From

Location

Message

Date Posted

North Ga

My first post under my new username has to do with getting rid of pond scum on a small (surface=400 sq.ft.)spring fed garden pond. I had 5 koi but the blue herons ate those. I thought maybe a large grass carp (10-12 pounder)? What about some sort of user friendly chemicals? Need help! Thanks!
Pappy

3/26/2004 12:03:45 PM

Edmonton, Canada

Hey Pappy, my Dad has a pond every summer, and his solution for algae isn't high tech, but it works. He has a couple of pumps running, and simply puts a piece of nylon over the intake. He has to clean it fairly often, but it seems to work.

P.S. His soution for heron's is a big, fat cat!

3/26/2004 1:00:33 PM

Western Pa.

Pappy,
I'm assuming what you call "scum", is actually an algae bloom, which is all actually very healthy for your pond and builds up the food chain for your fish. Grass carp eat the most and work best when they are small, I have several large ones, but I've never seen them eat algae, they prefer plants. Maybe the best solution for a pond that small would be just to hand skim!

3/26/2004 1:38:26 PM

Perrysburg oh.

Hay pappy your small pound maybe some old copper
pipe if you can fine some sall bundell so it stays to
botom .you can all buy copper phosphatt at fram
store. or small pump to aireit. good luck.
Ray

3/28/2004 7:40:01 PM

Wichita, KS

many varieties of Plecostamus (sp?) grow to be a couple of feet long, and are quite hardy fish. They are cheap at any pet store, and are fabulous bottom cleaners. They are very spiny, and well camoflaged, making them not too palatable to fishing birds or racoons. They will, however, stay at the bottom. Around here, you can call the fish and game department. They freely supply local land owners with "Mosquito fish," which are simply thousands of bass and bluegill babies. they usually take care of mosquito problems as well as stocking your pond with something fun to angle for a year or two later!

3/29/2004 5:06:29 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Barley straw if it's an algae bloom...takes about a month in warmer water to take effect...I put in when the pond ices out and will be ready as the water warms...good luck Pappy nice to see the post....!!!
chuck

3/29/2004 7:13:13 PM