Barley balls....
 

Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores look
at me like I have 2 heads...


--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

We use Barley bails all the time. Works great. One bail (there small) last
for about 3 months. Our pond stays clear. Barley bails can be found and pond
specialty stores (expensive) or at Feed stores (much cheaper).
Just put the barley in a nylon, netting or some kind of container with
holes. It takes a few weeks for the barley to do it's job. It needs to
decompose to be effective.

"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores
look
at me like I have 2 heads...


--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

gareee wrote has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store?

The barley that is used is the straw part of the plant. After the grain is
harvested a small portion of the leftover straw is bundled up and sold to the
pond industry. I've heard of a couple different theories as to how it works but
have never tried it myself. I'm not really convinced that it works all that
well and the prices charged for it are so high when I see the stuff laying
around in the fields waiting to get plowed under ;-)


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

well and the prices charged for it are so high when I see the stuff laying
around in the fields waiting to get plowed under ;-)

That is probably wheat straw.

Barley balls....
 

GrannyGrump wrote That is probably wheat straw.

Why would you say that?


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

Why would you say that?

Most farmers don't bother baling the stems after combining wheat, they
plow it under for fertilizer. Some still bale it and sell it.

Barley balls....
 

That's what I said.
Around here (Eastern WA) most all grain crops (barley, wheat, lentils, dry
peas) are harvested,
the straw sits in the field over winter and is plowed under in the spring.
So I see the free barley straw out there laying around and then I see it in the
pond store in a cute little bundle priced at $12 for a couple handfuls.
My brother-in-law, after his jaw dropped seeing the price, said if he could
sell a whole field for that price he'd give up on wheat and lentils and put in
barley. But it is a very small market and more of a boutique item.






kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

Went to Southern States and bought a bale of barley straw for $3.00. That
ws 4 years ago. Still got most of the bale and the barley straw works just
fine in keeping out the algae. I put it in small hamster balls.


"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores
look
at me like I have 2 heads...


--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores
look
at me like I have 2 heads...

Be sure to add a proper amount of malt as well. Save the hops for the last 5
minutes of the boil, unless of course you are making an India Pale Pond,
then add the hops in stages over the last 15 minutes of the boil. MMmmmm.

BV.

Barley balls....
 

Would regular straw work? We cgot a few bails for grass seeding last year,
and stil have plenty of it.

--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

Gareee wrote Would regular straw work?

I don't think so. The whole barley business was discovered when farmers in
Europe noticed that run off thru fields of left over barley straw ran clear
when straw from other grain crops went had algae messes in their run off.

Aquatic Ecosystems has this to say -
Research through "Aquatic Weeds Research Unit U.K." indicates that barley
straw is highly effective in the control of algae. How about that, an organic
approach to algae control! It takes six to eight weeks for barley straw to
become active after it is placed in moving water. After that, barley straw will
remain an active algaecide for approximately six months. Microbial growth,
oxygen and warm water temperatures activate the decomposition of the straw.
With sufficient water flow through the straw, lignins oxidize into homic acids
and, with sunlight and oxygen, destroy algae, with no effect on higher plant
and aquatic life.
Barley straw decomposes slowly, so its oxygen demand does not cause problems
unless an excessive amount of straw is used. Stagnant water will go anaerobic
inside the straw bundle, killing the microbes, so be sure to keep the water
moving.

Now in six to eight weeks just about anything will clear a pond, water
hyacinths, anacharis, uv, veggie filter, time and patience ;-)


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

"Ka30P" wrote in message
...

Now in six to eight weeks just about anything will clear a pond, water
hyacinths, anacharis, uv, veggie filter, time and patience ;-)

We have 3 peace lilies, and just got some water lilies, but they won't be
blooming for a month or two.

The green doesn't bother us that much.. we're just happy to have a pond
again! ;)

I'll have to check the local feed store, and see if they have barley bails.
Not sure if I can locate it here in the boondocks...

Thank god for Internet online ordering ;)

--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

One thing I tried was using spent malt, well rinsed, in a stocking
between the filter pads of my biofalls. (Heck, it's just waste matter
that usually goes into my compost bin anyway). Doesn't work! Lots of
string algae.

Then, I tried plain (unbrewed) flaked barley in the same fashion. No go.

I have yet to try the barley straw, but other posters in this group seem
to find that it works. I think I may just bite the bullet, save my
barley for beer, and get the straw!

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

Barley balls....
 

