Fish: [PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL] Re: Tip of the Week

Hi Shadow,
Thanks for the input
The idea of using charcoal was something I had also considered to put in the rainbarrel bottoms covering it with the limestone.
Getting the rainwater tested is a good idea and I will contact a local lab they maybe already have results for rainwater in the area.
Again weigh in when ever you feel you have too
Thanks
RayI
--- In PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL@yahoogroups.com, "**Shadow**" <Shadow@...> wrote:
>
> I hope it's OK to weigh in on this issue. I live just west of the west end
> of Lake Erie and like you when it rain's the wind comes mostly from the east
> and north east, but you have to remember that the rain fall is from farther
> west and comes across all the industrial states. That's why the problem with
> acid rain killing forest's mainly out along the NE coast. The rain gathered
> from roof's pick's up molecules of chemical's to produce the roofing
> material. As a retired long time truck driver, I have hauled some of the
> stuff that goes into making things like roofing material and some of that
> stuff was pretty nasty, so I had to wear protective clothing when around it.
> Water that comes off the roof maybe fine to water your house plants and
> flower beds with, but I sure don't want to drink it or use it in a pond with
> fish. If your pond was just for a water garden, then fine. I'm no chemist so
> can't tell you exactly how and what reaches into any rain barrel's.
>
> People prepared to do survival would catch rain with tarp's and then use
> iodine before drinking it. It tastes awful in my opinion. What I do is run
> water through filters like a special porous ceramic before using it to drink
> or cook or would use iodine to kill off any microscopic bugs in it that
> could make a human sick and die. I have such a set up, but it would not
> remove 100% of the chemical's in water that would pass through the filters
> and the filters are very expensive. They can only last just so long before
> you have to replace them. The one's I have (4 of them) are about 2 foot tall
> and have charcoal in the middle which the water has to filter through before
> it goes down in the bottom of the collector. Mine looks like a huge coffee
> maker like you see in catered affairs. It holds 2 1/2 gallons on the top
> where the filters are and the water go's into the 3 gallon capacity bottom
> and is all gravity fed. But it's not designed to filter water for a fish
> pond.
>
> Something you could do is collect a sample and take it to the county
> extension center or health department in your county (in the US) and have it
> tested or contact a local lab (probably listed in the phone book) to have
> the raw water sample tested. They can break it down and tell you what's in
> the water and will give you a recommendation as to what you need to do to
> treat it. But beware because they might give you an expensive list of what
> to do about it. Or they'll tell you to cap your well because the water is
> not fit for use.
>
> Just my my humble opinion -- Shadow
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Raymond I
> Date: 7/14/2012 1:55:54 PM
> To: PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL] Re: Tip of the Week
>
>
> Dr Mann,
> I was thinking of using a couple of the poly rainbarrells like those
> available at Canadian Tire, Home Depot. I was going to use standard rib
> reinforced pipe used for the rest of the pond piping needs buried in the
> landscape and at the lowest pond level mount a float valve set at required
> pond level.
> I believe you can buy a unit that is like an open ended tank that could be
> covered with some form of disguise. Statue, Planter, Stone,etc.
> I live less than a 1/4 mile from North coast of Lake Ontario.
> My concern on the quality of the water is somewhat eased by this closeness
> to the lake as a fair portion of our rainfall is driven by the lake itself.
> I was thiking placing some form of media in the Rainbarrels both to
> neutralize acid in the rain and to provide weight on windy days when Barrels
> are empty. I was thinking of using 2" clear limestone which I would wash
> throughly before using to remove dust and dirt. Would you have any feelings
> as to this as a suitable
> media to remove acid? Something that may do a better job.
> Thank You
> RayI
>
> --- In PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL@yahoogroups.com, "Dr. Mann" <grm.phd@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I have never heard of anyone using that procedure but it might work. I
> would however, double-check the container and drain pipes for nasty elements
> and I might wonder what kind of material washes off the roof as well.
> >
> > Like I said, it sounds logical and a good idea, but I would be on the side
> of safety by making sure that the water adding is safe from chemicals and
> such.
> >
> > Hopefully other members will be adding their thoughts to this question!
> >
> > --- In PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL@yahoogroups.com, "Raymond I" <rasta_rayi@>
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Dr Mann
> > > What are your thoughts on using Rainwater from Rainbarrel collected from
> the Roof???
> > > RayI
> > >
> > > --- In PONDERS_INTERNATIONAL@yahoogroups.com, "Dr. Mann" <grm.phd@>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > The heat of the summer means more pond water lost to evaporation. Keep
> an eye on this to top off as needed. Remember to always add a dechlorinator
> when adding water to a pond with fish. Any amount of chlorine can be harmful
> Small amounts don't mean imminent death, but can still reduce proper gill
> function.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>