Well and water
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This view is from the other side, towards the spot where the kids were playing. Our house will be on the right, facing the pond. The float valve is in the foreground, doing its thing. The PVC support is temporary while I establish the "right" level; it will be supported from underneath when complete.
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DAP
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Don ... I'd attach a pic of our pair of "quirks", but I don't have a pic handy. These dogs are the best kept secret in all of petland. Our Alice just turned 4 and Whisper turned 7 and I could fill a server disk with grey stories.
Special dogs with special needs. Hope that pond area is enclosed with some fencing. The leash rule stands.
Special dogs with special needs. Hope that pond area is enclosed with some fencing. The leash rule stands.
The leash rule stands...
Absolutely, although Rocky has learned a new trick -- and, after 64 years, taught my wife a new skill. She has never been good about closing things tight -- dresser drawers, bifold doors, etc., and she seldom checked to see if a door striker "clicked" shut. Because I'm fussy about such things, I like to think that she's not careless about shutting things completely, but is showing her love for me by deliberately leaving things for me to do.
But, Rocky has learned that he can "test" a door by shoving it -- and has "escaped" more than once. We currently live in a smaller, slower neighborhood of a larger city, and all our neighbors know Rocky from their frequent, leashed walks. Without exception, we get a call within a couple of minutes, usually before Betsy even knows he's gone, "We have Rocky..."
So, after all these years, the new dog has taught the old one (although Betsy's not a dog -- she gets better looking as she gets older) the new trick of making sure the door is latched.
But, back to the pond -- the first thing we did, within days of buying the property, was to have field fence installed around the entire perimeter. We didn't stop at our 5 acres; we had my daughter's adjacent 2.5 acres re-fenced at the same time. Now, the entire 7.5 acre compound is secure for all the dogs and my granddaughters. The greys could probably jump the fence if they were determined, but it's not in their natures -- I think a piece of string would serve as a sufficient fence -- the 4' high field fence stops them cold, and the 7.5 acres gives them plenty of room without the temptation of the outside world.
As you know, while greyhounds love to run. it's not something they do all the time. Our guys are content with maybe 5 minutes of joyful gamboling, then it's back to being couch potatoes. Our vet calls them "statues".
You're also absolutely correct about them being the best pets. We had gone through several disastrous dogs, to the point where I had sworn we'd never have another, before Betsy brought Grandy home 6 years ago. Now, we have two.
Grandy is timid and shy and it's hard to get a picture of her, but here's a shot of Rocky as the intrepid explorer.
Absolutely, although Rocky has learned a new trick -- and, after 64 years, taught my wife a new skill. She has never been good about closing things tight -- dresser drawers, bifold doors, etc., and she seldom checked to see if a door striker "clicked" shut. Because I'm fussy about such things, I like to think that she's not careless about shutting things completely, but is showing her love for me by deliberately leaving things for me to do.
But, Rocky has learned that he can "test" a door by shoving it -- and has "escaped" more than once. We currently live in a smaller, slower neighborhood of a larger city, and all our neighbors know Rocky from their frequent, leashed walks. Without exception, we get a call within a couple of minutes, usually before Betsy even knows he's gone, "We have Rocky..."
So, after all these years, the new dog has taught the old one (although Betsy's not a dog -- she gets better looking as she gets older) the new trick of making sure the door is latched.
But, back to the pond -- the first thing we did, within days of buying the property, was to have field fence installed around the entire perimeter. We didn't stop at our 5 acres; we had my daughter's adjacent 2.5 acres re-fenced at the same time. Now, the entire 7.5 acre compound is secure for all the dogs and my granddaughters. The greys could probably jump the fence if they were determined, but it's not in their natures -- I think a piece of string would serve as a sufficient fence -- the 4' high field fence stops them cold, and the 7.5 acres gives them plenty of room without the temptation of the outside world.
As you know, while greyhounds love to run. it's not something they do all the time. Our guys are content with maybe 5 minutes of joyful gamboling, then it's back to being couch potatoes. Our vet calls them "statues".
You're also absolutely correct about them being the best pets. We had gone through several disastrous dogs, to the point where I had sworn we'd never have another, before Betsy brought Grandy home 6 years ago. Now, we have two.
Grandy is timid and shy and it's hard to get a picture of her, but here's a shot of Rocky as the intrepid explorer.
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DAP
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Great to hear. I hope the other TBN dog lovers read these coupla posts. The greys are magical. Who says ya can't get sumpin for nuthin. The best pets around and they can't GIVE em away fast enough.
