Pond plants and shade ideas

looking for advice...

My pond gets full sun pretty much all day and really needs some shade...for the fish and to help reduce algae production.


Think I need somehing outside the pond in a pot that will arch over and make shade maybe?

Also wanting some ideas on aquatic plants that the fish aren't going to dessimate?

Any thoughts appreciated as always

 

Looks like you have a Koi pond?
Most Koi people dont have plants, I believe, they rely on filters and UV lights to keep the water clear.

Overhanging plants are a bit of a no no, as they tend to drop leaves into the pond.

 

Yep, 2"weve got the uv filters etc and had it all cleaned but have read the best way to reduce the floating algae is for some shade to reduce production. I've since read you can get special baskets to stop the koi from eating roots of plants. Hmmm.

 

Put in a pond skimmer for floating algae?

 

Thanks, never heard of a pond skimmer before. Looked it up and seems like its just for leaves etc. When i say floating algae I mean suspended in the water type of green algae.

 

I've seen Koi ponds with a roof built overhead (in a Japanes/Chines style pagoda style)
The sides were left completely open. A Pagoda style roof would look nice in your place.

In the absence of a roof, your other options are either, increase the capacity of your pumps or, reduce your number of Koi.

 

Thanks @kindredspirit I had a feeling that reducing the fish would help. Thing is the koi are all about 10-15yrs old and the last owner left them as stress of moving can kill them and theyve already been moved twice. (Its amazing u can tell they are getting stressed as the white ones turn pink whete their blood is flowing closer to the surface of their skin)

I'm thinking an additional filter is the other option.

Pagoda wise I dont think mr snorky would go for it. He already wants to take down the other pergola thing we have (but i wont let him). Hmmm. Might take a trip to the aquatics centre again today and see what they suggest.

 

So: no overhanging plants; no pergola; no koi reduction;



Why not use a patio parasol? You can position it where it is most needed, remove it in the colder weather and (depending on quite how your sun falls) you could even position it on the gravel area, maybe with a small stool so you could also sit there and watch your fish? Win:win!

 

"Floating Algae" is that blanket weed?

 

That's a great idea @"M" ....simples!

Floating algae...I actually meant suspended algae. It's not actually blanket weed but green particles floating in the water that makes it green. The blanket weed is relatively easy to fish out as I've got a fluffy rod.lol

We use pond bombs etc too but they don't really clear the suspended algae. i think we do need a bigger filter. We have a good oase biotic filter but i dont think it pumps enough water through per hour. But an upgrade will cost ££££.

 

Rather than Ms parsols, perhaps a "sail" would be simpler to errect, cover better and cheaper.
Just google " Garden Sail " to see such items
eg Kookaburra® 3m Triangle Ivory Party Sail Shade (Woven - Water Resistant) £16.99

 

@ricky101 that is a brilliant idea. I like the triangular one and i could probably attach it to the heron guarding along the side. When I'm home after this weekend i'll measure it up. Brilliant!

 

@ARMANDII im going to get some plants too and fashion some baskets that will hang off the side which will try and stop the koi from attacking the roots!