Air Pump

The Pond in the backyard is ready for winter.
The Air Pump and the De-Icer are in and I'm relieved.

The Air Pump actually gets used all year round.
It is helpful in the summer time as well as in the winter.
In the summer when the temperature rises having an Air Pump in the Pond makes life easier on your Pond Fish.
If your Pond Pump ever goes out in the summer time the Air Pump will be able to provide your Pond Fish with much needed oxygen.

Happy Holidays!

Ice over the Fish Pond

Looking out into my backyard today I saw the ice over the fish pond.
Luckily the Air Pump was already in the Pond because I've been so busy with the holidays that I forgot to put the De-Icer in.

That Air Pump provides oxygen for my fish and keeps a hole in the ice to allow all the gases from fish waste and organic matter to escape.
It's a comforting feeling knowing that my Fish are breathing easy under the ice because of that Air Pump.

When I get a chance I plan on putting the De-Icer in the Pond just to be on the safe side. It's very important to keep a hole in the ice so the gases from the fish waste and decomposing organic matter don't build up.
Those gases can kill your Pond Fish!

Pond Fish are just like people. I know that if I was trapped in a room with waste, decomposing organic matter, and no ventilation that I wouldn't last too long either.


Once I have the De-Icer in the Fish Pond along with the Air Pump I know that my Pond Fish will be comfortable this winter.

Fun (Pond) Fact

The fat in a Koi's body can get so cold and stiff
that they may swim in some really strange positions (on their side, head down, etc), but once the water warms up this condition usually cures itself.

The Beauty of Barley

Barley Products come in different forms to accommodate the Water Garden/ Fish Pond owner.

Barley Products can be found in the form of Pellets, Flakes, Straw, and even as a Liquid Extract.

These different forms of Barley make it easy to find what works best for you and your Water Garden.
Barley Products are a more natural way of keeping your Water Garden looking great and are made to fit the personal preference of the Pond owner.

Barley Products are a great way of keeping your Pond water clean, clear, and they also help prevent that stringy growth in the Spring.

The Beauty of Barley, helps maintain the beauty of your Water Garden.

Fun Pond Fact

UV Clarifiers used for clearing up that pea soup look in Fish and Water Garden Ponds don't actually kill the algae causing it.

In Fact, the algae small enough to pass by the UV light is made sterile by the UV Clarifier.
Belief it or not, most algae doesn't have a very long lifespan.
Algae reproduces extremely fast and that is why it is able to turn Pond water into what looks like pea soup.

Taking away the algae's ability to reproduce makes the battle a whole lot easier to win.

Reducing the amount of nutrients in your Fish Pond by using Beneficial Bacteria, Algaecides, and having Plant coverage over half to three-fourths of the surface water of the Pond all help reduce the chances of pea soup look coming back.

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The Importance of Oxygen

Having oxygen in your Fish Pond is the difference between life and death when it comes down to your Pond Fish.

Without oxygen in the water your Pond Fish will suffocate.

Winter can be a stressful time on Pond Fish.
When Fish Ponds freeze over completely, harmful gases get trapped under the ice and there is not enough oxygen for your Pond Fish to breathe.

If there is snow over the ice, then plants in the pond that would normally provide oxygen will then take oxygen away. The snow blocks sunlight from getting through to the plants in the Fish Pond that use it for photosynthesis.
Sweep snow off the ice over your Fish Pond to let sunlight in.
Be careful not to step on the ice, it may not support you.

Beneficial Bacteria needs oxygen to digest fish waste and decaying organic matter in the Pond.
The build up of harmful gases comes from fish waste as well as decaying organic matter.

It is very important to provide your Pond Fish & Beneficial Bacteria with oxygen!
Using an Air Pump will help your Pond Fish (and Beneficial Bacteria) breathe.
A De-Icer will leave a hole in the ice over the winter to let those harmful gases escape.

Help your Pond Fish breathe easy this winter.

Winter Tips

It is important to mark off the perimeter of your Fish Pond.
Snow on and around the Fish Pond can make it hard to distinguish where the yard ends and where the Pond begins.
Marking off the perimeter will help prevent anyone from falling into your Water Garden.

Marking the edges of the Fish Pond with stakes is a common way of distinguishing where it is safe to walk.

Some people like to put little flags on the top end of the stakes to make them more apparent.
A string can also be tied from stake to stake to really make the boundaries clear.
Outdoor holiday lights can also be used instead of a string to add to the beauty of your backyard.

When putting your stakes in the ground be sure to place them at least two feet outside the edge of the Fish Pond.
Putting them right at the edge could be dangerous to your liner.

Using Pond Lights in or around your Water Garden will bring life and excitement to your backyard.
Having Pond Lights in your Water Garden will also help make it easier to see that you have a water feature. This will help make your Fish Pond more safe and even more enjoyable to look at.
Pond Lights can be used to high-light your favorite parts of your Water Garden during the winter time.
Some Pond Lights can even be used in or outside the pond.

