From the Pondlady's Pad

As with many animals, when a fish is diseased the other fish will attack and kill it. If you see a sick fish, remove it as soon as you see it. There is a chance you can save it and also not have it infect the other fish.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Overflowing ponds

Building fish pond using pond liner...What to I need to do/know?

I have been hearing scary DIY stories like people's pond flooding! How do I prevent that?

If you mean will your pond overflow, it could. But it won't overflow any more than the rest of your property will. If your yard is flooded, your pond's water level will be higher, but will never overflow its banks unless your neighborhood is flooded as well. Think about it. Lakes/rivers flood all the time and the pond gets covered in water too. But the pond by itself will not overflow. I suppose it would if you put a hose in it and turned it on, but one would hope you would watch it or set a timer or somesuch.

Check out how to build at my website:

http://www.pondlady.com

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Repairing natural bottom ponds

We just purchased a home and moved in end of July. There is a nice sized pond in the front, and its getting lower and lower every day, to where at the moment, its more of a dirt hole than a pond. I know the rainfall hasn't been quite good this summer, and with the heat, water does evaporate... but I wouldn't think it would be as it is now. I also see other people with ponds and theirs are still relatively full. We aren't the ones who built this pond, so I am not certain what was done when doing so. To me, it doesn't look like anything special was done other than digging a great big huge hole... I dont see a liner or pump system, or anything like that. We do have some frogs in there, and some pussy willows growing... other than that, maybe a fish or two in there, but we aren't certain. Can anyone tell me if we have a leak somewhere, or if we need to drain what water is left and line it, or what we need to do so we can actually enjoy a full pond at our new house. I know rainfall isn't much for us in Ohio, so, how do others keep theirs full?
Any help I can get would be great! I have tried to google and get answers on my own, but they all talk about turning off a pump, and ours doesn't have one.
Thanks.

Answer:

If you have a natural bottom pond, get some bentonite. It's clay and perfect for sealing natural ponds. If I were you, I would put a liner in it and then refill it. For lots more info about how to do that, see my website at:
• http://www.pondlady.com
• Click on Jan's articles.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Build your pond above grade

If you do nothing else while building your pond, build it above grade. You can use my method or just pile up the soil you removed from the hole around the edges, but if you don't build it up, run off from your yard can kill your pond.

When you are digging your hole, dig straight down. If you dig a bowl shape you will slide down into the water every time you try to get in your pond to do maintenance. The extra surface area exposes the pond to more sun and therefore more algae growth.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Trapping pond wildlife

Trapping Wildlife

If you trap visiting wildlife like raccoons, and want to relocate them, check with the Wildlife Commission to see if (1) you have rights to move them to a more suited environment, (2) if they are prone to mark their territory and return, (3) have the local humane society trap and move them to a more fitting area.
If they are taken to a brand new neighborhood, they are likely to be unable to find food and die.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Friday, September 24, 2010

Prepping pond plants for winter

If you have not yet cut back your Louisiana irises, cyperus or papyrus, do so in September so new growth can start freely in the spring.

Water lilies begin dormancy in September. Their leaves get smaller and smaller and they stop blooming. Don't worry. They are reacting to shorter periods of daylight.

Stop fertilizing water lilies in mid October in the South. By starving the plants at the end of the season, they will form some small, hard and durable tubers which survive the dormant period better than the large fleshy root of the main plant. This, along with dropping the water lily to the bottom of your pond will give you a better chance of your lilies coming back in the spring.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Overwintering water lilies

I have a lilly in my pond and it seems to be dying off does it die or need to be cut back to over winter ?

i bought it this summer and had a couple of flowers and and has quite a few leaves but they are slowly dying off.will it completely die off for winter or do i need to cut it back .if any one has any advice on how to over winter it would be much appreciated

Answer:
If you live where the night temperatures are starting to drop below 55º, your lilies are going dormant. They will soon do that in warmer climes. Here's an article I wrote about water lily care. It should answer all your questions.
http://www.pondlady.com/Articles/Water_L…

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Pond building cost

What is the cost of having a little fish pond made in your backyard?

Answer:
It always depends on the size. A 6' x 9' kidney shape turnkey with pump, filter, waterfall, plants and landscaping would run about 5 thousand bucks.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Pond liner?

What is a pond liner?

