diumenge, 20 d’abril del 2014

Cleaning the pond


The vegetation is an esential part of the pond as it filters water. The sand of the bottom is also important as it suports the plants roots and allows bacteria and invertebrates to play their role in cleaning the water.

The downside is that it grows and tends to colonize the entire pond. This spring there were cattail sprouts everywhere and the depth of the pond had reduced because of the roots thikness. 

 

Once empty


The original level at some point is 5 cm below

I cut the roots until I reached the original level and I could see the stones. I also  removed the surplus cattails. 


 
                                  




A kind of earthworms but acquatic. They surely help to remove the organic matter.
 


Once the excess of vegetation is removed

 

 
Another problem is that although the pond is filled to the brim, the day after the level has dropped about 10cm. I don't think it is a hole. Rather, I think it may be due to a problem of capilatity through areas where water and ground contact.