Hi all. Well, I haven't been posting much for a while. It seems that there are
a some squabbles going on in this newsgroup, which is most unfortunate. I just
thought I'd throw my opinion, so I won't continue with that issue. That said, I
was checking out my pond today, pulled the netting off, and ouch, the dreaded
string algae has reared it's ugly head a little early (compared to last year,
that is). I'm already working on that problem, and expect it to be completely
gone by this time next month (I prefer the natural approach).

On another note, all of my fish have to date survived the winter. My albino
channel cat is as big as ever (I'm estimating that he weighs at least 10 pounds,
and is at least 33 inches long), the goldfish and shubukans look really good,
and my koi appear to have grown substantially over the winter months, which I
find quite astounding. I guess they managed to find something to eat, since I
have only fed the fish during rare times when the water temperature was over 55
degrees (I know, this is likely why I now have the string algae, especially
since the filter was off for a month during the deep cold this January and is
likely not efficiently filtering the water as cold as the water is right now).
Anyway, I thought I would post an update. I'd post a link to some pictures of
the "hog", but unfortunately, my digital camera bit the dust some months back.
Will try to post a link later if I manage to get some pictures.

Healthy ponds to you and yours.

"George" wrote in message
news:aMQZd.137770$4q6.119700@attbi_s01...
Hi all. Well, I haven't been posting much for a while. It seems that
there are
a some squabbles going on in this newsgroup, which is most unfortunate. I
just
thought I'd throw my opinion, so I won't continue with that issue. That
said, I
was checking out my pond today, pulled the netting off, and ouch, the
dreaded
string algae has reared it's ugly head a little early (compared to last
year,
that is). I'm already working on that problem, and expect it to be
completely
gone by this time next month (I prefer the natural approach).

On another note, all of my fish have to date survived the winter. My
albino
channel cat is as big as ever (I'm estimating that he weighs at least 10
pounds,
and is at least 33 inches long), the goldfish and shubukans look really
good,
and my koi appear to have grown substantially over the winter months,
which I
find quite astounding. I guess they managed to find something to eat,
since I
have only fed the fish during rare times when the water temperature was
over 55
degrees (I know, this is likely why I now have the string algae,
especially
since the filter was off for a month during the deep cold this January and
is
likely not efficiently filtering the water as cold as the water is right
now).
Anyway, I thought I would post an update. I'd post a link to some
pictures of
the "hog", but unfortunately, my digital camera bit the dust some months
back.
Will try to post a link later if I manage to get some pictures.

Healthy ponds to you and yours.

George, welcome back from hibernation.


--
BV
Webporgmaster of iheartmypond.com
http://www.iheartmypond.com
Help IHeartMyPond.com, by doing all of your eBay shopping via our
eBay Affiliate Link: http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-1609574-10357516.
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"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...


George, welcome back from hibernation.


Hi there. Still stretching my legs, and trying to cope with all this cold
weather and no sun. I'm getting very anxious to start working on the yard and
the pond in earnest. I've become a fishaholic, and am in serious withdrawal.
The aquarium just doesn't do it for me anymore. Get get my feed wet and play
with the porkers.

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 06:56:06 GMT, "George"
wrote:

and my koi appear to have grown substantially over the winter months, which I
find quite astounding. I guess they managed to find something to eat, since I
have only fed the fish during rare times when the water temperature was over 55
degrees (I know, this is likely why I now have the string algae, especially
since the filter was off for a month during the deep cold this January and is
likely not efficiently filtering the water as cold as the water is right now).

I'm glad your pond is in good shape and find it amazing that fish in
colder climates grow over winter too. Mine have grown a little, but
I've been feeding (small amount once a day) most of the winter, except
those few days the water temperature was below 40*F. I should have
lots of algae darkening my waters, but I guess the parrot feather and
a weekly (more or less) vacuuming of the bottom of the filter barrels
paid off.

I understand the bio-filter isn't much help in the winter, but I've
been tinkering with mine every year and my last change was to add
baffles in the first barrel to circle the water like a vortex with a
top exit, to cause settling of the heavier particles in the water.
It gets a lot of junk, but some sediment makes it into the next two
barrels as well. Every year of ponding seems different and without
controls to see what would happen otherwise, I can't really say this
works a lot better, but I like it.