Answer:
Anything that holds water indefinitely can be a pond liner. 40 mil butyl rubber is the best. You can cut it to order, it lasts well over 20 years and is my choice for ponds.
Concrete not such a good choice because it's brittle and has a problem with temperature extremes.
Flexible PVC is cheap and widely used, but does not hold up at all.
Preformed liners are popular, but just like PVC is only good for a short time.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Monday, September 20, 2010

What size liner do I need?

I have built a garden pond measuring 3m x1.5m x1m deep can someone tell me what size liner i should get ?

i would also be grateful if you could suggest what size LPH pump i will need.

Answer:

Here's how to find out what size liner to buy:

http://www.pondlady.com/resource/How%20T…

Buy the largest pump you can afford. 1200 gallons per hour would be perfect.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Is pond maintenance hard?

Building a pond?

Once it's built, how hard is it to maintain? I'm looking to make a in ground one with liner. I wanna know how hard it is to maintain.

Answer:

Ponds require very little maintenance once balanced. If you have goldfish and the proper plants, the pond loves benevolent neglect.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Friday, September 17, 2010

Peace lily problems

How do you revive a peace lilly?
I was given a peace lilly from my church after my dad passed away. I went on vacation for a couple of days and nobody was home to keep my peace lilly watered. I have never had a green thumb and I am not sure exactly what I need to do to revive it. i would hate to just neglect it because it was given to me as a blessing for my dad! Is there any way to revive it? Is there a point where it can no longer be saved?

Answer:

Try putting it in the shower and soaking it real good. If you can't do that, put it in water and let it sit for a half hour or so. Take it out, let it drain, then keep it in the house. Do not fertilize it.
If it can be saved, that's the only way to do it. It should perk up in a day or so.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Potassium Permanganate

I need to make a potassium permanganate solution to clean my pond. what is the ratio?
I have 50g of Potassium permanganate. how much powder in how much water??

Answer:
You are much better off not using that for anything. There are many ways to clean a pond without chemicals. The stuff is poison and will harm your plants and fish.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Winter plant survival

Will floating pond plants survive in the pond over the winter?

I have a small black plastic pond in my backyard that I keep fish in and this year I've added three floating water plants to it as well: Miniature Water Hyacinth (Eichornia sp.), Sensitive Plant (Neptunia aquatica) and Yellow Water Snowflake (Nymphoides crenata). I live in Maine so the winter isn't warm or easy, but there is a floating de-icer in there as well, so the water they're in won't ever freeze over. So would any of those plants survive the winter? If not, would it work to bring them inside for the winter months and then put them back out in the spring?

Answer:
They will not survive your Maine winters. You can try to bring them inside. It might work.
They do go dormant in the winter, but plan on replacing them in the spring.
You know you will lose them outside. You have some hope of keeping them inside.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Preformed koi pond

Above ground koi pond using a preformed liner?
I want to take an odd shaped preformed plastic liner and place it in my yard but above ground. Can I do that?
Answer:
You can put it above ground. Here's one way: Put the liner where you want it, then build a box around it. Using landscape timbers would probably be easiest. Now fill the pond with water. No fish yet, but with the water in the pond, fill around it with soil. When you are finished and the pond water is filthy, pump it out. Now fill the pond with the water the fish will swim in. Add dechlor, massive amounts of filtration, a pump and put the koi in. Preformed ponds are usually 18" deep, so the koi will not do well at all. They like water 3' deep. If you put goldfish in, you will have better luck. If you are where it freezes, your pond will freeze solid in the winter.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Monday, September 13, 2010

Duck pond

Help me with building a pond?
I'm planning on making a pond for my ducks out of either a plastic pond form (not the liner) or a stock tank. The only problem is they poop a lot in their water. Anyone with experience with ducks will know what i mean =) so I want to have a good filter that can handle the poop and I don't want to spend over $50 on it.

What type of filter would be best?
i have electricity in my chicken coop but i cant have a cord coming out during the night (i need to be able to close the door). so that means i need a filter that does have to run constantly.

Answer:

You cannot filter duck poop from a pond. Try to find something that you can hose out daily. It would need a shallow end so you could use a power nozzle to hose the pond out. Ducks are messy critters. No filter will work. Put Mosquito Dunks in to keep mosquitoes away. You could run a pump if you like, but since you have to hose it out often, you really don't need one.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Friday, September 10, 2010

What liner is best?

What is the best, strongest pond liner?

