Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

OK, so I'm probably fairly new, but still.

This is one of the newsgroups that keeps on "growing" if you pardon my pun.

So much information, so few flame wars.

Sure, there is the occasional heated moment, but that's internet for you.

Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it stands
out.

Sure, I don't read every one of the 50.000 plus major newsgroups, but I do
read this one since 1998... and it's still the same great people like K30a,
Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E. and... I forget a shitload of others. To all of you
regulars, hats off :-) (and don't be offended about the list OK ?)

It's hard to address such a large audience, but ... uhm, to put it into
todays terms... respec ;-)

I've not been an active poster (sorry) but I learned so much from this NG,
it's almost scary. Sure the pond bug did bite me, I know about PORG, but
this NG made me think a few times. Teached me stuff... watercress anyone
?

Anyway, this is not about my pond (although that one of course is so great
;-) ) but a salute to the people that continue to prove the internet is not
just a big stupid mistake.

Cheers folks,

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
snip
Anyway, this is not about my pond (although that one of course is so great
;-) ) but a salute to the people that continue to prove the internet is
not
just a big stupid mistake.
snip

I agree 110% about the group...not so sure about the internet.

BV.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Hey Vanil,

Funny, I've been reading your stuff for the last few weeks :-)

Don't want to get into some IT war, but this place is part of that giant
thingie that is called the internet.

I did read your site BTW :-)

Hope it all turns out OK... Funny, thought about you (or your online
personae) today, and wondered if we can learn just by reading stuff.

You are almost engineer like. But as you found out, you also have to do
the grunt work to learn stuff. :-)

I agree 110% about the group...not so sure about the internet.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Ahhh, blush! :-)


k30a

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

LOL,

Well, big kudos to you & your dogs! Not sure yet about your DH ! ;-)

Love labradors BTW...

There are more peeps of course, and my attention span only goes that far,
but you have to admit this little corner of the internet provides more
information than it does confusion.

Could be related to the topic, dunno, but it stands out

PS: push me and I might post a few pics of my little "Walhalla" ;-)

PS2 : even though a week ago my fish looked terrible, and made me think
about filling the whole thing with concrete... parasites :-(



"K30a" schreef in bericht
...

Ahhh, blush! :-)


k30a

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
Hey Vanil,

Funny, I've been reading your stuff for the last few weeks :-)

Don't want to get into some IT war, but this place is part of that giant
thingie that is called the internet.

Yeah...I was just trying to be funny...oh...and the engineer in me needs to
tell you it's Internet not internet...those are two very different words. :)

I did read your site BTW :-)

It's a hack in progress.

Hope it all turns out OK... Funny, thought about you (or your online
personae) today, and wondered if we can learn just by reading stuff.

My pond follies *sic* are all the result of reading.

You are almost engineer like. But as you found out, you also have to do
the grunt work to learn stuff. :-)

I've been a grunt all my life.

BV.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo van Daele wrote:
LOL,

Well, big kudos to you & your dogs! Not sure yet about your DH ! ;-)

Love labradors BTW...

There are more peeps of course, and my attention span only goes that far,
but you have to admit this little corner of the internet provides more
information than it does confusion.

Could be related to the topic, dunno, but it stands out

PS: push me and I might post a few pics of my little "Walhalla" ;-)



OK consider yor self pushed

John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico
If it can't be fixed with bailing wire or duct tape
its not worth fixing

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Aw gee, shucks! People helped me when I started, and it's nice to pass on
what I've learned to others. I also appreciate the lack of "flame wars" . .
.. when I discuss "this and that" with my hubby, he'll say "And they didn't
get FLAMED???" He shakes his head when I say it's not like that around here.
So, where are the photos of Walhalla? Everyone's gotta share, now!

Lee

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
OK, so I'm probably fairly new, but still.

This is one of the newsgroups that keeps on "growing" if you pardon my
pun.

So much information, so few flame wars.

Sure, there is the occasional heated moment, but that's internet for you.

Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it stands
out.

Sure, I don't read every one of the 50.000 plus major newsgroups, but I do
read this one since 1998... and it's still the same great people like
K30a,
Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E. and... I forget a shitload of others. To all of
you
regulars, hats off :-) (and don't be offended about the list OK ?)

It's hard to address such a large audience, but ... uhm, to put it into
todays terms... respec ;-)

I've not been an active poster (sorry) but I learned so much from this NG,
it's almost scary. Sure the pond bug did bite me, I know about PORG, but
this NG made me think a few times. Teached me stuff... watercress
anyone
?

