New wildlife pond, any tips?

[TimH]

I've bought a preformed Mayfly 500 pond, 1.1mx1.6m with a depth of .50m.
I was just going to put in a small pump and no fish and let nature do it's thing.
I was going to add just snails to eat the Larvae but the guy at the Garden/Fish place advised adding some fish like Rudd to keep the pond in check.

Any other recommendations?

[selfraising]

Hi Tim H
Not sure 50cm is enough depth for fish but I might be wrong. I have some fish in a small pond but as a warning they will eat any frog spawn as well as algae, although I do get frogs in the summer in my pond. One or two marginal plants might be could for creatures to take shelter in. I also believe that Irises attract dragon flies because they lay their eggs on it. Hope this helps?

[TimH]

Hi Tim H
Not sure 50cm is enough depth for fish but I might be wrong. I have some fish in a small pond but as a warning they will eat any frog spawn as well as algae, although I do get frogs in the summer in my pond. One or two marginal plants might be could for creatures to take shelter in. I also believe that Irises attract dragon flies because they lay their eggs on it. Hope this helps?

I did read that they may eat the frog spawn, I might leave the fish out. I just didn't want the mosquitoes laying eggs in pond any other way to get them eaten.

[selfraising]

hmmmmm I think tadpoles will eat them but then you would need to have frogs first. I have read that mosquitoes won't lay eggs in moving water, could you add a small fountain or waterfall to your pump just to keep the water moving?

[digthatchick]

Don't worry about the Mossy larvae as this will provide food for all sorts of creatures. I agree leave out the fish, also try planting Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) these will attract hover flies and bees, also Butomus Umbellatus (Flowering Rush) which is a native water plant. Without fish creatures will find your pond - good luck.

[HeyWayne]

I'd say it's a bit shallow for fish too - but I'm no expert. If you're using it for wildlife I'd make sure you've got something in the pond that allows little critters - frogs, toads etc, to climb out. I've stacked a few bricks in mine and then leant a few roofing tiles so they form a "slope" out of the pond to allow things to clamber back out and onto dry land.

Other than that, I don't do much else.

[lynda66]

fish especially goldfish and wildlife ponds are a no no unless it's massive .... put an ad on freecycle for some frogspawn or tadpoles, thats where i got mine, most people have an excess this time of year and it will speed the process along, then next year the frogs will come back to breed ..... get some elodea or other oxygenating plants and a couple of marginals, a stone in the middle is good and also some rotting logs and stones for the froglets to hide under when they come out of the pond a,d something for them to climb out of the pond on .... frogs need plenty of places to hide, as they don't live in the pond. the wildlife will sort itself out over the next few years

[rana]

For a wildlife pond it is good advice not to introduce fish. As suggested get some floating plants and some marginals. To get the pond off to a good start it is a good idea to add a bucket or two of pond water from an established pond. This will introduce much of the micro fauna and flora that would otherwise take a longer time to find your pond. I would also reccommend that you avoid duckweed if possible which could quickly cover the surface to the detriment of other plants.

[Joanne]

Hi TimH,

Please if you want a wildlife pond, no fish. We just added a few marginals, some Iris, and Bulrush, and waterlillys, as well as a pond pump and filter and left the pond to it's own devices, this is the first year and already this spring we have been visited by frog's and the spawn has now hatched and we have tadpoles, we also have waterboatmen, nature will come to your pond of it's own accord. Enjoy

[seasprout]

Please take a look at this site for info...

The RSPB: Advice: I have been told that a couple of rudd would feed upon the mosquito larvae in my pond but am reluctant to introduce fish. What do you advise?

[TimH]

Please take a look at this site for info...

The RSPB: Advice: I have been told that a couple of rudd would feed upon the mosquito larvae in my pond but am reluctant to introduce fish. What do you advise?

Cheers for the URL, I didn't want to add fish the guy at the Fish center told me too. Just a sales ploy!

[TimH]

hmmmmm I think tadpoles will eat them but then you would need to have frogs first. I have read that mosquitoes won't lay eggs in moving water, could you add a small fountain or waterfall to your pump just to keep the water moving?

Gonna get a pump to create a water fall. Hopefully that will move the water enough.

[TimH]

Some pics, still ongoing though;

[selfraising]

Hey Tim
Thats looking pretty good. It's hard work isn't it? I dug mine out myself and lined it with pond liner as my husband's condition means he doesn't have a lot of physical strength. The clay soil was a real b@@@er to dig into to. Keep it up and keep us posted!

[seasprout]

oooH.

You sure that's not one of those bath spa things..??

My i ask how much you paid, that looks just like what i need for a wildlife pond, could you get that into a Fiesta.??