We converted our above ground pool into a native pond. So far there are a few crappie, bluegill, sunfish, and a bunch of catfish. Also a 20lb leather back snapper. We are using the existing pool filter added carbon. The water is always green from algae. Are there any safe chemicals or natural way to get rid of this. I would like to see the fish in there. Another question. Am I going to need to heat this thing during the winter months or will the fish be fine in there? And if I do need to heat it what is the best way of going about this. All help will be much appreciated.
pool has been converted
- Thread starter oddball_freak
- Start date
where are you located? How deep is the pool? All of that would help. As your fish grow you will probably need to add more filtration depending on how much you stock in it. What kind of catfish as some of our native catfish can get huge and will end up eating your other fish.
The swimming pool filter is probably not big enouge for your application. I would try running the return through a UV then to a trickle tower.
The turtle is your prime suspect, very dirty critters.
For green water?
Cover the "pond" with a light proof material (note: black plastic will raise the water temp and cause other problems) for three or four days to kill the algae and break the growth cycle (no peaking) and limit feedings.
Then use the UV sterilizer in the return line of the filter.
For algae growing on everything...good luck, algae eaters will turn into feeders for the occupants
, unless you coral them to one side of the pond with netting and let the algae eaters do there thing 
.
How about some pix?
Dr Joe
.
For green water?
Cover the "pond" with a light proof material (note: black plastic will raise the water temp and cause other problems) for three or four days to kill the algae and break the growth cycle (no peaking) and limit feedings.
Then use the UV sterilizer in the return line of the filter.
For algae growing on everything...good luck, algae eaters will turn into feeders for the occupants
, unless you coral them to one side of the pond with netting and let the algae eaters do there thing .How about some pix?
Dr Joe
.
Up the filtration... Green water can be fixed with a little time and a lot of biological. Do you have gravel in their? Think of it as a large fish tank and all the componets. The gravel acts as a huge bed for beneficial bacteria. Add some plants as well. Floaters will use excess nutrients and shade the water. Good luck and use a big pump.
I would use some type of tent like cover. A screen that only lets so much light through would be great for this. A lot of fish farms who have outdoor ponds use these. They are usuallly raised above the pond 5-6" feet and still allow for veiwing. Or like someone else mentioned, put about 100 water hyacinth and 100 water lettuce in there and they will help keep the sun from cuasing an algea bloom.
Thanks everyone for the tips.
The pool is about 10,000 gallons. It is about 4.5 ft deep.
I think I'll release the snapper back into the wild. I'm sure he'll be happier, but he does have alot of easy pickins to eat in there.
The pool is about 10,000 gallons. It is about 4.5 ft deep.
I think I'll release the snapper back into the wild. I'm sure he'll be happier, but he does have alot of easy pickins to eat in there.