In reply to Post #123
Am swerving goldfish as per previous posts
when talking about fish i am not going to overload the pond as its been sold to the Mrs as a wildlife feature and not a match lake
I am going for a maximum of 6 ghosties, a few other carp and now some small cheapish koi, some tench and possibly a couple of sturgeon. All a small size to start with and with lots of hiding places so hopefully they will feel comfortable to parade regularly.
it is not going to bottom drained, but a pump and external filter and the I am hoping in time the pond will survive on its own with minimal feeding from me and will be left to grow with minimal input in controlling vegetation. i am leaning towards a natural enviroment and not a pedicured Koi pond.
I am now looking for one of those small Fox shop model bivvies, I had one a few years ago but would like another and will build a small pod, rods etc..... I know its tacky but each to their own
Am swerving goldfish as per previous posts
when talking about fish i am not going to overload the pond as its been sold to the Mrs as a wildlife feature and not a match lake I am going for a maximum of 6 ghosties, a few other carp and now some small cheapish koi, some tench and possibly a couple of sturgeon. All a small size to start with and with lots of hiding places so hopefully they will feel comfortable to parade regularly.
it is not going to bottom drained, but a pump and external filter and the I am hoping in time the pond will survive on its own with minimal feeding from me and will be left to grow with minimal input in controlling vegetation. i am leaning towards a natural enviroment and not a pedicured Koi pond.
I am now looking for one of those small Fox shop model bivvies, I had one a few years ago but would like another and will build a small pod, rods etc..... I know its tacky but each to their own
In reply to Post #124
Watch out for otters.
Watch out for otters.
In reply to Post #124
If you stock small sturgeon be careful not to have weed in the pond as they have no reverse gear they swim into it and cannot get back out they do not how the explosion of power when small to push on through, the little spikes that grow along the lateral line gets them all rattled up.
If you stock small sturgeon be careful not to have weed in the pond as they have no reverse gear they swim into it and cannot get back out they do not how the explosion of power when small to push on through, the little spikes that grow along the lateral line gets them all rattled up.
In reply to Post #126
Marginal shelf's are great for herons to wade in. Be wary
Marginal shelf's are great for herons to wade in. Be wary
In reply to Post #124
I went with the 'natural look, much prefer it to the 'Koi Tank' that some people like, does take a bit of upkeep though, good job I own several pairs of waders
I went with the 'natural look, much prefer it to the 'Koi Tank' that some people like, does take a bit of upkeep though, good job I own several pairs of waders
In reply to Post #128
Very nice
Very nice
In reply to Post #128
In reply to Post #128
Very good work on that
Very good work on that
In reply to Post #128
Looks fantastic, well done, but how do you keep the herons away and stop them eating all the fish. I have a small pond and have to keep it covered or I would lose the lot to herons.
Cheers
Looks fantastic, well done, but how do you keep the herons away and stop them eating all the fish. I have a small pond and have to keep it covered or I would lose the lot to herons.
Cheers
In reply to Post #128
That's really nice. I have two ponds and know what you mean about the upkeep. Last winter I drained the smaller one and got out 30 wheelbarrows full of crap off the bottom, despite a filter system and pond skimmer, it's in the shade of a big tree which means it gets lots of fallen leaves etc and even the best filtration can't keep it at bay.
By the way if the pond is big/deep enough herons shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have one visit frequently and whilst he takes fish they certainly reproduce quickly enough that he has a never ending supply.
I have a picture of a kingfisher fishing from the bridge on my pond, I'm quite proud about that.
That's really nice. I have two ponds and know what you mean about the upkeep. Last winter I drained the smaller one and got out 30 wheelbarrows full of crap off the bottom, despite a filter system and pond skimmer, it's in the shade of a big tree which means it gets lots of fallen leaves etc and even the best filtration can't keep it at bay.
By the way if the pond is big/deep enough herons shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have one visit frequently and whilst he takes fish they certainly reproduce quickly enough that he has a never ending supply.
I have a picture of a kingfisher fishing from the bridge on my pond, I'm quite proud about that.
In reply to Post #133
Put yourself a string of old line around, 3 rows spaced about 5 inches apart and that stops them
Put yourself a string of old line around, 3 rows spaced about 5 inches apart and that stops them
In reply to Post #128
Another for the natural look. i admit Koi in a Koi pond look stunning but i am hoping for a more biodiverse pond with frogs,toads, etc.....
The hole has been started today and my mate was sure that 6.5m x 4m x1m would fit into 1 skip
Another
for the natural look. i admit Koi in a Koi pond look stunning but i am hoping for a more biodiverse pond with frogs,toads, etc.....The hole has been started today and my mate was sure that 6.5m x 4m x1m would fit into 1 skip
In reply to Post #136
Still sticking to only 1m deep then?
Still sticking to only 1m deep then?
In reply to Post #137
Unfortunately yes as the Mrs wouldn't go for any deeper as its her pond and its near the house, but if it goes well she has agreed for another extension to be dug at 5 feet deep next to it and then joined via a 2 foot channel basically doubling the surface area size . the garden is about half an acre in size so will accept the extension the joining channel will be protected by mesh to stop herons
So winner winner chicken dinner 
Unfortunately yes as the Mrs wouldn't go for any deeper as its her pond and its near the house, but if it goes well she has agreed for another extension to be dug at 5 feet deep next to it and then joined via a 2 foot channel basically doubling the surface area size
. the garden is about half an acre in size so will accept the extension the joining channel will be protected by mesh to stop heronsSo winner winner chicken dinner
Have had visits from heron's over the years and early on I think they had some fish. Usually now the local seagulls make such a racket when one appears that it alerts you to it being there, sometimes they even see it off 'Battle Of Britain' style
Herons are very sensitive and only have to see you move or hear the back door open (or the dog charging towards them) and they scarper, . Apart from one particular one that was about 4' tall, gnarly looking thing that let me get within about 3 feet of it before it ****ed off, that was a bit spooky.
The ponds about 4' deep in the middle and with all the lilies the fish have plenty of hiding places. I can usually tell if we've had a visit though while we've been out as the fish are nowhere to be seen and need coaxing back out from cover with some food.
Herons are very sensitive and only have to see you move or hear the back door open (or the dog charging towards them) and they scarper, . Apart from one particular one that was about 4' tall, gnarly looking thing that let me get within about 3 feet of it before it ****ed off, that was a bit spooky.
The ponds about 4' deep in the middle and with all the lilies the fish have plenty of hiding places. I can usually tell if we've had a visit though while we've been out as the fish are nowhere to be seen and need coaxing back out from cover with some food.