Cat Tails...

[AndrewH]

Where the heck do these things come from?

How hard are they to control?

Would they be easy to add to an backyard pond for that "Natural Pond" look?

[ElijahTurtle]

I don't know where you would get them other than pulling them up for a pond or other location. Never seen them for sell. The sure make one heck of a mess when they release the pollen, on the other hand if cooked right they make a tasty survival food source. They typically grow in mud or silt so that would be a difficult aspect to incorporate without making your water perpetually muddy.

[rolloffhill]

You could set up a bog section next to your main tank, and have it seperated and covered by rocks and a little lower in elevation to where when the water is filled to a certain level on the main tank, that it overflows into your bog to keep it wet. (Thinking out loud) that would require the liners to be connected or the same to make it overflow. That would be ideal in the rainy season. Otherwise you will need to keep your bog wet manually.

As far as getting them just go down to a local tank or pond to get them. I'm pretty sure my brother has them around his.

Man all this talk is making me think where I could put one...the wheels are turnin....:drool2:

[AndrewH]

I plan on putting a pond at the end of my deck (deck not build yet) and was thinking a section of cat tails word add to the overall effect.

But that's a really good idea and wouldn't be that hard to do.

I plan on putting a float switch that's connected to my water well, so the level in the pond would be constant.

[poel_19]

is the pond built yet?? I only ask because the deck isnt built, and it sounds like the whole thing is still in planning phases...

[AndrewH]

Oh yeah sorry, nothing is built yet, just in the planning phases.

[bra8ndy8]

It has been for months!!!! hehehehe

[poel_19]

well im down for digging...just not in cold weather, or really hot weather....

[ElijahTurtle]

Plan it all now & get an early jump on it in Spring before it gets hot. That way it will be up and running, well cycled & have plenty of plant growth to combat algae before the heat hits.

[AndrewH]

Well I figured the longer I plan it out, the less mistakes I'll make when I comes time to get-r-dun.

I think the plan currently stands at getting the deck built next summer and the pond going in right after that. I haven't decided on the exact pond layout or size, but I'm currently designing 1500-1800 gallons (depending on what I can get pass the wife).

[poel_19]

well i figure you tell her its 1800 gallons get 2200....i dont think she'l notice the extra 400 gallons!!

[AndrewH]

Well at that point I'd have to barrow some backyard from my neighbor.

[misplacedsooner]

foster and smith have them in their pond catalog, a smaller variety for like 6.99

[AndrewH]

Sweet!!! Yeah, those things get 6' to 9' tall. Freakin' monsters.

[ElijahTurtle]

Hey where are you at on this plan? Still mulling it over?

[AndrewH]

Well we're currently doing some upgrades to the interior (painting and she wants me to build her a reading nook).

Then she wants me to build the kiddos a jungle gym/swing set/fort - tree house.

I think for this summer that's all I'll be able to fit in. I might start on the deck (or at least finalize the design) incorporating a pond in the design then planing to install the pond over next winter (you know during the 70*F-80*F weather), then next spring ('09) getting it cycled then adding the plants, then fish.

It is still in the works, just low priority.

[ElijahTurtle]

Well someone on here needs a pond that we can mull around durring a GTG

[AndrewH]

Is that you volunteering to help put it in? :rofl: J/K

[ElijahTurtle]

Sure, How big is your yard? I'm pretty fair on a backhoe. Will get that sucker dug real quick.

[rolloffhill]

Who's paying the rent on the backhoe? I'm more than :":fair:": on a backhoe....:D

[ElijahTurtle]

No I don't have one for rent, my grandmother sold it when my uncle died. I guess I should have been mor specific, I'm decent when it comes to operating one.

[rolloffhill]

I do, but with the price of fuel, I think everyone would opt to dig it by hand...;)

[AndrewH]

Heck yeah, I'll pull a Blake and have everyone over for a G2G ;) ;) and hand out shovels at the door :rofl: