Frogs and mysteries

[tom00_uk]

Originally Posted by Falcn

'Dilution is the solution to pollution' - a saying from the aquarium hobby. In effect when something dies start a regime of small water changes.

thats what people thought for years, hence why so much stuff was dumped in rivers to be washed into the sea, unfortunately it does not work out that way in many cases

small water changes in a fish tank should happen as part of the husbandry routine and should not commence only when a something has died

[Falcn]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

thats what people thought for years, hence why so much stuff was dumped in rivers to be washed into the sea, unfortunately it does not work out that way in many cases

small water changes in a fish tank should happen as part of the husbandry routine and should not commence only when a something has died

I don't think I said ONLY, but thank you for your 'correction'.
I'm glad I found out what sort of forum this is before I invested too much into joining the community.

[Feverfew]

Thanks everyone.

Pond update: now that the new water (all tap water) has had time to settle, the pond is crystal clear . Something has eaten the dead pregnant females (a hedgehog or a fox perhaps?). No sign of frog(s) but then I haven't been looking. I have left the waterfall running. The plant centre say it is too early to have acquatic plants in yet, but I will start stocking the pond in March.

Thanks to everyone for their advice, it has been most instructive and helpful.

[sarahwest]

Hi Feverfew
Just one last tip, if you put a tennis ball on your pond before winter, then it can help to keep an area ice free as it bobs around (if it's very cold it will freeze around it but it might help a bit). Also, regarding oxygenating plants, I'd definitely get some oxygenators, particularly the ones that lie low in the water (submerged) and I don't think you have to wait before putting these in. These are better than lilies and other emergent plants (those that come up out of the surface of the water) because as someone said above these can make the problem worse by stopping light getting to lower levels of the pond.
Good luck with it and let us know how you get on!

[Dragonyka]

Originally Posted by Feverfew

Thanks everyone.
The plant centre say it is too early to have acquatic plants in yet, but I will start stocking the pond in March.

I got my plants from puddle plants and they said that you can put them in at any time of year, just don't expect them to grow during the winter (sort of makes sense really!) I've put all my pond and bog plants in earlier this week (new pond, just finished) and they're doing fine. I can see that the bog plants especially are already starting to grow. Besides, it's not long until March now

[Littlesparrow]

Thanks for the link, Dragonyka, I've ordered a couple of oxygenating plants.

[Dragonyka]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could help someone else for a change