Author |
Topic: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry! (Read 299 times) |
|
Kris_in_SJ
New Board Hall of Famer
There's no place like home.
Gender: 
Posts: 1539
|
 |
So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:12pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
OK, I admit it. I always have to have a project. My goal for the past four years is to build enough garden beds, paths, etc., so he'd have less grass to mow.
Last year my project was ponds. I built (dug) 2 of them (well, he did most of the digging, all the while telling me I was asking for trouble because I'd have to clean them, test water, pick out the dead fish, etc).
Today, I did my spring pond cleaning. Weather was great, all the ice and snow is gone, and it had to be done. Found 4 dead and definitely drowned mice, a petrified bird who had obviously tried to get a drink and slipped, a ton of bird seed that my feathered friends had flipped out of the feeder and into the water, and a whole ton of slime.
The ponds are clean now - ready for plants and new fish. When I came inside smelling like an uncleaned toilet, my darling hubby merely smiled. Never said "I told you so." (I know he was thinking it though!
Kris
|
|
 IP Logged |
I'm a small woman in small town being chased by a VERY BIG BEAST!
|
|
|
cootie
New Board Hall of Famer
sumday I'm gonna be sumbody........ ..
Gender:
Posts: 8406
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #1 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:15pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Get sum perona's......they'll keep the pond kill under control......that's one job down Pam 
|
|
IP Logged |
Cause and Effect......"Cause is the effect concealed, Effect is the cause revealed"
|
|
|
Langa
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
So many donuts, such little time...
Gender:
Posts: 4179
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #2 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:21pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Found 4 dead and definitely drowned mice? Slime? 
Glad you got through that, cause I would've been retching the whole time... 
Maybe post a pic when it's all filled with the fishies...?
Langa
|
|
IP Logged |
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
|
|
|
Kris_in_SJ
New Board Hall of Famer
There's no place like home.
Gender:
Posts: 1539
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #3 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:27pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I'll definitely post a pic when the time is right. Meantime, the windows are open and I'm listening the the gentle sound of running water from my little waterfall.
Worth it? Right now yes (I had a bath with lots of good smelling stuff). A couple more springtimes and more dead mice, and my answer might be different.
Kris
|
|
IP Logged |
I'm a small woman in small town being chased by a VERY BIG BEAST!
|
|
|
Jeepgun
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
BOHICA!!!
Gender: 
Posts: 3840
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #4 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:31pm » |
Quote Modify
|
We have a swimming pool that we allow to go stagnant over the winter after purging the pipes and stuff. I'm forever fishing dead mice, moles, and toads out of it, and it turns so green, it's nearly black. Mmmmm.... Fun with science in your very OWN GARDEN!! 
|
|
IP Logged |
Her: "Have you ever hit a deer?"
Me: "What, like, in the FACE?"
Her: ..... "WHAT is the MATTER with you!?"
|
|
|
Langa
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
So many donuts, such little time...
Gender:
Posts: 4179
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #5 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:34pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Can't you cover it for the winter Frank? I just can't see myself doing this..they'd probably find me floating in the stuff from passing out... What can I say, I'm a bonafied city girl wimp...
Kris, what fish do you put in the pond? Do you take them out when it starts to get cold?
Langa
|
|
IP Logged |
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
|
|
|
Jeepgun
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
BOHICA!!!
Gender:
Posts: 3840
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #6 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:43pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Well, a pool cover is definitely in the budget, but we didn't get around to doing it last year. This year, it's definitely getting done. In addition to dead critters, I also end up fishing about forty pounds of leaves out of the bottom, too. LOL
Kris, if your ponds are deep enough, koi will survive the winter just fine. (Just be sure to bust a couple of holes in the ice, if it freezes over, so they can get oxygen)
|
| « Last Edit: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:44pm by Jeepgun » |
IP Logged |
Her: "Have you ever hit a deer?"
Me: "What, like, in the FACE?"
Her: ..... "WHAT is the MATTER with you!?"
|
|
|
Kris_in_SJ
New Board Hall of Famer
There's no place like home.
Gender:
Posts: 1539
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #7 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:43pm » |
Quote Modify
|
My ponds are pretty small but deep. I was truly going try to overwinter them by keeping the pumps running. But nooooo ... it got way too cold and there was no way to keep the water from freezing, so the goldfish died. I didn't have to scoop them out though - I guess they disintigrated (unlike the mice). I'm using regular cheep fish from Walmart. They were happy last summer though. Maybe this fall, I'll bring them inside in a bowl.
