Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Creating habitat Pallets for Fatheads

Hey guys,
I was thinking of throwing some pallets out to help the fatheads.
I need some opinions.

Do you think I need to double the pallets or is just one pallet enough?

Do you think I need to wrap it in chicken wire, or is that necessary?

I am going to have to haul my pallets and cinder blocks quite a way. I don't want to get there and not have enough blocks. I don't want to haul too many either. What has been your experience on how many cinder blocks it takes to sink a pallet?

I am thinking that three to four feet of water is about right to sink them. What do you think?

I guess the last question should be is all this worth the trouble? I already have golden shiners. bluegill, and tilapia and will stock tilapia again in the spring.

Thanks for the help.

roy:

I don't know how many blocks you'll need, but FHM usually spawn in 2' of water or less.

Pallets work fine, but if it is going to be a project due to logistics, use cedar shakes. Ahvatsa and Davatsa made this practice popular. Push them into the pond bottom at an acute angle, as near to flat as possible but maintaining enough exposed surface on the bottom of each shingle (so the FH have a place to stick the eggs). Do this in 6 - 12" of water at random spots around the shoreline that is accessible.

When using pallets, I place them in a stack with a layer of 2"x4" scraps in between to expose more horizontal wood surfaces, all wired together ahead of time. One cinder block ought to sink 2-3 pallets.

Theo - any pictures of your FHM hotel?

Not since Geocities shut down last month. I have to rehost everything that used to be on it.