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Water Falls & Barley

25 10:02:19

Question
We have a small pond 5 x 8, 18" deep with a sufficient pump system.  We attempted a waterfall last year but lost much water through cracks and crevices and currently we're just pumping the water a few inches off the water's surface from the pump in the bottom of the pond.  I plan to make a stone wall (rock upon rock, not cemented) where we want the water to come through and have the pump's hose between two rocks that will hang over the pond so that a minimum of leekage takes place.  Any advice?  We used a rubber liner and might try to wrap that around the back of the built-up stones again this time and building up dirt behind (on the other side of) the rubber liner to be planted with perrenials.  We also used the foam product that's supposed to help filling in cracks.  But the water always seemed to leak out anyway.  
Also have you used Barley Balls to clear a pond of algae?  We are getting a better looking pond after the beginning of Spring's algae mess and wonder if the Barley Balls would improve it even more?  Our oxygenating plants look awful with the algae on them.  We bought them this year so that the fish might lay eggs. Thanks for any advice or observations.  

Answer
I have never used barley balls but understand they work great. I use pond peat in the filter but barley should do the same thing. You should have something in there most definately. Pick off any algaie you can from the plants and leave the rest the fish will like them. Don't forget waterlilies and floating plants the more plant life the less algaie.


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                  Leigh.