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Help my Newts!

Help my Newts!

Comment from Penny Dommett
4818 4
Wonder if anyone can help? We have a large wildlife pond and have lots of newts. The pond pump gets cleaned out regularly and last year we were horrified to see at least 6 dead newts in the filter having been sucked up the pipe. We tried fitting netting, old tights and hessian over the pump and also standing it on bricks only to have to pick off yet more dead newts. Has anyone got any suggestions? I don't want to turn the pump off unless there's no other choice.... HELP!
Posted: Wednesday 3rd of April 2013 02:30 PM

  • Re: Help my Newts!

    Shoot User
    I have two ponds - one for wildlife and one for koi and other fish. I only use a pump/filter in the fish pond to keep the water healthy, but have never found anything trapped in the filter other than small worms. My wildlife pond has a large colony of newts and natural planting seems to keep it clean. I am no expert, but perhaps you will have to accept that a wildlife pond has to be left to find its own balance without the aid of pumps and filters. Hope someone with a wider knowledge of newt behaviour will be able to give you some more helpful answers.
    Good luck.
    Replied: Friday 5th of April 2013 10:17 AM

  • Re: Help my Newts!

    Shoot User
    That must have been very distressing to witness. We inherited a fishpond which also supports a colony of newts and frogs and one very big toad. There was no filtration system when we bought the house and the seller said that the crystal clear water was a sign of how well balanced the pond was ... I was incredibly impressed and in awe until we discovered the pond was actually plumbed into the mains, with an old loo cistern boxed into the wall! Anyway, we put in an ultraviolet bio filtration system, which also pumps water up through a waterfall when wanted. The system's bumf said that it was designed to safeguard wildlife and fish fry (the goldfish seem to spawn every spring) and we have never found anything in the filters when we clean it out ... we bought a size up from the one "recommended" & run it 365 days a year. So ... I think that if you feel the pond needs additional filtration i.e. it's not self regulating, then I would talk to one of the aquatic specialist suppliers and specify you need something that spares wildlife. Tho I do wonder how newts got past old tights, TBH!
    Replied: Saturday 4th of May 2013 04:23 PM

  • Re: Help my Newts!

    Shoot User
    May I ask, what is the reason for you using the pump? If it is just for the sound effect then why not have a separate place for it at the top or bottom end of your pond so that the water circulates and flows back into your pond without your newts getting harmed? I hope this helps
    Replied: Sunday 5th of May 2013 11:11 AM

  • Re: Help my Newts!

    Penny Dommett
    Many thanks for your feedback. We have tried a new tactic and covered the pump in a plastic shopping basket covered in fine mesh. This seems to keep the newts away from the inlet pipe thank goodness! The pump helps oxygenate the pond for the few goldfish we have and adds the soothing sound of trickling water so we quite like it - but we are willing to give it up if necessary! Newt Watch will continue so I'll keep you informed!
    Replied: Sunday 5th of May 2013 10:17 PM
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