Tadpoles

[ckd]

We recently moved to a new home and inherited a 300 gallon preformed pond. It was in terrible shape, algae filled to to the point you could only see a few inches deep. We drained it, scrubbed it down and filled it with water after adding some river rock and larger stones. There is a smaller pond which feeds into the larger one. I have a pump that is rated for up to 700 gallons, and has a UV light filter built into it. it feeds to a water fall that falls into the smaller pond and then waterfalls into the larger pond.

We added some goldfish (10) to the pond about 2 weeks ago. They are doing very well and have doubled in size (from 2-3 inches to 4-5)! I started having some Algae pop up, I know thats normal, and have added 2 algae eaters to the pond to help control it.

We were very excited to find some frogs a few nights ago. We saw 2 both bout the size of a childs fist. Now we have discovered tadpoles, tons of them. I would estimate about 100 or so. Since I have discovered them it seems the water is starting to get merkier and merkier. I can't decide if its from the tadpoles or just some other reason. I am also wondering if all these tadpoles are a problem?? A couple frogs is awesome, I dont know that I want dozens around. Should I be concerned???

Any help or feedback would be great. Also if you think I am missing some other vital "pond" information please let me know.

 

[Priscilla]

Hello and Welcome!

I just went through something similar. I had what seemed like hundreds of tad poles in my two small front ponds. I added five small goldfish to my pond and within days they were gone. I was worried about having too many frogs around my front door. Perhaps you could lay off feeding the goldfish and let them feast on the tadpoles if you want to get rid of some or all.

Not sure if you have some sort of bio filter, if not you should look into that or perhaps add some plants. I am having a small algae problem in my front ponds too.

 

[ckd]

Hello and Welcome!

I just went through something similar. I had what seemed like hundreds of tad poles in my two small front ponds. I added five small goldfish to my pond and within days they were gone. I was worried about having too many frogs around my front door. Perhaps you could lay off feeding the goldfish and let them feast on the tadpoles if you want to get rid of some or all.

Not sure if you have some sort of bio filter, if not you should look into that or perhaps add some plants. I am having a small algae problem in my front ponds too.

Thanks Priscilla for the info. I like your idea for adding plants! I have been trying to find some (admittedly not very hard) and can't seem to find any. I have tried the garden section at Walmart, as well as Lowes and Home Depot. I suppose I should try a nursery. What types of plants should I be looking for?

As far as a Bio filter what should I be looking for? I saw some barley bails at the pet store, do you mean something along those lines?

Thanks

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Now we have discovered tadpoles, tons of them. I would estimate about 100 or so. ....A couple frogs is awesome, I dont know that I want dozens around. Should I be concerned???

I wouldn't be worried. Frogs and Toads lay tons and tons of eggs. Some of the tadpoles will die before they become frogs. After that, you will only have as many frogs around as your pond area can sustain. They wont stick around if there is too many frogs eating all the food. They will travel to new ponds around your area.

 

[Priscilla]

Thanks Priscilla for the info. I like your idea for adding plants! I have been trying to find some (admittedly not very hard) and can't seem to find any. I have tried the garden section at Walmart, as well as Lowes and Home Depot. I suppose I should try a nursery. What types of plants should I be looking for?

As far as a Bio filter what should I be looking for? I saw some barley bails at the pet store, do you mean something along those lines?

Thanks

What is your current set up? Is it just a pump that runs water to the UV and then to falls? Or is it somehow mechanically filtered - filter pads? Is the UV in a container of some sort?

I'm not sure where you live but I would look for water lilies, cannas, iris ..... you can do a google for water plants in your zone.

 

[ckd]

exactly Priscilla, The UV is encased inside the pump itself, which pumps from the larger pond to the top waterfall wich falls into the smaller pond. That pond falls back into the larger pond.

I will do a google search for plants. Thanks.

 

[Ben Connah]

Use NBS VITE to get rid of pond algae. It is a biodegradable product that comes up in easy to use sachets and remove green algae, slime, blanket weed from pond water.