Re: habitat/ponds

Donna, it's just like when you shut off your pumps up north for the winter.  
Same principle.  If there are sufficient plants, and minimal fish, then the 
plants (oxygenators)  create oxygen during the day.  There is ample surface 
space.  One just has to have a good balance.

The only ponds that have pumps in them are the two larger in ground ponds, 
since they have goldfish, one butterfly Koi, and turtles.  I do also like the 
sound of the water, and get plenty of that with just the two ponds.....each one 
has a stream and a separate spill off of some sort (waterfall, whiskey barrel, 
etc.). The streams help to filter the water, as well as each spill off going 
through a bio-filter.  All the other in ground and container ponds have no 
pumps at all.

I don't have typical  Koi ponds, per se.  As you know, Koi need much more 
filtration and oxygen than other pond fish, especially in our heat....and since 
Koi are known to eat plants, there usually are fewer plants in these ponds.   
My ponds are all watergardens though, rather than fish ponds, so have much more 
plant material than anything else.  The plants act as natural filtration and 
produce oxygen.   My ponds are always clear, and with the coverage of the 
plants the water stays cool.  I don't have any cold blooded fish (goldfish or Koi) 
in these ponds, but rather Gambusi (native mosquito fish) and in the warmer 
months a few tropical fish, like Bettas, or Gourami, etc.  These particular 
tropical fish are anabantoids and don't require as much filtration or aeration as 
many others might.  So between minimal fish and tons of plants, the ponds 
stay clear.

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast 

In a message dated 1/26/2004 8:38:33 AM Central Standard Time, 
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:
Noreen- or anyone...

How do you add more oxygen to the pond without some kind of circulation?
I would think your area (heat) would cause more of a problem than here.
Just curious, doubt I would change my set up as I enjoy hearing the
water via the falls.



Donna

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