Recent homebuyer with new pond!

[LaurenV]

Hi!

I recently bought an estate that has a pond in the yard in Pittsburgh, PA. I wasn’t looking for a pond (we were looking for a garage, and the house had a great one!), but I think it’s great so far.

It has three pumps—two that feed two smaller pools that tumble into a waterfall, and one for a little fountain. There are about 50 goldfish living in the main pond and they seem happy.

I have had some problems bringing the pond to life for spring. The woman who owned the house passed away in November and her family made sure to put a little pondmaster heater in it so the fish didn't die, but I have had no one to talk to about it to make sure I'm doing things right. When I found the pumps, the lines were cracked and I had to repair them. Then we had a flash flood which filled the upper pools with sediment and gravel and swapped a lot of water out of the main pool. I’ve been working on cleaning those out the last few evenings, and noticed some weird tapeworm-looking guys and other bug life. I’m sure there is a lot of sediment in the main pond as well. I have been leaving the pumps off to keep the mess contained, but I guess I’m overwhelmed.

I digress! Hi, happy to be here.

 

[qclabrat]

hi there Lauren, welcome to the group
post some pictures so we can better visualize

 

[Angel]

welcome.

the "tapeworms " are possible horsehair worms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematomorpha

also you need the pump on to filter and maintain circulation and to add air.

 

[Gemma]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[ShawnInfirmity]

Welcome @LaurenV I agree with @Angel about the pump. You should turn it back on so the water can be filtered and circulated. Please post pictures of your pond as well so the members can help as much as possible.

 

[j.w]

@LaurenV

 

[addy1]

Welcome!
Post photos we will try to help you

 

[Becky]

Hello and welcome to the forum

 

[LaurenV]

Here’s a pic from when I found the cracked lines and before I got everything flowing:

Also, let me correct myself. The waterfall pumps are off, but the fountain pump is on. I’m not trying to kill the lil fish guys.

Here is a pic of the waterfall working. I need to get more rocks to cover the exposed liner.

Re: the horsehair worm, they didn’t look like that and I didn’t snag a pic. If I see another I’ll try to get one.

 

[Angel]

Re: the horsehair worm, they didn’t look like that and I didn’t snag a pic. If I see another I’ll try to get one.

most common in ponds. not a big deal to worry about.

 

[j.w]

Common worms found in ponds: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/water-worms-garden-pond-49488.html

 

[Mmathis]

@j.w Great article — thanks for posting!

 

[addy1]

Nice pond!

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome to the forum. Nice pond!
Stephen

 

[Lisak1]

Pretty pond! Welcome to the GPF!