My proper size pond was filled from the tap, then we waited for it to rain and such so the water would become ideal for animals.But in summer and spring it doesn’t rain much and the temperatures are high so lots of water evaporates.So every two weeks or so we have to raise the pond level with the garden hose.It hasn’t hurt the wildlife at all, we have 50+ newts, a couple frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, shrimps, leeches, flatworms, mayflies, daphnia, water boatmen, ramshorns, pond snails, water slaters, and more.Ideally if you make a pond in September, then let it develop over winter by spring it will be very rich in life as there is no need to raise water levels for at least 5 months.
That's my concern with building a new pond is will the chlorinated tap water harm the ecosystem. I may contact the water company (United Utilities here in UK) and check what levels, minerals etc they have in the tap water in my area for if or when (if I build a pond)it may need filling up in the summer 🙂
I have a small pond in my garden. I 'inherited' it when I bought the house. It's plastic, deep and we have toads and frogs in it - and once, a newt but that was killed by a seagull (I think). I had to move the pond to a different part of the garden - it's more shady and since then I don't think the tadpoles we've had have made it to becoming frogs/toads. Any idea why? I suspect it's because the pond isn't getting enough sunlight but don't know for sure. Any ideas?
@@urmum2612 I transferred this year's batch of toadspawn to a big plastic bucket and so far the tadpoles are growing and are 1.5 months old. I think at 2 months you can start feeding them fish flakes. Do you know is that correct?
I left a dog bowl in my yard which got filled with rain and a frog has been coming back daily . I change out the water bc it gets nasty really quick , we have well water that has been tested and we drink . It's been a few weeks now and he keeps coming back . I love watching him and knowing he gets a nice place to rest . I want to make a bigger but still small replacement pond . My question is about cleaning , is it ok to just leave all the nasty stuff that builds up? there's nothing to filter or eat it .
Great video, thanks. Me and my daughter Molly are soon to build a small wildlife pond in our garden as my Dad did with me when I was about her age. Hope to post with more soon.
The pond needs to be big enough to support small fish that eat mosquito larvae. Otherwise, in the summer months, your "pond" will be just a mosquitoe breeding facility. Not good.
I’d take some leaves and water from a natural pond / creek to add to the setup. A full food web that will help balance against mosquito larvae overpopulation as u may get some other predatory larvae or parasites that’ll cull some mosquito. Also a few tiny fish should be able to be supported, mosquito fish here in the US would work. I’d keep it to fish that only grow 2-3 inches if possible. Some minnows may work from the local bait shop. Keep it to a very small amount for this size pond though, as there’s no filtration besides plants you can fowl the water easily. Also when you add the leaves do so slowly, one or two at a time or it’ll overwhelm the pond and may kill what’s in it.
There is a product called Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits. I have a little pond very similar to this. Originally, I set the container up to take care of my Mosquito problem, but it became a pond when I saw a toad bathing in it one morning. I relocated it a little, added rocks and other things, dressed it up a little. I add water about 1x a week.
Hi. I made a pond recently in a Belfast sink. I put well washed pea gravel at the bottom, some stones and wood as stepping stone out,just in case anything fell in. I used rain water from the water butt at the allotment and some water from our dehumidifier. I’ve added some plants - a hard rush, juncos inflexus, and water starwort. The water is now very black and has an oily film on the surface. What has gone wrong? Do I need to start again? Thanks
I have built set up a mini pond a week ago. Bubbles appearing densely on the gravels. Slimy dead oxygenating plant leaves, I removed. Are the bubbles sign of algae growth? How to remove them?
Thank you! Going to build one soon. Me and mum keep reading that it needs to be 60 cm deep in some parts for frogs to be safe hibernating.. Do you think we need to do that? Thank you.
Arguably this kind of tutorial does more harm than good. Some wildlife may be temporarily supported by the presence of water but long term this "pond" is not suitable. The rigid plastic container will crack in the winter under ice pressure, and in any case it isn't deep enough to support frog and other amphibians to overwinter. Building a real pond doesn't necessarily need to be much more expensive or take that much more time. A deeper section is needed, but it doesn't have to be much wider or longer.
Instead of waiting for it to rain, you can also buy some natural bottled spring water which also should contain no artificialy added chemicals. Also, plastic containers such as the one you used in this video do break down overtime causing the water too leak. So some kind of pool waterproof liner or a more sturdy container is recommended. Eg, fibreglass or metal containers are much better options.
My proper size pond was filled from the tap, then we waited for it to rain and such so the water would become ideal for animals.But in summer and spring it doesn’t rain much and the temperatures are high so lots of water evaporates.So every two weeks or so we have to raise the pond level with the garden hose.It hasn’t hurt the wildlife at all, we have 50+ newts, a couple frogs, dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, shrimps, leeches, flatworms, mayflies, daphnia, water boatmen, ramshorns, pond snails, water slaters, and more.Ideally if you make a pond in September, then let it develop over winter by spring it will be very rich in life as there is no need to raise water levels for at least 5 months.
