Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or deprive
the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the fish?

fpbear wrote:
Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave
a section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or
deprive the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the
fish?
In Arizona, we have companies that specialize in either demo'ing the
pool and filling it in or empty it and build a platform deck over the
space. This may be a better solution to your Mother's problem. Don't
forget you can't see a drowning person in that green murky water.
Mosquitoes are the least of your worries.

Chip

She couldn't maintain it because of the cost of maintaining it. Building a
platform deck would be nice but certainly too expensive for her.
Demolishing the pool is not an option because that is also expensive and
reduces the home resale value. The access to the pool is gated and locked.

....still looking forward to replies on the original question, how tough are
the mosquitofish?

"fpbear" wrote in message
...
Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or
deprive the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the
fish?
============================
I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
trying to save by covering most of it?
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö

"Reel McKoi" wrote in message
...
I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
trying to save by covering most of it?

1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
water).
2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must be
filled with water to prevent cracks).

On Jun 8, 6:05 am, "fpbear" wrote:
Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or deprive
the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the fish?

Covering the pond is going to cause you much more work than not
covering it. It needs plants. Invest in the purchase of some water
hyacinths, water lotus or waterlilies. Does the pond not have plants
in it? They really are not that costly and in California you will not
have to worry about losing them to freeze - actually what part of
Southern California? Covering is going to cause die off of what is in
there which will kill the fish - you will then have a nice home for
mosquitoes. Since you don't have large fish in it, the pond should
take very little maintenance. The more shaded it is the less problem
you will have with algae. Plants in the pond count as shade. If you
have one of those store bought filters with a pad that needs cleaned
every week get rid of it. Put the water pump in a five gallon bucket,
fill it with lava rock and rinse the bucket out with pond water once a
year. You can cover the pond with a black netting used to protect
fruit from birds. This will keep out the leaves, shade it a bit but
keep it alive. That is the critical word here - alive. I assume
someone is spending time with your mother at least once a week. I
also assume this pond is something she is fond of and that gives her
pleasure. Very little research on your or their part should make it
easy to keep this pond alive for her pleasure. I lost my mother this
year. I would do anything if I could give her one more day of
pleasure with her garden.

"fpbear" wrote in message
...
"Reel McKoi" wrote in message
...
I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
trying to save by covering most of it?

1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
water).
2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must be
filled with water to prevent cracks).
=================================
Out of compassion for the fish, if the water is "brown" I would get rid of
them. It has to be stagnant and polluted if no care is being given
(maintained filters, aeration etc). Pardon my curiosity... but what kind of
construction is this pond that it would crack if dry?
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö

Reel McKoi wrote:

I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are
you trying to save by covering most of it?

1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
water).
2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must
be filled with water to prevent cracks).
=================================
Out of compassion for the fish, if the water is "brown" I would get rid
of them. It has to be stagnant and polluted if no care is being given
(maintained filters, aeration etc). Pardon my curiosity... but what
kind of construction is this pond that it would crack if dry?

Folks, read the original message. He said "pool" not "pond". This is a
very common problem here as many people are walking out on their
McMansions' over-priced mortgages and abandoning house and POOL. The
local authorities, after getting a complaint from the neighbors and
determining that the property is truly abandoned will go in and put
mosquito fish in the filthy stagnant water to help keep mosquitoes down.
Some will spray oil on the water.

Gunite POOLS will crack in the heat if not at least half filled with water.

Chip

fpbear wrote:

...still looking forward to replies on the original question, how tough are

the mosquitofish?

Mosquito fish are mean, nasty and could survive a nuclear attack!


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

dkat, wonderful tips. the water hyacinth is a great idea. I will try that
as well.

"Chip" wrote in message ...
Folks, read the original message. He said "pool" not "pond". This is a
very common problem here as many people are walking out on their
McMansions' over-priced mortgages and abandoning house and POOL. The
local authorities, after getting a complaint from the neighbors and
determining that the property is truly abandoned will go in and put
mosquito fish in the filthy stagnant water to help keep mosquitoes down.
Some will spray oil on the water.

Gunite POOLS will crack in the heat if not at least half filled with
water.

Chip
===========================
Oh, I haven't heard of gunite pools here. It sounds like these abandoned
pools can be a health hazard. Not only because of mosquitoes but children or
pets can fall into them and drown.
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö

Reel McKoi wrote:

It sounds like these abandoned
pools can be a health hazard. Not only because of mosquitoes but
children or pets can fall into them and drown.

Most municipalities require a pool fence with an auto latching gate, but
every year there are about 5-10 drowning fatalities of kids under 5.
Even when the water is not murky and there are adults nearby. Kids are
inquisitive and quick.

Don't know if there are such laws for ponds.

Chip

On Mon, 9 Jun 2008 18:19:11 EDT, "fpbear" wrote:

dkat, wonderful tips. the water hyacinth is a great idea. I will try that
as well.

And just to add, my friend turned her swimming pool into her koi pond (and
I know you don't want to do that) but, half the pool was covered with water
hyacinth by summer's end, when she lifted them out, no algae was growing on
the sides of the pool where the water hyacinth had been. A swimming pool of
hyacinth, which will grow well with only mosquito fish (they don't eat the
roots) may be better to look at than a blue cover. You will need to put a
line across so there is an open area, as they too can prevent O2 to get to
the water. Perhaps you could consider a small bell fountain on the entry
steps of the pool? ;-) ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

On Mon, 9 Jun 2008 21:21:34 EDT, Chip wrote:

Most municipalities require a pool fence with an auto latching gate, but
every year there are about 5-10 drowning fatalities of kids under 5.
Even when the water is not murky and there are adults nearby. Kids are
inquisitive and quick.

Yes, usually during a party. The OP said it was fenced and gated with a
lock.

Don't know if there are such laws for ponds.
Chip

Yup, there are depending on depth and that depends on where you live also
how deep it can be before a fence is required. ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

And water hyacinth will bloom! And Mom wouldn't have the problem
of rain water gathering on the tarp which will bring mosquitoes and
possibly
canoodling frogs (gal I know had to clear buckets of frog spawn off
a pool cover).
And I agree mosquito fish are tough. I heard they were putting them
in abandoned pools after Hurricane Karina.

k :-)