Anyway .. hope you have a good vet. And remember, no barbituate based anestheisa for the grays. It can and has kill them - them being ex-racing animals. We have to go 60 miles into the big city to find a vet we trust with the greys.
An arrogant vet can kill a grey if they are not studious. Rocky is capital Gorgeous.
I'll bet you don't get much sleep either. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Anyway .. hope you have a good vet. And remember, no barbituate based anestheisa for the grays. It can and has kill them - them being ex-racing animals. We have to go 60 miles into the big city to find a vet we trust with the greys.
An arrogant vet can kill a grey if they are not studious. Rocky is capital Gorgeous.
I'll bet you don't get much sleep either. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
As always Mr. Don, I'm truly enjoying your posts and pictures.
My half acre pond is filling up from rain water and to maintain it I'll be bringing in water. My situation is a little different in that I have a small, year round creek in the bottom corner of my land about 850 feet from my pond and 40 feet lower. I will dam it up at a later date to create another pond, but for now I plan to devert some of that water to my front entrace pond.
I'm encouraged to see such dramatic results from your efforts and I'm enthused about my future project.
How are you planning to aerate your pond? Most of the floating pumps with nice patterns seem to start at $850 and up. To add lights is another $500.
I'm looking at buying a large submersable waterfall pump in the 2,400 g/h range and attach a nozzle to it and create my own spray pattern. Seems like I can save over $500.
Good luck,
Eddie
My half acre pond is filling up from rain water and to maintain it I'll be bringing in water. My situation is a little different in that I have a small, year round creek in the bottom corner of my land about 850 feet from my pond and 40 feet lower. I will dam it up at a later date to create another pond, but for now I plan to devert some of that water to my front entrace pond.
I'm encouraged to see such dramatic results from your efforts and I'm enthused about my future project.
How are you planning to aerate your pond? Most of the floating pumps with nice patterns seem to start at $850 and up. To add lights is another $500.
I'm looking at buying a large submersable waterfall pump in the 2,400 g/h range and attach a nozzle to it and create my own spray pattern. Seems like I can save over $500.
Good luck,
Eddie
We use a vet recommended by the local greyhound adoption service. We have an old friend who is a vet, a really caring guy and a fellow sports car nut, and it pained us to switch, but the new vet truly loves these dogs and has made them a specialty.
Rocky is very gorgeous, and has a special story. He was given to us directly off a truck transporting greys to the training facility. It's not often you can get a 14 month old greyhound. It was a chance meeting of the trainer at a fast food restaurant, and when he figured out that Betsy is a true greyhound lover, he said that he had a couple of dogs in the truck that were not going to be suitable racing material. Rocky's "problem" is that he is too darn friendly and enthusiastic, and I doubt he would have ever accommodated to the training. We entered the restaurant with one dog, and exited with two. We later checked the trainer, and he has a spotless reputation. He doesn't race the dogs himself, but trains them from about 14 months to about 2 years. He later called us to see how Rocky was doing. We took a bit of a risk taking a dog in that way, but we've had Rocky since last August, and it's worked out great!
Attached is the typical picture I get of Grandy...
BTW, the minivan is purely because of the dogs -- each gets their own bench seat.
Rocky is very gorgeous, and has a special story. He was given to us directly off a truck transporting greys to the training facility. It's not often you can get a 14 month old greyhound. It was a chance meeting of the trainer at a fast food restaurant, and when he figured out that Betsy is a true greyhound lover, he said that he had a couple of dogs in the truck that were not going to be suitable racing material. Rocky's "problem" is that he is too darn friendly and enthusiastic, and I doubt he would have ever accommodated to the training. We entered the restaurant with one dog, and exited with two. We later checked the trainer, and he has a spotless reputation. He doesn't race the dogs himself, but trains them from about 14 months to about 2 years. He later called us to see how Rocky was doing. We took a bit of a risk taking a dog in that way, but we've had Rocky since last August, and it's worked out great!
Attached is the typical picture I get of Grandy...
BTW, the minivan is purely because of the dogs -- each gets their own bench seat.
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I'm going to aerate with a fountain, although it will have to wait until I get power to the property in a few months. In the meantime, the Hudson float valve does a pretty good job of agitating the water (and introducing new water), but is isn't much good for destratifying. I thought about trying to make my own fountain to save a few bucks, and I haven't ruled it out, but, like many other things, there's more to it than initially meets the eye.
