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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
Has anyone seen any indications that bullheads, by stirring up mud, help to seal leaking ponds?
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
I found this on the Internet: Bullhead have the reputation for patching holes in leaky ponds. http://www.fishsvr.com/catfish_1.php
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424 Likes: 19
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424 Likes: 19 |
I would rather deal with a leak than bullheads.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,088 Likes: 96
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,088 Likes: 96 |
If you want CC to stir up the bottom, just feed some sinking feed.
John
I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
I would have trouble believing that bullheads could stop leaks.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,088 Likes: 96
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,088 Likes: 96 |
I would too any significant leaks. But I could see where certain situations it might help.
If you are putting clay particles in suspension and over time they tried to flow through soil they might eventually plug up the porosity.
At least if you were trying to do the opposite, pass dirty water through a filter, the filter would eventually plug even though you didn't want it to.
I can see where dirty water might eventually fix a problem like inadequate compaction. Heck I have seen calcium and iron in hard water fix a leak in a metal pipe thread joint after a while.
But if a leak is actually flowing enough to cause erosion rather than just seepage, dirty water likely would not be adequate.
Last edited by snrub; 05/10/17 06:34 AM.
John
I subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
I've never seen where the water is coming out. It's probably going through the dam, which is covered in deep grass. When the level drops to a certain point, the seepage nearly stops. I don't know what depth still remains, but I'm guessing it's not more than a few feet. Neighbors who were around here when the pond was built said they've never seen it go dry. Being bullheaded, I will probably give bullheads a try, if I can get some.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13 |
I have bullheads in my pond and would give anything to be rid of them no matter what the benefits of leaving them around would be
Last edited by Matzilla; 05/10/17 04:29 PM.
Mat Peirce 1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
Matzilla, What else do you have in your pond? Do you eat bullheads?
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 491 Likes: 13 |
BCP, LMB, BG - adding SMB, WE, RES and HSB before the end of the year. I don't eat them so the ones I catch are given away as flathead bait or fed to raccoons.
Mat Peirce 1.25 acre southeast Iowa pond LMB, BG, YP, WE, HSB, RES, BCP
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
With those predators in there, I'd think the number of BH would be kept in check. My dad had BH in a pond with NP, and the BH never became a problem.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
Considering the almost universal dislike of BH, I suppose little or nothing has been done to determine the best methods of raising them. For instance, which species are most compatible with them if the goal is to manage the other species and the BH for large BH?
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368
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OP
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 368 |
From the MO Pond Manual: "Bullheads...are not recommended for pond stocking because their bottom-feeding activity may cause a pond to become muddy. This handicaps the sight-feeding bass and reduces food production. When stocked alone, bullheads overpopulate. In clear ponds with a good bass population, few bullheads will survive; but the ones that do will grow to a large size."
My pond is generally quite clear. It's murky only after a heavy rain. It's fed by runoff from good pasture, and the soil is quite rocky, which may be why my pond leaks. If BH did become a problem, I'm guessing a couple norther pike could get them under control. Of course, otters can mess everything up.
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