Transformation in the Pond

[jaelen]

I've been watching the pond closely over the past few days... one day last week after it rained, I thought it looked a little bit clearer... but believed it was probably just wishful thinking.

Yesterday, I thought it did look less murky- but today- it's clear! Not crystal clean, water-out-of-a-tap clear... but I can see the bottom, the plants, the frog hotel, (two bricks with a terracotta tile on top- they like to hide in it. )

It's amazing- especially since I posted here just a few weeks ago that it was reverting back into a slime-covered swamp.

Just thought I'd let everyone know, since I had so much helpful advice- could it be down to Kayliegh's tip about the watercress? It seems to be flourishing, and the bits floating are growing rootlets.

Maybe the cooler nights killed off the algae... or the hornwort has started to grow: whatever- I'm just pleased to be able to see how the plants are doing- and the frogs again, too!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by jaelen

I've been watching the pond closely over the past few days... one day last week after it rained, I thought it looked a little bit clearer... but believed it was probably just wishful thinking.

Yesterday, I thought it did look less murky- but today- it's clear! Not crystal clean, water-out-of-a-tap clear... but I can see the bottom, the plants, the frog hotel, (two bricks with a terracotta tile on top- they like to hide in it. )

It's amazing- especially since I posted here just a few weeks ago that it was reverting back into a slime-covered swamp.

Just thought I'd let everyone know, since I had so much helpful advice- could it be down to Kayliegh's tip about the watercress? It seems to be flourishing, and the bits floating are growing rootlets.

Maybe the cooler nights killed off the algae... or the hornwort has started to grow: whatever- I'm just pleased to be able to see how the plants are doing- and the frogs again, too!

You worry too much..
Just let it do what its meant to do and wind down for the winter..the algae will be back in the spring before the plants have time to use all the nutrients up its all normal..as long as there are plants surviving then all is well..
Mine is clear too I think it is this time of year and the watercress of course

[Billabong Karen]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

You worry too much..
Just let it do what its meant to do and wind down for the winter..the algae will be back in the spring before the plants have time to use all the nutrients up its all normal..as long as there are plants surviving then all is well..
Mine is clear too I think it is this time of year and the watercress of course

I'm with Kayleigh. Just sit back and enjoy it. The plants will do their job; the algae will come and go, but it will NOT revert back to a stinking mess! My pond is crystal clear - and I dont even have watercress in it!

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by jaelen

Maybe the cooler nights killed off the algae... or the hornwort has started to grow: whatever- I'm just pleased to be able to see how the plants are doing- and the frogs again, too!

The pond here at work has suddenly gone clear, as in not more balnket weed. I think its first due to the rain making it sink and cooler weatehr/shorter days not giving it enough light and also due to the hornwort rapidly growing.

[King Edward]

The clear pond is probably due to some combination of the algae running out of available nutrients, reduced algal growth due to lower light/temperature, and increased consumption of algae by small animals. The rain probably helped as well as suggested by Ukwildlifeo. I doubt the watercress/hornwort had much to do with it, if they've only just started growing.

[jaelen]

Originally Posted by King Edward

The rain probably helped as well as suggested by Ukwildlifeo. I doubt the watercress/hornwort had much to do with it, if they've only just started growing.

That's what I thought- the plants are all still quite small.

Everyone is right, of course- I just need to stop worrying and let it sort itself out, which it will in time.

[JohanJ]

October/november the water usually clear up every year