Adding Water, Plants And Fish To A Pond

[sissy]

I am 63 and believe me if you can find a body to help it is much easier .But here I have done it 2 times already n the last 3 years and does not get easier .

 

[Faebinder]

I watched Eric's video and decided I'm old.

 

[qclabrat]

Oh, 100 lbs of liner isn't really a problem. You can just roll it out and unfold it next to the pond and then pull it over the pond a few feet at a time. Having someone help you would be good, but probably not strictly necessary.

I see you used large rocks to help during the fill. That's a great tip.

should I put rocks and/or gravel at the bottom of the pond to help bacteria growth or will it create punctures in the liner? I'm using epdm

 

[EricV]

I watched Eric's video and decided I'm old.

It took me about a month all told from the time I had the hold dug. The time lapse makes it look easy!

 

[EricV]

I see you used large rocks to help during the fill. That's a great tip.

should I put rocks and/or gravel at the bottom of the pond to help bacteria growth or will it create punctures in the liner? I'm using epdm

Yeah, I'm not sure those rocks helped a lot, but they did let me prepare one layer, get a fold in place, etc, and then let the water provide the real pressure.

You'll find different view points here about rocks and gravel, but not because anyone is worried about puncturing a liner (unless you are using sharp rocks). I decided against it because of the potential build up of anaerobic bacteria and was convinced that I'd eventually get enough bacteria growing on the liner. I do have rocks on the top shelf to make a more natural look and provide nooks and crannies for plants.

 

[brokensword]

You don't need any dechlor if you wait and let the chlorine dissipate on its own. I believe 24 hours should do it (Meyer would know for sure). If you add plants along with your fish, and your fish load is low, I believe you can wait for the water to dissipate the chlorine, then begin. If your fish load is high, I'd add only a few and plants and let nature help you along. Once your bacteria colony gets established, adding is easier on everything.

 

[EricV]

You don't need any dechlor if you wait and let the chlorine dissipate on its own. I believe 24 hours should do it (Meyer would know for sure). If you add plants along with your fish, and your fish load is low, I believe you can wait for the water to dissipate the chlorine, then begin. If your fish load is high, I'd add only a few and plants and let nature help you along. Once your bacteria colony gets established, adding is easier on everything.

Unless you know that your municipality uses chlorine and not chloramine (many are now using the latter), dechlor is recommended. It's also cheap in the 16 oz bottle at about $1/1000 gallons.

 

[qclabrat]

now that the main pond is cycling and fish will go in shortly, Need to think about the bog filter more
Not about the design, which is on a different thread, but plants.

I've read up a bit about bog plant options, but still need some help
My bog is is a bit atypical that it's only 2 ft wide but is 10 ft long. I saw the plants some have been selling here and not sure I have room. So a few questions to get started.

1) is there a planting season for bog plants?

2) how many plants are needed ensure to that it's working as designed?

3) do I need to run a filter on the side while the bog is growing?

4) do plants need to be dug up when the pond gets winterized? I'm in NJ

5) what plants are ideal and local to the northern NJ climate?

6) what plants should I avoid due to the narrow bog pool?

Got many more questions, but I'll start here, thanks as always

 

[qclabrat]

in my other thread I mention using 4" PVC for the bog input, meant to say 2"
what connectors are you using between the PVC and flex pipe from the pump?
also I need to buy more flex pipe, can I use the drainage stuff from Home Depot or should I get the ones made for pools or ponds? or maybe I need to buy the ones from Laguna?

If anyone can answer my Qs above it would be great, need to make another order soon, thanks

 

[MitchM]

now that the main pond is cycling and fish will go in shortly, Need to think about the bog filter more
Not about the design, which is on a different thread, but plants.

I've read up a bit about bog plant options, but still need some help
My bog is is a bit atypical that it's only 2 ft wide but is 10 ft long. I saw the plants some have been selling here and not sure I have room. So a few questions to get started.

1) is there a planting season for bog plants?

2) how many plants are needed ensure to that it's working as designed?

3) do I need to run a filter on the side while the bog is growing?

4) do plants need to be dug up when the pond gets winterized? I'm in NJ

5) what plants are ideal and local to the northern NJ climate?

6) what plants should I avoid due to the narrow bog pool?

Got many more questions, but I'll start here, thanks as always

1) bog plants can be put in at any time, get them early enough in the season that they can establish themselves before winter
2) how many plants you put in will depend on the plant species and how much nutrients are available.
3) a mechanical filter of some kind is best to remove larger detritus so your bog doesn't clog up
4) try to plant varieties that can overwinter in your climate
5) can't help you there, maybe @sissy can offer some suggestions. It will be a trial and error process from my experience. Look for local native plants.
6) others will have to help you there as well

 

[MitchM]

in my other thread I mention using 4" PVC for the bog input, meant to say 2"
what connectors are you using between the PVC and flex pipe from the pump?
also I need to buy more flex pipe, can I use the drainage stuff from Home Depot or should I get the ones made for pools or ponds? or maybe I need to buy the ones from Laguna?

If anyone can answer my Qs above it would be great, need to make another order soon, thanks

The best hose to use is flex pvc.
I have seen barbed/threaded adapters available to adapt from flex hose to pvc, I've found that some Home Depot stores specialize in fittings more than others.

 

[qclabrat]

1) bog plants can be put in at any time, get them early enough in the season that they can establish themselves before winter
2) how many plants you put in will depend on the plant species and how much nutrients are available.
3) a mechanical filter of some kind is best to remove larger detritus so your bog doesn't clog up
4) try to plant varieties that can overwinter in your climate
5) can't help you there, maybe @sissy can offer some suggestions. It will be a trial and error process from my experience. Look for local native plants.
6) others will have to help you there as well

Mitch, can you clarify #3, so I should always be running a secondary filter in addition to the bog?

 

[MitchM]

If you can provide some mechanical filtration before the water is sent to the bog plumbing, it will help your bog run cleaner.
It shouldn't be an issue if the majority of your water is being sent to the waterfall.
Do you have a final design for your waterfall yet?

 

[qclabrat]

If you can provide some mechanical filtration before the water is sent to the bog plumbing, it will help your bog run cleaner.
It shouldn't be an issue if the majority of your water is being sent to the waterfall.
Do you have a final design for your waterfall yet?

not yet, but nothing special. Using one of those preformed fiberglass things. Actually doesn't look terrible, just need to get it to blend in with the real rocks.

 

[addy1]

All of the plants I have survive our winter, all would do fine in a narrow bog. The bog needs to stay full of water so the plants don't dry out.
Mine is around 4.5 ft wide. Obedience plant, marsh betony, water willow (pretty small plant ) creeping jenny, spider wort, rush, yellow flag iris, lizard tail, blue forget me not, pickerel rush. lirope, dwarf sea oats (out in the ground migration to bog).