Pond/triploid carp?

[wags]

I've got an acre pond that's over run with weeds and moss. To those of you with experience how well will they eat the vegetation, and how many should I put in there?

I had a small pond that was almost completely covered with some sort of plant that grew from the bottom up. I put 6 grass carp in it and they ate like starving fools. They clear out the lake and then started eating cattails. They would bite them off at the water and chew them up. You could actually hear them. Putting in grass carp is definitely the way to go. They eat alot the first 5 years then they slow down but they are a one time investment. I paid ab out 9 dollars each about a year ago.

[cooter 33]

I just put 8 in about an hour ago. They were about 7 to 10 inches. Being that small do you think I'll notice a difference this year? Also at what water temp do they start eating? I've been told many different temps.

[cooter 33]

I paid 12.75. But as long as there effective I don't care.

[Fishin is life]

I've heard they don't eat as much when they get really big....does anybody know if thats true....I fish a local pond and it has a few in it but they're giants...I'd say in the 40lb range but they dont even come close to keeping the pond cleaned out

[Hewhofish]

They work well for sub-surface vegetation, but if you suffer from the all too common "Pond Scum" you're more than likely going to have to invest in an aeration system. My pond has had two fish kills in the past ten years, so we are finally forced to bite the bullet.

[Fishin is life]

This is all moss that stays down towards the bottom.....makes it nearly impossible to get down to the fish.....and those big carp wont keep it clean

[mhall]

I'm not a fan at all. They do great at first but after they get mature and very large they accomplish very little EXCEPT silting your pond especially around spawn time. Bass hate grass carp and I have seen several ponds go from great fishing to very average because of them. Just one man's opinion, but I know some homeowners that would never put them in their ponds ever again.

[cooter 33]

Encouraging!

[mhall]

Encouraging!

Sorry cooter just an opinion Bro.

[cooter 33]

No, I appreciate the info that's given. I'm just looking for a cheaper fix. I've still got to stock bluegill and bass. Before that happens I want to make sure the moss is under control.
Just looking to clean it up a bit so I can take my kids out back and watch them have fun. My 5 year old is talking about fishing non stop.

[cooter 33]

Catching those big grass carp accidental or on purpose is like holding onto a run away freight train.

[restornator]

No, I appreciate the info that's given. I'm just looking for a cheaper fix. I've still got to stock bluegill and bass. Before that happens I want to make sure the moss is under control.
Just looking to clean it up a bit so I can take my kids out back and watch them have fun. My 5 year old is talking about fishing non stop.

if the pond isn't stocked, the cheapest fix is the drain the pond. I say this because starting over is sometimes the best way to go. What keeps weeds and moss under control is water clarity. This is best accomplished with steep sloping banks to 4+ feet depth, liming and fertilizing to produce the correct algal bloom, phytoplankton. Water will look brownish green in fertile ponds. This also allows your pond to carry more lbs/ fish per acre.

Now if you really just want to place for your kids to catch fish, dyeing the pond and stocking channel cats would be the best short term solution.