What kind of odor? Did it smell kind of like sulfur, rotten eggs? If so, I
think it would be a very good idea to start cleaning the pond now. The
hydrogen sulfide gas is very toxic to fish, so I would try to get the fish
out without disturbing the bottom of the pond, if possible. If you disturb
the material on the bottom, then you will release the hydrogen sulfide. PP
treatment can be used per
http://users.megapathdsl.net/~solo/p....htm#POTASSIUM
to detoxify hydrogen sulfide and reduce the organic loading. I think PP is
very toxic to snails though.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"jammer" wrote in message
...
I check my pond temp every other day or so. It is staying in the 70's
since i started partially covering it with cardboard during the day. I
can see nearly to the bottom, water looks clear. I have loads of
plants and a small fish load. Today i pulled up the thermometer and
there was a terrible smell. I didn't think the thermometer reached the
bottom, but i could be wrong. I haven't done a water change in a while
and will do that tomorrow, but i suppose i am supposed to be vacuuming
the pond? I planned to do this this fall anyway, but should i do it
now instead or even also? Is this a major red flag and i should act
now? I have only goldfish and a 70 gallon pondlet. No filtration, etc.
I am also afraid of killing the snails i have in there. I think i am
going to set up an aquarium and syphon the vacuumed water through a
net and get all the snails i can. Think they will live off of
anacharis and algea til next spring?