Ponds

Whitbywoof
Super TOG

Assistant to Jodie, Greyhound trainer to the gentry

with random precision

Posts: 16,880

Ponds Mar 2, 2008 9:42:25 GMT

Quote

Post by Whitbywoof on Mar 2, 2008 9:42:25 GMT

It's that time of year to get your ponds ship-shape for the summer.
My fish are certainly hungry for food and the frogs and toads are awake.
I have spent a lot of time (and money) on my pond over the last couple of weekends preparing it for the breeding season and summer.

Checklist:
Remove debris and rotting organic matter
Clean pumps and water features
Clean (or replace if necessary) filter media
Replace UV clarifier lamp if fitted
Replace any perished plumbing and electrics
Perform partial water change
Add a biostart product if filter material is completely new
Provide sheltered spawning areas if you want to encourage frogs
Fit nets if you have a heron or kingfisher problem

And this year, I am going to try extract of barley straw (rather than straw bales) to prevent the build up of blanket weed

Instal comfortable seat by pond, pour large gin & tonic and sit back to enjoy your fish!

It goes that way because that's the way it goes.[/i]

faeryboots Guest	Ponds Mar 2, 2008 11:10:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by faeryboots on Mar 2, 2008 11:10:53 GMT As you know, I no longer have a pond. May I still have the large G&T?

Whitbywoof Super TOG Assistant to Jodie, Greyhound trainer to the gentry with random precision Posts: 16,880	Ponds Mar 2, 2008 11:39:06 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Whitbywoof on Mar 2, 2008 11:39:06 GMT faeryboots said: As you know, I no longer have a pond. May I still have the large G&T? Only if you share. (How is the Magic Fridge these days?)
	*It goes that way because that's the way it goes.*[/i]

faeryboots Guest	Ponds Mar 2, 2008 11:40:56 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by faeryboots on Mar 2, 2008 11:40:56 GMT whitbywoof said: faeryboots said: As you know, I no longer have a pond. May I still have the large G&T? Only if you share. (How is the Magic Fridge these days?) It works! I'll share as long as I get the pint glass.

Whitbywoof Super TOG Assistant to Jodie, Greyhound trainer to the gentry with random precision Posts: 16,880	Ponds Mar 2, 2008 15:23:42 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Whitbywoof on Mar 2, 2008 15:23:42 GMT faeryboots said: whitbywoof said: Only if you share. (How is the Magic Fridge these days?) It works! I'll share as long as I get the pint glass. goes to Faery's with a yard glass
	*It goes that way because that's the way it goes.*[/i]

faeryboots Guest	Ponds Mar 2, 2008 17:04:40 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by faeryboots on Mar 2, 2008 17:04:40 GMT sticks foot out

paul Zernikazof
Head Boy

With extras

I'm not sure about Heisenbergs uncertainty principle

Posts: 5,070

Ponds Mar 6, 2008 20:19:21 GMT

Quote

Post by paul Zernikazof on Mar 6, 2008 20:19:21 GMT

To any of you who may have noticed a red coloured plant floating on your pond that looks like duck weed, read this

archive.herefordtimes.com/2006/1/30/73042.html

It's Latin name is Azolla Filiculoides and it is green in summer and turns red in winter. It can soon fill a pond and cut off oxygen and light.

This pic is a canal, covered in the stuff. The advice is to clear it all out of your pond and compost it or bury it. Do NOT put it down drains.

