On Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:55:15 -0800, ~ jan jjspond
wrote:

About 2 1/2 years ago we purchased a home with koi pond in the Phoenix
area. The pond is about 800 gallons, with a few growing fish. After
rebuilding the main filter (using a variation of the 'Skippy filter'
the water has stayed clear year round (other than a problem with
string algae in the wither). Assisting this was an area at one end of
the pond containing water hyacinths, and another along part of one
side with water irises. This area is the problem.

The area with the water irises appears to be a shelf about a foot wide
and 10" below the surface of the water. There is a wall of loose set
2" x 4" x 12" cement 'bricks' on the edge of the shelf and separating
it from the main body of the pond. Apparently the area enclosed by the
wall was filled with soil and the water irises planted, or possibly
the soil was in pots weighted down so they wouldn't float.

Of course, the plants have multiplied and are pushing the wall over.
By looking at them I would say they are overcrowded and need to be
thinned. I would like to remove enough material to permit rebuilding
the wall, then replant as many of the irises as needed. Obviously, I
would like to do this without seriously disturbing the balance of the
pond. Any suggestions are welcome.

PlainBill

I'd start by draining the pond down below this 10" shelf, that way any muck
won't float off into the main pond. Rip everything out, saving the best,
shop vac out the remaining muck, fix the wall and replant in removal
baskets. Hold irises down with big rocks, rather than dirt. ~ jan
Thanks for the sugggestions; I'm ashamed to say I never though of
lowering the level of the pond to help prevent the muck spreading.

Landscaping rock is very popular here, combining a couple of
suggestions, I'm thinking of putting the irises in pots (baskets?)
with enough washed rock to hold them down. I assume the idea is to
allow easy water flow around the roots.

PlainBill