gravel, but theres not alot showing because i have alot of marginals. My 2ft is covered in a thin layer of gravel, but theres also a layer of muck for weed growth. i also have alot of lilies so i cant see the bottom. my 3ft section under the water fall, has large stones for fish to hide in and cool of in in the deep waters of the pond.

[Chevy Girl]

my pond has a 2 foot, 1 foot, and a three fot section. the 1 ft is covered in small gravel, but theres not alot showing because i have alot of marginals. My 2ft is covered in a thin layer of gravel, but theres also a layer of muck for weed growth. i also have alot of lilies so i cant see the bottom. my 3ft section under the water fall, has large stones for fish to hide in and cool of in in the deep waters of the pond.

That sounds like my pond.............

[Mikey]

does anyone have rock in the bottom?

Your neighbor LeeAnne also has a rocked bottom.  I don't recall her saying she has ever cleaned it.  I've seen it a couple of times and the water is clear and the fish are healthy.

I have a rubber liner with a bottom drain.  The slope to the drain is gentle and I therefore do get a thin layer of mulm.  However I think the koi keep it moving toward the bottom drain.

Bottom drains are not fun though when they get clogged.... 

[miguynmkoi]

    That is quite the picture Mike for what's at the bottom of your pond!  Absolutely priceless!! 

[Chevy Girl]

does anyone have rock in the bottom?

Your neighbor LeeAnne also has a rocked bottom.  I don't recall her saying she has ever cleaned it.  I've seen it a couple of times and the water is clear and the fish are healthy.

I have a rubber liner with a bottom drain.  The slope to the drain is gentle and I therefore do get a thin layer of mulm.  However I think the koi keep it moving toward the bottom drain.

Bottom drains are not fun though when they get clogged.... 


OMG!!!!!!!!!! That is too funny,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Birdman]

Nothing on the bottom of my ponds.  That's the only way the bottom drains and TPRs can function properly.  Bottom stays squeaky clean.
I had a pond with gravel on the bottom once.  Did nothing but collect sludge, then it went an-arobic, started producing hydrogen suffide gas and posioned the pond.  Removing the gravel from the bottom was one of the worse jobs I ever had to do.

[EagleEye]

Bart,

Gravel and rocks are very different.

Rocks rock

Steve

[lorraine1960]

I have pea pebbles on the bottom and it is clear clear w/o bad debris..here and there i have latge rock formations so the fish can get inside to hide and its fun to watch them play and run thru it......my pond stays clean and clear but i have a waterfall and 2 bios....i with u/v and 1 w/o...   i also in the late fall thru spring put aq bird net over the pond and waterfall and i tell you from experience with 1 ft high leaves in it to clean that it makes a HUGE difference and everyday i take a pool skimmer. net and just scoop the water surface and it stays nice....and clear....lorraine

[landey1230]

    Mikey, you are a true worrior.

[happyoutsidegirl]

I have rock in my pond and it goes to about 34". I don't use anything smaller than about 4" tho! I have a pond vac and use that as needed and good bacteria.

[Rick40]

My ponds are covered with mostly rock and gravel. right now my upper pond collects most of the muck and debris while my lower pond is crystal clear and debris free. I am using one biofilter for both of them.

  Rick