Answer:  Buy a Firestone 40 mil butyl rubber liner. It's the best.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Money plant?

Is the Epipremnum aureum aka "money plant" an aquatic plant?
I need to know for a science fair project.

Answer: It is not an aquatic plant and will die if you try to grow it in water. You could use that as part of your science project. Money plant in water opposed to horsetail fern in water.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Tiny pond

Aquarium Plants question?
I am getting a 20 gallon bucket and I am going to turn it into a mini guppy pond with these plants in it.
-Java Fern
-1 bamboo plant ( half in water and the top part sticking out)
-1 water lily
-Marimo Moss ball

Can I grow these plants in a few hours (4-7) of sunlight each day? would they survive? and do I need any special tablets/plant food or any other equipment to keep them alive. I am trying to keep these plants alive without a special aquarium lamp.

Answer:  You will need some submerged vegetation like anacharis or hornwort to help keep the water clear. The water lily needs at least 5 -6 hours of sun daily to grow, so you might want to consider another floating plant. If you do put a water lily in there, 20 gallons is too small - another reason for choosing another plant.
It just occurred to me? Is your mini pond going to be indoors? No water lily will grow indoors unless it is in a greenhouse with special temperature controls.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Monday, September 06, 2010

Slugs in the garden

Besides salt, what is a solution to SLUG infestations?
I have slugs crawling not only on the ground, but now, on the siding of the house. I can use salt to kill the ones I see, but would like to know how to eradicate them. Help please.

Answer:  You can buy snail and slug bait at most nurseries and big box stores. It works.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Waterfall Rocks

I'm looking for a rock that i can carve for a waterfall on my mom's koi pond?

Answer:
Find a stone supplier near you. They will have to drill a hole in it so that water can come up through it. Carving a rock is probably not possible for you unless you have specialized equipment. You could check on lava rock. If you find a lava rock boulder, you will be able to work with it, but be sure you wear heavy gloves because it's sharp.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Friday, September 03, 2010

Fairy Moss

I have a question for Pondlady?
Will floating Fairy Moss, most commonly seen in ponds, survive if I put it in an indoor 55 gallon aquarium with florescent lighting? I accidentally received some of this and I do not want it in my large 8,000 gallon pond with skimmer and bio-falls. I do understand that the fish may eat it, but if they don't, will it survive, or just rot and cloud the water? Also, I have an AquaClear 110 filter in my aquarium, if that makes a difference.

Answer:   Fairy moss will survive a nuclear bombing, I think. I find it to be a noxious weed and would never put it in a pond. It will take over, but it sounds like you already know that.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Making the pond level

How can I raise the water level in my fish pond?

I dug a fish pond in my back yard but I didn't really do any calculations. one side of the pond is lower than the other. what can I put on the low side so i can raise the level of water up the higher side without it overflowing?

You can use bricks under the liner. Make them the height you need, then cover with soil. Now put the liner over them. I would also fold the liner over back toward the pond with flat rocks in between the two layers. If you do that all the way around the water will cover up all the liner and the pond looks completely natural.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Monday, August 30, 2010

Water hyacinth

When should I bring in my water hyacinth?
I have about 20 something water hyacinth in my koi pond. I want to keep them for next season also. When should I bring them indoors? I live in maryland. Also what can I do to make them grow great, like what nutrients should I add to their water? Is it safe to pluck their nast,y mushy stem and leaves, or should I leave them be?  

Answer:
Take off all the mushy stems and leaves before you bring them in. Add only a dechlorinator to the water inside. Since they need full sun to grow, they may well go dormant before next spring, but they will come back. Bring them in when the nights begin reaching temps of 55º at night. 
If the water they are in gets too unbearable, pack them in damp sand and leave them in the garage.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Pond needs

What do I need to know before making a pond?

I have a 15 gallon tank with 5 fish and they are all really small. I know for a fact they are going to get really big so I was thinking about making a pound in out yard in a spot where there are no power or water lines and keeping the big fish out there and raising the smaller ones inside until they get big enough to go in the pond. Keep in mind i'm only gonna make it 10ft long 7ft wide and the deepest part about 9ft.

Do you have any tips on a pond?

Answer:

First of all, you don't need a pond 9' deep. Depending on where you live, 18" to 3 feet is usually deep enough. Your frost line (You can find out how deep your frost line is by calling your county extension service), determines how deep your pond needs to be. You will want to dig deeper than yours is.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Clumping Bamboo

My clumping bamboo won't shoot. Do you think it ever will?

