I have a small pond (actually it's DH's pond)we live in city wehave fish and frogs lots of water plants. Patty

I have a small pond. Well, a small pond, and a half barrel water feature. Fish. Lots of baby fish for anyone in the area who wants some. My frogs always die in the winter, so every year I buy 5 tadpoles.

I never did buy any snails, but I have an unlimited supply of those too.

My frogs made it thru winter last year they dug a hole and hibernated fustyoveralls brought me 3 more home from camp this summer when weather warmed DH found 3 dead in the pond so I don't know if any will make it this year.My plants come back every year.I have dwarf cattails,zebra rush,corkscrew rush, forget-me-notsand water lilys. Patty

Thanks for responding. I am working on a 14x10x2 pond with a shallow 6x4 cove. There is a hillside right next to the pond where I am planning a waterfall and stream, each dropping 3-5 feet over about 40 feet. The pond is dug and I am waiting for spring to line and add all the equipment. Should take awhile.

I have done a couple of things that I shouldn't have and have some problems with how to hide the lining. I don't have much space around the pond and should have made it a little smaller.

No fish or plants are planned right now, maybe an island with shrubs and flowers. Hope some things like frogs show up. The continual water care and all of keeping fish scares me a little and I'm not sure what future plans will be. Are goldfish or small fish easier than koi if I had just a few?

Any thoughts or guidance welcome-thought it would be nice to compare notes since we are near-by, maybe someday visit ponds--nothing formal just some fun.

Mike

Well, I have goldfish, including some of the more exotic japanese ryukins. I don't do anything. I don't even feed them. They seem to do fine. They have babies every year.

The only things I do is put in a pond heater that opens a hole in the ice in the winter, and be sure I have new floating oxygenating plants every spring.

Here's a dumb newbie question-how do the goldfish survive without being fed--what is in the pond they eat? There isn't much waste--mulm?--not much cleaning? Do you need a bottom drain?

Actually, I think a few goldfish might be nice but I am trying to avoid lots of extra work.

Mike

Bugs and stuff. Plant roots. Snail eggs. Each other.

I don't have a bottom drain, but that means I do have to deal with cleaning out the bottom once in awhile, usually in the spring when I divide the plants. It is mucky and smells awful, but its great stuff for the garden soil!

Here are a couple of pictures of my tiny little pond:

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Here is the half barrel pond as well



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I wish I could post pictures we are having a plant swap in June I can bring pictures if you guys come at the fall one last year my hubby caught some crayfish to put in our pond we have goldfish and koi feed them a couple times a week. Patty

Mike,

We live in Fenelton and have several ponds. We have koi in one, goldfish & shubunkins in one and the 3rd one is for QT. We are getting ready to put in a new pond for the Wakins we have over wintering in the basement.
You are welcome to come over anytime to see what we have done. We have made a few mistakes here and there so we would be happy to help you out if we can.

One thing I would suggest and that is definately put in a bottom drain.

We are also members of a pond club in New Castle. Our first meeting of the year will be March 5th.

Kathy,

You are right down the road from Butler. We would enjoy meeting and a tour of your ponds. I have made mistakes and have much to learn before I have any water flowing this summer. The pond meeting in New Castle sounds great.

Perhaps we can email for directions in New Castle, spring visit?

Thanks
Mike

Mike,

Yes I am in Butler all the time. I hate to say it but the ponds look like crap right now. We are hoping to get all the pumps up and running here in the next couple of weeks.
I sent you an e-mail. I hope you get it.

I live right in the heart of Pgh. I have a tiny pond about 50 gallons, and a whiskey barrel water garden. I keep fish year round, and I use an automatic heater all winter. It turns on when the temperature goes below 32 degrees. My water lillies stay submerged throughout the winter, and come out of their sleep by the end of spring.

I love ponds! I was going to install one last year on Mother's Day, but I thought that if we move shortly why go through the work. I love the ponds you have Wolfe--I have often thought about the whiskey barrel as a pond, you have made your small ponds pack such an impact! They are beautiful--I am going to try a barrel one. Susie--I am not far from you I live off of 279N.

Best of luck with your ponds everyone. I have gotten a chance to see Pattygrow5's pond--it is terrific!!!! I am working on being able to post pics also. I got to the point of uploading them on Village photo but they were all to large! Dawn