On Sat, 19 May 2007 03:59:57 CST, "Davy"
wrote:

As a new comer to ponding, a couple of weeks ago I asked on this group if I
really needed to buy oxygenating plants for my new 6m x 5m fish-less
wildlife pond. Unfortunately no one with a similar pond replied and most
responders were ambiguous on the matter. So I have decided to leave well
alone and not get the oxygenators.

The pond is very health with clear water. But after recent heavy rain the
blanket weed has increased massively. It occurred to me that maybe the real
answer to my question may have been that every pond needs something
burgeoning to absorb nutrients. That something may be vigorous
oxygenators, large numbers of marginals, algae, blanket weed, duck weed,
etc.

So although the oxygenators may not be needed to provide oxygen; they would
be beneficial in absorbing nutrients and preventing the growth of things
that are generally not appreciated.

Does this make any sense?

cheers, Davy

Absolutely. I came to the conclusion that others were trying to say you
don't have to buy enough to fill the pond.... but get perhaps a quarter of
what you were thinking and they'll fill in?

We use to be able to get elodea easily here at our pet shops, I really miss
it. I can get a bit of it to winter over inside and outside, but every year
it doesn't seem to come back as strong as the last.

I currently have a 1,000 gallon (3790 liters?) fishless pond filled with
tad poles, lilies and a half dozen marginals. It is 6 years old and I see
that I'm getting SA a little less each spring. It tends to love where the
water comes in. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us