permaculture

[<permed@nor.com.au>]

>Why do you need the extra aeration? >>
>
>Robyn...those ponds are fed by surface water only , and are now used by beef 
>cattle for water, cooling dip etc.
>They are brownish colored, soup. I really want to fence them off ...water 
>cattle from troughs etc. I'd love to see bluish green color, a little 
>clarity 
>in water. Any ideas?
The beautiful bluish green colour of water is from sky reflection, 
especially in larger bodies of water - seldom a feature of small farm 
dams with an earth bottom. I'd guess that most of your turbidity would be 
from the cattle disturbing the bottom. With the cattle fenced off and a 
well vegetated edge the water will clarify somewhat, if a high level of 
turbidity persists you can add gypsum to help clarify the water 100kg per 
acre (preciptates the suspended particles & they sink to the bottom). If 
you plant some water lillies you'll have a beautiful surface and some 
predator protection for when you introduce your fish and the water 
surface colour won't be so important.
Aeration could result in greater turbidity levels. 
Also take a good look at the catchment as to any disturbed soil, erosion 
etc that might also contribute to the problem.
Robyn