Hello, rehabbing pond with no experience.

[Sirvince]

Hello, I'm doing my best to restore my late father in laws 1/4 acre pond. It was left mostly untouched for 3 years until I took over in July. At the time it was black water and most of the plants had died. However I think its turning around nicely. I keep finding new kinds of fish in it and the water gets better every day. I am here to talk to people and learn more so I can save the pond.

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

How lovely! Where is the pond located, and what steps have you been taking to bring it back to life?

That last picture made me laugh — it looks like a scene from Gilligan’s Island (old TV show).

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum! Nice pond you are working on!

 

[sissy]

welcome and looks like a tropical resort rather than a pond .Looks like a vacation everyday ,you know one of those descriptions like picturesque sandy beach to sit and read and relax and have a tropical drink .Looks like you are on your way to getting it back to beautiful again .First thing buy a water test kit

 

[poconojoe]

That looks nice!
How did you get the water to clear up?
Is there any filtration? If so, describe what you have.

 

[Sirvince]

Hello all, I'm in California and what I've done so far is to remove all trash, hooks and other things that I can from the water. I've also stop use of pond dye, added pond bacteria and a clarifying treatment ( I could not tell if it did anything.). I have added 175 watts of uv lights 1 horse power air pump with 3 lines and bubblers. That what I've done so far.

 

[poconojoe]

In my opinion, adding store bought "bacteria" or "clarifiers" is a waste of money.

Nature will provide all the beneficial bacteria needed and once everything is properly balanced, the water will clear.

 

[j.w]

and welcome! Nice pond!
Sounds like you are doing everything you can to clean it up and make it right.
If it were mine I'd add one of those giant fountains in the middle of it.

 

[JRS]

Welcome!

 

[Sirvince]

welcome and looks like a tropical resort rather than a pond .Looks like a vacation everyday ,you know one of those descriptions like picturesque sandy beach to sit and read and relax and have a tropical drink .Looks like you are on your way to getting it back to beautiful again .First thing buy a water test kit

Good idea, I've just been scared to look.

 

[Sirvince]

View attachment 135824and welcome! Nice pond!
Sounds like you are doing everything you can to clean it up and make it right.
If it were mine I'd add one of those giant fountains in the middle of it.
View attachment 135825

I would but they are expensive and the small one I had made all the fish go to the bottom all the time.

 

[sissy]

remember the more oxygen your pond water has in it the beter it is for the fish and water movement helps but aerator would be better.I have 12 aeration lines in my pond

 

[JamieB]

Welcome. Have any of us mentioned big filters yet? Lol, we are big on them, and if you decide to go that route, you’ll be too. Plants, plants, and more plants, they filter the water!

 

[Mmathis]

Welcome. Have any of us mentioned big filters yet? Lol, we are big on them, and if you decide to go that route, you’ll be too. Plants, plants, and more plants, they filter the water!

Did you mean....bog filters, LOL! I think this is a natural pond, rather than a lined pond. I would guess that adding plants to the ecosystem (as well as aeration) would work.

 

[GBBUDD]

Did you mean....bog filters, LOL! I think this is a natural pond, rather than a lined pond. I would guess that adding plants to the ecosystem (as well as aeration) would work.

With an earthen pond id be very very very sure of what I put in the pond as we have a gravel or a rubber bottom to have a clay base and say lotus I r cat tails growing in it will surely get run over quickly in a clay bottom .