First pond 2016 - NJ

[Tfisher]

Hello everyone,

I'm an avid gardener and moved last November to a new house that had an abandoned 300 gallon rigid pond. I had never water gardened before (or kept fish) so I read as much as possible over the winter and figured I would try to maintain the pond for at least a season (depending on my success).

After ice skim melted I looked into the pond to find it barren with a submerged Beckett fountain and a waterfall pump & hose. Waterfall feature didn't work (pump was burnt out & waterfall housing is cracked).

The GFI outlet wasn't working so I ran an extension cord to try and use what I had (the submerged fountain). After running for some time I added some plants and snails to balance out "the green water" which helped a little but it wasn't until I added plants (marginal & submerged) then started using a better filter/fountain/uv clarifier did the pond really start "living" - a while later I added a couple bullfrog tapoles & fish in small doses.

And now we're off and really enjoying the pond: next step is getting through winter. I'm on the border of zone 6/7 and just keep on reading.

Tom

 

[sissy]

welcome and looks great from a former NJ resident

 

[Tfisher]

Thanks - it's been an amazing ride so far!

 

[Meyer Jordan]

The adventure begins!

 

[Mmathis]

Welcome!

 

[bettasngoldfish]

Welcome to the group! Cute lil pond you have

 

[Tula]

Welcome, the pond looks very pretty with all your plantings

 

[bmitchell486]

Wow, that's your first pond?! You look like a plant pro already!!! It's beautiful. What kind of fish have you put in there?

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum! You have a lovely pond

 

[addy1]

Very nice pond! Welcome to our group!

 

[Tfisher]

Wow, that's your first pond?! You look like a plant pro already!!! It's beautiful. What kind of fish have you put in there?

Thanks everyone - I have 2 shubunkin & 3 comets ; didn't want to go nuts my first season (at the fishes expense)

The filter has helped tremdously (lifegard one) and the trapdoor snails on pick up duty

My only real concern is winter at this point: hope to make it through with good planning

 

[Tfisher]

Also I'll be working on drawing out and designing the waterfall install next spring: hopefully in a season or two I'll dig my own pond in this area (all the books are correct - bigger is better

 

[Tfisher]

Drawing idea design from this season (pretty close