[mickeyboy]

Hi all, i have just built a raised pond which measures 3meters x1 x1m deep. So far i have got as far as building it. I was going to line pond with carpet and lay the liner but thats as far as my knowledge goes.
Do I fill it with water now or let nature do its work?
I intened to stock a few goldfish nothing special, just wonded on how to keep it clear?
I was also looking at those all in 1 hoselock pond filter and built in pump.
Not sure about plants, weeds, wildlife or anything really so any help anyone can offer me would begreatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mikeyboy

[sunshineband]

You've made a good start, mickeyboy but I would add a layer of samd over the old carpet before you put the liner on, as this will help ease it in smoothly and stop nayhting poking through.

Have you made a shelf around the inside or does it drop straight down 1m  because if you are going to include marginal plants they won't grow in 1m deep water.

and yes you'd need to fill it up usually but given the amount of rain at the moment you might want to wait and see how it goes 

You will need oxygenating plants and some that part cover the surface with leaves like water hawthorn or water lilies to keep it clear.

It is usual fro new ponds to go quite green in the spring and I use pads of barley straw in mine. Even with a pump and fliter the green algae cells get through

Hope all that helps

The shelf bit is quite important, and if hedgehogs fall in (they swim quite well) they have a chance of clambering out onto pots of lants on the shelf and then out of the pond 

You'll find pond life just turns up 

[mickeyboy]

Thanks for all your help no i have a shelf sloping down. Any idea of the ideal depth as i can always make it slightly more shallow?

Thanks again

Mike

[sunshineband]

Mick if you are going to have fish in it , it needs to be at least about 1m deep to avoid it freezing in the winter.

Water is at its densest at 4 degC so this heavier layer sinks to the bottom of the pond, and so there is always water (not ice) at the bottom so the fish and frogs in the mud etc all survive OK.

The slope will let hoggies climb out. They fall in more often that you might think 

Have you thought about planting at all?

[mickeyboy]

thanks alot for all your help. Want some nice plants in there and a little fountain but have not go a clue as to what would be best to plant so if you have any suggestions they will be greatly appreciated

You certainly seem to know you stuff on ponds, thanks again..#

mike

[darby]

I'd definately get some lillies in, and some floating plants - this gives shade/shelter for the fish.

It's also a good idea to put a clean, dark coloured bucket/large plant pot on it's side in the bottom (use stones to stop it from floating). This will give the fish somewhere to hide from cats/foxes/herons.

Also, as sunshineband says, get some oxygenating plants.

Some pond snails would be good as they keep the liner clean.

If you do fill it from the tap, allow a week or so for the chlorine or chloramine to clear before adding fish (you can get a water additive to speed this up).

[sunshineband]

Sudden thought -- leave adding the fish until the spring, around end of April or thereabouts 

[mickeyboy]

thanks very much for your help. i will keep u updated, thank you again

[sunshineband]

You're welcome 

[savbo]

don't buy new zealand pygmy weed or anything like it - invasive weed which spreads to nearby wetlands easily and takes over!

My favourite oxygenator is Crowfoot - not too rampant and lovely white buttercup flowers..

Flowering Rush (Butomus) is a nice marginal

MS

[mickeyboy]

don't buy new zealand pygmy weed or anything like it - invasive weed which spreads to nearby wetlands easily and takes over!

My favourite oxygenator is Crowfoot - not too rampant and lovely white buttercup flowers..

Flowering Rush (Butomus) is a nice marginal

MS

thanks i'll give them a go.

[mickeyboy]

thanks very much for your help. i will keep u updated, thank you again

AHHH is putting the fish in, in April essential?

Its just my mum is moving back up north and she has a load of goldfish which had babies this year. I was gong to catch these with a net and transfer to my pond. She may be moving just after Christmas.....

Thanks agaain for all your help
Mike

[sunshineband]

If the water has had a chnace to lose its chlorine, and they are from an outdoor pond (as opposed to an indoor tank) it's worth a try.

Make sure you don't let herons eat then though

[darby]

Transport the fish in water from your mum's pond. When you get them home, float the bag in your pond to allow the water temperature to equalise before releasing the fish.

If you transport them in a bucket, place it in your pond and bit-by-bit add water from your pond into the bucket to equalise the temperature.

This will prevent the fish being shocked by a sudden change in temperature.

[mickeyboy]

Thanks all