In the quest to grow trophy fish, (not just big fish), many times all options are left on the table. Every detail may be scrutinized and tweaked in an effort to produce maximum results. In my opinion, such operations may have an unusual take on the definition of "balance". My ponds are deliberately out of balance, in the traditional sense anyway, in favor of growing large HBG and BG.
I also believe that one can choose to take things as far to the extreme as possible, in order to achieve certain goals. Do I think the addition and subtraction of CNBG, either through natural or manmade efforts, might impact the existing population? Sure, but where do you draw the line? At what point does it cease to become a pond, and instead morph into a lab/science project?
To me, a pond is a give and take operation...if I attempt to throttle it, in an effort to control every single aspect in order to reach my goal of max growth of CNBG, then I need to be prepared for the consequences. I don't see anything wrong with doing what we can to try and stack the odds in our favor, but I believe that you have to give it room to be a pond.
I have a pond devoted to HBG, and I have added additional HBG into this BOW for years. I haven't noticed any ill effects due to the social hierarchy being disrupted. I place a much greater emphasis on maintaining adequate predator/prey ratios, staying on top of aquatic vegetation, maintaining good water quality, and supplemental feeding.
The basics.
