Pond Ideas

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nostaw84 What would be wrong with adding both Aawindmil and airstones? And I was still wondering about the waterfall.

First of all you have to give a little more information such as where you are ,how old is the pond , how far down does it go during dry season ,during wet where does it overflow as you might not be allowed koi. I could go on and on . What would you really like to do ? and how much are you prepared to spend
Regards
Eugene

[Nostaw84]

OK. I'm not sure how old the pond is. It was here before I moved in. I do know that it is man made. Right now it is as low as I've seen it in 2 years and it's about 7'. I've seen it as deep as 10'. It has a small outflow when its high enough that goes into a treeline on my property. Its made it a nice mini swamp. I thought some bog plants would be interesting to try in that area. I have damed off the outflow because I was hoping to raise it a little. I'm not exactly sure of what I want to do. Im new at this but am getting very interested in the pond hobby. I was hoping to get ideas for koi or anything else. I would love to put a fountain in the middle if possible. I just got my camera back and will take some pics in the morning and post them as soon as I get a chance. I started loking into koi but it seems that they arent a new to the hobby type of fish. I may just keep what I have in there but am open to all ideas.

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nostaw84 OK. I'm not sure how old the pond is. It was here before I moved in. I do know that it is man made. Right now it is as low as I've seen it in 2 years and it's about 7'. I've seen it as deep as 10'. It has a small outflow when its high enough that goes into a treeline on my property. Its made it a nice mini swamp. I thought some bog plants would be interesting to try in that area. I have damed off the outflow because I was hoping to raise it a little. I'm not exactly sure of what I want to do. Im new at this but am getting very interested in the pond hobby. I was hoping to get ideas for koi or anything else. I would love to put a fountain in the middle if possible. I just got my camera back and will take some pics in the morning and post them as soon as I get a chance. I started loking into koi but it seems that they arent a new to the hobby type of fish. I may just keep what I have in there but am open to all ideas.

Based on this information I would not consider koi unless you first drained and dreged the pond and I would also drain every year so it could air out and lime could be put down . You can put in some low cost or discards for the fun of it . It is a good idea to read some books on koi as well .
Regards
Eugene

[Nostaw84]

to the left is the inflow but with the lack of rain there is no waterflow. to the right is the outflow that we damed up and put a bridge over it. To the right of the bridge is a treeline that has turned into my mini swamp.


Above is a closer look at the damed outflow with the bringe over it. Also can anyone tell me what those little leaf shaped lillypads are.

this is where the inflow normaly is. I've seen the pond as far up as the start of that bringe. It is way down right now.



This is the other side of the inflow bridge area. It comes from the woods. those are tire tracks and you can see that there is very little water there right now.

I would like to add a small waterfall on the back left side of the pond. I would also like to add a fountain in the middle that dosen't erode the banks or at least has very little effect. Any suggestions or ideas. Keep in mind im new at this and have very limited funding right now. Thanks

[mitten]

The absolutely best first move would be an aerator, not a fountain, nor a waterfall. There are many choices of course, but look here.AES pond air A column of aeration will change the way the pond acts, making it a possibility to keep koi there well.

If you are having some drought though, now would be a good time to pump that baby dry. Empty it, dry it, then clean it out. You can give away your pike and bass but nobody will want the rest I'd think. If it was meant as a fishing pond someone will have put in a well meant Christmas tree. Take it out. Once you've got the bottom dry you can fill it. Find out about lime, I don't know enough, and add that to the bottom if you want to get yourself a good start like a "real" mud pond.

You could throw in some crappy koi to see if it will work, but remember that you are then stuck with crappy koi. Instead, continue to learn from folks that have similar ponds, KOI ponds, and go about building a collection of good fish. Remember that it is likely that draining and drying the pond will be a regular routine to eliminate the inevitable bluegills, to rebuild the soil banks and to replenish the bottom.

Good luck.

[Nostaw84]

I am thinking that my pond is about 80,000 gal. and that it would be realy expensive to refill. Are there any cheap ways to fill that much water. I dont think I can afford to keep koi right now. does anyone know of any good pond forums not specific to koi?

[Eugeneg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nostaw84 I am thinking that my pond is about 80,000 gal. and that it would be realy expensive to refill. Are there any cheap ways to fill that much water. I dont think I can afford to keep koi right now. does anyone know of any good pond forums not specific to koi?

First of all you can not learn by just having questions answered on a forum . In your area there is sure to be a consevation group that you could join who have simmilar ponds and there are books A pond that is dug will fill itself in within a hundred years and as time progresses it will build up sludge and that means some anarobic bacteria and pathogenik . Which means easier paresite infections for any fish . A local wildlife marsh is drained every ten years because of that .
As to spending money or refilling if there is water in a mud pond it will likely refill itself unless in very dry season . I t isa nice looking pond and if you have not the money I would just leave it as it is while you read a few books and do a little study .
Regards
Eugene

[mitten]

Did you look at those aerators I linked to? When I was looking at them I said to myself "Hmm, 400 bucks and 600 bucks, I guess that's not bad." It sounds like you may have reacted differently. Even the bass and pike will respond vigoraously to the aeration. Still, would be your first, best improvement.

[Nostaw84]

I am not getting discouraged just trying to think smart about it. I am trying to learn all I can before jumping in head first and have learned more then i knew already "thanks christmas trees lol". I think the 400-600 isn't too bad considering the benefits I would get but it is a little steep for me. I am 23, making 1300 a month so Definently looking for a low cost route to making a nice looking pond. I am seriously considering a waterfall on the backside but wondering if it would have any negative effects. I am also considering saving for the aeration as I do get how beneficial it would be.