I have a friend who has a kidney shaped pond that holds about 66 of water. It is over hung by a big tree that flowers many hundreds of yellow flowers each spring through summer, which ultimately fall into the pond, alternatively a seed pod of a green bean appearance grows in place of the flower, this dries up, vacates its contents and drops from the tree into to my pond also. Approximately 3 months ago, towards the end of summer.
She placed a Water Lilly, some Elodea (2 bunches), 4 Goldfish and 10 red Ramshorn snails. It's nowe in the first month of winter and climate in Melbourne enables the Water Lilly to remain slow but active, the Elodea is growing at a great rate although has a thick covering of green algae, the Goldfish remain active, they are approximately 2 and a 1/2 times the size they were when they went in (approximately 5 inch) although only 2 are seen now as they surface gulping for air, which indicates to me a lack of oxygen in the water.
Ramshorn doesn't seem to be doing much good. Is it best to aerate the water? Is there a wy to do this without power i.e. pumps or filters? I know that 10 snails will not do a great visual clean up, but do you think they will reproduce to a level that will visually help keep my pond clean? Lastly, I heard algae eradication and found that bundles of barley straw weighed down is the best method of doing so, should she get rid of the algae or does it help the ponds Eco establishment?
She placed a Water Lilly, some Elodea (2 bunches), 4 Goldfish and 10 red Ramshorn snails. It's nowe in the first month of winter and climate in Melbourne enables the Water Lilly to remain slow but active, the Elodea is growing at a great rate although has a thick covering of green algae, the Goldfish remain active, they are approximately 2 and a 1/2 times the size they were when they went in (approximately 5 inch) although only 2 are seen now as they surface gulping for air, which indicates to me a lack of oxygen in the water.
Ramshorn doesn't seem to be doing much good. Is it best to aerate the water? Is there a wy to do this without power i.e. pumps or filters? I know that 10 snails will not do a great visual clean up, but do you think they will reproduce to a level that will visually help keep my pond clean? Lastly, I heard algae eradication and found that bundles of barley straw weighed down is the best method of doing so, should she get rid of the algae or does it help the ponds Eco establishment?