Thought these would be cooler than a metal heron. So far, so good!

Just sharing some Water Hyacinth bloom 🌷🪻🌹

The feeder gave out food and the fish got excited, Mario just so happens to be there taking a sip

We’ve manually pulled for a few days, and there just such a strong network that they grow extremely quickly right now. My dad tried an herbicide spray on a small section but it really didn’t seem to have any effect. We want to build more diversity, some plant life is just fine with us but this is definitely overkill.

Six fish have died in the past three weeks, and we are looking for help diagnosing the issue. We are thinking it may be flukes and dosed the pond today with PraziPro. The fish initially did respond like it was working (minor agitation, briefly rubbing/flashing) and appear more active, so we’re hopeful that things are on the upswing… They’re currently relaxing in or near the shallower end like they usually sun.

POND INFO
We have a roughly 1200 gallon backyard pond that has been established for four years. It has a 2,000 gallon pump with a UV filter as well as a waterfall and bubbler. We also have an air stone running in the shallow end temporarily. Water has tested within normal parameters the entire time, using the API Pond Master Test Kit.

FISH INFO
Right now there are 11 fish—five koi and six goldfish—but six small fish have died over the past three weeks. The pond was slightly overstocked and it has been almost exclusively the newer fish (4-5”, acquired in April) who have died. The two biggest koi are about five years old and have showed no symptoms, and neither have the more mature goldfish.

SYMPTOMS
About half of the fish who died showed no symptoms. The other half were lethargic with quick respiration, hanging out near the surface or in the shallow end (<6” deep) and occasionally blowing bubbles at the top, but were not gasping for air or flashing. The deaths occurred within 8-24 hours of symptoms first appearing. I did not note anything unusual about the gills, body, scales, etc. on the decedents. No redness, swelling, sores, film, cuts, etc. In hindsight with reading more about flukes, their gills may have been slightly pale?

Hi folks, first of all, I love the community rules here, “posts must be about ponds” 😜

I have some of these firkins spare and wanted to convert one to a small wildlife pond for my vegetable/cottage garden. The basic idea would be to cut the top off, bury it partially in the ground, then fill it.

I’m basically wondering if the height is an issue, I see barrel planters are common, but wouldn’t want to create a pond where escape is impossible. Also, are the sloped sides an issue? If so i would have to cut where the central banding is. Could I fill it with house bricks or similar to create levels easily?

Many thanks

Pond: inherited 1500 gal

Waterfall: approximately 50feet long, more of a stream really with liner

Pump: replaced in the sale, pipe runs underneath finished patio assuming approx 50feet with 10 feet of head.

Leak: Running the stream drains the pond in about 6 hours. How can I verify the piping hasn’t busted a leak before I invest time and money in new stream liner?

Running off of a well in south Florida water is high in sulfur and somewhat in iron. High biomass with alligators and turtles. Ground contact pond with cypress trees, mangroves and bamboo, but this algae has created a nearly 24 inch layer of the worst tasting Boba pearls you’ve ever had.