Gravel on the bottom? or not

[Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)]

Hi,

I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure if
it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
but will it be a pain to keep clean?

Any thoughts much appreciated.


Mike

[DonKcR]

Mike, You said it, it's a pain to keep clean. I started out with small rocks
in the bottom of my small pond and the waste collected in them all most
impossible to clean. The pond forms a green tint after a short while that in
itself looks great. I'd say no to gravel personally. No more rocks for me I
took them all out, now that was a true pain. Kc
"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
. ..
> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure
if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.
>
>
> Mike
>
>

[DonKcR]

Mike, You said it, it's a pain to keep clean. I started out with small rocks
in the bottom of my small pond and the waste collected in them all most
impossible to clean. The pond forms a green tint after a short while that in
itself looks great. I'd say no to gravel personally. No more rocks for me I
took them all out, now that was a true pain. Kc
"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
. ..
> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure
if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.
>
>
> Mike
>
>

[RichToyBox]

Mike,

The tropical fish tank has an undergravel filter that draws water down and
through the gravel. That works and works well. In a pond, the gravel is
just sitting there collecting dead leaves, dead algae, poop, and all manner
of other things that are going to rot. Without the flow of water through
the gravel, the rotting is anaerobic, creating hydrogen sulfide gas that is
toxic to the fish, provides a hiding place for parasites, and is a royal
pain when it comes time to clean the pond. The gravel does give the pond a
more natural appearance, but the good blanket algae will grow on all
surfaces, and then the gravel will look like the liner, or vice versa.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
. ..
> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure
if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.
>
>
> Mike
>
>

[RichToyBox]

Mike,

The tropical fish tank has an undergravel filter that draws water down and
through the gravel. That works and works well. In a pond, the gravel is
just sitting there collecting dead leaves, dead algae, poop, and all manner
of other things that are going to rot. Without the flow of water through
the gravel, the rotting is anaerobic, creating hydrogen sulfide gas that is
toxic to the fish, provides a hiding place for parasites, and is a royal
pain when it comes time to clean the pond. The gravel does give the pond a
more natural appearance, but the good blanket algae will grow on all
surfaces, and then the gravel will look like the liner, or vice versa.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
. ..
> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure
if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.
>
>
> Mike
>
>

[joe]

Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums) wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.

I wouldn't use gravel. I would, however, use rocks. I just think it looks
much more natural.

Joe



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[joe]

Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums) wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure if
> it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
> keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
> but will it be a pain to keep clean?
>
> Any thoughts much appreciated.

I wouldn't use gravel. I would, however, use rocks. I just think it looks
much more natural.

Joe



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http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 80,000 Newsgroups - 16 Different Servers! =-----

[Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)]

"RichToyBox" > wrote in message
. net...
> Mike,
>
> The tropical fish tank has an undergravel filter that draws water down and
> through the gravel. That works and works well. In a pond, the gravel is
> just sitting there collecting dead leaves, dead algae, poop, and all
manner
> of other things that are going to rot. Without the flow of water through
> the gravel, the rotting is anaerobic, creating hydrogen sulfide gas that
is
> toxic to the fish, provides a hiding place for parasites, and is a royal
> pain when it comes time to clean the pond. The gravel does give the pond
a
> more natural appearance, but the good blanket algae will grow on all
> surfaces, and then the gravel will look like the liner, or vice versa.


Thanks, that's what I was thinking, it's just the liner has a few bumps and
creases in it due to the shape of the pond and I don't really want to see
them, but like you say, algae will form on there and it will probably look
ok.


Mike

[Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)]

"RichToyBox" > wrote in message
. net...
> Mike,
>
> The tropical fish tank has an undergravel filter that draws water down and
> through the gravel. That works and works well. In a pond, the gravel is
> just sitting there collecting dead leaves, dead algae, poop, and all
manner
> of other things that are going to rot. Without the flow of water through
> the gravel, the rotting is anaerobic, creating hydrogen sulfide gas that
is
> toxic to the fish, provides a hiding place for parasites, and is a royal
> pain when it comes time to clean the pond. The gravel does give the pond
a
> more natural appearance, but the good blanket algae will grow on all
> surfaces, and then the gravel will look like the liner, or vice versa.


Thanks, that's what I was thinking, it's just the liner has a few bumps and
creases in it due to the shape of the pond and I don't really want to see
them, but like you say, algae will form on there and it will probably look
ok.


Mike

[Andrew Burgess]

"Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)" > writes:

>I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure if
>it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
>keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
>but will it be a pain to keep clean?

I use black epoxy coated aquarium gravel in my pond. The koi love to root
in it and it has no algae or debris collecting -- the koi just mouth
it too much.

I didn't want regular colored aquarium gravel as I think koi look
better on a dark background.

I can see where bigger gravel or stones would be problematic.

[Andrew Burgess]

"Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)" > writes:

>I've just finished building a small pond using a liner, but I'm not sure if
>it's a good idea to put gravel in the bottom or not. Being a tropical fish
>keeper, it seems the natural thing to do, and I think it will look better,
>but will it be a pain to keep clean?

I use black epoxy coated aquarium gravel in my pond. The koi love to root
in it and it has no algae or debris collecting -- the koi just mouth
it too much.

I didn't want regular colored aquarium gravel as I think koi look
better on a dark background.

I can see where bigger gravel or stones would be problematic.

[Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)]

"LeeAnne" > wrote in message
...
> I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I did
was
> put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local garden
> supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it was
> just flat cut field stone :-)

That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden centre
near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a simple
flat base.

[Mike \(mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums\)]

"LeeAnne" > wrote in message
...
> I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I did
was
> put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local garden
> supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it was
> just flat cut field stone :-)

That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden centre
near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a simple
flat base.

