Garden

[Mom2Dogs]

This spring we removed our pond with fish and had it transformed into a water feature.....no pond, that was filled in, we have a large stone that the water bubbles out of and over the stone.  We need to clean the stone of the green alge that has built up...I read onine that one nursery used bleach, but we are concerned about the dog lapping at the water and taking in bleach.  

I think it will be diluted enough not to hurt her but not 100% sure so we have not tried it yet, I know it will clean if off as I use bleach to clean a birdbath, but that is easily rinsed out so not harmful to the birds.

Anyone with a water feature that has any advice, thanks!

[Annabellethecat66]

No, but it sounds really nice.  I love reading about the project all of you do.

[Julie928]

@Mom2Dogs ~ I have no advice either, but it sounds really pretty.  

We have a pond in our backyard with five koi that are getting huge!  Our pond guy told us we might need to consider widening the pond next Spring if they get any bigger!  So I know firsthand how much work and money they involve but we love ours. 

I am curious ~ what did you guys do with your fish?  

[on the bay]

I use vinegar to clean my homemade fountain.

And I bet you could also try that with a mr clean extra strong magic sponge thing.

I'd be afraid to use the bleach even if diluted with the dogs.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Julie928....we have a pet store in town that has a lot of fish, they said they would take them for us, we were thrilled!  

DH is much older than me and it was a lot of working caring for the pond...last summer the water would not clear up no matter what we did so it was an easy decision for us to fill it in....the water feature is maintenance free, well almost.....the large stone is green but we can get that figured out!

The bubbling sound is as peacefull as the waterfall was in the pond.

[Mom2Dogs]

@on the bay...we...well...he tried this afternoon with the cleaning vinegar and a brush, it helped but it is not as clean as it should be....when that did not work I did google and found the nursery that used bleach but they don't have a dog lapping up the water.

[on the bay]

@Mom2Dogs-

How about vinegar and dawn dish detergent?

And maybe try that Mr. Clean magic sponge.

The extra strong one takes off the worst kind of scum-bathtubs, grease, refrigerators floors, water fountains,etc.ect.!

[Mom2Dogs]

@on the bay....DH did the work today, maybe on my day off this week I will try something else or work at it a bit longer...it is really hot out today so I did not push him to try longer.....he has AFIB (although he is in rhythm today)  I didn't want him overdoing it, and he is bending over while cleaning, he gets dizzy at times.

Aging stinks.

[hayseed00]

I have a large koi pond, and buy most of my products online from The Pond Guy, I think you are going to have to use a granular algecide to clean the rock, this will also impede future algae and discoloration for awhile.  We have had a hot, humid summer here and I've had to keep on top of my pond to  prevent algae buildup.  Algae just loves this weather.  I use Algaefix in my pond and it works great and have never lost any fish or plants.  Hope this helps.

[JustJazzmom]

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@on the bay wrote:

I use vinegar to clean my homemade fountain.

And I bet you could also try that with a mr clean extra strong magic sponge thing.

I'd be afraid to use the bleach even if diluted with the dogs.

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Chlorine in the bleach does quickly evaporate into the air when water features are left uncovered. Keep your dogs away from it for a day or two.