New here. Introduction and need some help/advice please

[CometKeith]

Now I'm really interested to see how I can retrofit a bog into the pond.

Hi. Your pond is really nice. I agree with above comments the only chemical you should ever had is decor. Re green color the most important thing is that the water is healthy for your fish. I agree a bog is very helpful. I built a bog a few years ago. I actually built a wall in my existing pond and built a bog in the new area I sectioned off. If you don’t have space to add a bog you can do the same thing!

 

[YShahar]

Unfortunately plant selection in my local places is mediocre. I ordered a lot of underwater plants online yesterday, and some weights to sink them to the bottom.

One thing I've found where I live (Israel) is that plants at water garden places tend to be way overpriced, even though some of the same plants can be found at regular nurseries in the house plant section. Don't overlook marginals, which you can grow in containers on the edge of the pond. They may not suck up nutrients as fast as floating plants, but they do help some.

As an example of some house plants that are actually marginals, see: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/water-plants/wgen/water-tolerant-plants.htm

 

[poconojoe]

One thing I've found where I live (Israel) is that plants at water garden places tend to be way overpriced, even though some of the same plants can be found at regular nurseries in the house plant section. Don't overlook marginals, which you can grow in containers on the edge of the pond. They may not suck up nutrients as fast as floating plants, but they do help some.

As an example of some house plants that are actually marginals, see: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/water-plants/wgen/water-tolerant-plants.htm

Agree.
There are many "pond" plants that are just really normal plants you can find in local garden centers, nurseries and big box stores like Home Depot, etc..

You'd be surprised how many regular plants work well in and around your pond.

I have Iris, Creeping Jenny, Lizards Tail, Umbrella Plant (and Papyrus), and many others.

 

[sneakingfart]

Interesting. Thank you, I didn't realize that some of these regular plants also work.

 

[SarahT]

Yes, I have killed fish in the past with the algaecide, but the problem was I extremely overestimated the volume of my pond and horribly overdosed it. But I really don't like to use it. The fish are sluggish for 24 hours, and I can tell they really don't like it. Unfortunately plant selection in my local places is mediocre. I ordered a lot of underwater plants online yesterday, and some weights to sink them to the bottom. And the fish will like them also. The algaecide actually worked really well, I can see the bottom clearly this morning and the fish are back to being happy and active. My hope is that the plants, once the growing season gets fully underway, will keep it that way. I will not use the stuff again, I really do fear it.

By next year, i will have to find a way to relocate some fish. I may not be overstocked now as the little fish are still quite little, but they are growing quickly and I can already tell there will be more on the way. I may need to add additional filters, my pump can certainly handle the extra load. It's overbuilt for the pond size.

Rehoming. My local pet store and a pond building place accept small goldfish for rehoming (friends, don't tell me some are becoming feeder goldfish. I KNOW I saw Santa Claus last year.)