Newts and water snails

[moocho]

Hi, A couple of years ago i found about 30 newts of varying ages under a slab at the bottom of the garden, i didn't know i had them, although ive had a couple of frogs before.
So i put in a small pond for them, last year i found some baby newts which pleased me, i had also put in about five water snails, the snails have now taken over the pond, thought the newts and occasional frog might have eaten them.
Will the newts be ok with the vast amount of snails?
Think ive got smooth and palmate newts, have seen some pregnant newts, haven't seen as many newts as when i first found them.
The pond doesn't get a lot of sun, i put the pond close to the slab so the newts wouldn't have far to find water. I don't cut the grass where the pond is.
Any advice would be most welcome. Thank you.
Sarah.

[nightshade]

Hello sarah it sounds as if you have done everything right,the snails do not seem to have any predators though, so you may need to thin them out,perhaps start a business with the local aquatics centre or work out a trade!
welcome to the best site on the web

[moocho]

Hello Nightshade,
Thanks for your reply, i agree this is a wonderful forum, so much information and great photos, i will learn a lot about our wildlife and how to encourage them into my garden. I really don't want to kill the snails, i will ask around.
I meant to have also asked is it alright for some grass to be growing in the pond, its around the edge on one side and does the pond have to be cleaned out, i haven't touched it apart from topping the water level in summer.

[nightshade]

Sarah it would grow that way naturally,trim it if there is no danger of falling in if you do!
the snails should keep the water clean enough,carefully remove any debris if it makes you feel happier about it.Cleaning will help oxygen levels.examine anything you do remove and put back any wildlife how about some pics of the pond?

[moocho]

Hi Nightshade,
Thanks for your reply, at the moment my camera isn't working, once i get it sorted then i try to post some photos.
Would the grass help oxygenate the pond and would the newts lay eggs on the grass?
How long would it take for the pond to fully support life, like insect life etc, i did feed the newts last year as i didnt think there was anything for them to eat, as it was a new pond.
Was i wrong to feed them?
Sarah.

[nightshade]

Hello sarah,the grass will not oxygenate the pond if it is just going to be for amphibians
a little pond weed would be beneficial,yes if the grass is in the water and there are no other plants they will lay their eggs on it
Feeding,the newt tads will graze algae then be looking for insect larva etc the adults are already on larger food animals, chopped worms are a good supplement for the little ones but remove any uneaten so as not to encourage harmfull bacteria .
Your pond is 12months old and should have other things living in it, I started my new pond with a small jar of pond water to introduce daphnia and other food creatures