BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Water Gardens getting my garden to work

We started a very small water garden last summer. We tried to put fish and plants in it, but everything died and it was constantly filled with algae. We had a filter and a pump, but that did nothing. We are in Wisconsin. The biggest part is a 35 gallon pond, and then we have a small whiskey barrel liner that it flows into. The fish are just in the 35 gallon part. It is in the sun most of the time. Any ideas before we start again this year?

Hi, I am really new to this forum thing but I would like to try to help you. My husband owns a garden center in OH (has for 25 years)we have a couple large water gardens and have found that the more surface of the water covered (ie plants) the less algae grows. This will also help give the fish shade and puts other stuff in the whole eco system. I am not sure of all the technical terms. If the fish were left in pond over winter, the water is probably too shallow. I hope this helps, you might try contacting a local garden center with a little knowldge in water gardens

I think you are possibly putting too many fish in your little pond. 2 tiny goldfish is about all it can support and then never feed them. Be sure you have at least 10 bunches of submerged vegetation in there and 60% or so of the surface of the pond covered with floating vegetation. Start over and don't forget the dechlor.


Jan

In Australia we have a plant that is called "Duck Weed". It is a surface plant, mulitplies very quickly, keeps the fish protected from the sun and birds AND keeps the algae at bay.

Here in New Orleans, once we get duckweed, we always have duckweed.....always!! We use water hyacinths for fast cover. At least we can compost them when they overcome the pond. But watch out for hyacinths, they will crawl through the cracks in your house and attack you in your sleep