Goldfish and green water

We've had a two-foot deep hole in the front yard for several years now. It was originally conceived as a "water feature" with aquatic plants, an array of fish, and phlox growing among the rocks along the edge. It was quite nice. And high maintenance.

The water turned cloudy; we added a UV light to kill bacteria. The water hyacinths failed to bloom; we replaced them with a lily more suited for semi shade. We fed special tablets to the water every week. In the fall, we even covered the water with netting: leaf mold prevention. And there was the floating heater in the winter to keep the surface clear of ice so the fish would have enough oxygen.

Last summer, the curvy plastic liner sprang a small leak, so I asked the landscape guys to dig us another, larger pond near the rock wall (what? am I crazy?). The new kidney-shaped pond was beautiful. Our energetic little goldfish scampered around in the clear water, darting in and out of the floating parrot feather. Our grande dame water lily pushed out fabulous blooms every morning.

But gradually the water turned murky. The larger pond required a larger pump, but we had no idea what to buy. So we bought...nothing. Our polite fish pond morphed into a farm pond. Assertive bullfrogs took control of the property, harrumphing loudly. The plants floundered; the goldfish disappeared. We assumed raccoons or transient birds had feasted on the tender fishlings.

Thursday, the pond people came in to set things right. They put in a new skimmer, powerful pump, fresh water and fertilizer for the plants. They even found the goldfish, who apparently had been hiding in the dark, doing a lot of reproducing! It was great to see the pond restored to its former glory!

I went over to admire it this afternoon. The goldfish looked a little fuzzy. I couldn't see the bottom of the pond. The water looked a little ...green. Here we go again. Bring on the UV light and water conditioner tablets. I've got to keep my goldfish happy.