On Tue, 1 Nov 2005 22:50:44 -0600, "Carol-Ann" wrote:


"PlainBill" wrote in message
.. .
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.

$$ You can remove this and set potted plants on the shelf. Most of the soil
has probably washed away by now anyway. Also, water iris do fairly well in
gravel alone.

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.

$$ I think the biggest problem would be getting the MUCK from around the
plants roots into the rest of the pond. If you can drain the pond down,
being careful not to dislodge foul smelling aerobic muck into the water, you
can then lift out the plants. I can't see how that can be done without
filthy water leaking into the pond water though. You may want to remove the
fish to a temporary home for awhile as we did this past summer when we fixed
the berm and several shelves.

Thanks for the suggestions. You've given me some additional ideas.
As far as controlling the muck, one idea I've been kicking around is
to shore up the wall with a couple of planks while I remove the dirt,
plants, etc. By using plastic sheeting between the planks and the
wall AND scooping everything outward (not over the water) I should be
able to reduce contamination. Maybe a little strategic pumping so
water flows INTO the area being cleaned, not out into the main pond.

PlainBill