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farmallsc #463786 02/12/17 09:15 AM
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I just returned from my walk from the pond. I was there right at sun up. I scared 3 ducks on my way down there. I used to see ducks all the time, but as me and Mom began spending a lot of time there, they had vanished until today.

The life across the pond is amazing. Either the minnows or fish are making ripples across the water. It's amazing and provides joy to me! I hope you will follow along with my journey.

You know, I have an abundance of trees and seeing as fish need habitat, I was wondering about trying to make something out of limbs and branches to put in the pond.in various places. This shouldn't hurt anything should it? I don't want to mess up the quality of my water and I don't think it would, but I could be wrong. I have a few big trees that have already fallen in and they didn't seem to hurt anything. I don't have any pallets to make hiding places for the minnows, so that's why I thought a few tree branch houses might help.

Thoughts?



farmallsc #463789 02/12/17 10:12 AM
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I just happened to remember seeing a pile of antique tires the other day. I bet those would a dandy habitat



farmallsc #463790 02/12/17 10:21 AM
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Avoid freshly cut oak. The tannins in it killed every fish I stocked. I had to pump it dry.

I use cedars and haven't seen a problem. But I dang sure don't overload it. Lusk told me that a cedar will last about 4 years in the pond.

If you question a piece of wood, test it by cutting a fresh piece and put it in a bucket of pond water. After 3 or 4 days, toss in some small fish and see what happens in a day or so.


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
Dave Davidson1 #463792 02/12/17 10:31 AM
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Thanks Dave. Great idea!



farmallsc #463793 02/12/17 10:39 AM
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Going after a water thermometer today. Something to do to pass the time. I sat under the trees till sunset yesterday. Happy and content with a slight breeze blowing. Woke up early this morning and made my way down there. About as peaceful of a feeling as a fellow could ask for.



Dave Davidson1 #463797 02/12/17 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: Dave Davidson1
Avoid freshly cut oak. The tannins in it killed every fish I stocked. I had to pump it dry.

I use cedars and haven't seen a problem. But I dang sure don't overload it. Lusk told me that a cedar will last about 4 years in the pond.

If you question a piece of wood, test it by cutting a fresh piece and put it in a bucket of pond water. After 3 or 4 days, toss in some small fish and see what happens in a day or so.


The most rot resistant woods I know of are black locust, red mulberry, osage orange, and Pacific yew. The Osage Orange is has a very tanglely web of branches and the native indians would use these trees for corrals to hold their horses.

I know where there is one grove of osage orange close to me.


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DonoBBD #463799 02/12/17 11:13 AM
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I don't have any horse apple trees, but have a ton of black locust and mesquite.

Not real fond of those thorny trees either. I wish I could trade them for pecan or oaks.

Last edited by farmallsc; 02/12/17 11:21 AM.


farmallsc #463808 02/12/17 01:54 PM
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Could someone chime in on Hardy Lilies?

I was thinking about Texas Dawn and Fire Crest. Just to add some vegetation and color.


Here is what web site says about them.

Texas Dawn

Stunning water lily. Bright yellow blossoms (6-10") are held regally above richly mottled foliage (8"). A profuse bloomer, and wonderfully hardy. Adapts well to many climates. Will bloom heavily right up to the first frost.



Fire Crest
This is one of the fastest-growing lilies available for ponds. The light pink color of the flower petals contrasts nicely with the fiery red-orange stamens and bright green color of the pads. Expect this lily to spread one foot or more per year when planted into an earth-bottom pond.
Unknown hybridizer, originated circa 1930.

Last edited by farmallsc; 02/12/17 02:16 PM.


farmallsc #463809 02/12/17 03:13 PM
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Below is a link to the PBF archives for Water Lilies. A ton of good info there. FWIW I have Hardy Lilies in my pond and we are very happy with them.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=253826


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farmallsc #463811 02/12/17 06:28 PM
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The TX Dawn will grow slightly deeper(1-2ft deeper) and faster than the Fire Crest. Both are considered Medium Spread lilies. Expect them to eventually grow to mostly 4'-5' deep.


