So I inherited a small 8x5x2 pond that had not been taken care of when we purchased our house last July. At that point it was a mosquito breeding ground so I bought 10 comet goldfish to try to combat the infestation while I figured out what I was going to do (fill in pond was the plan). Anyways after about 2 days I started feeling bad for the little guys and started doing research. The pond had a pump and waterfall so I bought a pre filter to help it run clearly. After about two weeks of reading I decided to buy a second stage bio-filter to clear up the water (it was icky brown). By the end of the year I managed to get the water crystal clear (minus the layer of sludge on the bottom).
So cut to this year. All 10 of the feeders survived the winter (super surprised!). I've been scooping out the debris from the bottom slowly but surely to keep my water nice and clear.
Anyways, to get to the point of the post, my little brother decided on his own to buy me a two beautiful 3" shubunkins. I really did not want them as I already feel I'm pushing my limit for sustainability. Feeling bad (my lil bro has aspergers) I decided to go ahead and introduce them. They were adventurous at first but now are being terrorized by my comets! Yesterday The comets were chasing them non stop. Today it seems they aren't as overtly aggressive but whenever they go in the "main" pond the comets will force them back to the side. Now they just hide around the marginals looking rather depressed. Have you guys heard of this? Will the comets let them into their pack? Is there anything I can do to make the comets accept them? I feel so bad for the lil guys.. I attached two pictures. You can see the school of comets in the middle. The shubunkins are hiding in the marginals on the far side of the pond in the picture.
Also question #2 does anyone have advice for getting the muck out of the bottom? Like I said it's Crystal clear but can still see the stuff on the bottom. I really don't want to spend 300 dollars on a pond vac...
