Veggie filter growing poorly

"mark Bannister" wrote in message
...
Reel Mckoi wrote:
snip

$$ Fish don't belong in a veggie filter?!?!?!?!

Well that's why I kicked them out g. Small design error on my part. On
the other hand they REALLY like it. I had three large fish flop over the
barrier to get back in which meant they had to leave the water.

## Wow! They must have known the plants were there somehow. Out Veg
filter sits on the berm with a pipe pushing water up into a crude aeration
tower. It then runs slowly through the plant roots and parrot feather
tangles, then out 2 pipes back into the pond - opposite the filter itself.
There is a 3rd pipe to act as an overflow. When it's cleaned in the fall
there are literally POUNDS of sludge in the bottom.

$$ Could it be a lack of fertilizer? Some plants wont thrive in gravel.

This seems to be the bottom line. I've really got to get some height
going for aesthetics so I guess I'll use a shallow pot.

## For veg filters I found using cheesecloth lined POND plant pots work the
best. It gives the roots opening to grow out into the water flow and yet
holds soil with the needed micronutrients. If you use regular pots punch
extra holes in them. The roots eventually take over the whole 40 to 50
gallon filter. I don't fertilize these plants individually but do add
several Tbs. of Potash every month or so. The Pickerel is excellent for
height as are water iris - I used to use them but they got 5' tall and
blocked too much of the view.
--
McKoi.... frugal ponding since 1995...
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before flushing." NAMES ARE BEING FORGED.
My Pond Page http://tinyurl.com/cuq5b
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