There is no reason that your Pond can't be safe and beautiful all year round.

Winter is Coming!

Pond Market Winter Check List Guide for Ponds
Fall has passed and Winter is just around the corner.
What do you do to protect your Pond from the harsh elements and the wrath that Mother Nature can bring us sometimes?
Below is a great Winter Checklist Guide.

Pond Plants

-Prune dead leaves (leave at least 3 or 4 inches of stems)
-Move hardy marginal Pond Plant into deeper water (several inches below the freezing line)
-Bring tropical marginal Pond Plant inside, store by a window and keep very moist all winter (some leaves will wilt but the plant will perk back up in the Spring)
-Check the cold hardiness of your Pond Plants
-Check the USDA Hardiness Map for your area
-Watch the Pond Plant Winterization Seminar Video


Pond Fish (Koi, Goldfish, Golden Orfe, etc)

-Switch to Cool Weather Pond Fish Food once the water temperature of the Pond drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (Pond Fish do not have a stomach and their digestion slows which can lead to impaction if food with too much protein is fed in cooler water)
-Keep a Pond Thermometer in the Pond to closely monitor water temperature
-Stop feeding the Pond Fish once the water temperature drops below 48 degrees
-Add Pond Salt & Koi TLC to increase the slime coat, help ward off parasites & disease & reduce stress
-Watch the Pond Fish Winterization Seminar


Pond Filters

-Thoroughly clean the Pond Filter
-Inspect the Pond Filter for any wear or damage (it is best to order Pond Filter Replacement Parts now, so the Pond Filter is ready to go in the spring)
-Submersible Pond Filters & Pond Filters without UV should be disconnected & stored in a frost free area
-External Pond Filters w/UV should be stored in a frost free area if you plan to turn it off during the winter
-Watch the Pond Filter Winterization Seminar


Pond Pumps

-Thoroughly clean the Pond Pump
-Inspect the Pond Pump for wear and damage (order Pond Pump Replacement Parts now so it is ready for spring)
-Move the Pond Pump well below the freezing line if it will be left running
-Take the Pond Pump inside if it will be turned off
-Watch the Pond Equipment Winterization Seminar


Pond Water Quality

-Use a Pond Fish Net or Skimmer Net to scoop out dead leaves & other debris on the pond bottom
-Change 1/3 of the Pond Water (be sure to use de-chlorinator)
-Test the Pond Water for pH level, Ammonia and Nitrite
-Make further slow water changes if Ammonia and Nitrite are present
-Adjust the pH level to within 6.8 - 8.0
-Add cool weather Beneficial Bacteria to digest any left-over leaf debris and organic waste (this goes a long way to avoiding a complete pond draining in the spring)
-Use a Barley Product to inhibit stringy growth on pond rocks, waterfall, liner and other water features
-Use Restor to clean existing stringy and slimy growth off the waterfall, rocks, liner and pond plants


Pond Winterization Equipment

-Install a Pond De-Icer to keep a hole in the ice on the Pond surface to let toxic gases escape (carbon monoxide produced by the Pond Fish)
-Use a Pond Air Pump in Ponds with Koi or high Pond Fish Populations to ensure sufficient oxygen when the Pond freezes over
-Cover the Pond with Pond Netting to keep out leaves and protect the Pond Fish from predators

Pond and Garden Fun Fact

Green Water Algae has a relatively short life span.
I know that it is hard to believe when your Fish Pond looks like pea soup, but the individual cells making your water green actually only live for a few days.
These individual algae cells reproduce on such a fast rate that they are capable of making your water look green.


Not to worry though, because UV Clarifiers help keep your Green Water Algae under control. Algaecides and reducing the amount of nutrients in your water garden by using Beneficial Bacteria helps even more.

Ice Over the Pond

Having a hole in the ice of the Pond over the winter is very important. The need for a hole in the ice for toxic gases to escape during the winter can mean the difference between life and death when it comes to you Pond Fish.

Leaving a hole for noxious gases to escape will make it easier for your fish to breathe. Dangerous gases caused by plant decomposition, fish waste, etc. can do serious harm to or even kill your Pond Fish.

A Pond De-Icer will ensure a hole in the ice for these dangerous gases to escape.
Using an aerator will put oxygen back into the water so your fish can breathe.

Make sure that your Pond Fish are happy and can breathe easy.
That's what they would want from you.

Fun Pond Fact

Toads like to spend the winter close to the Pond!
Don't clean up too good around the Pond, leave a brush pile or two
for them to dig into and hide!

Pond Algae

There are many kinds of Pond Algae that come in different colors and different forms.
Surprisingly enough, algae can be green, red, and even brown.
Sometimes Pond Algae is small and makes your water look like pea soup and sometimes it's stringly like hair.
There are many ways to Treat and Control Algae in your Fish Pond.

There are Liquid and Granular types of Algeacides to keep your unpleasant Pond Algae under control.

