I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but
a few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog
dive in yesterday evening

Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't
pick up anything.

The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is
not directly overhung by trees.

Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy.

Geoff Lane

"Geoff Lane" wrote
I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but a
few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog dive in
yesterday evening

Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick
up anything.

The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is
not directly overhung by trees.

Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy.

Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap
water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a
Water Lily. There are ones for almost any depth of pond so you should be
able to find one for yours although specialists in water lilies are rather
rare...
This is one I have used in the past and they have a comprehensive stock
especially if you visit ....
http://www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk/
or if you fancy a holiday in France the nursery where most originated from
is back up and running ...
http://www.latour-marliac.com/photoparc.php?idlangue=0

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

On 04/07/2010 23:18, Bob Hobden wrote:


"Geoff Lane" wrote
I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, n

Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't
pick up anything.

Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap
water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a
Water Lily.

Thought it might have been algae but as fine net skimmed off nothing
wasn't sure, it looks like an oily film.

I have one small Water Lilly with about 7 seven small leaves on the surface.

Loads of birds drinking from it though

Thanks for links, will have a look.

Geoff Lane

"Bob Hobden" wrote
Caused by Algae, the cure is not to introduce any more fertilizer (tap
water) and to cover most of the pond surface with something else like a
Water Lily. There are ones for almost any depth of pond so you should be
able to find one for yours although specialists in water lilies are rather
rare...
This is one I have used in the past and they have a comprehensive stock
especially if you visit ....
http://www.lilieswatergardens.co.uk/
or if you fancy a holiday in France the nursery where most originated from
is back up and running ...
http://www.latour-marliac.com/photoparc.php?idlangue=0

Gave you the French link, sorry, this is the English site...
http://www.latour-marliac.com/index....1&videpanier=1

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

"Geoff Lane" wrote in message
...
I've just installed a small prefabricated pond in my garden, no fish but a
few plants. Intention is just to attract wildlife and I saw a frog dive in
yesterday evening

Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't pick
up anything.

The pond gets full sun until early afternoon and hen light shade, it is
not directly overhung by trees.

Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy.


Time is a great healer :-)

When I built a pond (a long time ago) the books I read said that I should
expect it to be green and murky for a while until it established a balance.

After that it should be fine as long as no nitrates are added (which come in
via tap water, compost which is not specifically for pond plants, dead
leaves etc.).

As already advised, you also need green plants to provide some shade and to
remove the nitrates from the water.
The ones you have in already will no doubt fullfil this function once they
are established.

First season is likely to be variable but after that it should settle down.

HTH

Dave R

--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

Summer Algae.

Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light.

Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have suggested E133 which is a blue colour.
This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading.
Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet - MSDS".

On 05/07/2010 12:02, David WE Roberts wrote:

Trouble is I am getting a greenish film on the surface, a net doesn't
pick up anything.

Anyone any ideas as to the film and a possible remedy.

Time is a great healer :-)

When I built a pond (a long time ago) the books I read said that I
should expect it to be green and murky for a while until it established
a balance.

After that it should be fine as long as no nitrates are added (which
come in via tap water, compost which is not specifically for pond
plants, dead leaves etc.).

As already advised, you also need green plants to provide some shade and
to remove the nitrates from the water.
The ones you have in already will no doubt fullfil this function once
they are established.

Your comment about the nitrates is exactly what my daughter's fiance
says about his marine fish tank and indeedit may well need time to settle.

I did previously have a pond (butal liner) in a shady area, don't recall
problems with algae but leaves were a major problem.

Got a leak so filled in hole and got a prefabricated one, pleased so far
but one of the nice things about a pond is the reflection which is not
too great at the moment

Geoff Lane

On 05/07/2010 13:25, Snoddie wrote:
Summer Algae.

Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however
underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light.

Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could
cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have
suggested E133 which is a blue colour.
This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading.
Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet
- MSDS".

That's interesting, I have no fish and presently a couple of underwater
plants but obviously am open to suggestions as the reflection from the
pond is an attractive feature.

Geoff Lane

"Snoddie" wrote ...

Summer Algae.

Remedy water soluble food dyes (E133), non toxic to fish, however
underwater plants will be effected as they cut out UV light.

Caution please makesure that you use "food dyes" as other dyes could
cause damage to the pod life - all food dyes have preceed with E, I have
suggested E133 which is a blue colour.
This dye will hold its colour for approximately 1 month before fading.
Reputable sellars will be able to provide a "Material Safety Data Sheet
- MSDS".

Blue frogs anyone? :-)

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK