Hi Guys.
From a debate on plants and waterways on a other forum I learned that plants and water channels and things like that are a big NO NO for koi as it creates and houses bad bacteria and other gritters. Now in the last KOISA, they had an article on how good it is and watercress is the way to go..? Also on the other forum some of the experts said in the debate that plants does not really help that much for removing nitrates out of the water. Whats your opinion on this planted filters and so on?

For the past eight years my main pond/s always had separate veggie filters and currently five of my large ponds each have their separate veggie pond full of plants. I run 30% of my water through the veggie pond and back into the main ponds.

I have never had serious health problems and believe that plants are very good to take out Nitrates, but also Ammonia and Nitrites to a lessor extent.

When I occasionally clean the veggie ponds, I always add Potassium Permanganate or Virkon S to prevent a spike in bacteria released into the main pond.

I believe if you control your separate veggie pond, it is great. It creates a natural look, prevents algae as it competes against the algae for nutrients, and it assist in better water clarity and water quality. It also controls the possible negative effect of heavy metals like iron to a certain extent, especially if you use borehole water.

Admin,
 what plants do U have in the veggie filter?
What do U have them planted in?
I used the anoxic baskets for mine, and put them on a shelf above the filter. Only the bottom of the pot is in the water....and the roots are hung in in the water.
Used some rushes, that I bought from here, and some terrestrial plants that I am experimenting with to see how they will adapt to water...like arum, canna, spathilum, and taro..

Neli wrote:

Admin,
 what plants do U have in the veggie filter?
What do U have them planted in?.

Hi Neli, my favorite is water Lilly's but also Water Iris and Papyrus.

Herewith one of my veggie ponds while ago.





I plant everything in building gravel in a standard pot plant container after I drilled holes in and add shade cloth to keep the gravel in when I plant. No soil at all.

I have tried watercress a few times. Buy those mixed salad packs at Pick & Pay with watercress in it, take the watercress out and and throw it in the filter. It grows very fast, however it always land in the pond, and disappear soon as the koi loves it.

Hi Paul.
How often do you clean your veggie filter?

Every few months, I take some plants out to prevent overgrowing, cut back plants and vacuum. The end of every winter, I empty and take the sludge build-up out. Ideally you should have a bottom drain to flush from time to time and I will in future install bottom drains in all veggie ponds.

Very nice Admin,
I will post my pictures when I reach Zambia.

Hi there, i had several water plants growing beautifully in my fountain. Added 60kg of salt to 22,000 liter pond in spring. All the water plants died b the plants surrounding the pond died when came in contact with the water spray from the fountain.
How can i keep growing plants in the pond?
Regards,
Jo