Garden pond advice please
 

I am thinking of making a pond. I am thinking of a natural pond, no
exotic fish, I wouldn't mind a few minnows and sticklebacks. I would
like it so that birds can gain access for water. As there are plenty of
frogs and toads, as well as the odd newt in my garden I feel that it
would soon be occupied. Where can I get advice on this? I have tried
Google, but all I seem to get are sites selling liners, or Fishponds,
Bristol! Also how effective and long lasting are sun powered fountains?
I realise they would only work when the sun shines.
TIA
--
All replies to this email address are deleted on receipt.

Common sense, not common market.

Sticklebacks and minnows AFAIK require running water, so not suitabel
for pond, tench are a better bet as they live in still or slow running
water as will roach.

"Broadback" wrote in message
...
I am thinking of making a pond. I am thinking of a natural pond, no exotic
fish, I wouldn't mind a few minnows and sticklebacks. I would like it so
that birds can gain access for water. As there are plenty of frogs and
toads, as well as the odd newt in my garden I feel that it would soon be
occupied. Where can I get advice on this? I have tried Google, but all I
seem to get are sites selling liners, or Fishponds, Bristol! Also how
effective and long lasting are sun powered fountains? I realise they would
only work when the sun shines.
TIA
--

Google for " wildlife pond " . The results for that looked ok

Hazel

"Broadback" wrote ...
I am thinking of making a pond. I am thinking of a natural pond, no exotic
fish, I wouldn't mind a few minnows and sticklebacks. I would like it so
that birds can gain access for water. As there are plenty of frogs and
toads, as well as the odd newt in my garden I feel that it would soon be
occupied. Where can I get advice on this? I have tried Google, but all I
seem to get are sites selling liners, or Fishponds, Bristol! Also how
effective and long lasting are sun powered fountains? I realise they would
only work when the sun shines.

The little fish you mention, especially the Minnows, will require running
water, and clean water at that, so aren't a good bet for your pond unless
you want a stream with pump and filters.
Presumably you want something to eat any Mossy wrigglers yet not eat any
tadpoles etc. Difficult.

Rudd would be good as they are top feeders so you will see them, these will
take insect larvae and in a small pond don't grow too big. There is a
"Golden" variety sold for ponds which is a bit redder than the wild species,
both have the blood red fins.
How about some Weather Loach for the bottom.
Bitterling, if you can get them (and the swan mussels they need to breed
in), would do OK. although not native, they are just across the Channel, and
are mainly vegetarian.

Tench grow very big (4 lbs+ is quite common) and will disturb the bottom in
their constant search for food, so a muddy puddle, not what you want I
suspect. They will hoover up any tadpoles.
Roach can be difficult, they often don't seem very hardy in a small pond.

For birds you will need a shallow bit for them to be able to bath in and/or
a stick going down into the pond so they can climb down to drink away from
the edge where it's dangerous.

A fountain in a wildlife pond? Why not a stream? (Back to the beginning
again) :-)

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London

The message . com
from " contains these words:

Sticklebacks and minnows AFAIK require running water, so not suitabel
for pond, tench are a better bet as they live in still or slow running
water as will roach.

I think this applies to minnows, but sticklebacks will thrive in a pond.

HOWEVER - if you want the tadpoles of frogs, toads and newts to survive,
leave sticklebacks out of it - they're pocket piranhas.

However, you may not have a lot of choice, as somehow, they seem to
appear in ponds, possibly from eggs on the feet of waterbirds - despite
the stickleback's brooding habits.

You don't have to have a rigid liner: if you dig your pit and line it
with sifted sand, preferably soft rather than sharp, you can use a quite
thin butyl sheet.

My idea of a proper pond is no liner at all, but puddled clay bottom and
sides, but of course, not all ground is suitable for this. Second best
is the butyl liner, but thought and care has to be taken if you want it
to look natural and not twee.


""""""""""""""""""""""":
Soil, covered by turf :
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯\____________ Liner
\
\

I would cut back the turf or soil surrounding the pit to the depth of
about six inches, to make a plateau for water-margin plants, and
continue the liner for a couple of feet beyond, covering it with soil
and turf.

No doubt others will come up with relevant depths for you to dive to for
different plants.

--
Rusty
Emus to: horrid dot squeak snailything zetnet point co full-stop uk
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/

In article , Jaques
d'Alltrades writes
The message . com
from " contains these words:

Sticklebacks and minnows AFAIK require running water, so not suitabel
for pond, tench are a better bet as they live in still or slow running
water as will roach.

I think this applies to minnows, but sticklebacks will thrive in a pond.

HOWEVER - if you want the tadpoles of frogs, toads and newts to survive,
leave sticklebacks out of it - they're pocket piranhas.

They're not that bad. I've had sticklebacks coexisting with tadpoles for
many years. The worst predator of frog tadpoles has been the newts.

Other things to remember - make sure at least one side is a gentle slop
- baby frogs will need to be able to climb out. And let the gentle slope
side lead directly into damp growth - grass that you don't cut, thick
cover of plants or whatever - the frogs will need it for cover.

try and have half the pond surface covered by leaves - water lilies or
other large, floating leafed plants - keeping the sun from a good
proportion of the water will help keep the blanket weed down.

Frogs will spawn almost anywhere. Newts like a fairly weedy pond, and
wrap their eggs singly in submerged leaves of water weeds.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"