What should I do to make the water clearer? It may be about 15x20 in size. I have several books from the library on ponds; one does mention oxygenator plants. Do they make the water clear?
I am buying a house with a muddy, spring fed pond
Gloria you might be best served by checking with your county extension office with your problem. Yes, you can add oxygenating plants and it may help clear up the water, but what would be best for your area (natives) we may not be able to tell you.
Also, the ponders here don't have a whole lot of experience with clay ponds. Clay ponds operate on different principles than ornamental ponds. For one thing you shouldn't mix the water in a clay pond, as I recall there are 3 levels of water and they shouldn't be mixed. We're pretty into filtration to clean up a pond but that won't work for you. The pond's clay base could need more clay for all I know. Or it could be something that happens every year as a result of heavy rains then clears up shortly afterwards.
There is a "mud pond" forum on koiphen now but it's fairly new and I don't have a clue what you might find there, but that too might be worth a shot. I'm sure you're county ext office will have some useful info for you, though.
http://www.koiphen.com/forums/
How lucky for you...to have a natural pond and something to have for a hobby!!! I would love such a project. Do you have pictures yet?
Oxygenating plants such as Cabomba, Hornwort, Anacharis in effect 'mask' cloudy water. They allow any current to slow, causing the particles in suspension to sink.
As they grow quite well in mineral rich water, you notice the fresh new growth that catches the light on cool days and when critters are less active, the water has time to settle and become gin clear.
Assuming it is clay clouding the water, you will find that suppresses green water conditions and at most times of the year, the water is gin clear except when raucous frogs or fish stir it up
Quite a pleasant asset, a well kept clay pond. A very diverse habitat
Yes, you might find some useful posts on clay, mud ponds on koiphen. As someone who has been keeping such ponds for umpteen years it is fun to compare notes with folk like Gene, who has mud ponds by the acre
Regards, andy
http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/adavisus/