Frankly, the best and lowest price aeration seems to be an air stone, but Betsy said she really wants a fountain, with lights. Now, here's the secret to getting more toys for ourselves. I really want a fountain, too, but as soon as she mentioned it, I immediately got reluctant. I explained all about the air stone, how much less the compressor would be, etc. etc. Then, I heard the magic words, "I don't really care what it costs, I would really like a fountain." Wham! Now I can get a lift for my barn-to-be....
I think the key to using a fountain is to get one that has the water pickup deep enough to destratify. Many of the decorative fountains have the pickup with 3 feet of the surface, regardless of how deep the pond is. I have found a couple of setups that are designed for aeration (I'm sure there are many others), with only a 1/2 HP pump (for less expensive operation), and a spray pattern suitable for our smallish pond.
Frankly, the best and lowest price aeration seems to be an air stone, but Betsy said she really wants a fountain, with lights. Now, here's the secret to getting more toys for ourselves. I really want a fountain, too, but as soon as she mentioned it, I immediately got reluctant. I explained all about the air stone, how much less the compressor would be, etc. etc. Then, I heard the magic words, "I don't really care what it costs, I would really like a fountain." Wham! Now I can get a lift for my barn-to-be....
I think the key to using a fountain is to get one that has the water pickup deep enough to destratify. Many of the decorative fountains have the pickup with 3 feet of the surface, regardless of how deep the pond is. I have found a couple of setups that are designed for aeration (I'm sure there are many others), with only a 1/2 HP pump (for less expensive operation), and a spray pattern suitable for our smallish pond.
uhmgawa
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wow, i thought we had to go deep at 197 feet.)</font>
Just yesterday I helped a friend pull up his pump which had failed.
It wouldn't have been bad if it had dawned on the 'licensed' installer
to use safety ropes, pipe centers, and polyethylene hose.
As it was the drop pipe consisted of 20' sections of schedule 21
(yes 21) 1" PVC connected via male/female adapters totaling about
300'. Each water-filled section faithfully flexed and broke at the joint
as we extracted the works. I still don't know how we lucked out and
did not lose the original pump.
Just yesterday I helped a friend pull up his pump which had failed.
It wouldn't have been bad if it had dawned on the 'licensed' installer
to use safety ropes, pipe centers, and polyethylene hose.
As it was the drop pipe consisted of 20' sections of schedule 21
(yes 21) 1" PVC connected via male/female adapters totaling about
300'. Each water-filled section faithfully flexed and broke at the joint
as we extracted the works. I still don't know how we lucked out and
did not lose the original pump.
SPIKER
Elite Member
DON: the best pump for mixing the water is a cheap sump pump, most of them will run for years with out any problems. we have one that did service in the house sump for about 10 years, and when the switch failed in the float it was tossed out in the barn and replaced with a new one. now the boss had me wire it up with a good lenght of new submersable wire, and sub surface sealing tape. we used a lenght of 1.5" PVC pipe and threaded it in, bolted the pump down to a 24" square plate and sank it in the pond about 10~14' deep. then cut the PVC pipe to about 36" up and glued on a cap, the cap I drilled with small 1/8" drill bit in a nice little pattern, and used a larger hole in the center. it has been running for about 3 years off and on, boss just plugs it in when he feels like it. It pulls the cold water up and warms the pond pretty fast, but it is aLARGE pnd and does not need to be re-filled as we get enough rain and have plenty of runnoff. We have had some problems though, the cord was torn off about 3 times now by mowers and one high wind which took shead roof and all, the power cord was fed through the lean-to and when the roof went off it it too cord along for a ride.! the cord ended up about 100 feet away and 45 feet up in top of the big maple tree!!! watched it happen was a strong wind shear. it actually was spraying pond water up when it hit.! the roof was smashed into the bosses new house deck addition! he was almost hit by it the roof section was about 25' x 14' and still had the lower 1/2wall attached for a bit and that aws 6' high x 25'!
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
B7510
Bronze Member
Thanks for an interesting reference. Kind of what I expected. In some cases, wind maps of the Southeast have not even been attempted. In the cases where a survey has been done, Florida is rated as a poor candidate for wind energy. Too flat. A wind energy potential map for Florida shows that the area around my property is rated as category 1; category 2 is only achievable at some locations along the coast, and category 3, which is the lowest rating considered viable, is not achieved in the SE until getting into the mountainous area in the most northwesterly corner of the SE region.