Answer:

If you mean it is not spreading, give it some time. It will. And keep spreading and spreading and spreading. Even if it is called clumping, that just means it does not spread as fast.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Cleaning discolored water

When we take yellow water from river to treat it for drinking, What I do to remove this color in water?
We use this water for drinking and we add to it chlorine, polymer and alum.

Answer:  Use an activated charcoal filter to remove the color. Not the charcoal you use in the barbecue, but the kind used in an aquarium. I have no idea if this will make the water safe to drink. It will only remove the color.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Homemade aphid killer

How do you make homemade algaecide for my pond?
I live on a channel on a lake and I have aphids on my plants. Is there a book that would show homemade remedies I could use?

Answer: 

Here's a homemade aphid killer:
• The following technique can be used to treat water lilies for aphid infestation without harm to your fish. Aphids and many other garden pests can be easily controlled with an inexpensive, homemade insecticide--according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
•
• This recipe was developed after entomologists at the Agriculture Research Center in Phoenix, Arizona, discovered that a spray of soybean oil protected cotton from aphids and whiteflies. Home gardeners should mix one tablespoon of dishwashing detergent with one cup of cooking oil. When pests strike, mix one to two and one half teaspoons of the detergent oil mix with one cup of water. The detergent causes the oil to emulsify in the water. It can be sprayed on the water lilies every ten days. Besides aphids, the mixture works against whiteflies and spider mites. It has been successfully tested on eggplants, carrots, lettuce, celery, watermelon, peppers and cucumbers. It tends to burn the leaves of squash, cauliflower and red cabbage.
•
•
• As far as an algaecide goes, getting rid of algae might not be possible. We can control it in an ornamental pond, but a channel/lake, there are so many elements out of your control. Your channel just has too much run off to properly balance the water so algae will not appear. If you try floating plant material, it will soon become an invasive, noxious weed.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Bleach in the pond

Will putting bleach in a small pond damage the pond's pump?
I've got a small pond with a waterfall feature. I recently took everything out (water, rocks, etc), cleaned it, and installed a new pump. After a week of hot weather the algae bloomed and took over the pond. I was able to scoop out the majority of it and killed the remaining algae with bleach.

My question, is this harmful to the $70 pump that I just bought from Home Depot? I know that algaecide is a better solution, but bleach is very inexpensive and seems to work. Please let me know your opinion. Thanks in advance.

Answer:

Bleach will not hurt your pump at all. Keep using it as long as it works.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Fencing off the pond

What material should I use to make a fence around the pond?

I need to build a fence around a pond in my garden. The kidney-shaped duck pond is quite large. I need to do this so that my dog(labrador) and cat don't disturb the ducks.

points to note:-

I live in a place where we have hot, cold and wet weather - all for about 4 months each.

The garden's soil is a hideout for ants and termites - so wooden fence is out of the question.

The dog is pretty naughty so the material should be a bit heavy else he will tear it down.

The pond is under the shade of the mango tree.

The fence should be such that the ducks and pond is not hidden from our view.

Please consider the cost factor as well. It shouldn't be too expensive and I know the metal fence would be.

Answer:

A chain link fence is about the cheapest you can find. Vinyl can work, but it is probably the most expensive. You could try an electric invisible fence. http://www.invisibleelectricdogfence.com…
That would fill all your needs.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

My pond is losing water

Urgent, lives at stake, fish lives at stake.
My best mates have gone away to America for two weeks and have paid me to go round to their house and water the plants until they come back.

I've been watering the plants for about 3 days and when I went to their garden I noticed the fish pond had drained to an alarmingly low level.

It is one of the ponds with that black lining and has a filter in the form of a little fountain.

The fountain is a little blocked but the pipes don't' leave the water so i don't know how it is losing water.

Help!
Answer: The little holes in the fountain head got blocked, but one or two remained open and the water just spurted out of the pond. Open the holes on the fountain head with a tooth pick OR just remove the top until your friends get home. Refill the pond and don't forget the dechlor.

f your pond is concrete, liner, anything but a natural bottom, you could use chlorine to clean it. That will kill the duckweed. Then you could add extra dechlor when you refill.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Getting rid of duckweed

I've drained my old pond in order to clear it of pollution and duckweed. Can I use weedkiller to eradicate it?

