I'm a fairly new pond owner, and this is my first post. Here are the pond specifics:
Built 2 years ago this month.
Retention pond, about .22 Ac (150' from levee to opposite end, about 75' front to back). Deep end roughly 11 ft, shallow end avg. 3-4 feet (when full) Run off comes from...a large hill on the back which is a cattle pasture(lightly grazed), large hill on the front which is my yard, and also a hill on the narrow end that has a home on top, about 200 feet away. Both end's completely covered in trees, and the fence row on the back side has some pretty big trees along it.
Waited one year to try and let water settle, clay bottom, so it was 'very red' for a long time. Still have somewhat of a problem with it, but definately improved.
In Sept 06 we put in, 200 CC, 100 redear, 100 HBG, and 3 'cups?' fathead minnows.
In March 07 we put in a 9" diffuser with a piston compressor (runs 24/7). Salesman said plenty big for my pond, I think 1/3 HP maybe 1/2, can't remember.
This year we have started having 'nutrient' problems, scum on the top, bubbles, duckweed went crazy! The duckweed rope skimmer from one of the Pond Boss members saved the day! After we skimmed twice in 7 days, we put in 6 oz of Sonar. Since we haven't gotten any measurable rain in the South for 30 days, I'm hoping it has killed the DW seedbed!
Now - for my confusion....
Because the pond is a rectangle, and the diffuser is on the far (deep) end, we do not have any water movement on the opposite end. Basically, my pond is like water half way up in a glass, very little wind can get across the top because of the hills and the trees. We are looking to add a 'top' water aerator in order to mix it up some. I think the diffuser is doing well as far as oxygen, but I do worry about the opposite side. We have caught a few of the CC (and released) they look healthy! Some are now 12" or so, and are healthy eaters! Extension agent should be coming when he has some free time, but would love to know what you all think. I've only made it this far, because of all the info we've gleaned from PondBoss.com! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Absolutely love my pond, so any/all advice is appreciated!
