garden pond 2011 07 28 002

you mite need a bit more movement to get the water cress going but you have nothing to lose plus lillies tend to not like ecsactly what the cress does like ie moving water .

ahh, thanks for reply. maybe put in fish pond or do they eat it???

Dont forget Chrissy they is a ratio for fish per cubic meter of water and they may not survive a winter in there.

hi only have about 30 gallons so would like 2 or 3 goldfish.

of course i could change my mind and put fish in larger barrel. thanks for your advice, chrissy

1" of fish per 10 gallons of water is the usual guide or you get too much ammonia in the summer which may kill them? The trouble is I think it will freeze in the winter and kill them anyway? 3ft deep is considered ok if its in the ground as the fish can sit down there all winter and as long as you gently let the gases escape they should be ok (vibration can kill them so melt it, dont bang to break it). Could you perhaps put your larger barrel in the ground?

And you could have a mini pump/fountain...doesn't need much to move water, and Fish love an aerated pool...plus it helps to keep the water clear....good luck whatever you choose to do...

hi thanks for all your help and suggestions. dont think ill be able to move barrel into ground now too heavy.

yes will have a small pump. i know of two other people with smaller barrels that are on top of ground and they seem ok through the winter.

mind you, could always wrap old boiler jackets round it lol............its the sort of thing id do. love wildlife. again thanks for all your help, chrissy

no the fish dont eat watercress so they will be fine andwood isquit a good insulater so just 2 or 3 goldfish should be ok thow do you realise given the opertunity goldfish can get to 4 and a half pound as there crusian carp bred to be orange as all koi carp and leather and mirror carp originate from the common carp . monks bred carp without scales so it was easy to prepare them. i wouldnt put the pot in the groundas it will rot out .

hi, yes was worried about the barrel rotting so as u can see it is on top, with bottom on pacing slabs. i have now emptied the big barrel and also scrubbed it then refilled. i am waiting for a liner for big barrel then will get a liner for smaller one. i bought the water cress as suggested and threw some in both ponds. i'm wondering if i should put fish in big pond but worry in case they eat water lilies also might get a pond aer

sorry spelling got a bit naughty. also how to have moving water as lilies do not like getting wet on top. how would i get round this? any idears? thanks for all your help, much appreciated, chrissy

ps as your just round the corner to me, yes will say hello when i see u.

to stop the lillies getting water on top you just take the sprinkler head of and let the water just fire up just above the pond so you get movement but know splashing and it should help the water cress . golfish wont hurt the lillies i doubt very much thow they can empty the soil and grit out of the planters . a few bigger stones on top should stop that .

hi, yes i see no i havent got a sprinkler on the top of either pond, like a geezer i believe its called, but just very gentle.

why i asked about the lilies, i noticed there were long jelly like things on underside of lilies before, but wasnt sure what they were.
also should i have a few snails as well?
thanks for letting me ask u so many questions, you are very helpful,
thanks chrissy

bye the sounds of it you have snails or spawn ie the jelly stuff as it isnt plant life . i wouldnt encourage snails as they eat plants and hold fish desease in there carapace excuse my spelling chrissy lol x .

i could always come and have a look if youd like chrissy bye the way .

hi thanks for that, thought i had to have snails to keep water clean. now ill not get any.
now as to coming round, yes would be good as you have much more experience that you could share.
the thing is, im not sure if you are the chap over st.johns or fir. it appears there are two chaps with tatoo s lol
anyway im out today but you are quite welcome to come round.

thanks for all your help, chrissy

im the chap over fir road lol . if pm me your phone number or addy or both we can sort something out lol . bye for now x .