That's my concern with building a new pond is will the chlorinated tap water harm the ecosystem. I may contact the water company (United Utilities here in UK) and check what levels, minerals etc they have in the tap water in my area for if or when (if I build a pond)it may need filling up in the summer 🙂
❤ pp@@Tylerpierre99
That's not a pond you've created but a bird bath! A pond will need plants & most importantly oxygenating plants.
I have a small pond in my garden. I 'inherited' it when I bought the house. It's plastic, deep and we have toads and frogs in it - and once, a newt but that was killed by a seagull (I think). I had to move the pond to a different part of the garden - it's more shady and since then I don't think the tadpoles we've had have made it to becoming frogs/toads. Any idea why? I suspect it's because the pond isn't getting enough sunlight but don't know for sure. Any ideas?
Tadpoles eat algae and maybe the lack of sunlight is creating a lack of algae
@@urmum2612 I transferred this year's batch of toadspawn to a big plastic bucket and so far the tadpoles are growing and are 1.5 months old. I think at 2 months you can start feeding them fish flakes. Do you know is that correct?
I left a dog bowl in my yard which got filled with rain and a frog has been coming back daily . I change out the water bc it gets nasty really quick , we have well water that has been tested and we drink . It's been a few weeks now and he keeps coming back . I love watching him and knowing he gets a nice place to rest . I want to make a bigger but still small replacement pond . My question is about cleaning , is it ok to just leave all the nasty stuff that builds up? there's nothing to filter or eat it .
Great video, thanks. Me and my daughter Molly are soon to build a small wildlife pond in our garden as my Dad did with me when I was about her age. Hope to post with more soon.
Lovely
The pond needs to be big enough to support small fish that eat mosquito larvae.
Otherwise, in the summer months, your "pond" will be just a mosquitoe breeding facility. Not good.
How do you prevent mosquitos from breeding in this type of pond?
Add fish they will eat up the larvae
Natural mosquito bits, or wait for the frogs to take
I’d take some leaves and water from a natural pond / creek to add to the setup. A full food web that will help balance against mosquito larvae overpopulation as u may get some other predatory larvae or parasites that’ll cull some mosquito. Also a few tiny fish should be able to be supported, mosquito fish here in the US would work. I’d keep it to fish that only grow 2-3 inches if possible. Some minnows may work from the local bait shop. Keep it to a very small amount for this size pond though, as there’s no filtration besides plants you can fowl the water easily. Also when you add the leaves do so slowly, one or two at a time or it’ll overwhelm the pond and may kill what’s in it.
I've had many different ponds..and what I'm always ask about is mosquitos. Small fish will take care of that...kat
There is a product called Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits. I have a little pond very similar to this. Originally, I set the container up to take care of my Mosquito problem, but it became a pond when I saw a toad bathing in it one morning. I relocated it a little, added rocks and other things, dressed it up a little. I add water about 1x a week.
Thanks, was so inspired I am building one for my yard.
Hi. I made a pond recently in a Belfast sink. I put well washed pea gravel at the bottom, some stones and wood as stepping stone out,just in case anything fell in. I used rain water from the water butt at the allotment and some water from our dehumidifier. I’ve added some plants - a hard rush, juncos inflexus, and water starwort. The water is now very black and has an oily film on the surface. What has gone wrong? Do I need to start again? Thanks
Sound went in and out, frustrating.
I have built set up a mini pond a week ago. Bubbles appearing densely on the gravels. Slimy dead oxygenating plant leaves, I removed. Are the bubbles sign of algae growth? How to remove them?
You must not have mosquitos where you live. If not, count your blessings.
Do you need to clean it?
putting aquatic plants in it will filter the dirt so no you wont
Thank you. Could do with a link to the website in the description though.
Very interesting. Thanks 👍
Not too shabby
Thank you! Going to build one soon. Me and mum keep reading that it needs to be 60 cm deep in some parts for frogs to be safe hibernating.. Do you think we need to do that? Thank you.
for frogs to survive over winter, yes that deep at least.
Amateur hour over here at the wildlife trust... What a terrible bit of content!
Why are u being so rude
Arguably this kind of tutorial does more harm than good. Some wildlife may be temporarily supported by the presence of water but long term this "pond" is not suitable. The rigid plastic container will crack in the winter under ice pressure, and in any case it isn't deep enough to support frog and other amphibians to overwinter.
Building a real pond doesn't necessarily need to be much more expensive or take that much more time. A deeper section is needed, but it doesn't have to be much wider or longer.
Instead of waiting for it to rain, you can also buy some natural bottled spring water which also should contain no artificialy added chemicals.
Also, plastic containers such as the one you used in this video do break down overtime causing the water too leak.
So some kind of pool waterproof liner or a more sturdy container is recommended. Eg, fibreglass or metal containers are much better options.
it takes thousands of year for plastic to break down
It will definitely crack. Such a weird video from GWT.