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Hi all, just started up a 1/2 barrel liner pond /w fountain pump after
reading the posts here, but have a few questions..
I did not put gravel at the bottom. Can you tell me what kind of
gravel is ideal? It is in a sunny location, I picked up 25 lbs of
aquarium gravel (epoxy coated or something like that), but I thought
was expensive. Can I get the small river pebbles from Lowes
landscaping section? It is alot cheaper more natural looking.\
## Yes, buy it at Lowe's or Home Depot. The pond and aquarium stores are a
real rip-off.
I got 3 plants: Anacharis, variegated Acorous, and sword plant, the
latter 2 have a small basket, Do I need soil or are they supposed to be
held in place by gravel?
## Just about all the pond plants do better planted in a good clay soil.
The anacharis can be left to float. It will root itself in a nearby pot.
the Anacharis have a metal ring on it. I
read the acrorous needs shallow planting and my liner is 16" deep.
What is a good way to install the plants higher?
## Anything you can fit in the barrel.
I saw some bareroot water lily in bags and instrutions calls for
gardening soil, I was wondering, You can put these with garden soil in
a basket and put in the pond? Wouldn't it make a mess? Do I get the
"aquatic soil" from the same section of the store?
## Use clean soil from your yard and a pot with holes in the bottom - or
line a large pond plant basket. Cover the soil with 1 to 2" of gravel. It
wont make a mess unless something knocks it over.
What kind of floating plants do you recommend beside dwarf water lily?
I have been to the gardening centers and have trouble finding floating
plants.
## Water lilies are rooted on the bottom. Just the leaves float. Water
lettuce and water hyacinth both float free in the water.
I am using tap water right now, bought a bottle of declorinator, but I
read the chlorine will disperes in a few days. Do I need to use this
or not?
## Not unless you plan to put fish in the barrel within a few days of
filling it.
Finally, when can I add a couple of gold fish?
## Don't add more than two. I replace the two I have in my barrels with
smaller fish each spring. Healthy well fed GF grow quickly.
Thanks in advance
--
McKoi.... the frugal ponder...
My Pond Page
http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
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