work pond

[Fedorov]

I have just been put in charge of my work pond after two years of a nonfish person trying to do it . The size of the pond is about 40' x 30' x 3' and has two waterfalls (algea collectors) . It has been there for two years and I have two years of pullling out tons of algae .
I would be starting over with a fresh pond , as none of the fish will have made it though the winter with out aeration . I plan on putting a lot of lilly type plants and some grass plants in when the temp is right . what else can I do to keep the algea out and keep the pond looking good ?
Also what kind and how many of aerators and heaters would I need for the winters in southern Wisconsin ? The temps can get down to -15 F , I know that is not cold for some of you I laugh also when people say that is cold cold to me is -30 F and below .
Thanks for your help .

 

[Fedorov]

can any one help me ?
thanks

 

[TJcanada]

Algae is sort of a natural process all ponds go through, man made or other wize... there are stages. "Pest" algae such as green water or String(Hair) algae can be difficult to get rid of once they take hold. Carpet algae is something to encourage - not only does it aid in filtering the water but it's home to many small aquatic creatures that fish enjoy as a snack. Green Water(suspended algae) aslo is host to a variety of microlife, unsightly as it can be that's not a bad thing. Green Water is one of the most common problems - but if a pond is very well established then the length of time green water is there should be limited to just a few weeks when things start coming back to life in the spring. String algae is one beast that needs more of a hand to hand combat strategy... pull pull pull. Algae is a great dynamic in the pond and if not over-taking the water it has it's benefits in an enclosed system.

Aquaric Plants definately can help control the amount of algae... your idea of quite a few lilies should aid in shading the pond once they establish. Floating plants such as Hyacinth, WaterLettuce, WaterCelery, FairyMoss, FrogBit will aslo shade the pond and hungrily eat the nutrients that the algae would be consuming. Other good chioces for plants are ParrotsFeather, PennyWort, varieties of Arrowheard, Iris, MannaGrass, varieties of rushes. Underwater plants like Anacharis are also good. Plants that are in pots/containers could be 'soiless', using instead coconutfiber matting - this would help cut down the risk of "dirt" going toxic and/or anoribic(sp?) plus there'd be less of a need to repot each year - lilies potted in coconutfiber do not always do well as they like a more clay based soil.

Diffusers(air stones) are also a good way to help keep some types of algae at bay.... turbulant water isn't something most algaes thrive in. In the sized pond you've discribed possibly 3 4" diffusers would be good, using clamps to regulate the output/pressure - lilies don't like alot of surface movement. In the winter they should keep the areas the bubble ice free. There are a few different kinds of deicers/heaters on the market - just do a quick google search. Using them in combo with the deicers might be a good idea.

Fish in a pond over winter with too much water movement isn't always good when temperature's are below freezing.... sometimes a "super cooling" effect happens that can stress fish if not kill them. Something to take into consideration on how may diffusers you plan to leave running.

Have to go for now... hope that answers some of you questions.
Good Luck,
TJ

 

[Fedorov]

TJcanada

thank you for the info .