Pond looking awful

Bearfootfarm · #21 06/30/10, 10:49 AM

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Filled a pair of panty hose w/cornmeal

Doesn't that make it hard to swim?

Tricky Grama · #22 06/30/10, 02:34 PM

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Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Doesn't that make it hard to swim?

Definetly.

fishhead · #23 06/30/10, 03:09 PM

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Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

Anyone have an idea what a "reasonable" amount would be to pay a company to dig and prepare a half-acre pond?

That depends on a lot of factors. Topography, soil type , depth to water, equipment rate, and type of pond.

I was able to have my dikes built for $5/linear foot even with some special engineering so ponds cost me around $5,000/acre.

Equipment costs were $85/hr for the D-8 and medium sized track hoe. The big track hoe (40' reach and 5 yd bucket) was $170/hr.

gypsymama · #24 06/30/10, 03:25 PM

You might want to consider getting a fish called the Amur. They eat algea and don't reproduce.

fishhead · #25 07/01/10, 08:51 AM

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Originally Posted by oldasrocks

Another option to tie up the P out of the water is to sprinkle alum across the surface. It binds with the P and sinks it to the bottom where it gets covered with muck.

fish head where would you buy that much alum cheap?

I don't know but I do know that some lake management companies buy it in bulk. They treat entire lakes.

JasoninMN · #26 07/01/10, 10:21 AM

I use pond dye, algae can't grow when it doesn't get light. Can look a little funky though.

Rockin'B · #27 07/01/10, 04:24 PM

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Originally Posted by Matthew Lindsay

I have heard barley straw works best.

I use barley straw and I think it works quite well.We put a flake in an onion bag an spot a few around the edge.

motdaugrnds · #28 07/01/10, 06:32 PM

Thank you fishhead. At least that gives me ideas about the costs.

Grandmotherbear · #29 07/01/10, 07:52 PM

Per Google Amur is a Triploid White Grass Carp.

tamsam · #30 07/01/10, 08:00 PM

The cost depends on where you are. In Fla they used to buy fill from you and build a pond or lake as big as you wanted or could get permits for. Had a friend way back that got enough to build a very nice house just from selling fill and also had a very good fishing hole. Good luck with your ponds. Sam

motdaugrnds · #31 07/02/10, 07:22 AM

Oops, didn't intend on hijacking this thread. Sorry Deb

blooba · #32 07/02/10, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin'B

I use barley straw and I think it works quite well.We put a flake in an onion bag an spot a few around the edge.

yep, barley straw works great. http://www.gardeners.com/Barley-Ball...efault,pd.html

Farmrgirl · #33 07/02/10, 08:19 AM

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Originally Posted by Rockin'B

I use barley straw and I think it works quite well.We put a flake in an onion bag an spot a few around the edge.

I agree... try the barley straw pellets. When barley is exposed to water and sunlight it starts to decompose, creating a natural bacteria growth which starves out the algae. Barley bacteria grows slowly (3-8 weeks) but is said to outperform man-made bacteria.

Adding plants is a decent, but slow moving, option. Plants shade the water and compete for nutrients from the water while depriving algae of the sunlight penetration they need to flourish. Plus, if you have geese landing in your pond they'll feed the algae but the tall plants freak them out since they're paranoid about preditors. Tall plants will keep them away too.

Fish waste is an ideal food supply for algae. For healthy ponds keep only 1 inch of fish for every square foot of pond surface.

Heritagefarm · #34 07/02/10, 08:36 AM

Two years ago, we had horrid algae problems. Then the cows were gone, and suddenly the algae was gone. I think perhaps, the cows were disturbing the bottom of the pond. Now, it's crystal clear. It was also stocked last year.

fishhead · #35 07/02/10, 10:37 AM

The cattle could be stirring up the sediments and releasing the stored phosphorus. They are also depositing manure in the watershed where it gets carried into the pond every rain.