Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Small pond design help please

I think they appreciate the cooler ground water temps in our current heat wave. We have two fantastic dogs right now.

That worked out nice RAH. Good looking little pond and I am envious that you have a continuous source of free flowing water. I would really like to have a small amount of flow through during the summer in my ponds.

I sure appreciate having the water flow and think it is very cool!

RBT question: What is the maximum temp that RBT will do well in, and at what depth should it be measured?

I think that my first fish for the forage pond might be LCS but I don't want to add them until I know the water is OK ($$). What might I add now to check the water quality but which will not interfere with the small LCS that I add later? I have access to CCS and FHM. I think that Gambusia or GSH might not work well and I hate to add even one goldfish (pretty carp). I might be able to catch a stoneroller or white sucker if they are a better choice? The easiest would be a few CCS if they will work well.

CCS? That is not on our list of commonly used acronyms. Provide the name and I will add it to the list. Compatible culture fish as forage with LCS is IMO bluntnose minnows(BNM) and FHM.

I was hoping that LCS would provide the clue:) - CCS = creek chubsucker. I was wondering if large FHM could eat 1.5 - 2" LCS? Is there a supplier for BNM?

We (my daughter) transplanted a yellow water lily into the forage pond, so maybe there are FHM eggs on the leaves. We shall see. FHM got in my sediment pond that way.

Adult FHM will not eat a fish 3/4" long or even 1/2" long. FHMwill eat unprotected fish eggs. Creek chubsuckers(CCS) will likely not spawn in a pond but if you get it to happen that is excellent info. Lily leaves could have FHM eggs on the underside. More likely the eggs on lily leaves will be snail eggs.

Good info. Thank you.

OK - Operating a dozer is harder than operating a backhoe for this novice. Can't wait for some lessons when my brother visits mid month!

Any suggestions on a good supplier for regular eel grass (not corkscrew)?

I've bought plants from these guys in the past and they seem to have decent prices for pond quantity. They have eel grass (water celery).

http://www.kestersnursery.com/water_celery.htm

Thanks for the link but I don't need 50 eelgrass plants which is the smallest lot hey seem to sell. I only need 5 or 10 plants, especially since my past plantings have failed. This new forage pond is fed by an artesian well, so maybe this different condition will work.

I've bought from these guys as well. The plants are .50 each.

http://www.jjtransplant.com/vaamwaceba.html

I guess that I am cheep but $20 for shipping 20 bare-root plants seems excessive. I cannot remember where I bought them last time, but shipping was less than half of that.

Sorry, That's the only two places I've bought plants from that carry the eel grass. Good luck on your search. Please post back and share your source when you find one.

I may have found a generous Pond-Bosser! I will need to quarantine the plants for a bit, but that is just fine.

Received eelgrass in good condition from generous Pond Bosser today! Update: He sent dozens of plants which are all now planted in the artesian-well pond. The pond is definitely cooler than the watershed ponds but I have not yet bought a thermometer to check the temp with.

Morning update: Decided to make a bubbler fountain for the artesian well water to enter the small pond. The trick was drilling a 3/4" hole 12" through a granite rock with quartz in it. Decided to try the cheap route first by purchasing a carbide bit and using my 3/4" hammer drill. After buying the bit from Menards this morning, I saw that the maximum masonry bit for the drill was supposed to be 9/16". Well, I already had the bit... After 2 hours of 30-second cycles followed by water wash-out and drill cooling, I have a very nice 3/4" hole through the rock. When it dries up, I'll get it going and post pictures.

Afternoon update: A plastic 3/4" barb to 3/4" male pipe fitting went into the bottom of the rock hole (with caulk) nice and tight with a rubber mallet. Now the rock just must be placed and hooked up once the caulk dries (and the ground dries up from all the rain).

Pics of artesian water coming through new rock feature. Granite and quartz rock had natural channel. I drilled 3/4" hole for water.

This pic shows the water coming through the rock better.

Very nice. The result was worth the effort!

Just wanted to let folks know that the eelgrass that was given to me by a generous Pondbosser is doing well. My previous attempts failed, so this is great for me. Life sure is fun!

If you get a chance post some pictures. I would like to know what it looks like. Guess I could look it up on line but would like to see yours specifically.