Goldfish

[Don Vincenzo]

Water butts in my opinion are only to collect rain water which is the best for watering. Also they can be used to make your own liquid fertilizer I.E. confrey, nettles leaves, manure, urine etc.. But to me it would be cruel to keep goldfishes in a water butt, nevertheless it would be nice to have a mini pond in the garden or allotment and keep some goldfishes in it providind they would have shelter from predators. When it was suggested to keep goldfishes in the water butts to keep the water clean.......what for? the water is for irrigation and not for drinking and the more lively it is the better for the soils. This is my opinion, open to any windosm.
Regards
Don Vincenzo

[Snadger]

I could always stick one in a demijohn to keep me company in my hut?

[Alice]

I think goldfish are animals too, and they deserve a right and proper life. I'm not sure appropriate conditions for that can be provided in a water but.

[JennieAtkinson]

I wasn't thinking of putting goldfish into a plastic water butt, but I have been looking at some large wooden open water butts, which in fact look like water features in their own right. They seem very large and open and are reasonably deep - about 3 feet. I thought it might look more pleasing on the eye than a plastic one. But I had heard that there were problems with algae growing on the large open top area. Which possibly could be solved by goldfish ...... ?

[Lesley Jay]

No Jennie, Goldfish will not solve an algae problem.

[Elmo]

In fact they will probably make it worse.

The fish produce waste in the form of ammonia which will provide nutrients to feed the algae. In a pond that has few plants this and the combination of feeding often leads to green water. The best solution is to plant enough plants to take up the nutrients thus outcompeteing the algae. Which isn't really an option in a water butt.

Really anyone who is thinking about using fish in a water butt should be careful anyway as the relatively limited surface area of the water in warm weather could lead to dangerously low dissolved oxygen and cause the fish to asphxiate. Keep an eye on the little fellas if they are hanging around the surface looking like they are gulping air then you need to aerate the water immediately.

[Waffler]

Waffler it isn't really grow your own so I don't know whether we should have a board dedicated to ponds and water gardens. I will put your suggestion to the powers that be. Does anyone else want a dedicated section for ponds and water gardens?

It's taken me long enough to think of something, but how about watercress!!

Seriously though, I think the wildlife board would be a great idea which incorporates more than just water features.

[Lesley Jay]

Okay Waffler this further suggestion has been passed on to the powers that be.

[Lesley Jay]

We need to know from the members do you want a dedicated section for water gardening/wildlife?

[Nicos]

yep....it's all about getting in touch with nature isn't it??
(so long as I don't have to garden in the nuddy!! )

[Waffler]

Yes please!

[nick the grief]

Personaly speaking I can't see a good reason why not. After all we have a flowers & they aren't in the GYO magazine & it is all part of the Organic growing & permaculture movments.

I have to say that there aren't many lotties I know that have ponds on them but were on about making a couple of wildlife area's on our site for the very reason of pest control (and we want to try and encourage newts to make it harder to get rid of the site )

I think there should be a flower section in the magazine as well - but i'm biased

[martini]

I'd have no objections - perhaps you could change the title of Rule the Roost so wildlife postings could go on it as well.

[JennieAtkinson]

Going off the idea of a wooden water butt !

[nick the grief]

I'll try and bring it back then JA. WHy not use a plastic one & surround it with trellis & grow some colourful climbers up it. (but not Snadgers sweet peas )