Any Pond experts on here?

[YRRunner]

Just moved to a house with a small pond. Plenty of vegetation in the pond but I don't know the good stuff from the bad. I want to put a few koi in there but want to make sure the environment/airation etc is going to be right for them. Any experts on here, or can anybody steer me in the direction of a company or somebody who can come over, take a look and give advice? I'm near Rawdon/Apperley Bridge area. Thanks.

[Moos3h]

I was SO sure the thread title was 'AMY Pond experts on here?'

I feel let down.

[YRRunner]

Moos3h said:

I was SO sure the thread title was 'AMY Pond experts on here?'

I feel let down.

I take it you have a thing for g'ngers!

[carl carlson]

Where abouts are you? I have a mate who does this kind of work all the time.

[C3BER]

How big is the pond in size, depth and volume. Koi need a large pond to grow and like all carp they destroy plants. I used to keep koi and show them. Oh and what type of filter do you have.

[YRRunner]

carl carlson said:

Where abouts are you? I have a mate who does this kind of work all the time.

Apperley Bridge/Rawdon. Not far from Leeds/Bradford airport, West Yorkshire.

[C3BER]

Down by the canal... Get yourself over to QSS Wakefield Road, Bradford.

[YRRunner]

C3BER said:

How big is the pond in size, depth and volume. Koi need a large pond to grow and like all carp they destroy plants. I used to keep koi and show them. Oh and what type of filter do you have.

Very small really. 6ft x 3 1/2. 15" deep. Raised up, with a water feature above (which I suspect should fall into the main pond but doesn't). Pump exists for the water feature, but the run off is not dropping into the pond. I can see a flexi pipe from upper feature blue slate pool that should act as overflow to lower pond, but for some reason it looks like it's been cut. No visible signs of a pump or filter of any kind in the pond itself.

I was advised that koi only grow to a size that befits their environment. Not sure if this is fact. Anyhow, I'm only looking to have half a dozen fish. Perhaps I should just go with goldfish Just wanted some colour in there really. The main thing I need is someone to show me (a) what's the good plant life and what's weed, (b) what I need as far as filtration and airation goes, (c) what needs to be done to kill and prevent algae - General maintenance issues I guess. Just need to get jenned up on these things. And watch out for Herons!

[YRRunner]

C3BER said:

Down by the canal... Get yourself over to QSS Wakefield Road, Bradford.

Yep, know it, passed it before but thought it was closed down. I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Big Pump, Big Filter, Waterfall, Job Done

The Pump and filter will clean the water and de-gunge it.

The waterfall will aerate the water.

The Koi will st in the water and hide in the vegetation so you think they are dead

[C3BER]

Your pond is to shallow if I read it as 15" deep. Remember ice in winter and that a pond should have a deep area for fish to go to in for winter survival and exercise. To keep a pond clear use a UV filter to kill algea. You can get dwarf lillies and basic oxygenating weeds to suite.

[YRRunner]

C3BER said:

Your pond is to shallow if I read it as 15" deep. Remember ice in winter and that a pond should have a deep area for fish to go to in for winter survival and exercise. To keep a pond clear use a UV filter to kill algea. You can get dwarf lillies and basic oxygenating weeds to suite.

Mmmm, didn't think about the winter/ice issue. Having said that, we had a massive hail storm here yesterday evening. The hail stones smashed up all the pond lilies. At that point I was glad there were no fish in there. Bizarre, never seen such a hailstorm! Thanks for the advice guys.

[Trickie Dickie]

Hi Mark

Call round and have a look at my pond and also Fishtank
As you know I am only round the corner, and I will give you what little knowledge I have.
My wife is also very knowledgeable about the plants etc

I always use QSS (and they are good on advice as well) and yes it does always look closed
but is an Alladin's Cave especially when the back Koi tanks are open

15" is definitely not deep enough over winter and the guide says 3 to 4 foot without a heater
which my pond is (but I still lost 26 fish last winter!!!!)

Have just lent my 2 books to someone at the Gym setting up a new pond

Cheers
Rich

[YRRunner]

Trickie Dickie said:

Hi Mark

Call round and have a look at my pond and also Fishtank
As you know I am only round the corner, and I will give you what little knowledge I have.
My wife is also very knowledgeable about the plants etc

I always use QSS (and they are good on advice as well) and yes it does always look closed
but is an Alladin's Cave especially when the back Koi tanks are open

15" is definitely not deep enough over winter and the guide says 3 to 4 foot without a heater
which my pond is (but I still lost 26 fish last winter!!!!)

Have just lent my 2 books to someone at the Gym setting up a new pond

Cheers
Rich

Hi Rich and thanks for the offer. I didn't realise your fish expertise went beyond Murgatroyd's! Dropping my Alfa at a bodyshop off Wakey Road today (numpty in B&Q car park hit it with his car door), so will drop into QSS whilst there. Many thanks!

[otolith]

YRRunner said:

Very small really. 6ft x 3 1/2. 15" deep.

Too small for koi, IMO. Probably also a bit small for orfe. Large enough for goldfish. Bit on the shallow side, too. Depending on local climate, 18 inches is about as shallow as I would go, but deeper is better. At 15 inches you may have problems in severe winters like the one we just had, though to be fair there were substantial fish kills in a number of lakes, it was unusually bad. Goldfish are quite ice tolerant, but they can't survive being frozen solid, which is a risk in a 15 inch deep pond. It's a small raised pond, though, you may be able to give it some protection in the winter. I've got a plastic mini-greenhouse almost large enough to go over that.