a challenge for the rec.ponds experts

"how" wrote in message
. ..

"volts500" wrote in message
. ..

"Ka30P" wrote in message
...

Okay people, I've got a challenge for you!
snip

Bio/mechanical filter DE filter carbon filter veggie filter and a
couple of Ple*cos. Careful with the carbon filter, though, as I'm sure
you
know, as most need to be introduced gradually, maybe one hour the first
day,
3 hours the 2nd day, 6 hours the 3rd day... Some people say that
Ple*cos
will attach to the sides of the other fish. I've seen this happen once
in
an aquarium, possibily because the Ple*co had nothing to eat? So.... I
don't introduce the Ple*cos until the algae starts growing on the sides
of
the pond.

Hi,
Forget the plecostomus (me superstitious? no) they will not keep the sides
clean.

Depends upon the size of the "pond" and the number of plecos. I have three
150 gal or so preformed "ponds" connected by spillways. The bio/mechanical
filter is at the top. The top two "ponds" are more or less veggie filters
and the bottom one has large goldfish and two plecos. The sides of the
bottom "pond" are spotless because of the Plecos. Middle "pond" has another
Pleco and a red ear slider that came from I don't know where (they're
buddies). The water is clear and the only maintenance that I do is to clear
the pump impeller once a week or so from debris and clean the bio/mechanical
filter every 4 to 6 months. If I want to "polish" the water, I put Poly
Squares (from the craft/sewing dept. in some stores) in the bio/mechanical
filter for a few hours.....have to keep an eye on it though, because the
mesh is so fine that the filter will back up. The clear water does have an
amber tint from tannins as I don't run a carbon filter. It's not noticable
anyway because the preforms are black.

They will eat the food you feed the other fish.

Not if one doesn't overfeed the fish. The Goldfish eat the food long before
the Plecos have a chance to get to it. In fact, my wife sneaks out at night
and throws in extra, just so the Plecos _do_ get some pellets.

.. They will die when
the water is 55/50 degrees F and are very hard to catch to bring in for
the
winter.

There is no doubt that they will die at lower temps and are difficult to
catch. Here in central FL they do very well in the wild and in small
"ponds", such as mine.. I haven't recorded the water temps. when the air
temps. get down into the 30's here, but the Plecos do hang in there.

Personally have never seen one sucking on another fish but others
have observed this. IMO they are useless in a pond, not the least bit cute
and hard to handle. LFS that sell them as 'a must' for ponds are to be
avoided.

I wouldn't say that they are a must either, however, with a white liner,
every little bit helps. Again, from my experience, a _lot_ of scrubbing (a
white liner) could be avoided if the right number of Plecos are put in the
right size pond.
The LFS's in my area that I go to actually told me _not_ to put them in my
pond, but then I have been known to raise/breed Discus outside year round
here too. I'll admit that it is a _lot_ of work to keep Discus outside in
the winter here.....that's why I don't do it anymore. Fancy Guppies do fine
though, year round.

Any citations on gradual introduction of carbon filtration?

Some carbon manufacturers will state same right on the box or jar. 30 years
ago I killed my favorite Oscar with some Marineland (brand) carbon when I
was running a fresh batch in an Eheim filter, forgot to set the timer, then
fell asleep :-(

Most ponders
would not like the expense of keeping enough activated carbon in their
ponds.

Most ponders don't use white liners either :-) If you know a better, less
expensive way to remove the amber tint (tannins), I'm all ears.