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

BV.

Barley balls....
 

how do you use irish moss?
the stuff I have is a plant,,, in dirt , with roots.


"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Gareee© wrote:
Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for
solutions. Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people
in the stores look at me like I have 2 heads...

As both a pond enthusiast and homebrewer, and having a ready supply of
barley and malt on hand, I thought I might combine my two loves. After
checking out the ridiculous prices that pond stores want for barley
straw, I tried various experiments with what I have on hand.

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

BV.

Barley balls....
 

"*muffin*" wrote in message
...
how do you use irish moss?
the stuff I have is a plant,,, in dirt , with roots.
snip

Sorry muff...I was continuing the thread on beer ingrediants. Irish moss is
used in dry form as a clarifying agent when brewing beer.

BV.

Barley balls....
 

Benign Vanilla wrote:

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

I used it once. The beer didn't turn out too good, so I never used it
again. I don't know if it was the moss, or if it was just an innocent
bystander. The beer's been just fine without it.

Hmmm, I wonder if it clarifies pond water? :-)

Seriously, though, I've used my bentonite that I use to clarify wine in
my pond. It's the same thing as koi clay, if I'm not mistaken. I still
have string algae though.
:-(

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

Barley balls....
 

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Benign Vanilla wrote:

Have you tried the Irish moss yet?

I used it once. The beer didn't turn out too good, so I never used it
again. I don't know if it was the moss, or if it was just an innocent
bystander. The beer's been just fine without it.

Hmmm, I wonder if it clarifies pond water? :-)

Seriously, though, I've used my bentonite that I use to clarify wine in
my pond. It's the same thing as koi clay, if I'm not mistaken. I still
have string algae though.

Hmm...that's interesting. I have always used it for every batch. Not sure I
believe it works though.

On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just pull
some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching pine needles
and other debris.

BV.

Barley balls....
 

Benign Vanilla wrote:


On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just
pull some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching
pine needles and other debris.

I pull it out *every day*. It seems to grow a foot overnight. Also, I
have mosquitos for the first time. I wonder if the SA is harboring the
eggs/larvae so that the fish can't get to them. Could also just be the
exceptional amount of rain we've had in the midwest this spring.

Oh well, I guess I should just "Don't worry. Relax. Have a homebrew".
g

--
Bill

"Wise fool"
Gandalf, THE TWO TOWERS
-- The Wise will remove 'se' to reply; the Foolish will not--

Barley balls....
 

"Bill O'Meally" wrote in message
...
Benign Vanilla wrote:


On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just
pull some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching
pine needles and other debris.

I pull it out *every day*. It seems to grow a foot overnight. Also, I
have mosquitos for the first time. I wonder if the SA is harboring the
eggs/larvae so that the fish can't get to them. Could also just be the
exceptional amount of rain we've had in the midwest this spring.

Oh well, I guess I should just "Don't worry. Relax. Have a homebrew".

My problem has always been the soup of the pea variety, so I am not much
help with the string.

I like the homebrew idea though.

BV.

Barley balls....
 

So will these Barley Balls etc take care of existing algae or are they
only effective for when algae starts?

I was given a bag of barley straw (so I was told) from a friend who also
gave me a bunch of different lilies and plants etc. She said to immerse
it and hold it down with a brick. Its not slowed down the algae growth
one iota. I don't want to hurt the fish (feeder gold fish and a ton of
'skeeter eaters' our environmental health dept gave away free to pond
owners) nor the plants in my tiny 125 gal pond but that stuff is choking
the death out of my pump, and I'm cleaning daily now but losing the war.
And some of the 'skeeter eaters' were pregnant so I've at least 100 or
more babies under 1" long thriving in there.

Grandpa John (newbie to ponds this year)

Bill O'Meally wrote:

Benign Vanilla wrote:


On topic...I get some string algae, but it doesn't bother me. I just
pull some out from time to time. Besides SA is great for catching
pine needles and other debris.


I pull it out *every day*. It seems to grow a foot overnight. Also, I
have mosquitos for the first time. I wonder if the SA is harboring the
eggs/larvae so that the fish can't get to them. Could also just be the
exceptional amount of rain we've had in the midwest this spring.

Oh well, I guess I should just "Don't worry. Relax. Have a homebrew".
g

Barley balls....
 