I still need to try to get some local info on whether there's enough weather (pun intended) to get decent results from a small, homeowner-type windmill. I'm sure I can get enough out of one to power an airstone for pond aeration, at least some of the time, but I'm not at all confident it would be worth it, economically. I still like the looks and idea of a windmill, but it may turn out to be a novelty or "feature" rather than a viable economical choice.
I still need to try to get some local info on whether there's enough weather (pun intended) to get decent results from a small, homeowner-type windmill. I'm sure I can get enough out of one to power an airstone for pond aeration, at least some of the time, but I'm not at all confident it would be worth it, economically. I still like the looks and idea of a windmill, but it may turn out to be a novelty or "feature" rather than a viable economical choice.
SPIKER
Elite Member
OKdon:
an OLD friend has one of the windmill air stone generators that are available commercially, (no links as I never investegated them) but his keeps ice off all winter and we are in a cat1 wind region. they only require like 2 mPH to pump air for 10' depth. they put out a lot of bubbles when the wind is about 10 mph and have over speed protection too. besides if you have that much wind the air stone will not be needed /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
an OLD friend has one of the windmill air stone generators that are available commercially, (no links as I never investegated them) but his keeps ice off all winter and we are in a cat1 wind region. they only require like 2 mPH to pump air for 10' depth. they put out a lot of bubbles when the wind is about 10 mph and have over speed protection too. besides if you have that much wind the air stone will not be needed /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
<font color="blue"> besides if you have that much wind the air stone will not be needed </font>
Now, that's an interesting comment I hadn't heard before, and shows my ignorance about ponds. From everything I've read, oxygen levels get stratified in ponds, and something mechanical is needed to circulate the water. We do plan a fountain, primarily because my wife thinks it's pretty (and I secretly agree with her), and I planned to be sure that it picked up water deep enough to also aerate the pond. But, my pond is probably 14' deep in the middle, and the deepest fountain pickup I've seen is around 7' or so (with the possible exception of the sump pump fountain described above, which I may try), so I've automatically been assuming I may also need an air stone to adequately aerate the pond all the way to the bottom.
Now, you make the entirely reasonable assertion that ponds may aerate themselves with enough wind. Food for thought. I'd like to know more.
Here's what it will come down to. I'm 64 years old and don't fish. I'm at the point in my life where I do things because I want to, not because I have to, subject to my budget and physical limitations. And, that's where rationalizations come in.
The pond is rationalized because it was a much cheaper alternative to hauling in necessary fill; it's also there because it's pretty. It has a feed from the well and a float valve to keep the water level the same all the time, rationalized by mosquito control, but mostly because I like it that way. It will have a portion of the bank in grass, for access and a clear view, and a portion of the banks in natural landscaping, rationalized by something or other (the wife takes care of the environmental side) and attractive. It will have a fountain, rationalized by aeration, but primarily because it's pretty. Ideally, it will also have a windmill, rationalized by additional aeration, but also because I like the looks. If I have one, it will be moderately serious, 16' to 20' tower, rationalized because it works better, but really because it looks better. I think you get the drift.
Now despite my rationalization, none of these things are necessary, so budget starts to rear it's ugly head. The pond was a no-brainer because it was cheaper than the alternative. But, I estimate it will cost about $30 per month on average to maintain the water level, plus wear and tear on the well pump. The fountain is going to be between $1K and $2K, plus installation, and will cost around $30 per month to operate, plus maintenance and replacement costs. And, while windmills are cheap to operate, they're fairly pricey to buy. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see how the budget shakes out before I promise myself I'll have a windmill...but, they sure are attractive...I may need a really good rationalization. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Now, that's an interesting comment I hadn't heard before, and shows my ignorance about ponds. From everything I've read, oxygen levels get stratified in ponds, and something mechanical is needed to circulate the water. We do plan a fountain, primarily because my wife thinks it's pretty (and I secretly agree with her), and I planned to be sure that it picked up water deep enough to also aerate the pond. But, my pond is probably 14' deep in the middle, and the deepest fountain pickup I've seen is around 7' or so (with the possible exception of the sump pump fountain described above, which I may try), so I've automatically been assuming I may also need an air stone to adequately aerate the pond all the way to the bottom.
Now, you make the entirely reasonable assertion that ponds may aerate themselves with enough wind. Food for thought. I'd like to know more.
Here's what it will come down to. I'm 64 years old and don't fish. I'm at the point in my life where I do things because I want to, not because I have to, subject to my budget and physical limitations. And, that's where rationalizations come in.
