more pond advice please

[bigwig]

Hi Again

As mentioned in a previous post we have 2 small ponds in our garden. One has a wooden surround and sits on the patio, the other we sunk into the ground on a raised area in the corner of the garden ( it used to be a rockery ). Both ponds have a kidney shaped basket of plants, which are sat on a breeze block each, as well as a couple of other pots I made up myself. There is no sloped access/exit point though, so will this be a problem for anyone who decides to move in ? The baskets could be used as a kind of stepping stone I suppose.

Would we need to create a proper wildlife pond to attract wildlife or is what we have ok ?

[Kayleigh]

Hi bigwig,
as long as the baskets are near the edge and can be used as a stepping stone, then anything getting in and out shouldn't find it a problem.
My friend has the same set up and has frogs in hers.
Just remember toads cant jump that easy so they will need a bridge or something so they can climb out.
I have ivy growing over the edge of mine and this gives something for them to grip.
The newts use it to climb up too.

[Lance Morgan]

Sound alright to me. I presume there is some cover or vegetation, rocks etc to provide a refuge and shelter for frogs toads etc. Plants for insects and as long as it is not sited in the middle of a well manicured lawn

[bigwig]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Sound alright to me. I presume there is some cover or vegetation, rocks etc to provide a refuge and shelter for frogs toads etc. Plants for insects and as long as it is not sited in the middle of a well manicured lawn

Neither is situated on the lawn. Both have baskets of plants, floating plants and oxygenators. There is gravel and pebbles on the bottom. Also have a fountain and small net of barley straw in both. There are several little hidy places created by the pebbles and baskets.

[bigwig]

As mentioned before there are no fish in the ponds. We were told that we needed filters to be able to keep fish. I spoke to my local aquatic centre and was told we could just try 2 fish and do a partial water change every 2 months, but they recomended that we buy a small combined filter/pump to have the best chance of sucess. These units are almost £100 and we have already bought a pump, so don't cannot afford to spend more.

Has anyone got a pond with fish and no filter ? If so, is it difficult to maintain and do you really need to do partial water changes every 2 months ? Thnx

[Dogghound]

As a basic rule fish and wildlife dont mix well, so you need to decide which type of pond you want. Secondly fish will survive in small numbers but species like goldfish and tench which require little oxygen.

[Kayleigh]

Wildlife ponds should really be fish free.
But if you put enough oxygenators and plants in they will keep the water clean. Yellow flag irises have a filtering affect not sure how many you would need.
Two fish shouldn't make any difference to water quality but will eat the wildlife.
Get yourself a water testing kit mine has lasted ages.

good luck.

[bigwig]

Thnx for all the replies Ummmm, I'm a little confused though ( 'scuse my ignorance in these matters ), as I thought that all ponds attract wildlife ? How do I make the distinction between the two ? Both our ponds are set up in the same way as regards plants, oxygenators, floating plants, aquatic snails, pebbles and gravel. Will I have to make changes to one of the ponds ? How do I stop wildlife from going into a pond that has fish in ?

Sorry for all the questions I did some research on internet and another forum and have been given somewhat conflicting advice.

Also, we have had snails in one of the ponds for about 4 weeks. I was under the impression that they breed like Rabbits ( no offense to my bunnies ), but there are no little snails yet. How long do they take to breed ?

[Kayleigh]

A wildlife pond contains no fish and ideally has sloping edges and is more or less left to get on with things without too much interference.
Wildlife will go in the pond regardless if it has fish or not.
Fish will eat the wildlife, there for less wildlife will survive in the pond with the fish.

The snails will lay little jelly eggs under leaves of pond plants. So just keep a look out for them.

[bigwig]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

A wildlife pond contains no fish and ideally has sloping edges and is more or less left to get on with things without too much interference.
Wildlife will go in the pond regardless if it has fish or not.
Fish will eat the wildlife, there for less wildlife will survive in the pond with the fish.

The snails will lay little jelly eggs under leaves of pond plants. So just keep a look out for them.

Thnx I imagined that if I fed the fish they wouldn't eat anything else that came in Haven't really decided what we are gong to do with the ponds yet. They were set up originally as water features, hence the lighting and fountains, but we might revise things. Thnx again for all the advice.

[dampflippers]

I would keep them without fish at least till next summer. Then you will know if you get frogs toads and newts naturally.

Yes, you need some sort of ramp in and out of the ponds: rocks, pebbles, gravel, sand, wood, planting baskets, overhanging plants, tubs with plants next to the wooden pond etc. Something that little tiny legs can climb as well as full sized frogs and toads and Hedgehogs.