Hi Grandpa John,

You might have too many fish in your pond.
Goldfish will do a fine job of eating mosquito larvae. You can catch your
excess fish with a minnow trap.
I'll post the algae tips for you:

Algae fighting tips
~ Nutrients for all forms of algae are sun, new water, fish waste, fertilized
run off, rotting plants, blown in dirt.
~ New ponds and spring ponds need time for plants to get established, algae is
quicker at getting going.
~ add plants, of any kind, in the pond. Especially underwater plants.
~ Shade is good - provided by lily pads, floating plants or artificial shade
for part of the day.
~ LOW fish stocking (20 gallons per goldfish, 100 per koi after starting with
1,000 gallons) and *not* overfeeding the fish. Too many fish and too much
feeding is probably responsible for most pea soup water, followed closely by
too much decaying plant matter, sludge and overall gunk in the water
~ clean up dead plant matter and screen for falling leaves in the fall. Clean
out pond once a year.
~ building ponds with bottom drains and skimmers.
~ do not use algaecides, they only make lots of suddenly dead algae and that
will feed the next algae bloom.
~ do not use products to dye to the water...
~ do not worry about algae that grows on things (substrate algae) this is good
for a pond
~ gently remove string algae
~ build a veggie filter* see below
~ water movement and occasional water changes of 10%
~ add a sludge consumer, concentrated bacteria.
many rec.ponders use http://www.united-tech.com/m-aq4u-toc.html
~ Check your pH, too high, over 8.8, or too low, under 6.4, and most higher
plant forms can't take up the nutrients.
~ UV lights work on suspended algae (green water) - does cost some $$.
~ adding a combination mechanical and biological filter to screen gunk and
convert fishy ammonia waste for fish health.
~ patience, more patience and time ;-)



*Veggie filter ~ running the pond's water through plants
- as easy as floating water hyacinth in top of a stock tank and planting
watercress in your waterfall (my method ;-)
or
read Ingrid's post on plant filters:
"The essence of a plant filter is a water proof container with the water from
the pond
being pumped in one end flowing thru the roots of various plants and flowing
back
into the pond at the other end.
It needs to be long enough that solids settle to the bottom OR have filter
material
that will slow or hold the solids (and get rinsed out periodically).
It needs plants of different kinds to maximize removal of all wastes.
it needs sufficient amount of plants to remove in one day all the wastes
produced by
the fish load in one day. It needs plants with extensive roots and/or plants
that get big so they used up more
nutrients. It needs to be only 8-12" deep so it doesnt go anaerobic."
or go he
http://www.iheartmypond.com/Design/D...rs/default.asp

kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

owners) nor the plants in my tiny 125 gal pond but that stuff is choking
the death out of my pump, and I'm cleaning daily now but losing the war.
And some of the 'skeeter eaters' were pregnant so I've at least 100 or

Tell me you didn't put the straw in your pond loose?

Barley balls....
 

GrannyGrump wrote:
owners) nor the plants in my tiny 125 gal pond but that stuff is choking
the death out of my pump, and I'm cleaning daily now but losing the war.
And some of the 'skeeter eaters' were pregnant so I've at least 100 or


Tell me you didn't put the straw in your pond loose?

Nah, its inside a small bag that oranges came in with ¼" spacing between
the strings. It stays submerged by itself now but has done nothing to
inhibit algae growth.

Grandpa John

Barley balls....
 

Outstanding, thanks a bunch!

Ka30P wrote:

Hi Grandpa John,

You might have too many fish in your pond.
Goldfish will do a fine job of eating mosquito larvae. You can catch your
excess fish with a minnow trap.

I had 9 feeder goldfish but decided that I should have some of the
skeeter eaters since (1) they were free; and (2) we do have a problem in
NM with West Nile virussigh here so our Env H dept has been doing
public service announcements and urging people to take the fish. I told
them how big the pond was and that I had feeder fish in it but they
seemed to think I needed a dozen skeeter eaters. Dang things are worse
than Gerbils & Rabbits judging by all the little uns, and shoot, I just
got them 2 weeks ago!

FWIW, mine is 125 gals (from Sam's Club), black plastic dogbone shape,
plant steps in all 4 corners & a small waterfall step attachment.

~ Nutrients for all forms of algae are sun, new water, fish waste, fertilized
run off, rotting plants, blown in dirt.

Arrrrrrrgh, I'm in Albuquerque and we have LOTS of sun and blowing sand.

~ New ponds and spring ponds need time for plants to get established, algae is
quicker at getting going.

