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Tub water feature

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Elizabeth13, Aug 11, 2012.

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  1. Elizabeth13

    Elizabeth13 Gardener

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    Hello all

    I have added a tub water feature to my garden..

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    But already they pebbles are turning green and there is larvae in the water.

    What can i do to help with either of these?
     
    • Like Like x 2
      Elizabeth13, Aug 11, 2012
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    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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      Hi Elizabeth, one of the problems is that there are nutrients in the water and that plus sunlight feed algae and the like. I take it that the water originally came from a tap? One of the solutions would be to put something in the water feature that you haven't got at the moment.........plants. One of two marginal plants in aquatic pots would take the nutrients out of the water naturally as they would use it to grow. That would deny the algae food to grow.
      I am slightly surprised that you have larvae in the water as it is moving water and normally things like Mosquito larva don't like moving water. However, a couple of small fish in the water feature would solve that problem!!:snork:
       
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        ARMANDII, Aug 11, 2012
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      • Elizabeth13

        Elizabeth13 Gardener

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        I don't know if i could have fish.. Not sure it's big enough??

        I have thought about plants. Any you could suggest?
        I don't want it to look messy nor want something huge that will go 'mad' as it is only a small little feature.
         
        Elizabeth13, Aug 11, 2012
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      • Elizabeth13

        Elizabeth13 Gardener

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        Oh, and i keep scooping the little beggers (larvae) out with my little net and leaving them to dry out. That'll teach them!
         
        Elizabeth13, Aug 11, 2012
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      • catztail

        catztail Crazy Cat Lady

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        • Like Like x 1
          catztail, Aug 11, 2012
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          A couple of small gold fish wouldn't go amiss. They don't grow all that fast and will add more interest .:snork:

          Marginal Plants??? Well, there's Acorus gramineus, Marsh Marigold, Japanese Water Iris, Water Mint, Water Buttercup, which could go in the corners and you can easily keep them in check. In fact, the more often you divide them the more they will grow and the more nutrients they will take out keeping your water clear.:coffee:
           
          ARMANDII, Aug 11, 2012
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        • Elizabeth13

          Elizabeth13 Gardener

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          Hey all

          Brought myself some little fishies! Three mini gold fishes, and two shubunkin.
          Got a bunch of crispy, a nice grassy deep plant, and something else.. I've already forgotten what its called, but it's a floaty with sort of spade/arrow shape leaves in red/green. Apparently it's a hard one to keep to come back over christmas but i'll give it a go.
           
          Elizabeth13, Aug 12, 2012
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          Any pics of the plants:heehee: You'll need to know what they are so that you'll know that they will do the job of taking the nutrients out of the water, but you're obviously enjoying the experience!!:snork:
           
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            ARMANDII, Aug 12, 2012
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          • Elizabeth13

            Elizabeth13 Gardener

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            I have also just purchased 2x water hyacinth's :)
            Another lovely floaty, and if i look after through winter it will give me lovely lilac flowers.

            We quickly made ourselves an anti-cat cover too, as you can see for when we're not about :)

            [​IMG]
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            [​IMG]
            [​IMG]
            [​IMG]
             
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              Elizabeth13, Aug 12, 2012
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            • ARMANDII

              ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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              Good idea about the mesh cover, Elizabeth:snork: I think, by the look of the pics, the "grassy deep thing" you bought is Eleocharis or "Hair Grass". You're right about the Water Hyacinth, it is tender and will need to be taken indoors before the temperature drops too much. If you get the chance drop into the local Charity shop and buy a cheap book of water gardening. Your feature may only be small but it's amazing how much you'll find in the book that will be of interest to you:snork:
               
              ARMANDII, Aug 12, 2012
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            • pamsdish

              pamsdish Total Gardener

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              I think it`s fabulous and know you will get great pleasure from it :spinning:
               
              pamsdish, Aug 12, 2012
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            • revin helen

              revin helen Gardener

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              The floaty in the picture looks like a water chestnut, yes the thing you find in chinese cooking and no they don't fruit in this country. your very lucky I haven't seen them on sale for years.
               
              revin helen, Aug 12, 2012
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            • Elizabeth13

              Elizabeth13 Gardener

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              Your right, thats what the chappy at the garden centre said - water chestnut.
              They have loads of them for sale at Wards Nursery in Dronfield :)
              Only £2.49
               
              Elizabeth13, Aug 13, 2012
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            • Elizabeth13

              Elizabeth13 Gardener

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              I have some lovely water hyacinths purchased off.. ebay! .. by a very nice seller who really has some lovely stock.
              Here's my mini pond now.. No more plants for me!

              [​IMG]
               
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                Elizabeth13, Aug 17, 2012
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              • Bilbo675

                Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                Hi Elizabeth, its looking good :dbgrtmb:

                You might be selling some water hyacinth back to him when they start spreading :heehee:, I put one in my bucket and its produced over 12 more so far and I've had to take some out and give them away :dbgrtmb:
                 
                Bilbo675, Aug 17, 2012
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