Pond Boss Forums INTRO New Forum Member Introduction Hello, Newbie Here

I'm from Thonotosassa, Florida. We just built a "swim pond" - I posted a question about it in the Pond forum.

Here's a picture of it: [img:center]http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1...&permPage=1[/img]

Not huge by farm pond standards - but this area is solid hard-pan clay that we pick-axed out. WHEW. 16'x26' was plenty huge by the time we got done with that part of the job. Now we are doing the hardscaping around the pond. It's 90 degrees here today - I sure wish I felt safe enough to jump in!

I look forward to learning and contributing, xx

Looks nice, but although you are calling this a 'swim pond', you have fish. On this small of scale, adding the fact that this appears to be a graveled bottom lined pond, you will most definitely have a fairly high coliform and E. coli count, which can be a severe health hazard.

I'm not so sure that coliform bacteria and E.coli originate from fish. I think those two types of bacteria originate from warm blooded animals. Below is some information on the topic:

A. Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.
B. Fecal coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to be present specifically in the gut and feces of warm-blooded animals. Because the origins of fecal coliforms are more specific than the origins of the more general total coliform group of bacteria, fecal coliforms are considered a more accurate indication of animal or human waste than the total coliforms.
C. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the fecal coliform group. Of the five general groups of bacteria that comprise the total coliforms, only E. coli is generally not found growing and reproducing in the environment. Consequently, E. coli is considered to be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best indicator of fecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.

Are Coliform Bacteria Harmful?
Most coliform bacteria do not cause disease. However, some rare strains of E. coli, particularly the strain 0157:H7, can cause serious illness. Recent outbreaks of disease caused by E. coli 0157:H7 have generated much public concern about this organism. E. coli 0157:H7 has been found in cattle, chickens, pigs, and sheep. Most of the reported human cases have been due to eating under cooked hamburger. Cases of E. coli 0157:H7 caused by contaminated drinking water supplies are rare.
INFO SOURCE:
http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/coliform_bacteria.htm

stomach acids kill most lower gut bacteria, so it ussually takes high concentrations to make a person sick. With bacteria like salmonella, its the preformed toxin that makes you sick. One of the more pernicious organisims that people have to worry about is giardia. The 0157:H7 is one strain of E. coli that gets alot of press because of the severity of the disease it causes. we all have E. coli growing in our lower gut though not the 0157 strain. But because of the scare that the 0157 strain has produced, everyone is scared of E. coli now.

On a side note, recent studies have produced evidence that people today arent exposed to enough germs. And this might be the cause of some run away allergies, and immune disorders.

you can always have the water and/or soil tested to make sure its not contaminated. just get in touch with your local state health unit. Personaly, if there wasnt sewage or animal watse running into it, i wouldnt worry about it

Bill I definitely know E.coli only comes from warm blooded animals and I don't know half what you do. This is one of the points touted by aquaponic growers using fish to grow the plants.