Wildlife ponds and filters ?

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All,

I have a pond full of all sorts of strange creatures (frogs/tadpoles and bugs of all types) and some goldfish local wildlife use it as a water source as do my dogs if I don't stop them in time! the pond measures 5 ft by 4 ft and about 3 ft deep ( rough estimation if it was actually square and not shaped) My problem is mainly between fish and algae, at the start of the summer it turns green and by now it has gone a horrible brown colour and the fish seem to struggle for oxygen spending most of their time at the top of the pond. I was thinking of using a filtering system but am worried this may affect the ponds ability to sustain all the bugs and the wildlife. Does any one have any idea if this would be the case ? My other option would maybe be an air pump of some kind so at least there is more oxygen in the pond.

Many thanks all

 

[ufkacbln]

Never caused me a problem at all.

A pump, UV filter and filter system sorts out the algae and also keeps the water oxygenated. It is also more natural than chemical water treatments

 

[mr_cellophane]

Buy some de-chlorinator and change half the water. Work out the approximate capacity of the pond and buy a filter.
I changed my filter this year and the water is now crystal clear. I have had more frogs (which I don't want) and 2 sorts of dragonflies this year. If the fish don't like the water, nothing else will.
Make sure you protect the fish from herons, magpies and foxes who will be able to see them better afterwards.

 

[Norm]

Buy some de-chlorinator and change half the water.

This suggests that you are using tap water for filling the pond?

We have a diverter on one of the many downpipes on our house so ours fills with rainwater. Careful choice of plants (for oxygenating and cleaning as well as the ornamentals and the bog plants around the side) and no fish in the water mean that it has a quite amazing variety of visitors throughout the year.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Many thanks , I have decided to go with the filter, I am busy making one up at the moment and waiting for delivery of a pump.

 

[Ravenbait]

Our solution to this problem with the pond we had in Devon (no fish, though) was the addition of duckweed as well sa the lilies. It spread across the surface and blocked out light so the algae died off. Crystal clear water, happy frogs, dragonflies, water beetles, all sorts of things. Job done.

Sam

 

[mcshroom]

Another option is a blue dye which filters out the light at the wavelengths used by the algae for photosynthesis. I'm looking into it for something at work at the moment - PondBlue

 

[cycling fisherman]

i will tell you what an experienced aquarist once told me, you know the type i'm talking about don't you ? he's in his 60's, grey hair, glasses, frumpy clothes etc etc (not to be judgemental).

He simply told me not to try and look after the fish but look after the water and everything else will look after itself.

I would say weekly/fortnightly 10%-20% water change with dechlorinator or preferably collect from your house downpipes into butts. Feed sparingly and filter the water with a uv filter fitted as well.

The return from the filter should break the surface of the pond or use an airstone to help with aeration. Just remember that oxygen enters the water when the surface of the pond is broken/agitated.

 

[Night Train]

The pond we had in London was about that size. We had seperate tanks and a filter system.

The pond water was pumped into the first tank, via a coarse filter. The tank was divided to give an overflow and settlement section. The overflow was then taken to tank two where we had various moluscs and bottom feeders. Tank two was then overflowed through another pump and filter and then, via a water fall, back into the main pond.

At each stage the pumped water was sprayed onto the surface of the tanks to airate the water.

It was a nice healthy system, topped up with rain water.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All,

I've home brewed a filter for the pond the pump arrived today now I just have to wait ! Here's a picture (took on my cheapy mobile) The pond is bigger than it looks in the photos !!