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Ponds in the UK

Ways to naturally filter a small pond

21 years ago

I am building a small pond which will be home for some fry next year (I mean 2 week old fry until they get bigger). The bottom will have a good layering of soil so it will act as a natural pond. My only concern is (apart from some water changes) how will I get rid of things like ammonia without any sort of mechanical pump and filter. The pond will have a lot of plants in and oxygenating weed to help use up nitrite & help produce oxygen. But has anyone got any ideas on how I can naturally get rid of things like ammonia, is there any sort of plant ect... Is there any way I can get good bacteria to live in this pond to help break down ammonia?

Thanks a lot, and sorry if the question sounds a little stupid.

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Comments (2)

Sean_McKinney
21 years ago
Heavy planting with vigourous plants, eg hornwort, marsh pennywort etc or regularily harvested azolla, compost the harvest. If you will be feeding them you can expect blanket weed unless the surface cover is a high percentage.
Scotty24
21 years ago
Don't put 'normal' soil in the bottom of the pond. This contains too many nutrients and you will forever be battling green water/blanket weed etc.
If you feel the need to put soil in the bottom, use aquatic soil (this has been 'baked' to remove nutrients)and will also act as a natural filter....wet it thoroughly first.
You can 'bare root' your oxygenators and some 'bottom' plants in this.

Because you have soil on the bottom, the water will be 'murky' for quite a while but will gradually clear as the plant roots help bind it together.
Any marginal plants should be planted in aquatic pots to allow the roots to grow through, either in aquatic soil or preferably peagravel as this keeps the pond cleaner.
Adding a bucket of pondwater from a friends or neighbours (healthy) mature pond will add bacteria to start your pond 'cycle'. Alternatively you can buy commercial bacteria from any aquatic centre.
Expect the pond water to be green next Spring, have patience, as the plants grow and the pond matures it will clear.
My first pond was similar to this and I reared goldfish and shubunkins in it without a pump or filter and had no problems.
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