Maybe my next project should be a pond big enough for Koi!!
Kris
|
|
IP Logged |
I'm a small woman in small town being chased by a VERY BIG BEAST!
|
|
|
Jeepgun
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
BOHICA!!!
Gender:
Posts: 3840
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #8 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:45pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Ah.... Okay. That answers that question. Not big enough for koi, and too cold to keep the pump running.
|
|
IP Logged |
Her: "Have you ever hit a deer?"
Me: "What, like, in the FACE?"
Her: ..... "WHAT is the MATTER with you!?"
|
|
|
Langa
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
So many donuts, such little time...
Gender:
Posts: 4179
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #9 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 8:47pm » |
Quote Modify
|
I'm all intrigued now...I need to see a pic when it's ready...
Langa
|
|
IP Logged |
When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
|
|
|
don
Guest
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #10 on: Apr 10th, 2005, 9:41pm » |
Quote Modify
 Remove
|
Quote:| Last year my project was ponds. I built (dug) 2 of them (well, he did most of the digging, all the while telling me I was asking for trouble because I'd have to clean them, test water, pick out the dead fish, etc). |
|
I did that. Complete with two waterfalls. Got a little carried away though. You could swim with the dolphins in this thing. Dug to deep to begin with. Put the fish in and never saw them again.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
BikerBob
New Board Hall of Famer
Gender:
Posts: 680
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #11 on: Apr 11th, 2005, 1:21am » |
Quote Modify
|
When I did ponds the raccoons were in them every night eating the fish.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Pinkfloyd
New Board Hall of Famer
comfortably numb
  
Gender:
Posts: 1406
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #12 on: Apr 11th, 2005, 1:46am » |
Quote Modify
|
It's tough to see but there are three ponds behind all the growth. Tied together with waterfalls and streams.
If your pond is deeper than the frost line in your area (usually not more then 36" , it won't freeze solid.
You need to shut "off" your pumps and filters. Anything that will bring the warmer water from the bottom, up to the top of the pond. That will freeze it solid.
Once they go into hibernation (drops below 50 degrees and stays there) all you need to do is keep a hole open through the top with a small heater (about 50 bucks) to allow the gases to escape.
No need for filters since they stop eating, and decomposition of debris slows. (try to keep as many leaves out as possible..they will rot on the bottom and cause the fish to die off...a little won't hurt)
Just started feeding mine this week. I wish my kids only ate 7 months a year.
Bobw
|
|
IP Logged |
"Nothing is so firmly believed as what we least know."
"There is no passion so contagious as that of fear."
[Michel de Montaigne
www.clusterbusters.com
www.obscuredview.blogspot.com
|
|
|
sandie99
New Board Hall of Famer
Wish it, dream it, do it - inspite the pain!
Gender:
Posts: 10429
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #13 on: Apr 11th, 2005, 2:29am » |
Quote Modify
|
We don't have a pond, but I wanted a swimming pool when I was a kid. 
|
|
IP Logged |
CH happends, Live anyway! PF days to us all!
"Do what you can and let God take care of the rest. Leave your heart wide open and always wish for the best" (Sanna Hillu)
"No matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible" (Marketa Irglova)
|
|
|
Charlie
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Happy to be here
  
Gender:
Posts: 14968
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #14 on: Apr 11th, 2005, 9:22pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Beautiful garden there. Lovely.
No pond, no pool here. Spent our summers fishing drinking, eating dead animals and sponging off the relatives who took over the family cottage on Chautauqua Lake, only a few miles away. Never was a swimmer anyway. Beautiful woods when I was a kid.
It's like pets with me. I enjoy other people's problems because I'm so friggin' lazy. Cheap too.
Charlie
|
|
IP Logged |
There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
|
|
|
Renee
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
May we all find some pf time! Is it summer yet?
Gender:
Posts: 1060
|
|
Re: So ... My husband said I'd be sorry!
« Reply #15 on: Apr 13th, 2005, 4:23am » |
Quote Modify
|
If my pond was that close to the house, the water mocassins would be sunning on the porch.. 
|
|
IP Logged |
23 years of battling the beast, 9 years chronic......uneducated docs/nurses make me irate.
The fungus among us is for real!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
test rss