Will mosquitofish survive with a partial pool cover?

Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or deprive
the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the fish?



fpbear

fpbear wrote:
> Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
> Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
> thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
> mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave
> a section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
> Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or
> deprive the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the
> fish?
In Arizona, we have companies that specialize in either demo'ing the
pool and filling it in or empty it and build a platform deck over the
space. This may be a better solution to your Mother's problem. Don't
forget you can't see a drowning person in that green murky water.
Mosquitoes are the least of your worries.

Chip

She couldn't maintain it because of the cost of maintaining it. Building a
platform deck would be nice but certainly too expensive for her.
Demolishing the pool is not an option because that is also expensive and
reduces the home resale value. The access to the pool is gated and locked.

....still looking forward to replies on the original question, how tough are
the mosquitofish?

"fpbear" <> wrote in message
news:%LN2k.1972$...
> Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
> Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
> thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
> mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
> section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
> Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or
> deprive the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the
> fish?
============================
I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
trying to save by covering most of it?
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö>

"Reel McKoi" <> wrote in message
news:g2hiud$h6j$...
> I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
> trying to save by covering most of it?

1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
water).
2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must be
filled with water to prevent cracks).

On Jun 8, 6:05 am, "fpbear" <fpb...@nospam.nowhere> wrote:
> Mosquitofish are taking care of a large pool at my mother's house in
> Southern California (which she couldn't maintain anymore), and we are
> thinking about putting a pool cover on a portion of it. Would the
> mosquitofish still survive if we cover 90% of the pool? We would leave a
> section open, of course, so that they could still feed a little bit.
> Although I'm not sure if the cover would make the water too warm or deprive
> the water with not enough sunlight or larvae food to sustain the fish?

Covering the pond is going to cause you much more work than not
covering it. It needs plants. Invest in the purchase of some water
hyacinths, water lotus or waterlilies. Does the pond not have plants
in it? They really are not that costly and in California you will not
have to worry about losing them to freeze - actually what part of
Southern California? Covering is going to cause die off of what is in
there which will kill the fish - you will then have a nice home for
mosquitoes. Since you don't have large fish in it, the pond should
take very little maintenance. The more shaded it is the less problem
you will have with algae. Plants in the pond count as shade. If you
have one of those store bought filters with a pad that needs cleaned
every week get rid of it. Put the water pump in a five gallon bucket,
fill it with lava rock and rinse the bucket out with pond water once a
year. You can cover the pond with a black netting used to protect
fruit from birds. This will keep out the leaves, shade it a bit but
keep it alive. That is the critical word here - alive. I assume
someone is spending time with your mother at least once a week. I
also assume this pond is something she is fond of and that gives her
pleasure. Very little research on your or their part should make it
easy to keep this pond alive for her pleasure. I lost my mother this
year. I would do anything if I could give her one more day of
pleasure with her garden.

"fpbear" <> wrote in message
news:3%_2k.8157$...
> "Reel McKoi" <> wrote in message
> news:g2hiud$h6j$...
>> I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are you
>> trying to save by covering most of it?
>
> 1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
> water).
> 2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must be
> filled with water to prevent cracks).
=================================
Out of compassion for the fish, if the water is "brown" I would get rid of
them. It has to be stagnant and polluted if no care is being given
(maintained filters, aeration etc). Pardon my curiosity... but what kind of
construction is this pond that it would crack if dry?
--

RM....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
Zone 6. Middle TN USA
~~~~ }<((((*> ~~~ }<{{{{(ö>

Reel McKoi wrote:

>>> I don't understand how covering 90% will help anything. What work are
>>> you trying to save by covering most of it?
>>
>> 1. To make it look nicer (looking at a blue cover is nicer than brown
>> water).
>> 2. To reduce evaporation (in this particular construction, pool must
>> be filled with water to prevent cracks).
> =================================
> Out of compassion for the fish, if the water is "brown" I would get rid
> of them. It has to be stagnant and polluted if no care is being given
> (maintained filters, aeration etc). Pardon my curiosity... but what
> kind of construction is this pond that it would crack if dry?

Folks, read the original message. He said "pool" not "pond". This is a
very common problem here as many people are walking out on their
McMansions' over-priced mortgages and abandoning house and POOL. The
local authorities, after getting a complaint from the neighbors and
determining that the property is truly abandoned will go in and put
mosquito fish in the filthy stagnant water to help keep mosquitoes down.
Some will spray oil on the water.

Gunite POOLS will crack in the heat if not at least half filled with water.

Chip

fpbear wrote:

> ...still looking forward to replies on the original question, how tough are
>
> the mosquitofish?

Mosquito fish are mean, nasty and could survive a nuclear attack!


San Diego Joe
4,000 - 5,000 Gallons.
Koi, Goldfish, and RES named Colombo.

dkat, wonderful tips. the water hyacinth is a great idea. I will try that
as well.