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Post by paul Zernikazof on Jun 6, 2008 16:36:04 GMT
This year I have loads of blanket weed clogging up the pond, despite the filter running for thw last two months it hasn't cleared. I have been fishing some out, but today I noticed that some of the newts look distinctly fat around the middle so could be females about to lay eggs, and a couple of the fish are chasing around in a randy sort of way. I don't want to spoil any chance of getting more newts and fish so I will leave it for now and perhaps clear it all later in the year.
What I want to ask is, has anyone any ideas on how to prevent this next year?
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Post by Sharon Sharealike on Jun 6, 2008 18:39:10 GMT
I think Woofers has posted something in the thread "Update on Pond", that might help!
I have blanket weed too for the first time - did you flick it over to Sarf Derbyshire??!!!!
If so - keep it to yourself next time!
;D
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Post by Sharon Sharealike on Jun 6, 2008 18:40:06 GMT
PS - I am orf to look at my newts to see if they is fat!!!
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Post by Fi on Jun 6, 2008 23:19:13 GMT
Paul, go hunting in any ponds or lakes near you for the greater pond snail. You don't need many adults at this time of year, just their eggs which they lay on bits of half rotted leaves, wood or living reed stems etc. In the pond (no filter) we had at our last house, they cleared out all of the blanket weed in a year. The truly daft thing was I ended up bringing in blanket weed from other ponds because I didn't want them all to starve to death after their heroic efforts.
Apart from their blanket weed disposal property, they are fascinating to watch in their own right. They walk upside down on the surface of the pond's water - it's one of those fascinating animal behaviour things that kept me entertained for hours. (Maybe a call to the men in white is called for? ??)
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Post by Whitbywoof on Jun 7, 2008 13:42:23 GMT
I think Woofers has posted something in the thread "Update on Pond", that might help! I have blanket weed too for the first time - did you flick it over to Sarf Derbyshire??!!!! If so - keep it to yourself next time! ;D Yup, extract of barley straw - it's still keeping my water crystal clear. On a sunny day we can see shadows of the fish on the bottom of the pond! togs.proboards53.com/index.cgi?board=garden&action=display&thread=37397 |
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Post by paul Zernikazof on Jun 7, 2008 15:05:02 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I looked up Greater Pond snails and read that they eat a lot more than just the blanket weed. Have you found this to be the case Fi? The water is clear no sign of the green algae I had last year, thanks to the UV filter, just this stuff all tangled up with the plants. Will the barley straw clear blanket weed or does it only do Green algae?
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Post by Whitbywoof on Jun 7, 2008 16:41:03 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I looked up Greater Pond snails and read that they eat a lot more than just the blanket weed. Have you found this to be the case Fi? The water is clear no sign of the green algae I had last year, thanks to the UV filter, just this stuff all tangled up with the plants. Will the barley straw clear blanket weed or does it only do Green algae? Barley straw is good against all types of algae. My pond has always been more prone to filamentous algae than suspended algae hence my emphasis on its efficacy against blanket weed. |
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Post by BjornTobyStomped on Jun 9, 2008 22:58:32 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I looked up Greater Pond snails and read that they eat a lot more than just the blanket weed. Have you found this to be the case Fi? The water is clear no sign of the green algae I had last year, thanks to the UV filter, just this stuff all tangled up with the plants. Will the barley straw clear blanket weed or does it only do Green algae? I haven't had any joy with snails so far in my pond, the last 2 died within a week of being put in the pond. I'm not sure if it was the fish or frogs that had them I'm completely mystified. |
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Post by Fi on Jun 10, 2008 0:04:24 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I looked up Greater Pond snails and read that they eat a lot more than just the blanket weed. Have you found this to be the case Fi? The water is clear no sign of the green algae I had last year, thanks to the UV filter, just this stuff all tangled up with the plants. Will the barley straw clear blanket weed or does it only do Green algae?
On a slightly different tack, since our pond was designed for wild life, we introdued the original wild life by adding a couple of buckets of sediment from a huge pond/small lake near us. The water was never crystal clear, but looking at it under the microscope showed why - it was full of microplankton. We kept a couple of shubunkin in it - worth it just to watch their spectacular idea of what mating is all about - and they are very greedy fish. However, there was so much microplankton that we didn't need to feed them throughout the summer months. I can't remember if your pond is wild life, formal or for koi. If the latter, then I'm not sure the snails are such a good idea, because as well as eating a lot, they also excrete a lot and it may be that koi would not like it. I suppose you could cull them hand them on to a grateful neighbour when their population size becomes a problem. If, on the other hand, it's a wild life pond, then their excreta simply adds to the ooze at the bottom which is home to all sorts of fascinating creepy crawlies. |
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Post by Whitbywoof on Jun 13, 2008 6:39:04 GMT
Of course the disadvantage of clear pond water is that heron can see the fish from further away. We had to chase one off this morning. Haven't done a stock-check yet as the fish are all still sheltering in the deep part. I think we're OK though, the (unfortunately unsightly) netting covers the shallow part where heron are likely to fish.
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Post by mysterymermaid on Jun 13, 2008 7:29:21 GMT
I have only just noticed this thread  Blanket weed is best addressed by grass carp who will eat it, they are available this time of the year at any good aquarium and pond centre. The second best way is to remove it manually by using a blanket weed remover which it tangles around and is easily removed. Its not worth using anypond treatments for it, best done naturally. If you have problems locating either the fish or remover let me know and Ill send you the nearest retailers address to you. June. |
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Post by BjornTobyStomped on Jun 15, 2008 17:30:30 GMT
Of course the disadvantage of clear pond water is that heron can see the fish from further away. We had to chase one off this morning. Haven't done a stock-check yet as the fish are all still sheltering in the deep part. I think we're OK though, the (unfortunately unsightly) netting covers the shallow part where heron are likely to fish. Hi Whitby, could this be the reason my fish are hiding at the bottom of the pond? Mine haven't even bothered coming up for food today! Unfortunately I used an organic pond water treatment in this morning so the water's still a bit cloudy. |
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Kay Ninegriptight
TOG
Blessed are the cracked for they shall let in the light
Posts: 210
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Post by Kay Ninegriptight on Jun 15, 2008 21:11:03 GMT
Bob Flowerdew says ducks are best for blanket weed as they eat it. I am still thinking about that one and wondering which would be the best sort to have, Indian runners perhaps in order to out pace the dog. I suppose you could also eat them at Christmas if you were that way inclined and the dog hadn't beaten you to it!
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Post by lolliepop on Jun 16, 2008 12:05:02 GMT
Of course the disadvantage of clear pond water is that heron can see the fish from further away. We had to chase one off this morning. Haven't done a stock-check yet as the fish are all still sheltering in the deep part. I think we're OK though, the (unfortunately unsightly) netting covers the shallow part where heron are likely to fish. Hi Whitby, could this be the reason my fish are hiding at the bottom of the pond? Mine haven't even bothered coming up for food today! Unfortunately I used an organic pond water treatment in this morning so the water's still a bit cloudy. yes that could be what is wrong if mine see a Heron they stay low for a day or two even though the heron can't get them. |
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Post by BjornTobyStomped on Jun 19, 2008 22:26:45 GMT
Hi Whitby, could this be the reason my fish are hiding at the bottom of the pond? Mine haven't even bothered coming up for food today! Unfortunately I used an organic pond water treatment in this morning so the water's still a bit cloudy. They're still hiding but they have been slightly more active than of late. Still not coming up to the top yet though. yes that could be what is wrong if mine see a Heron they stay low for a day or two even though the heron can't get them. |
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