The need for any and all filtration products is dictated more on what kind
of pond you want. A heavily populated koi pond like mine would take more
acreage than I have for a veggie only filter. A plant only water garden
wouldn't need any filtration, but would benefit from water movement and
aeration. A small pond is much harder to keep than a large pond. There is
an old saying, that the solution to pollution is dilution, and larger ponds
have the ability to do more dilution. Skimmers really help to keep most of
the stuff off the bottom by catching it before it sinks, so they are high on
my recommendations list. Bottom drains help to keep the bottom of the pond
self cleaning, and this is good. I have upgraded filtration every year on
my ponds to keep ahead of the growing load. Numbers of fish have grown
some, but size of fish has grown more.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html
"The~Doofie~Man©" wrote in message
...
I bought several Parrot feather plants for oxygenation. 2 Lilly's, a grass
like yellow flowered deep water plant and several shallow plant as well. I
have the tags that came with them downstairs.
Anyway my pond is 550 gallons. Exactly how many plants should I have. How
much should be deep/shallow. I take it these are mostly for "curb appeal".
What ratio of oxygenating plants should I have. I'm guessing the more the
better. So far I've only "found" Parrot Feather for oxygenating plants.
Right now I just have a pump/filter set up. The outlet goes to the
waterfall
to help somewhat with cleaning. Should I buy or make my own. The pond just
got built so perhaps I should wait and see when even green shows up and
how
much of it? Is the set up I have now sufficient for the pond?
I've learned a great deal this past week in the building of the pond. I
actually have a friend who wants me to make one for them. So I have
several
questions for the parts.
I assume the kits are for "starting" a pond & are rather a basic
filtration
means. If I were to go and buy the components for say a 1500 gallon pond.
I'd need a pump and liner for the size. Is a skimmer really that
important?
Depending on the area debris I take it. A UV light?
There are some elaborate pond set ups out there that I've seen on the net,
do they really need to be that way? The bigger the pond the better the
filtering has to be I'd think. Its better to over do than to under do. My
plumbing background has helped me to understand the set ups quite easily,
its just a matter of using what with what.
Any really, REALLY helpful sites (Canadian ones as well "EH") out there
that
cover all the basics and then some? For the plants as well. I know I gotta
hit Chapters & buy a few books too.
Janet was right in her e mail to me. The pond can never be big enough!!!
Thanks in advance for the input people.
--
The~Doofie~Man ©
"LET ME SEE YOUR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS!!!!!"
Putting the fun back in FUNeral!!
http://www.geocities.com/doof70/index.html