Anyway, this is not about my pond (although that one of course is so great
;-) ) but a salute to the people that continue to prove the internet is
not
just a big stupid mistake.

Cheers folks,

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it
stands
out.

Ditto !

and it's still the same great people like K30a, Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E.
and... I forget a shitload of others.


Lets not forget Nedra, Ingrid, John, Rich and many others.

=A0 To all of you regulars, hats off :-)

I have been reading this group for 3 years and the info I've learned
from all of you is priceless. You guys have not only calmed my fears but
motivated me to just go ahead and start digging.
This month is 1 year since my 4200 gallon pond is up and running. It
wouldn't have happened without you. So a Great Big Thank You is long
overdue.
Happy Ponding,
Lucy

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Why ... Thanks, Lucy! I'm very impressed that rec.ponds
doesn't resort to Flame wars! ;-) I'm the worst there is
for coming unglued I guess. I was signed in to a couple
of groups
and had to quit because of the Wars.

Nedra

wrote in message
...
Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it
stands
out.

Ditto !

and it's still the same great people like K30a, Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E.
and... I forget a shitload of others.


Lets not forget Nedra, Ingrid, John, Rich and many others.

To all of you regulars, hats off :-)

I have been reading this group for 3 years and the info I've learned
from all of you is priceless. You guys have not only calmed my fears but
motivated me to just go ahead and start digging.
This month is 1 year since my 4200 gallon pond is up and running. It
wouldn't have happened without you. So a Great Big Thank You is long
overdue.
Happy Ponding,
Lucy

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Ditto.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Lee Brouillet" wrote in message
...
Aw gee, shucks! People helped me when I started, and it's nice to pass on
what I've learned to others.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Ugh ... ;-)

OK consider yor self pushed

Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg

Early May 2003, zone7 (I think), and yes that's just after it has been
enlarged for the 4th year in a row :rolleyes: Whaddayamean starting out too
small ? sigh, why didn't I listen eh...

Will do a serious webpage soon, just to busy sitting at the pond right now
:blush:

BTW, beneath the "deck" is a 7 ft winter home. Amazing how the fish love
that place. They gather there comes heron time, and consider it being
their "shelter".

I knew I was gonna regret that list BTW... just looking at my email inbox
revealed lots & lots more names. But as I said, it's not about a few
people, it's about a newsgroup that somehow stands out.

Well done.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo van Daele wrote:


Cheers folks,

Theo


Thank you for your kinds words.
--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

I too would like to thank Kellie, Kathy, Lee, and others who have helped
me when I started back in 1997 and since then. Without the enthusiasm of
this newsgroup, my web sites would never had amounted to the collosal mess
they are!


-----------------------------------------------------------------
Chemist, preservationist, animal lover, aquarist, and ponder. -
Extensive web pages on animals, fish, and ponds. -
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~rrhudy1/ -
http://www.fishpondinfo.com
Free pond newsletter - sign up at my web site -
Finally! Buy Robyn's Pond Book at www.1stbooks.com -
-----------------------------------------------------------------
_ _
(o)____(o) ---ribbit
_/ oo \_
/ \----------/ \
\ | | | | /
ww ooo ooo ww

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo van Daele wrote:
Ugh ... ;-)


OK consider yor self pushed


Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg



realy nice pond an fish thanks for the pics





-

John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico
If it can't be fixed with bailing wire or duct tape
its not worth fixing

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Thank you for your compliments about our little group here. We love each
other and enjoy our common bond,,,,water and fish.

This is my little haven away from the stress of life.

BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
OK, so I'm probably fairly new, but still.

This is one of the newsgroups that keeps on "growing" if you pardon my
pun.

So much information, so few flame wars.

Sure, there is the occasional heated moment, but that's internet for you.

Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it stands
out.

Sure, I don't read every one of the 50.000 plus major newsgroups, but I do
read this one since 1998... and it's still the same great people like
K30a,
Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E. and... I forget a shitload of others. To all of
you
regulars, hats off :-) (and don't be offended about the list OK ?)

It's hard to address such a large audience, but ... uhm, to put it into
todays terms... respec ;-)

I've not been an active poster (sorry) but I learned so much from this NG,
it's almost scary. Sure the pond bug did bite me, I know about PORG, but
this NG made me think a few times. Teached me stuff... watercress
anyone
?

