Wildlife Pond- urgent help needed

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by SMaltes

The problem is that, at the moment, I only have available 4 kinds of plants: the Anubia Nana, the Cladophora aegagropila algae, the Egeria densa ( Large-flowered Waterweed ) and the Microsorium pteropus (Java fern). Would any of these be helpfull to the pond, and, if so, would they be able to survive, considering the pond's current state?

I would advise against using those plants. A well-balanced mix of plants is essential to the health and success of a pond, and if your pond is for wildlife, then you really should use native species. The risk in using non-native species is that many are invasive, they spread very easily, and can cause serious problems if they get into natural water courses. None of the above are native, and while none of them are on the current list of known invasives, any non-native should be treated with circumspection - that list is growing all the time and they might be on it in the future.

Dragonyka's idea is a good one, just be sure you know exactly what you're putting in the pond.

I really do suggest you look at the two links I posted earlier.

Welcome to WAB, by the way

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by SMaltes

Water pH is acid (around 5.8).

A pH of 5.8 sounds a bit on the acid side for a succesfull 'wildlife' pond. A pH of 7. (neutral) or above would be desirable in order to attract the greatest range of animals to the pond.

If the pond is 'lined' it should be quite easy to raise the pH of the water with Baking Soda or ground limestone, (test as you go).

Don't expect success overnight, it can sometimes take quite a while to get a good 'balanced' pond.
Dorts.

[vole-woman]

Every animal in our pond came by itself, and we have leeches, flatworms, pond skaters, water boatmen, two or three sorts of beetle, two sorts of newt, two types of snail and frogs and all manner of larvae. These things just arrive - no need to import them, honest.

[Deb London]

Hi SMaltes,

When taking the pH of the pond water please remember that this varies with temperature. Please check the pH at the pond itself, not water taken indoors, and please use two methods for testing the pH - a meter and pH indicator paper of a suitable range. Discuss your measurement with your chemistry teacher as he/she will be able to clearly explain some very important points for determining the pH of water before even considering adding chemicals to a pond.

Deb

[dampflippers]

Hi,

Why not ask if you can either send a letter round to parents of your year asking if any have any pond plants they can spare (but you would need to check if these are native and might upset people if you then reject them).
OR
(better idea) Get in touch with your local wildlife trust. Explain what you are doing and ask if you can collect any plants from any of their ponds.

The Pond Conservation Trust prefer you to leave a pond to colonise entirely naturally, including plants, but I would say this isn't an option for your school pond. It needs to be planted up now, then other pond life will find it.

What county are you in?, This may help us advise who might be able to help you.

[dampflippers]

I forgot to say that although they tell you to let a pond settle for a few weeks before introducing fish, this isn't necessary at all for plants- they can go straight in.

Oxygentors can be tied to a stone and dropped in.

I would avoid using topsoil if you are adding marginals because this will be too fertile and cause an algal bloom which you don't want. If you are planting anything in baskets, then use either washed gravel or aquatic soil (which basically is clay).

[bigdave60dog]

To be honest, I have been very successful at "planting ponds" but I am not really sure why.
I do plan the design of the pond before I begin. The choice of pond base eg. plastic. Butyl, concrete is up to you. I just chuck some soil from the garden in to give it start. I raid local ponds for plants -trying to avoid those with blanketweed. The plants that grow on the bottom I get some soil and a stone wrap these round the roots in a bit of hessian bag and chuck it where I want it to go. I usually have few shallow, marshy bits round the edge and plant as I see plants growing in the wild. I NEVER use introduced foreign plants.
This is where I annoy everyone. When all is settled and growing -often sooner than expected I take every chance to raid local ponds of similar type for insects eg water beetles, Boatmen etc. -they soon begin to appear themselves but I give them a start. Next spring I raid for frogspawn, (often goldfish keepers want to get rid of spawn, frogs and newts). there will be loads of arguments against my plan but it works I have repopulated whole areas with aquatic life.
The problem is-: to my chagrin, people do not often continue your work after you have moved on. The pond is neglected, filled in as "danger to children or "sterililised"
Surprisingly few folk appreciate a good, weedy wildlife pond. Most want clean sterile water with ornamental fish and precious little else.

[Kayleigh]

I would not advise doing any of the above as you risk bringing disease to the area from the frogspawn and altering the biodiversity bringing wildlife to an area that the habitat is wrong for them, if you get wildlife its because the habitat suits them and you have provided what they need if you bring in something from another place you alter that habitat and risk killing the ones you bring in as it could not support it.
You only see the outside you dont know what damage your doing then its too late you cant put it all back how it was.

[Matt Smith]

If you want a wildlife pond - don't add fish. The rest or the pond fauna will find its way there under its own power.

Just add a few native plants and let things get on naturally.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by SMaltes

The problem is that, at the moment, I only have available 4 kinds of plants: the Anubia Nana, the Cladophora aegagropila algae, the Egeria densa ( Large-flowered Waterweed ) and the Microsorium pteropus (Java fern). Would any of these be helpfull to the pond, and, if so, would they be able to survive, considering the pond's current state?

Do not plant any of these, especially the Egeria. Stick with native flora from your area. Consult your local wildlife trust, countryside ranger service or Pondlife and more than likely they wil not only tell you what you should be planting but may be kind enough to give you some to plant. Best submerged oxygenator (IMO) to get hold of is Rigid Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum Avoid non-native plants as they will take over the pond in a couple of years

As has been said, animals will find there own way into the pond, especially once the weather warms up a bit more.

Just one thought. Who will be managing the pond once you have gone? From my experience it is usually down to one teacher who has been volunteered to do it and the ponds more often than not become overgrown and abandoned. Would be a shame to see your hard work go to waste.

Cheers,

Adam