Or will this harm the fish when I refill it? Obviously I would rinse it off afterwards, so there could only be trace amounts of the stuff left, but is it safe to use at all? The duckweed can grow to cover the entire pond's surface from just a few seeds, so it's VITAL that I completely destroy it now while the pond is empty of water and fish.

Alternatively, as the weed seems to be dying off and turning brown now that the pond is empty, will that prevent any chances of it returning?

Answer:

If your pond is concrete, liner, anything but a natural bottom, you could use chlorine to clean it. That will kill the duckweed. Then you could add extra dechlor when you refill.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bead filter

I need a really good filter for my pond?
i have a 44,000 gallon pond and i want to know for a good filter for it.

Answer:
I think a bead filter, albeit expensive, will be your best bet. You may need more than one for that size pond.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Pool to pond

Can you use a 24' round pool as a pond?

Wondering if anyone tried using their pool as a fish pond instead

Answer:
You sure can. It's gonna be a big one, but you can use the same pump. Be sure to add a dechlorinator and follow all there rest of the pond guidelines. Read about them here:

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Foamy water

How to get rid of foam in a Koi pond?
I have 1000gal pond that has been very clear for a long time. for the last few months, It is not as clear and has started getting foam on the surface. I use the same pump, uv bulb and pressure filter. I changed the uv bulb, but no better.

Answer:
Several things can cause that. Excess protein, fish mating. It will go away in a few days on its own. It won't hurt anything, so don't worry.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Friday, August 13, 2010

Doubling a pond liner

Can i use 2 pond liners for my water garden/pond?
I just want to make sure that my pond will not leak and that it will last a long time. Other than costs, are there any disadvantages of having 2 pond liners for a pond that is about 8 ft long x 5.3 ft wide by 2.5 ft deep?

Answer:  
No, that doesn't work. If the liner is not thick enough, it will fail. The second one usually fails at the same time. Even if it doesn't water gets between the two and soon the upper one is floating at the water's surface. Use a 40 mil butyl liner that comes with at least a 20 year warranty.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Help, there's a hole in my pond

Help! I think there is a hole in my pond?

Since my parents separated, my mother left me with the care of her backyard pond. I can't exactly tell you how big it is, but it's built in a very large kidney shape. It has a blue liner and is also stocked with plants and fish.

However, yesterday I went outside to check on it and I found the water VERY low. I have the pond built on levels, almost like steps. But the first level of the pond was completely dry and the water was very low. So I filled it with a hose since I don't have a pump running. And then I left it go - it didn't seem to be draining anywhere. I looked around the pond and didn't find any grass wet. So I thought it just evaporated because of the hot weather.

Then I went outside earlier this morning and found the water low again - but not as low as it was yesterday.

Is that a sign of a hole or do you think it's just the hot weather? It's such a big pond and a hole seems to be a real hard thing to find. . .

Help please?

I doubt it's a hole. The water went out too fast for that. Did you have the pump turned on? Turn off all pumps and look at the pond tomorrow morning. If the water level goes down with the pump off, you have a leak.
If that liner is a swimming pool liner and it sounds like it is, perhaps you can find some patching material for it. I'm sure it can be bought at any swimming pool place.
Check here for directions on how to find a leak.
http://www.pondlady.com/Articles/pondlea…

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Cleaning a Muddy Pond

How can I properly remove thick, swampy mud from the bottom of my garden pond?
All the water from my garden pond has gone, it is now quarter-full with a green-black, thick mud. What is the best way to get rid of this, so i can either remove my pond, or refill it with water?
Thanks.

Answer:
If you don't want your pond anymore, just fill it up with sand and soil. If you do want to keep your pond, you can shovel it out. You can also try this which may work. Fill the pond up with water, then using a utility pump, start pumping. Keep filling it with water as the pump keeps working. You can probably get much of the muddy water out. Then use a wet vacuum to get the rest.

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cranes and Egrets Eating Fish

I have problems with my pond. Help?

There is a crane that eats all the fish. I was told I could put a fence right under the surface. What fence would I get or are there any other options? thanks.

Try a motion activated scarer like Scarecrow. Or a floating alligator called Gator Guard.
Both work extremely well.
Scarecrow: http://www.absolutebirdcontrol.com/produ…
Gator Guard: http://www.bird-x.com/gatorgard-p-14.htm…

To find more pond information, go to pondlady.com