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Bill D. #463816 02/12/17 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bill D.
Below is a link to the PBF archives for Water Lilies. A ton of good info there. FWIW I have Hardy Lilies in my pond and we are very happy with them.

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=253826



Thanks Bill, The first few links wouldn't work, but down further in the thread was some good reading. I appreciate you posting the link. Thank you much!



Bill Cody #463817 02/12/17 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
The TX Dawn will grow slightly deeper(1-2ft deeper) and faster than the Fire Crest. Both are considered Medium Spread lilies. Expect them to eventually grow to mostly 4'-5' deep.


Thanks for the info Bill, given what you know, would you recommend either?



farmallsc #463818 02/12/17 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: farmallsc
.... The first few links wouldn't work, but down further in the thread was some good reading. ....


Unfortunately, if you dig a round in the archives much, you will find many of the older links have been corrupted. The forum moderators (most under appreciated guys on the forum IMO) fix the ones they can when they find them.


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farmallsc #463827 02/12/17 10:00 PM
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I have my better half researching water lilies. Sounds like a good Valentine's Day gift. HaHa!



farmallsc #463828 02/12/17 10:03 PM
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On another note.

How long before my BG will be old enough to spawn. I've read on here about creating spawning beds, but that isn't necessary is it?



farmallsc #463924 02/13/17 08:59 PM
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Well, I started feeding today. I fed 1/2 cup over a period of around 3 minutes or so. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to see much activity, but was pleasantly surprised when I saw them hitting the surface after a few minutes. I watched the water for a little while before heading back to the house.

How many times per day do you guys feed? I was figuring once per day, but I dunno.



farmallsc #463927 02/13/17 09:05 PM
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Morning and evening in warm seasons. Once (in evening) in early spring and mid to late autumn.

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Thank you, John.

You know, when I first started thinking about this pond, I had no idea how much fun this was going to be. My goal was just to put a few fish in so we would have a place to relax and fish. Now I'm thinking about pond plants, feeding, weighing/measuring for growth, creating habitat, removing trees, etc. A fellow can sure get carried away!



farmallsc #464004 02/14/17 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted By: farmallsc
Thank you, John.

You know, when I first started thinking about this pond, I had no idea how much fun this was going to be. My goal was just to put a few fish in so we would have a place to relax and fish. Now I'm thinking about pond plants, feeding, weighing/measuring for growth, creating habitat, removing trees, etc. A fellow can sure get carried away!

Farmall if you only knew! But it's fun anyway

Pat Williamson #464007 02/14/17 12:22 PM
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It sure is Pat.

Today is cold, wet, and miserable. Yesterday was absolutely beautiful. In fact, we've only had a few cold days and nights this winter thus far. Can't complain.


My leg is sore today. I tripped over a old barbwire fence that was laying on the ground and punctuated a hole in the back of my ankle and it sure is sore today.

Last edited by farmallsc; 02/14/17 12:23 PM.


farmallsc #464025 02/14/17 02:45 PM
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Here's a couple of frogs. I know absolutely nothing about frogs other than I have a ton of them from dime sized to hand size. Some are skidish, some not so much.

Attached Images
IMG_3879.JPG IMG_3870.JPG


farmallsc #464043 02/14/17 07:02 PM
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Wow it's cold and windy. I didn't see much activity when I fed today. The pellets aren't floating or at least they don't seem to be, so it's hard to know how much is getting eaten. I stuck with 1/2 cup in case they aren't eating it all. Yesterday there was much more activity.



farmallsc #464047 02/14/17 07:53 PM
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The first one looks kinda like a toad. The second is a leapord frog.


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
Dave Davidson1 #464049 02/14/17 08:32 PM
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Thanks Dave. The pond has tons of frogs. When I walk down there all you here is splash



farmallsc #464051 02/14/17 08:45 PM
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Top frog picture is a cricket frog. They appear in hundreds of different colors. Quite a noisemaker for such a tiny thing.


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