I have been told to lime the bottom of the pond before I let it start to fill up. I would think the lime would wash down the system!
- Dave 4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011 - began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18 - fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.
I had the same concern, but ordered the lime anyway. The delivery guy said that a good morning dew would be good enough to set it down. I noticed after he was finished that his tire tracks had compacted my pond bottom a bit more and mixed his lime into the bottom where he drove. After he left I drove my truck all around and it really mixed it into the bottom well. This also tightened the bottom up better so was needed anyway. I filled the tank up with fuel, and put as much of a load in the truck as I could get. I don't think this would work if your pond bottom is already really tight. Some mix it in with a tractor, I don't have one but my way worked really well for me.
It is best to spread out the lime over the bottom. However it is not a must as a spreader truck can do an ok job if it has access. Depending on the size and shape and access of the pond there are other ways to spread lime around but it is a lot easier to do when there is no water.
Thanks but my question is really if the dirt is limed, when the water floods it and I have moving water in and out through an incoming creek and an intake pipe, does the water quality not revert to what's coming into the pond in the first place? I'm questioned the value of liming my new construction pond.
- Dave 4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011 - began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18 - fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.
The flow would keep an 8" pipe full (eyeballing it). Pond will be ~4 acres. Had the creek water tested at a pool supply house with a Ph 6.9 and Alk 50. That's all the data I have. There are small minners in it now.
- Dave 4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011 - began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18 - fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.
I have had surrounding soil tested for food plots in the past with a ph of less than 6.0 which is typical for this area so the answer is lime, lime, and more lime. I was just wondering id the effect of liming the pond bottom would not just be dilluted after the pond was filled.
- Dave 4.5 acre woodland pond constructed Feb 2011 - began fill Aug 25 - full pool Nov 18 - fish stocked Oct 25: 1200 Shellcracker; 3800 bluegill bream; 500 channel catfish May 2012: 500 LMB May 2012; 50 "permitted" sterile grass carp.
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