<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">How do you clean this system? Do the pumps need cleaned with all the bird stuff going through? I like the idea of a shady spot to eliminate algae growth.<div><br></div><div>Just spent 4 hours today cleaning one pondless multi pond feature that was chock full of bird stuff that caused the pump to clog. That included scrubbing the algae of the rocks too.</div><div><br></div><div>Suggestions welcome although we will be shutting down our system at the end of September until next March as we will be gone over the winter.</div><div>Stef Neis</div><div>Whidbey Island</div><div><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPad</div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Sep 1, 2024, at 4:31 PM, Steve Hampton via Tweeters <tweeters@u.washington.edu> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">All, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">Re: the discussion of backyard ponds and fountains, I'm a big fan. They bring in thrushes, warblers, vireos, and others that are less attracted to seed and bird feeders. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">I built mine for under $100 using a couple pumps, plastic planter bottoms (I've used garbage can lids), and a $25 plastic tub -- and then decorated with rocks and wood. The key is the sound of falling water and a shallow pool they can bathe in. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">I prefer to put mine in a vegetated grotto, near bushes with a tree overhead. The birds tend to come in vertically, from above, slowly working their way down. Also, sunlight causes algae problems. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">Here are some pics and a crude blueprint diagram: <a href="https://thecottonwoodpost.net/2019/08/17/my-backyard-fountain-and-the-birds-that-come-to-it/">https://thecottonwoodpost.net/2019/08/17/my-backyard-fountain-and-the-birds-that-come-to-it/ </a></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">Most of these pics are from a pond I built near Davis, CA, but my current pond is pictured as well, and is very similar. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)">good birding, </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;color:rgb(7,55,99)"><br></div></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><font size="4" color="#073763"><span></span>Steve Hampton<span></span></font></div><div>Port Townsend, WA (<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">qatáy</span>)</div></div><br><div><font color="#073763"><i><br></i></font></div></div></div></div>
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