Pond plants and shade ideas

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Snorky85, Apr 11, 2017.

  1. Snorky85

    Snorky85 Total Gardener

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    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.

    IMG_8024.JPG IMG_8025.JPG
    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 :)
     
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    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.
     
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    • Snorky85

      Snorky85 Total Gardener

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      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.
       
    • kindredspirit

      kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

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      Put in a pond skimmer for floating algae?
       
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      • Snorky85

        Snorky85 Total Gardener

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        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.
         
      • kindredspirit

        kindredspirit Gardening around a big Puddle. :)

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        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.
         
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        • Snorky85

          Snorky85 Total Gardener

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          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.
           
        • "M"

          "M" Total Gardener

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          :blue thumb:
          :think3:
          :blue thumb:

          :think3:
          :Think:

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

          :think2:

          Why not use a patio parasol? :noidea: 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! :heehee:
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            "Floating Algae" is that blanket weed?
             
          • Snorky85

            Snorky85 Total Gardener

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

            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 ££££.:noidea:
             
          • ricky101

            ricky101 Total Gardener

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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              I use marginal plants to extract nutrients out of my pond, along with a integral bog garden which is fed with water from the pond. I do have fish in the pond but nothing on the scale of Koi carp which are eating and excreting machines:heehee: So the Koi will be adding greatly to the nutrient imbalance. More filters will solve the problem quicker while lining the sides with Marginals to extract the nutrients will be slower, but more natural.:dunno::coffee::snorky:
               
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              • Snorky85

                Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                @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!
                 
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                • Snorky85

                  Snorky85 Total Gardener

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                  @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! :blue thumb:
                   
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                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                    You can always use baskets with no holes in, instead of the expensive aquatic baskets, and just put enough holes in, with a hot screwdriver, or a drill, to admit water.:dunno::snorky: That way the plant will have enough access to the pond water, and take out the nutrients, without going out of control.:coffee:
                     
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