pond without pump or filter

[bigwig]

I was just wondering about the feasibility of setting up a pond without a pump or filter. I have heard of others who have done this, but was wondering whether the water would just become stagnant and smelly ? Would we need to kepp cleaning it out every 2-3 months ? Has anyone got a pond without a filter or pump in ?

[Dillibags]

Hi there, yes I've got a pond (just built early on this year, couldn't get an electrician to come out to install electric cable for love nor money ), so looked at alternative methods.

Lots of oxygenating (sp?) plants.
Straw pads.
Snails.
and last but not least a solar powered oxygenator which works wonderfully on the odd occasion the sun shines

I do still get quite a bit of algae but quite enjoy clearing it out - do a bit every few days, but make sure I always leave a decent amount for the tadpoles.

You also need to make sure you don't site the pond anywhere it's likely to get a lot of dead leaves dropping into it.

It's certainly not stagnant or smelly, but then I haven't had it through a winter yet! I would definitely go for it, I love mine, just sit by it in the evenings watching, it's great fun, the birds love it too!

[Kayleigh]

Hi bigwig,

I have had my pond three years now all I do is rake the weed/plants off the surface with garden rake..
Like Dillibags said lots of oxygenators, I have only used straw this year I also have watercress to keep down the nutrients that lead to blanket weed.

[coasty]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Hi bigwig,

I have had my pond three years now all I do is rake the weed/plants off the surface with garden rake..
Like Dillibags said lots of oxygenators, I have only used straw this year I also have watercress to keep down the nutrients that lead to blanket weed.

I have a pond without fountain pump filter in fact everything,... It does have some shade and lots of plants and a very healthy ecosytem.. I think for a pond to thrive you need to consider that area and depth are the two factors that will decide if its viable.. My pond is about 8ft diam and around 2ft6" dp has one water lily some marginals and some oxygenators, It gets netted every autumn to stop it filling with leaves but apart from that in 20 years I think I have completely cleaned it twice.. The goldfish breed The frogs well theres hundreds and even has resident population of dragonflies.. When you fill pond the first year it will probably be a little variable ie may go green or crystal clear you may get blanket weed, It may take a year for it to settle down...

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by bigwig

I was just wondering about the feasibility of setting up a pond without a pump or filter. I have heard of others who have done this, but was wondering whether the water would just become stagnant and smelly ? Would we need to kepp cleaning it out every 2-3 months ? Has anyone got a pond without a filter or pump in ?

Plenty of oxygenator plants such as Rigid Hornwort will keep the water healthy as will a thriving ecosystem of aquatic animals in your pond. If you want to kickstart the animal life in your pond you could get a bucketful of sludge and water from a nearby pond and stick it in.

Cheers,

Adam

[Marineboy]

My pond is 13 feet across and about 4 feet deep at one point, lined with a heavy blacl pond liner. No pump, no straw, and the mud at the bottom is actually sweet smelling - nothing nasty about it. My way of thinking is if you want a natural pond for wildlife, just keep it simple. Nature does alright without having to fit electrical pumps and filters so why not just let nature look after it. But if are going to put fish in there it might be a different situation!

[bigwig]

The pond is only a small one with a wooden surround - its called a stokholm pond. I have another one set up, which does have a pump. The snails live in that pond and seem to be doing quite well as they are frequently seen shagging one another and there are several baby snails, too.

I would like to add 2 shubumkins and 1 orfe to this new pond. Been told that they do not grow to be large fish and therefore will be suited to a smaller pond environment ?? Will that be ok ?? Already have some plants and am going to buy more, plus lots of oxygenators.

I have oxygenators in the other 2 ponds, the kind that comes in a bunch with a lead weight. I asked the guy in shop how they work as they have no root system, so I thoight they would die after a couple of weeks and need replacing. He told me that they draw nutrients from the water through the leaves and don't need roots ??? So, why do the floating plants have a root system then ??

[forfi]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

If you want to kickstart the animal life in your pond you could get a bucketful of sludge and water from a nearby pond and stick it in.

Cheers,

Adam

Drat ,I was going to sell that idea for 1s9p by mail-order.
It works a dream,someone gave me that tip and in no time flat I had diving beetles ,skaters,dragonflies and all manner of beasties . Snails too and all-in-all the pond balanced after about 2 years.

[shutterbox]

Hi Bigwig, if you are going to put in Orfe it is recommended you put in a minimum of three as they are a shoaling fish but don't worry they will only grow in relation to the size of your pond. They don't need a lot of looking after either, i have both Shubumkins and Golden Orfe they both thrive in a small pond 8ft x 5ft and 3ft deep at one end. I have a pump but no filter i just use barley straw replaced once a year. We have had the pond 12 years now with no major problems,here are two images of the fish, It is nice to sit beside the pond and relax with a glass or two i hope you enjoy yours in years to come......JIM

[Kayleigh]

Why put fish in a wildlife pond..They eat all the wildlife and the water will be harder to keep clean..

Its like having a wildlife garden then introducing a cat, top predator.