It's been an amazing 8 years with this little pond. It probably took a solid 2 or 3 years for the ecosystem to really lock in and things to just be happy. I have had a fairly self-sustaining fish population of FHM and bluegill. I stock a few tilapia each spring to help with algae through the hot Houston summers, but they die off with cold winter temps. Four years ago, I put a fingerling native LMB in to have a "pet"... named him Juan Wick. I am shocked the regular hunting herons and egrets (and occasional ducks) have not transplanted more predator fish over the years. I have a couple of different shades of pickeralweed, some alligator flag, many different colors of water lilies, iris, and canna lilies. The lotus puts on a big show mid-summer (video below) with tons of blooms. All the vegetation gets cleaned up each year and I have a crystal clear small fish tank for the fall/winter months through late spring. I have spent many sunsets with a handful of Aquamax and dozens of fish waiting for some snacks. It's been my version of the guy in the park on the bench feeding the pigeons... quite therapeutic. Ha!
Even though this natural pond is small, it has been an incredible joy... and it was the best I could do with such a small space to work with at the time. My wife and I have decided we're at that season of life where "downsizing" is prudent and we've embarked on the process of selling our current east Texas home (and thus, the pond) to head west. Downsize the house, upsize the land... that's the mission. Largely because of this forum and the great folks here sharing their stories, this mini-pond because a big part of my life... so it makes complete sense that upsize the land has some subtle subtext implying I should upsize the pond! Right?!
I haven't really begun the process, but I do hope to make a new pond project happen as part of our move. The size of the pond will really come down to a balance of what the land will support and my financial limitations, but I would love to find a way into something larger than half an acre as a "next pond" goal. I'm sure grateful to have all y'all to lean on for learning and navigating the process.
Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving! Summertime Lotus BloomFor the first 4 years Juan was in the pond, he would come eat the fish food with the sunfish and minnows... now he just comes to eat the fish eating the fish food. They grow up so fast.
Juan Wick snacks <- Four out of five Largemouth Bass agree it's worth a click.