The pond is rationalized because it was a much cheaper alternative to hauling in necessary fill; it's also there because it's pretty. It has a feed from the well and a float valve to keep the water level the same all the time, rationalized by mosquito control, but mostly because I like it that way. It will have a portion of the bank in grass, for access and a clear view, and a portion of the banks in natural landscaping, rationalized by something or other (the wife takes care of the environmental side) and attractive. It will have a fountain, rationalized by aeration, but primarily because it's pretty. Ideally, it will also have a windmill, rationalized by additional aeration, but also because I like the looks. If I have one, it will be moderately serious, 16' to 20' tower, rationalized because it works better, but really because it looks better. I think you get the drift.
Now despite my rationalization, none of these things are necessary, so budget starts to rear it's ugly head. The pond was a no-brainer because it was cheaper than the alternative. But, I estimate it will cost about $30 per month on average to maintain the water level, plus wear and tear on the well pump. The fountain is going to be between $1K and $2K, plus installation, and will cost around $30 per month to operate, plus maintenance and replacement costs. And, while windmills are cheap to operate, they're fairly pricey to buy. I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see how the budget shakes out before I promise myself I'll have a windmill...but, they sure are attractive...I may need a really good rationalization. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
WCarlson
Silver Member
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Don,
I use a dedicated low pressure 1/3 HP air compressor connected by hose to a 2 square foot airstone in the deepest (12 feet) part of my pond. The system will move 120,000 gal of water per hour and inverts my pond once every 4.8 hours. I have had it since 1998 with no problems. It keeps the area right above the airstone ice free even in 20 below weather and maintains the oxygen content of the pond saturated at 10 parts per million all year round with no stratification. Electrical load is equivalent to a 250 watt light bulb. One large advantage of the system is that all electrical connections and components are on dry land. Using submersible pumps or having electrical connections in a pond that you might use for swimming can be a safety issue. The company from which I purchased the system no longer carries the product, however, it is being carried by another company (Natural Reflections LLC) If you are interested I can provide an e-mail address and a contact name and phone number.
Bill
I use a dedicated low pressure 1/3 HP air compressor connected by hose to a 2 square foot airstone in the deepest (12 feet) part of my pond. The system will move 120,000 gal of water per hour and inverts my pond once every 4.8 hours. I have had it since 1998 with no problems. It keeps the area right above the airstone ice free even in 20 below weather and maintains the oxygen content of the pond saturated at 10 parts per million all year round with no stratification. Electrical load is equivalent to a 250 watt light bulb. One large advantage of the system is that all electrical connections and components are on dry land. Using submersible pumps or having electrical connections in a pond that you might use for swimming can be a safety issue. The company from which I purchased the system no longer carries the product, however, it is being carried by another company (Natural Reflections LLC) If you are interested I can provide an e-mail address and a contact name and phone number.
Bill
That's a good testimonial. Have you had to do any maintenance? I was over on the PondBoss forum, lurking and reading, and read that some airstones get pretty dirty and have to be cleaned with muriatic acid periodically. Some folks were recommending a rubber membrane instead of the airstone for easier cleaning.
I won't have any problems with ice /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif, but I'm interested just the same. I'm interested in the email and contact name; I rarely use the phone. Do you have a rough idea of the cost?
It will be several months before I have electricity to the pond. Regardless of whether I use compressed air, I'll still have a fountain for looks. The pond won't be used for swimming per se, because we're going to have a pool, but the kids and the dogs will play around it, and I like to wade. All of the pump sites mention the risk with a submerged pump; but I wonder what the odds really are of a problem?
I won't have any problems with ice /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif, but I'm interested just the same. I'm interested in the email and contact name; I rarely use the phone. Do you have a rough idea of the cost?
It will be several months before I have electricity to the pond. Regardless of whether I use compressed air, I'll still have a fountain for looks. The pond won't be used for swimming per se, because we're going to have a pool, but the kids and the dogs will play around it, and I like to wade. All of the pump sites mention the risk with a submerged pump; but I wonder what the odds really are of a problem?
