Hello fellow ponders. I have been a long time lurker (going on 5 years to be exact) ever since my then, 12 year old son and I dug a hole in the ground, put in a liner , filled it up, put rocks around it and put a grand total of 65 fish in that first summer (not all at once...I'd add more as they kept dying). I now have about 29 comets, commons and shubunkins. I've also dug the pond 3 times now making it bigger each time, and gone thru 2 liners (I made the huge mistake of cutting the lst one) I'm guessing it's about 400 - 450 gallons. Don't know for sure. I also have about a 100 fry in a container born April 19th (my now 16th year old's birthday). I live in zone 4 or 5 depending on what chart you look at ...in beautiful Colorado.

I belong to a few other pond forums, as you can never have too much information. I have learned alot along the way, from this board, as well as others and I just wanted to say to you Robyn, that you are doing a great job. In light of everything that has evolved within the last 24 hours, do not despair. What you do here is not easy and we appreciate the time and effort that it takes. I think that you were treated unfairly by those you trusted and what galls me the most is how they emailed people from this board to "jump ship". They will find that there are some things that cannot be controlled, unless they approve all post. One forum I belong to is that way. What a nightmare for the moderator.

I joined today to tell you KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

Sabrillo

Welcome!

Thanks for the kind words. Why was it that you never joined before now? Sometimes perhaps it's better to stay out of the fray! We'd love to see some photos of your pond.

Thank you for the welcome. I didn't join before because I really felt that I had nothing to contribute. I am still in the process of learning everything I can. Who would have ever thought that wanting a pond would turn you into a crazy person. And my family does think that. They insult me and call me weird because I laughed hysterically at Wayne's story about the lady who saw the fish swimming outside his window. They call my fishes my other family. I clean the pond more than I clean the house. Agh, sad but true. I have Wayne's pond bookmarded and enter this site thru his. His pond is inspiring.

I will miss KK's arctic antics. She was a champion in her dedication in caring for her fish in the harshest of conditions. People come and they go. This is a great site and I will continue to visit daily. It is both informational and at times, entertaining...despite the "fray"

You have plenty to contribute! If you've been reading this forum for five years, you should be an expert!

That's quite overstocked. For ponds the general rule is 20 gallons per goldfish.

Welcome Sabrillo!

Don't ever feel you have nothing to contribute! It always helps even just to have a different opinion on things! Everyone here can learn something from every one else. :D

Derrick

I absolutely agree. I learn the most from people just starting out because they often ask questions that I never even thought about or have issues that I've never come across before. It's those who have been doing this a long time that often overlook the obvious.

Jayesh,

Perhaps it is overstocked, but I do frequent (almost daily) cleanings getting the gunk out from that settles in the bottom of the pond. When I remove water, I add new water. I am ashamed to say that I never check the water parameters. I just check the fish health. They seem happy and healthy, and when they are not, I bring them in to treat them with meds and release them when they are better. IBut who hasn't passed by the fish and gotten "just one more". For that I am guilty. I have to keep up with the snakes that come and take my fish and also this year a racoon. I also have foxes that come and go, ocassionaly a deer or two, skunks and I live in the city.

I have learned though that the most important feature is the filter. I built a skippy filter last month (only 18 gallons) and it finally seems to be kicking in. I have a 900 gallon pump that pumps to the skippy and that feeds the waterfall. I also have a 300 gallon pump that pumps year round for additional aeration. The green algae is finally starting to subside and I"m hoping to get rid of the brown tint that I am experiencing. I am waiting for my water hyacinth to arrive. My water lilies are just starting to hit the surface. I also have parrots feather, rush, and cattails. With all of this, I hope that it is good enough to have my pond overstocked.

Derrick,

Thanks for the welcome. It is always a learning experience and I loved your cheap filter. I really did get a kick out of that. Thanks for sharing. The brushes were really a good idea. But I think I have you beat as far a cheap goes. My "vacumn" is a clear 3/4 inch aquarium tubing (about 12 feet long) taped to a pole (so I can direct where I clean). I basically am syphoning the water out. Works really well too. The water that comes out goes into the garden. I can assure you that I will have no accumulated "mulm" ever. I can get away with it because I don't have a large pond. Hey, it works for me.

In some ways I am lucky that the only place to sell fish locally was Wal Mart, and it recently closed its fish department! So my fish stock has to be self sufficient. I gained 4 from last year as that was the amount of fry that survived in with the big guys.

I am currently trying to introduce tadpoles to my pond, but haven't had a lot of luck. But we all just keep working at it, keep learning and trying new things.

Glad you liked the filter! Your vacuum sounds like a cheapy I got...one of the ones you hook your hose to, can't remember the name.....when it comes to cheap, I'm there!! LOL :o :D :D

Just remember not to take every word said to you to heart. Every one has different ideas and opinions. It's all good usually. :P

Derrick

Hi sabrillo

Welcome from the UK :)
rgrds
broxandval Fishiedude

Welcome Sabrillo! Everyone contributes here whether they know it or not, great group of friends we have. Grouphug

Hello Sabrillo
Hope you find the forums helpful and friendly. After many years of searching pond forums, I finally found this one, and in my opinion, it is the friendliest and most helpful.

Welcome from Ontario Canada.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I really am glad to be here and I hope that in my small way that I can contribute too. I have always thought of this board especially, of being a very warm, close knit community whom I have come to know. A cirlce of friends, so to speak. I really feel that I know many of you through the years and perhaps now you can get to know me as well. When I came out of the shadows, I did so because I wanted to show Robyn my support. I think you are all wonderful people and thus, this is a wonderful board.

Happy ponding!!

Sabrillo, I'm so glad you joined us!