Robert wrote Any ideas as to how the bacteria are doing so well?

Well, this is a new one on me!

To sum up: no fish polluting water;
no decaying leaves;
very little of interest to see apart from bacteriophages such
as Vorticella.


Went and googled those up, the Bacteriophage thing-a-ma-jigs and got
Bacteriophage ("bacteria eaters") are viruses that attack bacteria cells.

Then I looked up Vorticella.
For heaven's sake, they have a home page
http://www.vorticella.com/
Does that mean I have a band in my pond, as well as
the one in my family room...?

Okay, back to the subject
Vorticella are Vorticella are protists which are ciliates. They are related
to other protozoans
such as the Paramecium.
and
All varieties feed mostly upon suspended bacteria

They are not doing their job if you feel the bacteria is taking over.
But
on the other hand
like I said, this is a new one for rec.ponds
and we'd like to hear more,
like what does your pond look like during this turbid period.
I'm wondering if you are seeing foamy water?
Who old is your pond, have other winters been like this?

And this question brings to mind a book I like that may help
THE BIOLOGY OF LAKES AND PONDS
by Christer Bronmark and Lars-Ander Hansson
written by two fellows from Sweden
Oxford University Press

Hope to hear more from you ;-)



kathy