Regards,

Hal

"Hal" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 06:56:06 GMT, "George"
wrote:

and my koi appear to have grown substantially over the winter months, which I
find quite astounding. I guess they managed to find something to eat, since I
have only fed the fish during rare times when the water temperature was over
55
degrees (I know, this is likely why I now have the string algae, especially
since the filter was off for a month during the deep cold this January and is
likely not efficiently filtering the water as cold as the water is right now).

I'm glad your pond is in good shape and find it amazing that fish in
colder climates grow over winter too. Mine have grown a little, but
I've been feeding (small amount once a day) most of the winter, except
those few days the water temperature was below 40*F. I should have
lots of algae darkening my waters, but I guess the parrot feather and
a weekly (more or less) vacuuming of the bottom of the filter barrels
paid off.

I understand the bio-filter isn't much help in the winter, but I've
been tinkering with mine every year and my last change was to add
baffles in the first barrel to circle the water like a vortex with a
top exit, to cause settling of the heavier particles in the water.
It gets a lot of junk, but some sediment makes it into the next two
barrels as well. Every year of ponding seems different and without
controls to see what would happen otherwise, I can't really say this
works a lot better, but I like it.

Regards,

Hal

My filter is completely different. I have a prefilter to handle the grunge, and
I clean it about every two weeks (at least during the growing season). During
the winter, I hardly touch it (it would be a pain to do so anyway since I have
the pond netted in the winter). The pre-filter sits on the bottom of the pond.
My main filter is a suction-type filter. It sits on a ledge inside the pond
that I created especially for the filter when I dug the pond. The main filter
is submerged. My waterfall is constructed overtop of it in such a way that I
only have to move a few rocks and then unbolt the top to get to the inside of
it. It is a former jacuzzi pool filter that I adapted specifically for this
pond. A polypropylene hose attached to the pre-filter connects to a basket
strainer in the bottom of the main filter. I have about 75 pounds of coarse
porous gravel surrounding the basket strainer. The water flows through the
pre-filter, which removes the larger particles, then flows into the main filter,
through the basket strainer and the gravel. The pump is located about 8 inches
above the gravel (12" below the water surface). The pump is suspended from the
bolted cover of the filter by the piping. The cover makes the filter airtight
to prevent cavitation. I know it is time to clean the pre-filter when the water
pressure drops slightly. This happens about once every two weeks to once a
month during the summer. In the winter I rarely have a problem with water
pressure. I never have to clean the filter. It has worked great for me.

Biofilters aren't much help during winter. That is true. But what is important
in my opinion is to keep the filter bed oxygenated so it doesn't go septic. And
it helps to keep the water clear and oxygenated. I only use the aerator when it
gets too cold to run the pump. I have a de-icer for the pond, and it has worked
well this winter, so I only worry about ice buildup around the pump outlet and
around the waterfall, which is the only reason I turn it off at all.

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 06:50:06 GMT, "George"
wrote:

I know it is time to clean the pre-filter when the water
pressure drops slightly. This happens about once every two weeks to once a
month during the summer. In the winter I rarely have a problem with water
pressure. I never have to clean the filter. It has worked great for me.

You have a better filter than I do and I'm glad it works so well for
you.

Regards,

Hal

"Hal" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 06:50:06 GMT, "George"
wrote:

I know it is time to clean the pre-filter when the water
pressure drops slightly. This happens about once every two weeks to once a
month during the summer. In the winter I rarely have a problem with water
pressure. I never have to clean the filter. It has worked great for me.

You have a better filter than I do and I'm glad it works so well for
you.

Regards,

Hal

I cleaned the pre-filter this afternoon, and boy was I right. It was the
dirtiest I've ever seen it (but then, I haven't cleaned it all winter). Now
that I've done so, the filter should start to kick in soon, since it is finally
starting to warm up a little. The water was 50 degrees this afternoon. If it
stays warm (50s), the water chould get warm enough for the bacteria to start
kicking in. By the way, the only costs for that filter was the pre-filter, the
pump, about 6 feet of hose, and the gravel. The filter housing itself was a
freebee.