Anyway, this is not about my pond (although that one of course is so great
;-) ) but a salute to the people that continue to prove the internet is
not
just a big stupid mistake.

Cheers folks,

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo, I love your pics. Your pond is fascinating....
What is the glass looking thing that is part of the deck?
I can imagine your fish do enjoy their winter quarters.
grin

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
Ugh ... ;-)

OK consider yor self pushed

Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg

Early May 2003, zone7 (I think), and yes that's just after it has been
enlarged for the 4th year in a row :rolleyes: Whaddayamean starting out
too
small ? sigh, why didn't I listen eh...

Will do a serious webpage soon, just to busy sitting at the pond right now
:blush:

BTW, beneath the "deck" is a 7 ft winter home. Amazing how the fish love
that place. They gather there comes heron time, and consider it being
their "shelter".

I knew I was gonna regret that list BTW... just looking at my email inbox
revealed lots & lots more names. But as I said, it's not about a few
people, it's about a newsgroup that somehow stands out.

Well done.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

I got through the second time around.

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Just Me "Koi"" wrote in message
...
Thank you for your compliments about our little group here. We love each
other and enjoy our common bond,,,,water and fish.

This is my little haven away from the stress of life.

BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
OK, so I'm probably fairly new, but still.

This is one of the newsgroups that keeps on "growing" if you pardon my
pun.

So much information, so few flame wars.

Sure, there is the occasional heated moment, but that's internet for
you.

Still, so many nice folks (ahum, lots of them are female :eek:), it
stands
out.

Sure, I don't read every one of the 50.000 plus major newsgroups, but I
do
read this one since 1998... and it's still the same great people like
K30a,
Lee Br, Jan, Bonny E. and... I forget a shitload of others. To all of
you
regulars, hats off :-) (and don't be offended about the list OK ?)

It's hard to address such a large audience, but ... uhm, to put it into
todays terms... respec ;-)

I've not been an active poster (sorry) but I learned so much from this
NG,
it's almost scary. Sure the pond bug did bite me, I know about PORG,
but
this NG made me think a few times. Teached me stuff... watercress
anyone
?

Anyway, this is not about my pond (although that one of course is so
great
;-) ) but a salute to the people that continue to prove the internet is
not
just a big stupid mistake.

Cheers folks,

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Nice pond and Garden, and Fish. How do you keep your pond so clear without
plants and shade?

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
Ugh ... ;-)

OK consider yor self pushed

Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg

Early May 2003, zone7 (I think), and yes that's just after it has been
enlarged for the 4th year in a row :rolleyes: Whaddayamean starting out
too
small ? sigh, why didn't I listen eh...

Will do a serious webpage soon, just to busy sitting at the pond right now
:blush:

BTW, beneath the "deck" is a 7 ft winter home. Amazing how the fish love
that place. They gather there comes heron time, and consider it being
their "shelter".

I knew I was gonna regret that list BTW... just looking at my email inbox
revealed lots & lots more names. But as I said, it's not about a few
people, it's about a newsgroup that somehow stands out.

Well done.

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Lovely pond, and beautiful fish! Ok, now 'fess up on the details: how
large / deep is pond? how big was it to start with? what is filter /
pump / other equipemtn? is the "window" in the deck (fish house?) glass
or plexiglas? etc. etc. Curious PORGs are awaiting your responses.
--
Kathy B, zookeeper
3500gal pond in Oregon



Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg

Early May 2003, zone7 (I think), and yes that's just after it has been
enlarged for the 4th year in a row ...

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?

I made a small webpage, please try this link:
http://www.wide-o.net/pond_work/

I've put in the "work in progress" pics, including a rather sad morning when
all the water found a way under the liner... clamp those hoses folks...

You can compare the new pond with last years :
http://www.wide-o.net/pond2003/

Let me know if it doesn't work :-)

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo van Daele wrote:
BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?


I made a small webpage, please try this link:
http://www.wide-o.net/pond_work/

I've put in the "work in progress" pics, including a rather sad morning when
all the water found a way under the liner... clamp those hoses folks...

You can compare the new pond with last years :
http://www.wide-o.net/pond2003/

Let me know if it doesn't work :-)

Theo



Thanks for posting your webpage. Good shots of the fish.
How did you get them to pose so nicely? I like the photo
of the mishap too - a great reminder for all of us.


