Self sufficient pond

I have a good size pond in the which came with the house, it's about 5 metres long and 2 to 3 metres wide. There are loads of fish in it, all the colours of the rainbow, they are healthy (or to put it another way, they are not dying ) but the water is cloudy, no pump or filter is fitted, and we have never fed them. Would installing a pump destroy the obvious balance these fish have achieved with their environment ?
We have done the bovious things, increased the stock of oxygenaters etc. but still cloudy.
Any ideas ?

 

You are very very lucky, I'd love a pond that size.

 

Hi there.

I have never had fish in my pond, as its a wildlife pond however. Oxygenenaters on their own will not clear the water, you definitely require some sort of pump with a filter attached. Doesn't have to be a large pump, just something that will filter out what is clouding the water. Is it a cement/plastic type pond or is it a natural one. Mind you having asked that question, you still get sediment on the bottom...which the action of the fish will disturb. I would also think you need to feed them....but hopefully someone with fish pond experience will come to your rescue.

How deep is it?:thumb:

 

It really depends on what is making the water cloudy in the first place as to what to do next. a picture would be nice.

pond filter info

 

thanks for the comments, but none get to the heart of the problem. I inherited the fish, given a choice I wouldn't have them, preferring a wild life pond, and not wanting the responsibility of them (for the same reason we don't have cats or dogs), but I would prefer the water to be clear. Can I remove the algae or whatever is creating the cloud and not threaten the fish ?.

 

If your water is green and cloudy, it is a combination of too many nutrients in the water and/or too much sun on the surface. There is a product called Greenaway, which helps to relieve the problem and is not harmful to fish. Raking out decomposing fallen leaves will help and there is also a product to help rid you of sludge. If the pond gets alot of sun, try to cover more of the surface with plants, perhaps a water lily. Filters with a UV light attachment can get rid of green water if you want to go down that road. I have a couple of ponds with fish and clear water without any filters though, so it is possible. If your water is black with poor visibility, it is often best to do several partial water changes. It happens when there is a large amount of mulm suspended in the water, mainly from a build up of fish waste. If you have blanket weed, most of it can be removed with manually very easily but barley straw is a great help. You can now buy extract of barley straw in a liquid form.

Fish have different habits. Golden orfe are shoaling fish who like to go near the surface, so are easy to see, and do not rummage round in the bottom. Goldfish are far more likely to stir up the water, making it cloudy, but not green. If you feed regularily, you will find they will come to the surface so you can see them well, but in a healthy pond that is not over stocked, you needn't panic about feeding them, they fend very well for themselves. I know nothing of Koi except they need good areation.

Hope this has been of some help.

 

I sincerely hope it isn't blanket weed, cause that can be a pain in the rear.:thumb:

 

perhaps if it is they could borrow nigel

 

Well he's certainly for hire, but I would have to ask him first, heh,heh.:D

 

I find plants are the best way to clear green water in a pond.
As already said, its due to high levels of nutrent in the water which the algae is living on.
blanket weed also grows well in the same conditions.

A pump on its own will not alter the situation, in fact it could make matters worse as the increased oxygenation of the water is likely to encourage the fish to breed and increase the nutrent in the water.

I find plants that just float and take all their nutrient from the water work pretty well in my small overstocked pond.
My favourite for a fast growth is watercress, but elodea and a few others work, but slower.

Of course duck weed is great for clearing the water, but you tend not to be able to actually see the water.:D

 

Pump and U/V.....that`s what you need . Cheers...freddy.

 

I have recently found another cause of cloudy water in my clay lined pond, a Bearded Collie pup playing in it! Don't think there is a filter to help with that one.

 

Boveytracey any chance of a picture?