The plants are extremely healthy, in fact I've had top seperate one
bunch in a 6" pot already as the roots were coming out everywhere.

~ add plants, of any kind, in the pond. Especially underwater plants.

Underwater, please expand. Lilies are underwater but of course the
flower and pad are on the surface. Are these considered underwater
plants? Gently please, I am a newbie to ponds.

~ do not worry about algae that grows on things (substrate algae) this is good
for a pond

I'm assuming this is the type that you can just barely pick up in your
hand as its so fine and spread out. In my pond it floats and the pomp
that makes the mushroom display pushes it towards the sides but no way
can you pick it up.

~ gently remove string algae

I've been taking it out every 3-5 days. Seems to stay around the lilies
mostly.

I'm thinking I need to locate a feed store and buy a bale of this Barley
Hay, unless its available in smaller qtys at a CHEAP price.

Thanks again, Grandpa John

Barley balls....
 

Grandpa John wrote

Underwater, please expand.

Do you have a good nursery that carries pond plants? Many of them sell plants
that grow completely underwater. Some of them are getting hard to find now as
they can become noxious weeds in many states. Anacharis and hornwort are common
underwater plants.

Substrate algae is more like a green fuzz that grows on the side of the pond,
the sides of plant pots. It should not fall apart when you touch it.
Stuff that falls apart is probably dead algae that should be removed from your
pond via a mechanical filter - what this could be is anything that catches
stuff before it goes into your pump or before the water goes over the
waterfall.



kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

Ka30P wrote:

Grandpa John wrote
Underwater, please expand.

Do you have a good nursery that carries pond plants? Many of them sell plants
that grow completely underwater. Some of them are getting hard to find now as
they can become noxious weeds in many states. Anacharis and hornwort are common
underwater plants.

We have 1 but they don't seem to have a good handle on pond plants,
great for other stuff though. Thets where I saw the 'expensive' barley
balls right after I started my pond. The only other place I've seen any
pond plants at all is WalMartsigh.

Substrate algae is more like a green fuzz that grows on the side of the pond,
the sides of plant pots. It should not fall apart when you touch it.

That describes mine but its so fine, almost like a foam, that when you
pick it up it runs out of you hand. It doesn't adhere to itself.

Stuff that falls apart is probably dead algae that should be removed from your
pond via a mechanical filter - what this could be is anything that catches
stuff before it goes into your pump or before the water goes over the
waterfall.

I had really good luck yesterday with a foam sleeve over the pump PU
tube. Had to clean it 8 different times as it plugged up, plus I got a
lot of stuff off the bottom. I've the unit sitting upon a brick so it
doesn't get plugged constantly. I may well pick up another pump of
sorts for filtering out the bigger stuff, like into a 5gal plastic
bucket, strain thru an old Tshirt then pour back into the pond.

One more Q on barley hay if I may, should the ball/bag be floating or
fully submerged. The friend who graciously gave me the plants etc said
submerged, the barley balls I saw said floating and that when they
submerged by themselves to replace them.

Thanks VERY much for helping a newbie'
Grandpa John

PS-you're making my beautiful little 3 yr old grandaughter very happy as
she is completely fascinated with the pond. She points out the fish,
the flowers and loves sitting by & wathcing it. She's a nature girl
(loves critters) we watch bugs & birds together and have a turtle in my
compost bin thats her buddy (Timmy the Turtle) and she feeds it carrots
and cantalope among other veggies.

Barley balls....
 

Grandpa John wrote

One more Q on barley hay if I may, should the ball/bag be floating or
fully submerged. The friend who graciously gave me the plants etc said
submerged, the barley balls I saw said floating and that when they
submerged by themselves to replace them.

I have never used barley so I'm not the best one to answer that question but
other people have. I haven't added it to my algae hints yet. Don't know enough
to feel comfortable in adding it but I will do some more research and add it
some day. Maybe find a good link to drop in there.

PS-you're making my beautiful little 3 yr old grandaughter very happy as
she is completely fascinated with the pond. She points out the fish,
the flowers and loves sitting by & wathcing it. She's a nature girl
(loves critters) we watch bugs & birds together and have a turtle in my
compost bin thats her buddy (Timmy the Turtle) and she feeds it carrots
and cantalope among other veggies

:-))))) What a sweetie!!
This stuff can be so rewarding with children. We built our pond when my
youngest (almost 15 now!) was in elementary school and he, along with one of
the labs, as a puppy, used to paitiently try to catch bullfrogs. He was the
only one who could do it. The bullfrogs would be very good about hanging still
as he carried them up to the porch, they seemed half as big as he was. I'd take
their picture and then back they'd go in the pond.

