I have a 4yr old 500 ltr preformed plastic pond. 2 adult frogs, No fish!
My main problem is the maximum water depth (16 inches) is a problem, mainly during these increasingly hot dry periods here in the Suffolk area of the UK. Good job I’ve no fish, they wouldn’t last in this heat. There is so much green slimy algae at the moment that within a short time my filter aerator is constantly silting up. I have even added a dark Blue color liquid to help mitigate that but to no avail I’m afraid. There is so much algae that I have switched the filter off. It’s fair to say that for a couple of seasons now, I have been considering re-purposing the pond to that of a bog garden. Now I know it probably goes against what this forum is about but I thought I would ask anyway.
My main question is: Can this be achieved basically by making holes in the preformed plastic material allowing for limited drainage. Eg; too few holes and it could end up smelling and too many that would compromise the purpose of creating a bog in the first place.
There is very little information on what I’m asking.
The best I found was, if I I had a butyl liner then the spacing of holes on a garden fork would suffice. However, the preformed pond it was not quite the case as it would drain too quickly. Maybe 10 - 12 inches spacings would work. After which 5 cms of sand would be laid across the base. Then fill with soil in the usual manner. Again, information is vague, is it garden soil or pond soil. I quite like the idea of still being able to attract wildlife to my garden, including still being able to provide for my current, somewhat small frog family.
That’s about it, so far. So I thought I would cast my net further.
So, is my sketchy plan achievable?
I look forward to your comments.
My main problem is the maximum water depth (16 inches) is a problem, mainly during these increasingly hot dry periods here in the Suffolk area of the UK. Good job I’ve no fish, they wouldn’t last in this heat. There is so much green slimy algae at the moment that within a short time my filter aerator is constantly silting up. I have even added a dark Blue color liquid to help mitigate that but to no avail I’m afraid. There is so much algae that I have switched the filter off. It’s fair to say that for a couple of seasons now, I have been considering re-purposing the pond to that of a bog garden. Now I know it probably goes against what this forum is about but I thought I would ask anyway.
My main question is: Can this be achieved basically by making holes in the preformed plastic material allowing for limited drainage. Eg; too few holes and it could end up smelling and too many that would compromise the purpose of creating a bog in the first place.
There is very little information on what I’m asking.
The best I found was, if I I had a butyl liner then the spacing of holes on a garden fork would suffice. However, the preformed pond it was not quite the case as it would drain too quickly. Maybe 10 - 12 inches spacings would work. After which 5 cms of sand would be laid across the base. Then fill with soil in the usual manner. Again, information is vague, is it garden soil or pond soil. I quite like the idea of still being able to attract wildlife to my garden, including still being able to provide for my current, somewhat small frog family.
That’s about it, so far. So I thought I would cast my net further.
So, is my sketchy plan achievable?
I look forward to your comments.