Known to the Navajo as ''Dances with hamsters and the occasional wombat''

ivy noidea Milk Monitor THE Arctic Blonde and Queen of the 'ats The TOGS' very own Emmy Lou Harris Posts: 13,743	Ponds Mar 6, 2008 22:03:15 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ivy noidea on Mar 6, 2008 22:03:15 GMT Ooer is it the red weed from the War of the Worlds?
	*The Tog Cat in the Hat*

Sharon Sharealike Top TOG Wildlife park owner I really must change this! Posts: 7,601	Ponds Mar 7, 2008 9:25:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sharon Sharealike on Mar 7, 2008 9:25:48 GMT What is the best way to get rid of all the sludge? Do I have to get in there with waders and gloves and hoof it out? Will the wildlife be OK about that right now, as the frogs are very active? Thanks! ;D
	Last Edit: Mar 7, 2008 9:26:20 GMT by Sharon Sharealike Does my bum look big in this?!!!!!

paul Zernikazof Head Boy With extras I'm not sure about Heisenbergs uncertainty principle Posts: 5,070	Ponds Mar 7, 2008 12:41:49 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by paul Zernikazof on Mar 7, 2008 12:41:49 GMT I used a big square net on a long pole and scooped it out of mine. You need to check again after a week in case the tiny bits you may have missed start multiplying.
	Known to the Navajo as ''Dances with hamsters and the occasional wombat''

Sharon Sharealike Top TOG Wildlife park owner I really must change this! Posts: 7,601	Ponds Mar 8, 2008 11:12:32 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Sharon Sharealike on Mar 8, 2008 11:12:32 GMT Off to pond shop for big square net and pole! Hope the Pole doesn't mind!
	Does my bum look big in this?!!!!!

BjornTobyStomped
Top TOG

Still The Pond Master (for now)

Stomp counter @ 106 & counting.

Posts: 7,677

Ponds Mar 8, 2008 18:46:40 GMT

Quote

Post by BjornTobyStomped on Mar 8, 2008 18:46:40 GMT

sharon said:

What is the best way to get rid of all the sludge?

Do I have to get in there with waders and gloves and hoof it out?

Will the wildlife be OK about that right now, as the frogs are very active?

Thanks!

;D

I have a pond hoover which I use to get rid of dead leaves an stuff, they cost about £90.

Twitter A/c is @tobydurkin

Fi
Headmistress

The Abbess of page 2

Everything in immoderation

Posts: 8,099

Ponds Mar 10, 2008 2:25:16 GMT

Quote

Post by Fi on Mar 10, 2008 2:25:16 GMT

sharon said:

What is the best way to get rid of all the sludge?

Do I have to get in there with waders and gloves and hoof it out?

Will the wildlife be OK about that right now, as the frogs are very active?

Thanks!

;D

It floats in a thin layer on the surface of the water, so removing it does not disturb the wildlife.

Trust me, I'm a palæontologist

Fi
Headmistress

The Abbess of page 2

Everything in immoderation

Posts: 8,099

Ponds Mar 10, 2008 2:27:20 GMT

Quote

Post by Fi on Mar 10, 2008 2:27:20 GMT

paulz said:

To any of you who may have noticed a red coloured plant floating on your pond that looks like duck weed, read this

archive.herefordtimes.com/2006/1/30/73042.html

It's Latin name is Azolla Filiculoides and it is green in summer and turns red in winter. It can soon fill a pond and cut off oxygen and light.

This pic is a canal, covered in the stuff. The advice is to clear it all out of your pond and compost it or bury it. Do NOT put it down drains.

Can I have some please? Not just now, but when the pond in my 50 million year old garden is established.

Trust me, I'm a palæontologist

BjornTobyStomped Top TOG Still The Pond Master (for now) Stomp counter @ 106 & counting. Posts: 7,677	Ponds Mar 13, 2008 14:34:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by BjornTobyStomped on Mar 13, 2008 14:34:05 GMT Has anyone noticed if their water lillies are slow in growing this year? Mine seem to firmly rooted at the bottom by the gravel, yet it doesn't look dead. Any ideas or opinions?
	Twitter A/c is @tobydurkin

Whitbywoof Super TOG Assistant to Jodie, Greyhound trainer to the gentry with random precision Posts: 16,880	Ponds Mar 15, 2008 16:29:37 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Whitbywoof on Mar 15, 2008 16:29:37 GMT I've got a lovely big clump of frogspawn today!
	*It goes that way because that's the way it goes.*[/i]