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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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!
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?
.... 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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.