griff Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hello Folks, I have built (or more correctly, had built) an outdoor cold water pond approximate dimensions 5.0m x 2.5m x 400mm - around 5000 litres, I think. It is filtered with a combined UV and Bio filter and the pond design incorporates a pump that feeds a (tranquil) water feature and the filter. My main purpose in building the pond is to create a tranquil outdoor space at the end of my deck. (It looks great so far). Apart from the body of water and a little bit of water movement, I thought I'd a few lilies and a few fish. Reading this forum has given me the 'hebbie-gebbies' - reading about all the difficulties that can arise. I hope I've set things up to avoid some of them and that I haven't created a small aquatic nightmare in the back yard! I am new to ponds and have a few questions: 1. Is there an active aquatic club in Western Bay of Plenty - I've heard it is no longer active - anyone know?? 2. The pond is full and being filtered, but is bare of plants and fish. What should I do first? I've been told to get a few plants and a few fish and build up slowly. 3. Do I need particular plants other than my planned lilies, for pond health? I think I have plenty of surface area of water for fish oxygen supply. I have seen frequent comment about 'oxygen' weed. Do I need this? 4. What is a WCMM? Lots of mention of this fish, but I don't know what it is. 5. If I get a few 'goldfish' from a friend, and he has 'blanket' weed, will I inevitably get this weed too? Is there any way to avoid getting it? 6. Should I get equipment to clean detritis off the bottom of the pond regularly? 7. Once the pond is running and I have fish and plants in it, can I just top up for evaporation loss from the tap, or do I need to treat the added water somehow before I add it? I'm presuming the water here is treated with various chemicals. 8. As you can read, I'm feeling a bit anxious and want to avoid misstakes. Perhaps there is good book I can read? Any help would be appreciated. With thanks, Griff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinsonMassif Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 The only thing I can help you out on is WCMM: white cloud mountain minnows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 from the last mail out The local club is meeting WHEN: SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2008 WHERE: PAPAMOA PLAZA, WE WILL MEET AT THE PET SHOP MEETING WILL BE HELD IN BOARD ROOM THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING TIME: 12 O’CLOCK BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND ANY NEW MEMBERS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 1. Is there an active aquatic club in Western Bay of Plenty - I've heard it is no longer active - anyone know?? Yes there is. Answered in the previous post. 2. The pond is full and being filtered, but is bare of plants and fish. What should I do first? I've been told to get a few plants and a few fish and build up slowly. A pond that size you can add both plants and fish together. The fish will be happier to have places to hide in the plants though so might pay to add them first. 3. Do I need particular plants other than my planned lilies, for pond health? I think I have plenty of surface area of water for fish oxygen supply. I have seen frequent comment about 'oxygen' weed. Do I need this? You do not "need" any particular plants but those described as "good oxygenators" are useful. Read the labels on the plants on the shop as they will have this written on them. Oxygen weed is a good oxygenator (hence the name) and can be gathered from local waterways. be careful not to gather any with weeds attached. 4. What is a WCMM? Lots of mention of this fish, but I don't know what it is. As stated - white cloud mountain minnows, Tanichthys albonubes. Not what I would recommend in a pond as thay are hard to see. 5. If I get a few 'goldfish' from a friend, and he has 'blanket' weed, will I inevitably get this weed too? Is there any way to avoid getting it? Yes 6. Should I get equipment to clean detritis off the bottom of the pond regularly? It would be handy. I haven't got any for my pond yet (about 6,500L) 7. Once the pond is running and I have fish and plants in it, can I just top up for evaporation loss from the tap, or do I need to treat the added water somehow before I add it? I'm presuming the water here is treated with various chemicals. This varies depending on your water source. I don't add anything to mine as we don't have chlorine etc added to our water. In a pond that size I don't think topping up with water that hasn't been dechlorinated will be a problem. Make sure your lilies are not splashed by the water feature as they do not like this. Got some pics of your pond? 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted March 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 from the last mail out The local club is meeting WHEN: SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2008 WHERE: PAPAMOA PLAZA, WE WILL MEET AT THE PET SHOP MEETING WILL BE HELD IN BOARD ROOM THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MEETING TIME: 12 O’CLOCK BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND ANY NEW MEMBERS!!! I hope to see you there. Cheers, Griff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted March 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 4. What is a WCMM? Lots of mention of this fish, but I don't know what it is. As stated - white cloud mountain minnows, Tanichthys albonubes. Not what I would recommend in a pond as thay are hard to see. Someone said to me that 'orfs' (not sure of the spelling) are good as they tend to swim near the surface. Is that correct? Having gone to the trouble of a filter to maintain water clarity, I hope to be able to see the fish. I've noticed some are very shy and would like to avoid them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted March 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 5. If I get a few 'goldfish' from a friend, and he has 'blanket' weed, will I inevitably get this weed too? Is there any way to avoid getting it? Yes Are there any particular practices to adopt to avoid getting balnket weed? Or am I worrying unnecessarily as it is easy enough to control? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted March 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Make sure your lilies are not splashed by the water feature as they do not like this. Got some pics of your pond? 8) The water feature is pretty tame and the pond surface is essentially calm. Thanks for the tip - I'd heard that lilies don't like rough water! I do have some pics and will try to post them at some stage. I'm not very techo on these things and will have to read the instructions. Thank you heaps for your answers, Caryl. Really appreciate the help. Cheers, Griff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted March 27, 2008 Report Share Posted March 27, 2008 Not sure how you can avoid getting blanketweed apart from making sure you do not get plants from a place that is already infected. It is very hard to eradicate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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