Aquatic Gardening

Jun 29 12:08 UTC 2000

Water gardens (ponds) are becoming quite popular in the States these days.
Early this spring I sunk a 6' diameter by 24" deep round cow trough, purchased
from the Dexter Mill for ~$150, into our back yard to serve as a water garden.
After filling it with water and some rocks set on cinder blocks to form a
shallow bank, I let it sit for about three weeks.  During this time I went
to Saquaro Gardens to participate in a aquatic gardening seminar.  It was
quite interesting but they were selling pond supplies so a lot of time was
spent on pumps, filters, pond liner material, etc.  Their basic pond added
up to something like $1,000 in hardware.  They talked about the nitrogen
cycle, filtration of water, water flow and other stuff that was necessary for
a proper pond habitat.  Since I wanted only a few hardy, domestic, fish with
some plants, I decided to skip adding a $200+ pump and filtration system and
only add stuff if I ran into problems.   (If I did need pumps and filters,
I found several aquarium pumps that would work for a LOT less $'s and pages
on the web that talked about building your own biological filters.)

On Memorial day the kids and I went to my work with a bucket and nets.  There
a several ponds around my work and some of them are loaded with Blue Gills.
We managed to catch three little ones, brought them home, let them float in
their new pond in a plastic bag for about 30 minutes to allow water
temperature to equalize and released them into the murky waters.

A week later my family and I went back to Saquaro Gardens to select water
plants.  They were running a sale on lily pads with unknown flower colors.
Being one who likes the unknown when it comes to such things, we got a couple
of those along with some floating "filter" plants.  We carefully set them in
the pond when we got home.

I never worried about feeding the fish.  Insects were constantly wandering
into the pond so I figured there was plenty for them to eat.  The first time
I moved the grass around the pond several tree hoppers jumped in and the Blue
Gills were right there to devour them.  Now they always come out looking for
critters when they hear the lawn mover!  As time passes the water gets clearer
and clearer and the plants keep looking better.  No water lily blooms yet,
but we do have a bud.  I'm also happy to say that all this is happening
without the aid of a pump or filter in our little 420 gallon pond.  It is a
enjoyable place to spend time watching the fish and other life in and around
the water and I'm looking forward to seeing how things go as time passes.

response 2 of 11:

Jul 21 13:07 UTC 2000

I'm happy with just the one pond.  I now have to figure out how to reduce the
algae that has taken hold.  Research needs to be done.

response 4 of 11:

Aug 2 17:54 UTC 2000

Stop by my backyard and take a look.  It is brown, near the gate.
More like a foot than two feet deep.  I was thinking of washing rugs in it
but could use the bathtub instead (more easily).  If you want it, take it.

Snails eat algae in fishbowls.  Also in ponds?  Do fish eat algae?

response 6 of 11:

Aug 3 15:20 UTC 2000

Mussels are supposed to keep water clear.  When the Europeans came in and
killed off most of the mussels in the Mississipi to make pearl buttons, the
waters got muddier.  Do you have mussels or other filter feeders?

response 8 of 11:

Aug 8 00:54 UTC 2000

can you add oxygen?

response 10 of 11:

Aug 8 13:51 UTC 2000

What is an air stone?