Blanket Weed Controllers
 

We installed two ponds last year complete with electronic blanket weed
controllers. They worked very well.

This year we have had blanket weed in the small pond throughout most of the
summer and is now becoming established in the large one. Nothing else has
changed.

Does anyone have any experience of the blanket weed controllers, how
successful they are? How can we tell if they are workign (other than via the
flasing lights which appear to be OK).

Many thanks

Blanket Weed Controllers
 

In reply to hzatph ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

We installed two ponds last year complete with electronic blanket weed
controllers. They worked very well.

This year we have had blanket weed in the small pond throughout most
of the summer and is now becoming established in the large one.
Nothing else has changed.

Does anyone have any experience of the blanket weed controllers, how
successful they are? How can we tell if they are workign (other than
via the flasing lights which appear to be OK).

I've used the UV systems, which are not as effective as I thought they would
be. What was the answer, in the end, is to pump the water up a level to
another "pond" which was a 1 metre square hole filled with fine gravel, into
which were planted bullrushes, then let the water run back down (over an
ornamental rockery slope planted with alpines and hostas). The bullrushes
"eat" whatever it is that blanketweed likes. My biology/chemistry are not up
to knowing exactly what, but I believe it's somthing to do with nitrogen
balance. Also my Koi Carp "Frank" became pregnant, so they must like it too.
He became known as Frances.

HTH

Blanket Weed Controllers
 

I've used the UV systems, which are not as effective as I thought they
would
be. What was the answer, in the end, is to pump the water up a level to
another "pond" which was a 1 metre square hole filled with fine gravel,
into which were planted bullrushes, then let the water run back down (over
an ornamental rockery slope planted with alpines and hostas). The
bullrushes "eat" whatever it is that blanketweed likes. My
biology/chemistry are not up to knowing exactly what, but I believe it's
somthing to do with nitrogen balance. Also my Koi Carp "Frank" became
pregnant, so they must like it too. He became known as Frances.

HTH




Interesting. The UV system seems to work well on all but the sunniest and
warmest period. I did check the lamps were OK and clean at the beginning of
the season and all looks well. Maybe we should get some more plants in the
ponds next year.

Blanket Weed Controllers
 

In reply to hzatph ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

I've used the UV systems, which are not as effective as I thought
they would
be. What was the answer, in the end, is to pump the water up a level
to another "pond" which was a 1 metre square hole filled with fine
gravel, into which were planted bullrushes, then let the water run
back down (over an ornamental rockery slope planted with alpines and
hostas). The bullrushes "eat" whatever it is that blanketweed likes.
My biology/chemistry are not up to knowing exactly what, but I
believe it's somthing to do with nitrogen balance. Also my Koi Carp
"Frank" became pregnant, so they must like it too. He became known
as Frances. HTH




Interesting. The UV system seems to work well on all but the sunniest
and warmest period. I did check the lamps were OK and clean at the
beginning of the season and all looks well. Maybe we should get some
more plants in the ponds next year.

Agreed, in the hot sunny times the UV doesn't keep it down, whereas the
bullrushes work even better. Added advantage is that the bullrushes thrive
in that environment and look tremendous.

Have you got lilies? They help as well but obviously they stop you (and the
cats, herons, kingfishers etc) seeing your fish :-)