Pine cones, needles

[Namor]

I was hoping to cut out a section for a pond in the middle of the lower part of the deck here-


http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj177/Namor_Sask/y.jpg

- but there is constantly both pine cones & needles falling in the area. Are there any setbacks to keeping a screen cover over the pond for a majority of the time?

Also wondering if some do fall in, would they pose a danger to water quality or be a risk if they were nibbled on?

[Soggybottom]

From what I've read (not much) pine debris is not significantly more harmful than any other tree, but any organic matter left to decompose in the pond will acidify the water and reduce water quality. A screen would probably be best, with the added bonus of keeping other vermin away if it is sturdy enough (herons, racoons) Otherwise you'll probably have to be out there every day scooping. You could look into skimmers, since needles float for a while, but I can't see it being 100% effective...

[Melody]

What a nice spot :smile: . I like the deck, we'll keep that and put the pond in front of that slanted part ok? Ok.

But, on the offchance that you won't let me plan your yard for you :laugh: , a screen would be a good idea I think. Too many leaves/needles will rot in the water, mess with your pH, clog filters and do all sorts of horrible things that we don't want. Some people use skimmers for that as well. A screen in the country may also serve as a barrier to the 'coons that will inevitably become your bad neighbours if they smell fish.:wideeyed:

Edit: Get outa my head Mr. SB!:twitcy:

[Namor]

Thanks guys, my thinking of putting it enclosed in the deck is, that i'd like to close in that area with some lattice. That would-

1- provide a "bit" more of a barrier against predators. :wideeyed:

2- give me a spot to plant peas around the area. (Hopefully would climb up the lattice.) :GEEK: &

3- add a windbreak to keep the bbq. from being blown out. :yes:

[CACAdmin]

2- give me a spot to plant peas around the area. (Hopefully would climb up the lattice.) :GEEK:
Sweat peas or the edible kind?
3- add a windbreak to keep the bbq. from being blown out. :yes:
Rather windy there is it? :wideeyed:

[Namor]

Sweat peas or the edible kind?

Rather windy there is it? :wideeyed:

:rofl:
imo- the only good "cooked" pea would be for fish, but i love 'em raw.

As for the wind, when it's bad, it can be downright nasty.:twitcy:

[CACAdmin]

I love peas raw straight out of the pod (great summer snack) or cooked. But by 'sweet peas' (spelling typo in original post :redface: ) I was referring to these flowering plants (http://www.iaosb.com/html/sweat_peas.html) which often grow 6 ft. tall (and the seeds of which are poisonous... so if you grow those, no eating please... raw or cooked :Worried:).

[Namor]

Yeah, i was talking edible, but thanks for that post.
It's to bad about those having poisonous seeds, it looks like a nice plant and would grow well out here.

[Soggybottom]

Eww sweat peas, thank goodness that was a typo!

[CACAdmin]

Eww sweat peas, thank goodness that was a typo!
:laugh: I could've gone back and just edited the typo (I usually do when I spot the ones I make ... and I make tons of them) but I figured somebody would get a laugh by letting it stand.

[Melody]

I love the smell of sweet peas :smile: ... and I also love fresh peas... and cooked ones for that matter.

Well if you insist on doing something YOU want to do or <GASP!> something practical, I think its a great idea. ::D:

[Soggybottom]

I figured somebody would get a laugh
Whats that you say? Small things amuse small minds? I heard that a lot growing up :wideeyed:

Namor if you are putting up a trellis as a windbreak maybe that will keep most of the tree debris out. Maybe that and a skimmer would be enough. There are skimmers that float and move around, but I think they might be too big. Sorry, thinking out loud here and I'm having a hard time finding decent links to pond gear online. I bet bird netting would not be very noticeable, for the cones, and then a skimmer could take care of the needles...

[Namor]

Well if you insist on doing something YOU want to do or <GASP!> something practical, I think its a great idea. ::D:


:laugh:

I rarely do anything that turns out to be "practical".

[ChrissyFishy]

A pond will be very pretty there :smile: When are you starting?

[Namor]

Thanks, when i get to start this is all up to mother nature, most of the yard is still covered in snow. :err:

[Melody]

Then you should do what we all do to pass the time - order stuff. :ChargeIt:

If I had a big pond, I'd get Butterfly/Long Fin Koi. Every year a store here gets them in and every year I entertain the thought of getting them. Every year I have to remember that a 90G is no place for a Koi and every year I sulk. Its a tradition. :yes:

[ChrissyFishy]

SNOW!!!! It's going to be 16 or something like that today here!!!! :Holiday-4:

[CACAdmin]

Well Namor, I'm assuming the snow must be gone by now and so having looked at Waterpond's thread (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3862) about the constuction of his new pond, I thought I'd inquire as to whether you were still going to tackle your pond project. Did his slide show inspire you?

[Namor]

Did his slide show inspire you?
:yes: It sure did. :yes:

:ChargeIt: Looks like painting the house will have to wait till next year.

Not entirely sure on what the plans will be, other than the deck will be staying intact.
:Think: That should make someone around here happy.:WhoMe: :Angel: :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Deck staying intact? Hmmmm.... somehow that's beginning to sound like a larger pond than originally planned.:wink:

[Melody]

Not entirely sure on what the plans will be, other than the deck will be staying intact.
:Think: That should make someone around here happy.:WhoMe: :Angel: :laugh:

I know, I decided that a long time ago, remember? :laugh:

And we (meaning you) are getting Butterfly Koi too.::D:

[Namor]

Deck staying intact? Hmmmm.... somehow that's beginning to sound like a larger pond than originally planned.:wink:

:yes: It appears so, but now the question is what's going to be the hardest part?
Planning, building, or keeping Brandy out of the water?:rolleyes:

Ohhh... yeah... Melody, i guess that was a more "practical" idea of yours after all.:notworthy:

[CACAdmin]

what's going to be the hardest part?
Planning, building, or keeping Brandy out of the water?:rolleyes:
Probably the latter... and here you thought you had things pretty much under control... except for her occasional escape through the fence.:laugh: .)