amphibians and muck

[Bluerooster]

I scooped out a little muck from the bottom of the pond today. (don't want it to take over) And found that I had to pick through the gloop to rescue the salamanders. How do ya'll scoop out the debris and muck, without accidently tossing a salamander, or tadpole, or snail, out with the glop? I've about decided to let it go until spring, but there is leaves, and pine straw that I'd like to remove.

 

[j.w]

You have to put yourself into obsessive compulsive mode and maybe get a big container of pond water and scoop stuff/muck in there swish around and pluck the little suckers out one by one. A small scoop net for lifting out of the container might help. You may have to change the water in the container once in awhile.

 

[Stephen Noble]

I scooped out a little muck from the bottom of the pond today. (don't want it to take over) And found that I had to pick through the gloop to rescue the salamanders. How do ya'll scoop out the debris and muck, without accidently tossing a salamander, or tadpole, or snail, out with the glop? I've about decided to let it go until spring, but there is leaves, and pine straw that I'd like to remove.

Try using a colander. First hand remove the large objects and then pour a bucket of pond water over the remaining goop. Works great. Your snails and other little guys won't get washed away.

 

[Bluerooster]

Got started thinking about it, and decided the salamanders may want that muck to burrow under till warmer weather.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Right. Your initial post indicated you were going to wait until spring and that's a good idea.

 

[GBBUDD]

What we call MUCK is life blood for many . bacteria plants amphibians, insects all call it a lucky find they all thrive in the MUCK .Our trick is to keep it balanced and not allow the balance to tip to one side or another. Brian with Aquascapes who's pond everyone who has surfed you tube for koi ponds has seen has not cleaned out his pond in over 10 years. Does he have Muck ? of-course he does. Has he allowed it to build up apparently not as the pond looks great from the videos I have seen. The one thing he may do is use the muck preventer that they sell. I believe it's an enzyme that helps to break up the deposits. But I would bet good water movement and his negative edge that prevents leaves from sinking to the bottom is his key to success. Look at addy she never cleans out her pond either. i know brian has rock in his pond but i believe addy does not . it's all in what works for your set up.