Plant life in goldfish/koi pond?

[huso huso]

galvanising is a process that coats metal with zinc to add corrosion resistance , zinc is toxic to fish .

[Feline]

Ah thanks, I hadn't thought about rust having any effect. Out of interest what's the issue with galvanised?

Zinc (which is in galvanised metal) is poisonous to fish, as is copper and a few other metals. It's best to only use stainless steel fittings if not plastic. Also beware of some of the stiff plastic garden netting, because it can have galvanised metal underneath the plastic.

[Rich5ltr]

Thanks - still determined to try my pond plant "globes" so I'll hunt for plastic hanging basket tops ;-)

[Feline]

Thanks - still determined to try my pond plant "globes" so I'll hunt for plastic hanging basket tops ;-)

It's not a bad plan, so long as the stuff is plastic. Just make sure you leave no rough edges for them to catch themselves on. Koi are highly skilled at damaging themselves in novel and stupid ways

[Rich5ltr]

After several months I've finally got round to making my water lily koi deterrent! I've had the lily in a trug to grow on and get some decent size leaves. Now I've zip tied it t a plastic pot and put a plastic basket over the top. I am sure the fish can still get through but it may just deter them from eating off every new bud as they emerge ! Time will tell...

[Feline]

I'm not convinced that's going to stop them getting in there. It might give your smaller fish somewhere to hide from the massive guys though

[Rich5ltr]

No, neither am I but it might give the lily a bit of a head start. Last year they were eating the new growth buds off the rhizome as they appeared! The buggers!

[Old Dragon]

Now they will shred the new leaves as soon as they emerge from the cage. Been there, got the t-shirt. Our lilies are now established enough that by the time leaves reach the top of the dustbin there are so many of them that the carp don't shred them all. Safety in numbers.

[Rich5ltr]

... Our lilies are now established enough that by the time leaves reach the top of the dustbin there are so many of them that the carp don't shred them all. Safety in numbers.

Humm... you grow you lilies in a dustbin, maybe that's the next line of defense.

[Old Dragon]

It works for us, see the image in the current banner at the top of the site? Nymphaea alba in a pond full of koi and carp.

http://www.pond-life.me.uk/forum/viewto ... f=24&t=246

I should sort out a few more photos...