Each year we develop a biofilter that will work its magic and keep our fish healthy. No ick, no fin rot, nothing that will compromise the health of our ickthy fellows.
This year’s biofilter is a bit different. Our local pond shop, the one I’ve used for the last decade to supply me with seasonal starts, has closed. I’m in mourning. I love shopping locally and this particular pond plant shop was stellar. Locally I can look at what’s available and see in real time the size/color/spread . . . and that’s no longer available. The other generalist local shops don’t have anything but a very limited selections. Yeah, still in mourning.
Wadly brought home cotton grass and an iris (unfortunately, it’s yellow 🙁 ). That works . . . sort of. The iris pot spent the off season laid on it’s side and for this growing season is growing at 90º to the surface of the pot. Ugh. I can fix this over the winter but for now I’m stuck with laying the pot on its side to keep the plant happy. Bad vendor, bad vendor!
I couldn’t find pennywort locally so I bought from an online vendor. It was a bit pricey but I’m happy with what I received, three plants for $47. I can live with that. I’ll make sure to winter it over so I don’t have to do a repeat purchase. Everything considered, I’m pleased with the vendor.
I did a complete corkscrew willow butchery. I needed less willow. I cut off a major branch for the 55 gallon drum filter. I planted out the parent plant, reconfigured the 55 gallon drum filter (the weak part of last year’s system) and moved on. Overall I’m pretty happy. Watching all the plants flesh out with the fish living their healthiest life is the end goal.
