Hi,

My name is Adrian and I keep tropical fish in 3 indoor aquaria and also have a 17 x 10 x 3 feet pont in my garden. I have a variety of tropicals (pretty much the usuals; tetras, silver sharks, bumblebee cats, some other stuff I've forgotten the name of and a sole remaining australian blue lobster). In my pond outside I have 2 x diamond sturgeon, 4 x rainbow trout, 9 x chub, 3 x european perch, 2 x roach and 'X' x gudgeon (only see them on occasion - put 5 in, but don't know how many left; not seen any dead ones...). Also wild frogs etc. I'll put some pictures on when I get a chance.

I posted on the old forum some time ago to say I was going to put in natural (stand fast sturgeon and rainbow trout) fish and was told it was a waste of time - I'd never see them. Happy to report that in anything like warm weather the chub sunbathe on the surface, the perch are half-tame(!?) - they see me coming and wait just below the surface waiting for me to feed them. The trout came from a fish farm and again come to the surface regularly. All of the fish also rise to natural flies and, since the edge of the pond is about 7 feet from my kitchen, I can watch them behaving naturally through the window. Absolutely superb.

The pond is about 1800 gallons, but has an over-powered 2500 gallon filter. Also, in the summer I intend to get an air pump to keep the sturgeon happy. I've made sure there is plenty of shelter for all fish as well.

One issue I'm having is that the blanket weed has kept growing all winter. I have the 'natural' blanket weed treatment but it doesn't work in cold weather, so I have to keep getting it out mechanically via a fishing rod with a net on the end! Anyone got any better ideas?

All ideas welcome.

Adrian

hello adrian, welcome to the new forum, the only way i know of getting blanket weed out is to wrap it round a stick

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Hi Adrian, welcome aboard.
Sounds like you have a very interesting collection of pond fish. I would love to see some pics.

The algae have been growing all winter this year. I think it is because of the unusual weather. I agree with telboy, the best thing is to wrap it round a stick, making sure you do not take out any fish or frogs trapped in it. Also use the 'natural' treatment in spring and summer. Better not to use chemical herbicides with the sturgeon and chub.

Sounds like a nice pond, the only suggestion I can make is adding some form of cover to the pond, but it'd probably spoil the look of your pond. Failing that the wrap it round the stick idea is best. There are treatments for it, but to be honest I'm not a fan of throwing treatments in.

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hello adrian and welcome.

Ah Adrian, great to see another pond man...

I keep koi, orfes and sturgeon, (See link below for sturgeon pic)

Few pic's from the garden

I'd say out of all my fish the Sturgeon is the one I see the most, he's constantly at the top swimming round in circles, tame as can be too, you put your hand in he'll come rub himself on your hand and play a little. Whoever said you wont see your sturgeon is telling porkies!

It has been a bad year for blanket weed, it's mean to come more in Summer but even through the winter I've had an unbelievable amount. I don't think there's any product that really gets rid of it. Like some others have said already, best way is the good old fashioned way, get a stick and twist it on and pull it out.

I spent about 2 hours pulling it out of my pond yesterday, it was as thick as fog! There's still a load in there..Constant battle!

PS. A UV light would make it a lot better, but there expensive and bulbs ned replacing regularly...

PPS. What farm did you get your fish from, I'd love to have some perch in mine

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