r/WildlifePonds

Hi folks,

I’m hoping someone could help me identify these eggs. I noticed them today while doing some maintenance and they’re all over my pond.

I’m based in Ireland.

Hi all! Hope this is ok to ask about...

My husband dug a hole in our back meadow last year because he needed dirt, and we found that it retains water most of the year. Last year, my children and I enjoyed watching some toad tadpoles go through their metamorphosis. This year, we have a whole bunch of frog tadpoles, much to our delight!

My question comes in concerning my children near a body of stagnant water. I don't treat "the puddle" in any way. In the heat of the summer, I occasionally ​add more water so the wildlife doesn't die. At this point, I haven't been letting the kids touch the water at all, but am I being paranoid? Are there health concerns here with a puddle like this harboring harmful bacteria? Would love to hear your thoughts!
TIA!

I posted a couple months ago asking for some advice on my pond I was constructing. Finished construction just yesterday, it is 25’x20’ and a little less than knee deep on me (I am 6’). Wanted to share my before, during and after photos. Hoping to attract: mourning doves, songbirds, bumble bees, other pollinators and perhaps if I’m lucky waterfowl will occasionally stop in. The entire project was completed using a spade, a flat shovel, a pick axe, and a wheeled-barrel.

Hi guys,

Having always wanted a wildlife pond and after being inspired by all your wonderful creations on here I managed to make a small one last September before I headed back to uni. I made some posts at the time re plants and specific diameters and overall I want quite pleased with the outcome!

However, I have just got home (after two months of hellish exams) and she is not looking so great (see photos attached). I thought the plants would have helped more to reduce the algae build up but this seems excessive and like not very indusive for wildlife? Am I right in thinking this is too much? (I know some people say to leave ponds to naturally cycle and sort themselves out but I am worried as it has been over 4/5 months).

I have a week now before I have to return to uni and am determined to sort the pond out /give her a revamp. But to be completely honest I am exhausted from exams and after some researching there is as always a million different suggestions on what to do /what not to do and I really dont know where to start. I thought I would return here for you kind hearted people full of pond wisdom.

Any help /advice would be amazing as I am feeling pretty deflated and like a terrible pond mother atm !

Not only am I wondering why, but also how? Surface tension and that big foot seem to work well together.

I’m renting a home and this pond has been the biggest eyesore. I want to bring it new life and my landlord is totally fine with it. There’s a goldfish somewhere in here that I’m going to put into a tank but I don’t want to put anymore animals in there. I’m a complete beginner so I don’t know much but I do know the lining is all wrong. It’s some sort of mesh material but it hasn’t been in very long and is already cracking. So I’m definitely going to put in new lining and redo the sides where the wood is and put something else down instead of wood since it doesn’t hold up with the weather. If anyone has any advice on what I should do or what plants would be best I would greatly appreciate it.

The Situation:

I’ve recently moved into a rental in Melbourne, Australia with a pre-formed plastic pond that was stagnant and overgrown with a heavy root/grass bed and hundreds of mosquito larvae. It is situated within a rain garden setup with a plastic membrane. The water is very dark ( tannins possibly?) and has had a metallic/mineral smell that has since got a little better since troubleshooting it.

I've no idea how long it's been in this state, we took over the rental about 2 months ago and it has been stagnant and filled with dead and alive "common reed" I think?

What I’ve done so far:

Manually removed the entire root/grass bed. Keeping some of the reed plants to re-establish later.

Drained roughly 40% of the water and refilled the rest.

Added a small amount of dish soap to break surface tension (which hasn't fully cleared the mosquito larvae).

Got the pump/waterfall running.

Currently doing a "flush" by overflowing with fresh water, but the water remains dark/tea-colored and larvae are still present.

The Issues:

Mosquito Larvae: They are congregating in areas where the waterfall current doesn't reach.

Water Clarity: The water is dark like a black tea and hasn't cleared. the pump has been running for a few hours

The Smell: A persistent metallic scent.

Questions:

What is the best way to maintain this pond going in to the Future?

Should I do a 100% drain and scrub to remove the silt at the bottom, or will the pump and native plants eventually clean the pond?

I read that removing all the water can rid the natural bacterial and ecosystem?

What’s the best way to deal with the larvae in a "dead zone" without using heavy chemicals?

Is the metallic smell likely just mineral oxidation from the lava rocks/scoria or is there something wrong with the pond?

Ideally I'd love any solutions to be native focused and environmentally conscious

Yas; counted 14 Toadpoles in my pond. I'd given given up but they were there. A few looked to be sunning themselves on an under water rock.

Who are these frogs? And check out my toad tads and spawn. My frog hole is just dug into clay. About a foot deep in one spot and 2 feet wide at the widest spot. Today I also spotted some fairy shrimp.

I've had frogs, toads and birds. even a heron visit 😬... but I've been waiting for the first newt to find my pond.

I thought I saw one in a plant a few weeks ago, but just cleaning the filter housings and found this cutie in the pump bag. Released back into the shallows.

If it is, I'm super excited!

I thought I would share this cute oddity I witnessed in my pond. A ramshorm licking the surface of the water.

Trying my hand at a small barrel pond this year and if all goes well I'll probably put in a larger pond next year. I tried using the bare barrel at first, but after 2 weeks of water changes and stagnant water I tore it all apart and put in a liner. It's been a week now and the water is clear and odorless so I'm adding some rosy red minnows today or tomorrow. How do I look?

I've just planted this wildlife barrel pond. Didn't really know what I was doing. Do I have the plants at the right depths? They're all planted in baskets with aquatic compost. There's some elodea densa at the bottom in the middle too.

The pond had been struggling to find its groove this year. Algae has been consistent and water isn't as clear as usual. The pond is in shade for the majority of the day, it gets around 5-6 hours of sunlight across half the pond. I am based in the south of England. There are a good amount of oxygenators in the pond and lots of plants.

Any ideas or anything obvious from the pictures that I am doing wrong and any suggestions on how to help. Or even if this is a problem at all.

Thanks in advance.