--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Theo, how absolutely marvelous! It looks like it belongs there in your yard,
the fish look happy, you dug half way to China for depth, you made "stairs"
to get out (good thinking!), and I love the window. I'm surprised it doesn't
get a nice furry coat of algae on the under side . . . how do you clean it?
*Excellent* work!

Lee

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?

I made a small webpage, please try this link:
http://www.wide-o.net/pond_work/

I've put in the "work in progress" pics, including a rather sad morning
when
all the water found a way under the liner... clamp those hoses folks...

You can compare the new pond with last years :
http://www.wide-o.net/pond2003/

Let me know if it doesn't work :-)

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Wow, RP helped with all THAT, we ARE impressive aren't we!?

Okay, BV, these pictures are the bar, what'syagonnado? ;o)

I love the winter/heron hiding area, great idea!!!! Wish I had one. ~ jan


On Mon, 05 May 2003 21:43:53 GMT, "Theo van Daele" wrote:

Pond now looks like this: http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/earlygarden.jpg

Fish are going pretty well : http://www.wide-o.net/new_pond/fishfun.jpg


See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website


-----------== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----= Over 100,000 Newsgroups - Unlimited Fast Downloads - 19 Servers =-----

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

"~ jan" wrote in message
...
Wow, RP helped with all THAT, we ARE impressive aren't we!?

Okay, BV, these pictures are the bar, what'syagonnado? ;o)

snip

I am workin' on it I swear...just too much family, work and life stuff.
Funny, life is always getting the way of me living. Unfortunately for me, I
have a day job, and a night job...and the summer months go to the
family...so I am not sure how long it will take me to get the pond cleaned
up and photo ready. I will do my best though...

BV.

P.S. Thanks for giving the "new guy" props and puttin' the pressure on me.
*sheesh* :)

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Now this pond is beyond words!! I especially like the pic
of the huge orange kitty. And now we know why the pond
looks so clear. It's deep! Great job, Theo.

Nedra
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pines/4836
http://community.webshots.com/user/nedra118

"Lee Brouillet" wrote in message
...
Theo, how absolutely marvelous! It looks like it belongs there in your
yard,
the fish look happy, you dug half way to China for depth, you made
"stairs"
to get out (good thinking!), and I love the window. I'm surprised it
doesn't
get a nice furry coat of algae on the under side . . . how do you clean
it?
*Excellent* work!

Lee

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message
...
BTW, I couldn't get to your pictures, did I do something wrong?

I made a small webpage, please try this link:
http://www.wide-o.net/pond_work/

I've put in the "work in progress" pics, including a rather sad morning
when
all the water found a way under the liner... clamp those hoses folks...

You can compare the new pond with last years :
http://www.wide-o.net/pond2003/

Let me know if it doesn't work :-)

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

BenignVanilla wrote:
"~ jan" wrote in message
...

Wow, RP helped with all THAT, we ARE impressive aren't we!?

Okay, BV, these pictures are the bar, what'syagonnado? ;o)


snip

I am workin' on it I swear...just too much family, work and life stuff.
Funny, life is always getting the way of me living. Unfortunately for me, I
have a day job, and a night job...and the summer months go to the
family...so I am not sure how long it will take me to get the pond cleaned
up and photo ready. I will do my best though...

BV.

P.S. Thanks for giving the "new guy" props and puttin' the pressure on me.
*sheesh* :)



Hi BV,
Theo isn't a new guy - he's just returned to the fold.

--
Bonnie
NJ
http://home.earthlink.net/~maebe43/

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

I am workin' on it I swear...just too much family, work and life stuff.

It's that WORK stuff that is a problem, all ponders should be on the
government payroll for building wetlands. ;o) Granted, we're not too keen
on all types of wetland critters, but still.... :o) ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website


-----------== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----= Over 100,000 Newsgroups - Unlimited Fast Downloads - 19 Servers =-----

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

How did you get them to pose so nicely?

Well, they normally lay on the bottom of the pond on their sides, but I just
call them up and ask 'm to sit still ;-)

Nah, all kidding aside, I just take hundreds of pics, digital is cheap, and
then select the better looking ones. Trust me, I have many pictures of
blurs :-)

It's a little side project, I try to take a few pics at least every 2 weeks,
and they all get saved per year/month/day on my PC. Makes it easy to
compare seasons, early springs, fish size etc.

I like the photo
of the mishap too - a great reminder for all of us.