I'm off to Seattle for a quick over and back trip. Hope someone can help with
the barley question.


kathy :-)
A HREF="http://www.onceuponapond.com/"Once upon a pond/A

Barley balls....
 

On Sun, 6 Jun 2004 15:52:41 -0400, "Gareee©"
wrote:

Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores look
at me like I have 2 heads...


Don't waste your time, money, etc. on barley. Invest in a good UV
light and your green water will be gone.

Barley balls....
 

whowantsto wrote:

Don't waste your time, money, etc. on barley. Invest in a good UV
light and your green water will be gone.

I have to admit that I really do disagree with this "advice". My pond
is a bit over 800 gallons and with careful fish stocking, planting,
aeration and use of a small pad of barley straw every three or four
months (when I think about it and it's "around that time") I have not
had an algae bloom since the initial start up bloom (knocking on my head
as it's the only wooden object available).

I simply do not want to use a UV light. I don't like the idea of it.
It's not a power problem (I have power to my pond and available unused
outlets) nor a cost issue (in laws keep telling me I *must* have one and
that they are going to buy one for me and I keep saying no thanks), I
just don't like killing off stuff willy nilly. It just doesn't feel
right to me - e.g., beneficial things must be killed off in addition to
single cell algae. So, it's a personal thing as I suspect it is with
many others who use it or don't use it.

Susan
shsimko[@]duke[.]edu

Barley balls....
 

"whowantsto" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 6 Jun 2004 15:52:41 -0400, "Gareee©"
wrote:

Ok, these clear up ponds.. has anyone just tried barley, like from the
grocery store? Maybe in a punctured tupperware container or such?

Since our pond here's turning green, I'm starting to look for solutions.
Locally, when I mention barley balls and such, the people in the stores
look
at me like I have 2 heads...


Don't waste your time, money, etc. on barley. Invest in a good UV
light and your green water will be gone.

Well, after a HUGE storm, my pond in now a clay pool.. upside is, that is no
longer looks green...


I think I liked the green better.. ;)


--
Gareee©
Homepage:
http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm
Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more!

Barley balls....
 

"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
snip
Well, after a HUGE storm, my pond in now a clay pool.. upside is, that is
no
longer looks green...
snip

Listen...I can take JMK poking fun at me.
I can handle k30a taking joy in my rainbow colored pond.
I can take Nedra using voodoo dolls to stop my four foot deep lotus success.
I can handle Ingrid's distain for my lack of belief in salt.

I CANNOT however...tolerate another clay pond on this group. I own the
cornered market on orange ponds, and will not...

Well OK, I can pass this gauntlet on to another PORG. *sniffle* But I need
it back in the spring.

BV.

Barley balls....
 

"Benign Vanilla" wrote in message
...

"Gareee©" wrote in message
...
snip
Well, after a HUGE storm, my pond in now a clay pool.. upside is, that
is
no
longer looks green...
snip

Listen...I can take JMK poking fun at me.
I can handle k30a taking joy in my rainbow colored pond.
I can take Nedra using voodoo dolls to stop my four foot deep lotus
success.
I can handle Ingrid's distain for my lack of belief in salt.

I CANNOT however...tolerate another clay pond on this group. I own the
cornered market on orange ponds, and will not...

Well OK, I can pass this gauntlet on to another PORG. *sniffle* But I need
it back in the spring.

I'd be happy to get the green back! We had JUST added two goldfish from
walmart 3 days before, and enjoyed seeing them merrily for all of 2 DAYS.

They MIGHT still be in there, but I'll be damned if we can see them.

I'm thinking of getting some cheescloth or such, and using the gargoyle
fountain as a "pump" for a makeshift filter.

I just hope the fish didn't move out in disgust!

Part of the problem was getting cheap gutter guards last year. The
collapsed, and the muck piled up in the gutters. when we got the GREAT
DELUGE the other day, the gutter convieniently overflow in a PERFECT spot to
wash clay and out new pine bark mulch into the pond.

I spent almost all of today cleaning the muck out of the gutters, and
putting *good* gutter guards in.

Course the hot sun on the roof turns it into a frying pan, and I burned my
leg on the friggin hot roof.

--
Gareee©
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