[LeeAnne]

My pond, I should mention, is also very small - more of a bird splashing
pool so if/when they get nasty I can just take 'em out and hose 'em off.

www.chewedtoast.com if you're interested in seeing.

LeeAnne

"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
...
>
> "LeeAnne" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I did
> was
> > put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local garden
> > supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it
was
> > just flat cut field stone :-)
>
> That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden centre
> near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a simple
> flat base.
>
>
>
>

[LeeAnne]

My pond, I should mention, is also very small - more of a bird splashing
pool so if/when they get nasty I can just take 'em out and hose 'em off.

www.chewedtoast.com if you're interested in seeing.

LeeAnne

"Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> wrote in message
...
>
> "LeeAnne" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I did
> was
> > put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local garden
> > supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it
was
> > just flat cut field stone :-)
>
> That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden centre
> near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a simple
> flat base.
>
>
>
>

[Lee Brouillet]

KEWL! Little ponds with no fish are much different than large fish with huge
fish loads! I'm sure your birdie friends enjoy the place to splash and cool
off. Watching birds take a bath has always made me happy I'm human, with a
little more control over where the water goes! <G>

Lee

"LeeAnne" > wrote in message
...
> My pond, I should mention, is also very small - more of a bird splashing
> pool so if/when they get nasty I can just take 'em out and hose 'em off.
>
> www.chewedtoast.com if you're interested in seeing.
>
> LeeAnne
>
> "Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "LeeAnne" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I
did
> > was
> > > put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local
garden
> > > supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it
> was
> > > just flat cut field stone :-)
> >
> > That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden
centre
> > near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a
simple
> > flat base.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Lee Brouillet]

KEWL! Little ponds with no fish are much different than large fish with huge
fish loads! I'm sure your birdie friends enjoy the place to splash and cool
off. Watching birds take a bath has always made me happy I'm human, with a
little more control over where the water goes! <G>

Lee

"LeeAnne" > wrote in message
...
> My pond, I should mention, is also very small - more of a bird splashing
> pool so if/when they get nasty I can just take 'em out and hose 'em off.
>
> www.chewedtoast.com if you're interested in seeing.
>
> LeeAnne
>
> "Mike (mixmanx at AV and DVD Forums)"
> > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "LeeAnne" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I also would agree w/the masses here and say 'no' to gravel. What I
did
> > was
> > > put some flat rocks in - I was able to purchase them at my local
garden
> > > supply place by the pound. I was calling it slate until I learned it
> was
> > > just flat cut field stone :-)
> >
> > That's not a bad idea, using slate I mean, there is a water garden
centre
> > near me that sells nice big flat pieces that I could arrange into a
simple
> > flat base.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[NJ]

"joe" > wrote in message
...
> Lee Brouillet wrote:
>
> > However, it would still get overgrown
> > with algae, so you wouldn't see it anyhow, so why go to the trouble?
>
> I've heard others say that too, but I have rocks on the bottom of my pond
> and I can see them fine and dandy.
>
> Joe

Same here, Joe. I have a small pond (600 gal), liner, and the bottom and
sides are covered in marble-sized river rock. I have a PondSweep skimmer
system and waterfall. The pond is 3 yrs. old. I have not had any issues
dealing with collected crud. I have 4 fish, and my water lilies (2) and
anacharis are rooted right into the bottom of the pond under the gravel.
They are doing very well...the anacharis has grown a foot and is sending up
blooms almost daily. I had no idea it would do that, but this is the first
year we rooted it into the bottom.

I do lots and lots of "Ponding No-No's", according to the accepted
practices, but my pond is balanced, crystal clear, and my fish are happy and
illness-free. Two of them have been in the pond since we first established
it, and they have wintered over each year here in zone 5b. I guess one
Ponding Rule is the overriding one here: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

NJ

[NJ]

"joe" > wrote in message
...
> Lee Brouillet wrote:
>
> > However, it would still get overgrown
> > with algae, so you wouldn't see it anyhow, so why go to the trouble?
>
> I've heard others say that too, but I have rocks on the bottom of my pond
> and I can see them fine and dandy.
>
> Joe

Same here, Joe. I have a small pond (600 gal), liner, and the bottom and
sides are covered in marble-sized river rock. I have a PondSweep skimmer
system and waterfall. The pond is 3 yrs. old. I have not had any issues
dealing with collected crud. I have 4 fish, and my water lilies (2) and
anacharis are rooted right into the bottom of the pond under the gravel.
They are doing very well...the anacharis has grown a foot and is sending up
blooms almost daily. I had no idea it would do that, but this is the first
year we rooted it into the bottom.

I do lots and lots of "Ponding No-No's", according to the accepted
practices, but my pond is balanced, crystal clear, and my fish are happy and
illness-free. Two of them have been in the pond since we first established
it, and they have wintered over each year here in zone 5b. I guess one
Ponding Rule is the overriding one here: If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

NJ

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

My latest answer to this question is:

Build your pond without rocks, get to know your pond, water quality, etc.
It is easier to add rocks later than to remove them.

Personally I think once you get to know your pond, you'll think twice about
rocks. Plus you'll have more water for fish without rocks, imo. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website

[~ jan JJsPond.us]

My latest answer to this question is:

Build your pond without rocks, get to know your pond, water quality, etc.
It is easier to add rocks later than to remove them.

Personally I think once you get to know your pond, you'll think twice about
rocks. Plus you'll have more water for fish without rocks, imo. ~ jan

See my ponds and filter design:
http://users.owt.com/jjspond/

~Keep 'em Wet!~
Tri-Cities WA Zone 7a
To e-mail see website