Yup, I was lucky that this happened when the ponds weren't connected yet
:eek: ! Still, when I came out and saw that, I had to fight the tears.
It also revealed a flaw in my thinking: "if I hang the pump halfway, the
pond can never be completely emptied". Not true as I found out, the water
running back under the liner pushes it up, so more water to pump, goes under
liner, so liner goes up... it was *completely* dry on top.

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

Thanks :-)

And now we know why the pond
looks so clear. It's deep!

That was important to me this time. After 4 years I know how much shallow
water can change in temperature, especially in spring where we had a 25°C
days followed by a -7°C frost at night. The mass of water prevents fast
temp swings, and koi apparantly need some depth so they can "swim up", there
are many other good reasons... I asked my wife to not let me stop
digging until I disappeared in the pond (I'm 6'7") and I would have if not
for the ground water.

you dug half way to China for depth

For us over here, that's Australia. Stop digging when you find kangaroo
bones ;-)

I love the window. I'm surprised it doesn't
get a nice furry coat of algae on the under side . . . how do you clean
it?

The glass is there since last September, very wet winter, but yet no sign
(to my own surprise) of algae underneath. Still, if it happens, it's 4
separate tiles (50 x 50 cm) so they can easily be lifted, taken away, and
given a good scrub.

Now if you'll excuse me I'll have to go & rearrange some rocks ;-)

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

P.S. Thanks for giving the "new guy" props and puttin' the pressure on
me.
*sheesh* :)

Hi BV,
Theo isn't a new guy - he's just returned to the fold.

LOL, no worries, I know what BV means, made me chuckle :-)

Work, well, I took 2 months sabbatical to releave some stress and get this
project going. I considered a mini-digger, but it was good for me as a
sitting IT bod to get some physical action, so shovel it was, and the reward
when it's all finished is so great.

Never really left the fold Bonnie, lurked here about every month or so :-)
But I did stop reading everything, mainly because I understood that for me -
as great as all the info is on here - nothing seems to beat my own
"experience". Hmm... that sounds pretentious, not how I mean it...

It sometimes is like reading a medical book, and thinking "Hey, I got that
desease as well !" :-) It seems one has to develop ones own way of living
with a pond, go through some of the mistakes ...still it's great to be able
to fall back on the vast knowledge that is on here, especially when things
go wrong.

Example: one day, 3 years ago I found myself testing the water for the
umpteenth time, it almost looked like a lab next to the pond. Felt a bit
silly, also because I read somewhere these tests kits are often less than
accurate. I stopped doing that and concentrated more & more on the actual
fish behaviour. After a while, you know when they are happy and you also
see the first signs of stress. You also learn to read their behaviour
related to water temps, differences between individuals etc... The golden
orfes are invaluable for that as well, as they seem to be "stress-fish",
they react first when something is wrong with the water, herons, etc.
It's only then that I start doing water tests again to see what's wrong.
Of course, I would never recommend that on here, especially not for new
ponds, but it seems to work for me so far (touches large tree) after
carefully watching their behaviour for 4 years now.

Other example: 4 of the Koi started to "float" at the top at a particular
spot in the pond. Out came the test kit again (flukes ! chloramine !
ammonia ! pesticides ! aliens !), but as soon as I approached the pond, they
were happily swimming towards me. It's only later that I understood (also
asked here) that some fish sunbathe. That spot is the first to catch some
sun, and as soon as it does, there they are, side by side, motionless.
Other fish never do it. So many individual differences as well.

Oh well, babbling again :blush:

Theo

Congrats rec.ponds. Amazing newsgroup. Hats off.
 

You just saved my fish from being invaded by me this weekend. I was getting
nervous that every morning a bunch of them seem to gather by a particular
rock. I was thinking that maybe the aliens have invaded my fish.

Come to think of it, this is the first area to get sun in the morning, and
as soon as I get near they start moving to greet me.

--
_______________________________________
"The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is
like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
The chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."

http://community.webshots.com/user/godwino

"Theo van Daele" wrote in message snip
Other example: 4 of the Koi started to "float" at the top at a particular
spot in the pond. Out came the test kit again (flukes ! chloramine !
ammonia ! pesticides ! aliens !), but as soon as I approached the pond,
they
were happily swimming towards me. It's only later that I understood
(also
asked here) that some fish sunbathe. That spot is the first to catch
some
sun, and as soon as it does, there they are, side by side, motionless.
Other fish never do it. So many individual differences as well.
snip