Sparkling clean pond?

[Patty74]

I like the look of sparkling clear water,I have a good system with uv,filters etc. I have five koi and several plants.
Thinking of taking out the koi and plants altogether,in order to have really clear looking water,any thoughts,or is it best to keep some plants and of course the frogs which I enjoy.
Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[DrDave]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[blessedfamily]

I personally get most of my enjoyment from my fish and plants..

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum.

I prefer ponds with critters and plants. With good filtration and water movement you should be able to have clear water.

 

[sissy]

welcome to the forum patty74

 

[talal101]

I would have to agree with the people before me because fish really are what adds intrest to a pond but addy also has a natural pond with frogs and different critters which I think is really cool as well

 

[j.w]

Patty74

 

[CometKeith]

Hi Patty74. Welcome! Most of the people here keep fish so you guess what most of the answers you will get. My pond started out as a watergarden and I didn't add fish until about 6 months later. I just wanted a water feature in our yard. I used to sail a lot and I liked having some water around. It's really personal taste. I like mine more with fish now and enjoy the hobby of keeping fish, but have stuck with goldfish which is less demanding. I don't know if not having fish will make it really that must cleaner. You will still have to fight algae growth.

 

[fishin4cars]

I personally like clear water, fish and plants. Your on the right track except one factor. Your finding out something I am also finding out. Koi, clear water, plants, Not the best of combinations. Koi eat on plants, and frogs, and tadpoles, and about anything they think is food, that turns into fish poop, They dig, and stir up the bottom which leads to green and murky water. Remove the Koi, replace with Goldfish, or a native species of fish that doesn't mess with plants and you'll find you will get your ecosystem back in balance, But Limit your fish load, Enjoy a few fish and give them a great home. I love my Koi, I plan on keeping them for many years to come. But I have come to the conclusion that I need a KOI pond, and a pond for my goldfish and plants. Yep, another pond is in the planning.

 

[CountryEscape]

Really good points, Fishin. I've not started my first pond, but it's in the works (in my head so far), and you have made some really good points that I was not fully aware of! Oh, how I love this Forum! You folks will have me so well informed, I surely will create a perfect pond, right?!!! Just kidding!!! I'm sure I will make mistakes, but it will be fun learning as I go, too!

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I've heard the same thing fishin said... koi put out a LOT more waste than regular goldfish. As said before, algae will be your biggest problem in keeping the water clear. With a good biological filter and a light fish load, you should never see the water clouded because of the fish. And you certainly should not take out any plants you have... The plants consume nutrition from the water. The more of that nutrition your decorative plants consume, the less that remains for algae to thrive on.

 

[stroppy]

any chance you can take some photos of your pond patty ...might help us to see what your problem is ...and welcome to the forum

 

[addy1]

I am adding some fish slowly, right now have 5, but they will just be goldies / shubunkins to help fertilize the pond and bog plants. Koi are beautiful, they do get big, but the others fit into what i want out of my pond.

 

[Patty74]

Thank you all so much,I just spent the past three days full of mud,and smelly pond water.I drained the pond,scrubbed it out and then refilled it tonight,looks fabulous!

Thanks fishin, I was feeling very guilty about even thinking of selling my koi,but you make a lot of sense. I think I will just go with plants and frogs for now,anyway what I really wanted to begin with was a frog pond,rather than a fish pond,comes from my many days at the frog pond as a kid.

I will try to get some photos on line,I love the pond it has three waterfalls and is just off the deck where I spend most of my summer days.The sound is so relaxing.

Thanks again really appreciate the advice,so helpful!!

Patty 74

 

[j.w]

Oops, hope you left some of the nice algae on the sides of your liner cuz it is quite beneficial to the pond. If not remember to not scrub the sides of the pond for next time. Just scoop out the muck and let the nice fuzzy green carpet grow on the liner. It also makes it look more natural :lol: