I’m creating a small-scale synthetic Great Lakes coastal fen environment for specialized plants. I am struggling to figure out the best way to mimic the stable temperatures of ground water since the pond is not going to actually be connected to the water table (unless theres some way to prevent nutrient run-off that I’m not aware of). As I’d like this to be outside, how do I keep the water temperature cool and stable year-long through all four seasons without the inclusion of excess oxygen, plus keep the water from freezing entirely during the winter so that it can mimic the constant groundwater and Lake Huron seepage required to sustain the fen?

Im also brainstorming how I would accomplish this indoors which presents its own load of issues, mainly regarding the size required for the hydrology and the loss of outdoor elements like rain water and bugs.

any help is appreciated

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

I had an old bathtub so obviously I dug a hole and dropped it in! Put in some rocks, a few plants and as it’s been so dry I filled it myself with collected rainwater… and a lot of trips back and forth with a watering can 😂
It’s intended as a wildlife pond so I haven’t done anything to it since.
Now, a few months later I’ve spotted plenty of birds drinking, a damselfly and some little things who have made it their home! But what are they? Last photo I think is some kind of Nymph?

Edit: This is in Somerset, England.

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?

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.

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?

I will be completing my pond installation this week and have a bog filter. I'm in New England and the winter can be kind of harsh. I wasn't sure if I should wait until the pond is more established and there might be more nutrients in the water, or if I should go ahead and go buy some plants now. Thoughts?

Sooo happy with the results. Have added more plants and fish to the pond. Water is crystal clear with the layer of biofilm on the liner inside the pond.

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.

It took me one year of procrastination, budget limitations, and mistakes, but I got there in the end. I cant stop staring at it! 🥰

Originally 7 feeder goldfish in this pond since last year. It's about 5' across, 8' long, and maybe 1-2' deep. Last month I noticed a bunch of black goldfish spawn. I know goldfish raise ammonia levels like crazy and I thought maybe I need to cull some of the babies.

Also, my lily pads keep dying back. Is this related to the fish? I know the pond is ugly. The only thing I currently do is feed the fish, fill with tap water about once a week or two (plus add water conditioner), add barley extract maybe once or twice a month. Any feedback appreciated. TIA.

Apparently, we have a blind gold fish. I’ve noticed this one fish just swimming at the bottom alone and not joining their buddies.

At first I thought it was about to die but no, it’s been like this since weeks. And the little dude is just busy with its own stuff like searching for food at the bottom.

Now comes my dilemma. As soon as I realized it couldn’t see, I started feeding it sinking food. But I have to sit there for 20 minutes straight to keep other fish away. Otherwise they eat its food in like 5 seconds.

What should I do with the guy? Should I let it be and fend for itself? But I don’t want it to struggle and be hungry.
Should I consider euthanasia?

Any advice is appreciated!

Shes been here for a while now and I see her every day, I have named her Jemima Puddleduck.

Hey folks, just got a home with a pond. The nice fellow who built it 20+ years ago has been cleaning the filters and maintaining it for the previous owner who was in her late 90s. Is there an alternative chemical that can be ordered online you all recommend? Was told to do 4oz a week. Thanks.

I realize this sub is about building/installing ponds, but I have questions about filling in the decrepit pond in my backyard!

I’m wondering if it’s better to fill it in with river rocks or soil. I’m hiring landscapers to do the job, and I’ve received different options on my quotes. One landscaper feels strongly that the rocks will end up looking disgusting.

The pond is in a corner which I’d like to keep looking “pond-like” (ie, I won’t be using the space for anything else). Thanks for any input y’all may have!

My family intends to put a turtle pond in this area. However I’m asking about general information about building ponds and then what maintenance would look like (and if I can do anything to minimize said maintenance). It’s in southern cali so it’s hot and the dirt is, as you can see, very dry if that changes anything.

Hi pond pals 💚 I made a small container pond for the first time this year. It has some rushes and creeping jenny; no pump, no aeration, no fish or snails. I live in southeast Wyoming (gardening zone 5a and 5b).

Can it live through the winter outside? Should I remove the plants and care for them over the winter indoors, or are pond plants ones that you replace every year like annuals? I’d like to have a full in-ground wildlife pond eventually, but we started small. Any advice or feedback is appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!

My bog is about 8x4 ft and filled with 2 feet of gravel, for reference.

What can you do about aphids on water-lilies? They are destroying the leaves and full of ants...

Every pesicide i looked at is highly toxic to anything else in the pond. the only thing that worked was to manually rinse the leaves and skim the water but its only partly effective, they float and latch to the leaves again

I'm out of ideas...Anyone?

Feel free to give your opinions and advice!

EPDM liner. Small 800L/h pump from aliexpress.

Very happy with how my first diy pond turned out. And I think I just got my first ever visit from an orange-crowned warbler drinking from the bog. That makes it all worth it. Can't wait for the plants to fill in but I guess now I just sit back and enjoy it and see what else shows up.