Glad you solved your coon problem Becky. Also, Elaine, that idea of using bridal veil for a cover is great. I will buy some and sew how ever many widths together to cover completely across my ponds and attach it to a frame to keep it taught. This year is being horrible for leaf drop and oak blossoms falling into ponds. I'm also considering a floating skimmer. Both ponds have good sized in ground skimmer on them with filtration medium inside above pumps but still need more help. Both ponds have turned brown again from all that oak debris in them.
When I finish painting my pool and deck I will get back outside and clean them up. I use summer blend and sludge remover but they are still a mess. Also, they need vacuuming.
Thanks much,
Bonnie

Yikes, you vacuum your ponds, Bonnie? I barely manage to vacuum the house!

In 6 years we've lived here I have never vacuumed my pond, the water's nice and clear most of the time, and the fish are happy and healthy as long as the predators don't get them. Why do you do it?

There's certainly a mucky layer of dead leaves and stuff on the bottom, but any natural pond would have that. It doesn't seem to affect the water quality.

Elaine

Do you have a bottom drain?

I don't think so, Carolyn. But the pond was here when we bought the house, so I really don't know.

I do know that the bottom of the pond is covered with round stones, though.

Elaine

If you have stones in the bottom of the pond, then you probably don't have a bottom drain. How long have you had your pond?

We moved into this house 7 years ago in October, and the pond was here when we moved in. I knew nothing about water gardening, and tried to keep it in balance but not mess with it too much. I've now read several good books on water gardens and know a bit more.

The water is generally nice and clear. I have 8 or 9 big goldfish that have been in the pond for at least 4 years. They grow and thrive, and even produce babies occasionally!

Frogs lay eggs and have rock concerts in the pond, and I think that is a good indication that the water isn't accumulating bad stuff. Frogs are sensitive to pollutants because of their porous skin.

When it rains a lot in summer, there is an overflow, so there is some changing of the water. In spring and fall when we go a long time between rains, I add water but I do de-chlorinate it.

Elaine

Do you have pictures? I would love to see them.

When we had goldfish, they bred all over the place. You are fortunate they aren't breeding like crazy.

I saw when I came home from work this afternoon that the fish were moving around and my skimmer seems to be free of ice finally. Hopefully we can get things going with the pond here shortly.

Looking for some old pictures, Carolyn. It's pouring out right now or I'd go take some new ones.

Here's what it looked like when we bought the house, October 2007




And a few more recent ones- I had to give up on the lotus a couple of years ago, but the iris are bigger, huge in fact and taking over right now.


These are not the present population of fish, the lovely Orandas were eaten by a white heron for lunch one day! Plain old feeder goldfish from Petsmart are in there now.

Beautiful Elaine!

I really like the set up and your fish are so cute. I wish I was in a more temperate area. You are fortunate to be able to enjoy your pond and your yard year round.

Thank you for sending the photos. I love your set up and the pond is such an added bonus.