SPIKER
Elite Member
DON:
I think by you're statements that the pond if fairly new correct?
why not wait a year or so untill the budget or the pond it's self tells you what it wants or needs? Normally ponds do not need airation unless they are highly protected from sun & wind. both of which will help to turn over the water. Sun warms the bottom and the water rises. wind pushes water from one side to the other and the water goes back via undertoe type ffect. though it will stratify in most cases it is not a bad thing. very rarely will a pond turn over in a bad way. usually airiation or puimps are needed when the pond grows too much alge or weeds choak it out. even then if you are not worried about fish in there or swimming then that is not an issue. one of the guys who have the commercial wind airiation unit has his bcause the pond is shallow and has lots of fish not to mention some ag run off causes alge bloom yearly. the other guy just liked it and has a much smaller pond and more fish. also ahs a high bank on one side to prevent much wind getting to it.
play a little wait and see game if you want. keeping the pond full with the house pump is probalby not the best thing. maybe add in some rain gutter drains and or a sistern and pump form there as needed. the natural evaporation won't harm the pond and a little up/down is good for the edges and small fish/crustations.
Mark m /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think by you're statements that the pond if fairly new correct?
why not wait a year or so untill the budget or the pond it's self tells you what it wants or needs? Normally ponds do not need airation unless they are highly protected from sun & wind. both of which will help to turn over the water. Sun warms the bottom and the water rises. wind pushes water from one side to the other and the water goes back via undertoe type ffect. though it will stratify in most cases it is not a bad thing. very rarely will a pond turn over in a bad way. usually airiation or puimps are needed when the pond grows too much alge or weeds choak it out. even then if you are not worried about fish in there or swimming then that is not an issue. one of the guys who have the commercial wind airiation unit has his bcause the pond is shallow and has lots of fish not to mention some ag run off causes alge bloom yearly. the other guy just liked it and has a much smaller pond and more fish. also ahs a high bank on one side to prevent much wind getting to it.
play a little wait and see game if you want. keeping the pond full with the house pump is probalby not the best thing. maybe add in some rain gutter drains and or a sistern and pump form there as needed. the natural evaporation won't harm the pond and a little up/down is good for the edges and small fish/crustations.
Mark m /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Yes, it was completed last November. It's about 1/4 acre, about 100' x 110', but slightly kidney-shaped. It has 5:1 slopes near the top, then falls off to steeper banks under water, and has a "hole" in the center that was originally about 16' deep. I haven't checked it, but the contractor was sure that the hole would fill in naturally with the water action, probably to 12' or so. The hole was punched through to get through the hardpan and into the water table -- remember, Florida ponds aren't sealed, they are supplied by the water table.
I don't know if algae will be a problem, but here in Florida, it usually is. Weeds will be a problem. It hasn't been though a summer yet, so I don't know what the intense sun will do to it. Not much hard wind, but a breeze blowing most of the time. It's flat and fairly open.
It's definitely going to get a fountain, because I want a car lift in the barn. Betsy wants a fountain, and I pretend to not want one, so I can justify the cost of my lift against the cost of her fountain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think the fountain will do a better job of keeping the surface clean.
As far as keeping the water level on an even keel, that's somewhat for looks, but the technical reason is because natural up and down is a mosquito breeder. We'll have enough of a problem with that without all the shoreline being a breeding area. I plan to put in an overflow pipe and cut the balance pretty close so it doesn't rise too much when it rains. Last summer, when we had so much rain I had some flooding on the property, there was a point at dusk when I couldn't breath because of the mosquitoes. The pond, and the resulting fill raising the property, should take care of the flooding...
Bottom line, I think you're right about waiting to see how it behaves before putting in the airstone. It will be late summer before I get electricity to it, anyway (still haven't finished my house design, and therefore haven't pulled any permits), so it will be almost a year.
I don't know if algae will be a problem, but here in Florida, it usually is. Weeds will be a problem. It hasn't been though a summer yet, so I don't know what the intense sun will do to it. Not much hard wind, but a breeze blowing most of the time. It's flat and fairly open.
It's definitely going to get a fountain, because I want a car lift in the barn. Betsy wants a fountain, and I pretend to not want one, so I can justify the cost of my lift against the cost of her fountain. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I think the fountain will do a better job of keeping the surface clean.
As far as keeping the water level on an even keel, that's somewhat for looks, but the technical reason is because natural up and down is a mosquito breeder. We'll have enough of a problem with that without all the shoreline being a breeding area. I plan to put in an overflow pipe and cut the balance pretty close so it doesn't rise too much when it rains. Last summer, when we had so much rain I had some flooding on the property, there was a point at dusk when I couldn't breath because of the mosquitoes. The pond, and the resulting fill raising the property, should take care of the flooding...
Bottom line, I think you're right about waiting to see how it behaves before putting in the airstone. It will be late summer before I get electricity to it, anyway (still haven't finished my house design, and therefore haven't pulled any permits), so it will be almost a year.
