We installed a pond in that is 14'x20' x 28" deep and holds 4500 gallons of water, with a 3' high waterfall that flows into a 15' stream. It has a "PS4500 Atlantic Water Gardens Skimmer with 8" Opening, and a BF1500 Atlantic Water Gardens Up Flow Bio Filter with 19" Weir" that is run with a "CalPump PW4500 High Capacity Waterfall Pump".
On May 5th when we filled it with water, we then added the proper amount of Beneficial Bacteria per label directions. The water was clear at the onset, already now it is beginning to look like "pea soup". We have (13) 10" and (6) 5" goldfish, along with 12 Water Hyacinth, 3 water mint, 6 Water lettuce (I have looked every where within a 60 mile radius for Fairy moss or any other floaters without any success), 1 Lotus, 5 water lilies that only have 4 to 6 small pads floating on the top of the water. There are also several other plants on the shelf. We put 12 bunches of Parrots Feather & 12 bunches of Anarachis in the pond. It is in the sun all day and afternoon until 7pm.
My question is: How long does it take the pond water to balance out so it will be clear enough to actually see the fish & plants again? Does anyone have any ideas of what else I can do to improve the water clarity?
I will thank you in advance for any advice you can give this novice water gardener!