On 8 Aug 2005 11:33:55 -0700, "Ann505"
wrote:

Hi All,
I just installed a 220gal above-ground preformed pond in my
backyard. I know it's a little late in the season to be putting in
plants, but living in Louisiana I'm hoping it won't matter. I am also
building a small 30gal veggie filter. Now here's my first problem, I
put the pond under a large tree. I know this is not good placement, and
I will probably regret it in the fall. LOL. However it is also making
it hard for me to decide on plants to put in the pond. HALF the pond
gets filtered light/ some full sun while the other side only gets
filtered light / shade. So I'm just not sure what plants will do good
here. I really wanted lilies, but wonder if the can live here. Also was
looking at "elephant ear", the type for planting in the pond, and
something that would do well in the veggie filter, which is in partial
sun. I know I want things that are very easy to care for, and can live
with fish. I also don't have very much to spend on this, so if anyone
has a cheap online soure for plants, please post sites, and could you
list some plant types that would do good with my pond conditions.
Finally, is it very important how fast the water goes through the
filter? On My filter the water will come in at the bottom go through
lava rock / plants and then fall back into the pond via a small
waterfall. So the water will be moving kinda fast (I think, don't have
filter hooked up yet), is that OK? Thanks for any help, this is my
second attempt at ponding, My first (much bigger) one was always green,
so I just pulled it up when my daughter starting walking. I've always
loved ponds and hoping this one will stay nice. Ouida


I used lava rock in a filter like that. Never again. It worked well,
then when it came time to take it out and clean the filter I lost
almost all my finger nails, the skin of the fingers was worn down.

Iris should do well, except they will turn your lava rock into a
single mass. Another thing I did wrong.

Water hyacinths and/or lettuce is good to start with. Lilies can get
by with part shade, they don't bloom so well, but some do better than
others. Night blooming tropicals are good. among the hardies I have
had luck with Marliac carnea and chromatella

the elephant ears should do well also. If they have been grown in the
shade they need to be brought into the sun slowly, they will sunburn.

New ponds going green is sort of normal, best to wait it out. If you
get the floating algae, just pull it out. If you change the water
everytime it gets green it will never end, until you do.