I just talked to a man at www.pondscapedesign.com and gave him my dimensions. He said I have a 77,000 gallon pond (could accommodate 223 koi in my calculations.) What I will need is a good 100' aerator and a new supply of clean pack treatment annually.
I am not rich; I bought an inexpensive house in a rural area where there are ponds everywhere. No one does anything to them so a fountain would look ostentatious. However, I am 67 years old; and it is time for me to enjoy the last years of my life. I cannot describe how excited I am about this "investment."
With my seed starting and winter sowing and a few purchases, I should be able to landscape it with lots of plants. I love the idea of clear, clean water with koi and goldfish swimming around and under the lilies.
It does appear that maintenance is minimal as well. I am not bragging. I just tthought that a healthy, balanced pond would be impossible for me. I am so glad I called them.
I have the pond facts now
Be cautious. I know you have your own private lake and the needs of your lake are very different than my 2000 gallon pond but in my first year with my pond I lost a lot of fish to health problems due to water quality. I hope someone else comes into this site to discuss your pond more. There is a woman here username "Snapple" who is absolutely chocker-full of knowledge and has saved my butt more than once in the past.
Should you start stocking the pond proceed slowly so that the natural filtration can keep up. Also, be aware that the goldfish spawn a lot and will cross with th koi producing ugly fish. Goldfish and similar types are easier to maintain than koi.
Also, if you plant the pond consider asking people like myself for some plants for postage to save yourself a lot of money. I was fortunate to get help that way from people on Daves. One kind woman drove her car down from WI and met me halfway and gave me litterally a ton of her divisions from her irises. Each spring people go through and divide and are more than happy enough to share. Stick around and learn about potting the plants up (or in your case perhaps letting them root naturally in your pond).
Linda
Wow, that is a lot of gallons! Thepondguy.com has a lot of products for natural bottom lakes and ponds too... free catalogs too:)
gloriag - Is it too late to contact these people?
http://www.aquaticeco.com/topics/6/Lake--Pond-Supplies
I would definitely call and ask their advice on alage and weed management. As far as planting the pond goes make sure you research any aquatic before putting it in the water. There are a couple of commonly available invasive aquatic plants that could get seriously out of control in a pond that size that are hardy in 6b. Be sure to stay away from HYDRILLA.
http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/hydrilla.htm
Research, research, research anything you plant around and especially in the pond. Lets make certain you really can enjoy what should be a spectacular aquatic habitat. Is there any money in the budget for a small dock or pier? After choosing your fish, you'll want to see them. Doing that in that large an area could be difficult unless you feed them from a vantage point. You may have herons. Herons will take the fish until they have cleaned out a pond. Stock inexspensively until you see if your pond attracks those flying rats. Remember, with a supersized environment come supersized results, both joys and Uh Oh's! And how about a picture? I'm dying to see it.
snapple, I don't think I have any submerged plants; I only have water lilies. The fish are thriving, and I have plenty of frogs. Now I am getting the feeling that the pond is already in balance and that I might not need a huge bubbler 100' long. What do you think? I am still thinking that I might buy Clear-Pack to clear the water once a month. What do you think about that? I will put no aquatic plants into the pond if they are not needed.
This pond is actually small compared to a great many in Floyd County. There are some very lovely ponds which seem to be used for swimming. I don't plan to do that; mine is too small. However, no pond that I have seen has been landscaped in the slightest: no waterlilies, no cat tails,no rushes or reeds, no marginal flowers, etc. That is a part of the pond that I am very excited about myself.
I would love to have a little pier to walk out on. I could afford it easily if I did not have to spend big $$$ on the aerator machine.
I would appreciate hearing any suggestions you might have!
Your in good hands with Snapple-she really knows her stuff and always has great resources for information as well as vendors with good prices.
Is your pond man-made with some type of man-made bottom or like a clay bottom?
mothermole, The bottom is mostly rocks and then clay. The soil here is quite rocky, especially in the pond. Right now, the pond is a pretty clear, green color; but it doesn't have algae I don't think.
gloriag - The reason you don't see other ponds planted with cat tails is because they are highly, highly invasive. In a natural bottom pond they would soon be a huge menace, over taking everything else. Next to Hydrilla, Typha - any species - would likely ruin your pond. I should have mentioned them by name in my previous post.
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/indiana/misc/art22886.html
Green water is green from suspended algae. Fish don't mind green algae one bit. In fact fish are often healthier in pea soup water as it contains natural antiobiotic like substances that fight the most common bacterial infections of fish. It's usually pond owners who don't like green algae because it obscures the view of their fish. In a 77,000 gal natural bottom pond with aquatic life green alage will be a constant. In the summer aeration can be important. Fish need oxygenated water. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water.
Having said that, I don't recommend that you add aeration right now. If you think the pond is in balance leave it alone for the first year. You will live with it through the seasons, understand the aquatic cycle, learn how it changes and if problems arise then seek solutions. Listen with a skeptical ear to those who profit from selling solutions and get advice from non-profit sources.
My first contact would be the Floyd County Cooperative Extension for a referral to pond management resources. The information they can provide is unbiased and based on scientific University research. The information is free. If you have questions about specific plants they have an unending source of invaluable information. Please read the second link. It will immediately give you a grasp of what you need to know about aquatic plants and ponds in your region.
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/view.cfm?webname=floyd
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/envirohort/factsheets2/annperbulb/nov93pr1.html
mothermole has a tendancy to exagerate about my expertise. I love her for it. But even though I did stay in a Holiday Inn recently I'm no expert!
In summary, what I'm saying is keep your money in your pocket, reach out to free qulaified sources of information and learn all you can first. You will avoid creating a problem where there isn't one.
Ah, Snapple, being modest again? I see you came up with some great resources for this new natural ponder . . . I didn't know where to look let alone find information for her. . .
Snapple you should start a consulting business in aquatic management.