Hi...I'm new here, and I have a problem!

[doorframe]

Hi. As the title say's...I'm new here, and I have a problem!

A quick intro..... I'm over 40!!, I live in Essex, I've built and maintained 9 ponds of various size and shape, and considered myself a bit of an expert......until NOW!!

I learnt over 20yrs ago to avoid chemicals and 'quick fixes' when trying to establish 'balance' in a garden pond, relying instead on 'planting', 'fish numbers', 'good quality food', 'a large biological filter' and 'a decent UV'.

However, this spring i had blanket weed growing 2-3 feet from everywhere. The pond had been covered all winter, and the water was gin clear. I replaced the lamps in both UV's, added a fair amount of salt, and skimmed the 'sludge' from the top of the (100 gallon)filters, as I do every spring. I manually removed the blanket weed by twirling around a bamboo. The lillies grew, and gave plenty of cover, and the water stayed clear, but the blanket weed kept growing fast.

I finally resorted to barley straw. I'd never used or needed it before. I was innacurately told by the guy at the fish center to add according to the volume of the pond, rather than the surface area, and unwittingly added 12 'packets' to my pond. Instant results!!! The blanket weed was gone completely in 2 days. It was like a miracle......untill the lillies went yellow, and the rest of the plantlife followed. The water turned into a grey-brown cloud, that refused to clear.

I tested Amonia, PH, Nitrate and Nitrite. All were well within accepted limits.

The straw was removed and numerous 25% water changes followed. Nothing changed.

The 1st fish died yesterday. A goldfish around 9 inches long, at least 15yrs old. You know how that feels.

A 100% pond and filter clean followed. The filters were totally lifeless. No sludge and no 'bugs'. It's taken around 12 hours to refill, and the fish 'look' ok.

Was it the straw that caused this, or have I overlooked something?? Thanks for any advise.....Doorframe.

[wildone]

Don't know much about ponds but if it were me I would suspect weedkiller chemical residues in the straw. Normally perhaps it wouldn't do much harm but by putting in a lot of straw the amount of any residue would be that much greater.

[nightshade]

I think that overdosing on the barley straw removed too much oxygen and started a destructive cycle,I would remove the fish and plants dredge and use bubblers to raise the oxy.levels (too many water changes will raise nutrient levels) replant and restock when satisfied

[Mr Mag00]

welcome, sorry your first post is a distressing one.

12 Packets led me to the thoughts of weedkiller residue esp as lillies went yellow, what about other plants? and the breakdown of straw would lead to a lowering of O2 levels and therefore the volume you added would certainly starve the pond of O2. I cannot give professional advice to you as someone who has spent so much time building ponds, far more than me!

although the chemical levels were within acceptable levels, my parents had plant pots on the side of their pond and this accelerated blanket weed growth, due to washout from the beddding compost they had used in the pots. Another thought anyway.

[rlchew]

Hello doorframe

Welcome to WAB from a fellow Essex WABer .... where do you live in Essex?

I am sorrry to hear about your pond but living in a second floor flat with no pond , I am not he person to advise you. I am sure that there are others here that will be able to.

Enjoy the website.

Richard

[doorframe]

Hi...thanks for the replies. I certainly hadn't considered weedkiller chemical residues in the straw. I've no idea of it's origin, or 'manufacturer' (for want of a better word), as it was a few months ago that it was purchased, and I have long discarded the packaging, so I cannot check the 'ingredients'...if any!

Welcome to WAB from a fellow Essex WABer .... where do you live in Essex?....I'm almost your neighbour, in Lee Chapel South, Basildon.

esp as lillies went yellow, what about other plants?....yes, all the plants, including the hyacinth, forget-me-not, the 'fern' type oxygenating weed, and other potted greenery.....basically everything!

As for the oxygen levels, I always have 2 large airstones bubbling away 24/7, and suspect this was my 'saving grace'!

Now, with the new water, I've added a large amount of floating foliage from one of my other ponds, and turned OFF the UV's. I'm thinking that if I allow the pond to be that little bit more natural, it will establish a bit faster, and the bio filters will kick in sooner. I must be the only pond owner in the uk who is actually looking forward to green water!! At that stage I'll turn the UV's on again and keep fingers crossed that it settles down fine.

All the fish are 'fins-up' and feeding well.

Cheers again.....Doorframe.