Before treating your Fish Pond with an Algaecide it is important to make sure that your pond has a Balanced pH between 7.0 and 8.0. The closer to 7, the better.
Having a balanced pond will make your Algaecide more effective.

Using a Beneficial Bacteria will also up your chances of controlling your Algae. Beneficial Bacteria will help eliminate the nutrients that Algae feeds on.

UV Clarifiers in conjunction with a good Pond Filter make controlling all that green water a breeze. The UV clarifier makes the Algae that passes by it, sterile. Usually Algae reproduces at a fast pace, but by taking away this possibility it is easy to understand just how quickly a UV Clarifier can work. Having a good Pond Filter to catch all the sterile Algae, will help prevent Algae from going back into the pond.

After getting your Algae under control, the use of Barley Products will help ensure that you won't have Algae problems later on.

Water Garden Pond Calculations

The size of your Fish Pond(in gallons)can easily be determined with the use of formulas.
It is very important to know the amount of water you have in your Fish Pond to properly treat your Pond Fish or size up your pond for Pumps, Pond Filters, or even to just treat the water.
Knowing how many gallons you have in your Fish Pond can help prevent from overdosing and also from wasting products.

Rectangular or Square Shaped Fish Pond:
Average Length X Average Width X Average Depth X 7.5 = # of Gallons

Ex. Pond that is 4ft long, 5ft wide, & 3ft deep.
4 X 5 X 3 X 7.5 = 450 gallons


Round, Circular Shaped Fish Pond:
Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.875 = Gallons

Ex. Circular Pond that is 10ft in diameter & 3ft deep.
10 X 10 X 3 X 5.875 = 1762 gallons

Irregular shaped Water Garden Ponds are a bit trickier to calculate.
Usually it is still recommended that you take the
Average Width X Average Length X Average Depth X 7.5 to find the water volume of your Fish Pond.
This will give you a good idea of how much water your Water Garden may hold.

Take notice to consider shelves that have been made along edges of Fish Ponds and sloping Fish Pond floors.

No one has a perfectly shaped Fish Pond. So, please remember that these calculations are approximations of how many gallons of water you Fish Pond holds.

Fun (Pond) Fact

Pond Fish can be moved safely as long as the water temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above, but care must be taken to adjust the temperature of their current environment to their future one (let the fish bag float for 10 - 15 minutes for example).

How to make your Pond Fish Comfy this Season.

If your Pond Fish could have a say in furnishing their own space for the upcoming season, this is what they would want:

1) An open Window into the World: A De-Icer to keep a hole in the ice for toxic gases to get out and oxygen to get in - just like in your house

2) A Fireplace give you that cozy feeling? An Air Pump does that for your Fish! It makes them more comfortable, helps them keep healthy and improves their color in all seasons!

3) Light makes us all feel better, especially on short, dark and dreary winter days. Underwater Lights make the Pond look great, even wondrous under snow and ice and attract the errant, still moving bug as a special treat for Fish.

4) We all like a nice, safe place to rest. Fish do not need a Bed, but they do need safe places to hide from predators and Pond Netting and Koi Kastles provide that much needed protection!

Go ahead and make your Pond Fish comfy this season.
They'll love you for it!

Pond Beneficial Bacteria

Pond Beneficial Bacteria is a great thing to use in your pond all year round.

There are different kinds of Beneficial Bacteria for your pond.
Beneficial Bacteria can be found in a liquid form and dry granular form.
There is Beneficial Bacteria to use in your pond with warm weather and there is Beneficial Bacteria to use in cool weather.

With the Fall time here upon us, now is a great time to be using the Cool Weather Beneficial Bacteria in your pond if you haven't been using it already.
Cool Weather Beneficial Bacteria is specially made to be used in cool temperatures.
It is effective even in the dark(ie. under ice or snow)and it helps reduce the build up of leaves, fish waste, and other organic debris.

Beneficial Bacteria in your pond helps keep your fish healthy and your pond clean, too!

Water Temperature

Have you checked the temperature of your pond water lately?

The temperature of your pond water is crucial in determining what type of fish food to give to your koi and goldfish.
The needs of your koi and goldfish change with lower temperatures.

A Pond Thermometer becomes very important when water temperatures begin to decline.
The metabolism of fish is regulated by their environment.
When the water temperature cools down, the digestive system of fish slows down as well.

When water temperatures fall below 54 degrees Fahrenheit your Pond Fish should be fed Fall/Winter formulated food instead of high protein filled food that is used in the Summer months.
When the water temperature slips below 48 degrees your Pond Fish should no longer be fed at all.

A Pond Thermometer will help out season after season and let you know just what Fish Food your Koi and Goldfish need to be eating.

Fall is Here

Leaves are falling from the trees and blowing into the pond.
It is important to be scooping the leaves out with a Net now before the wintertime comes.
The leaves will otherwise sink to the bottom and begin to break down creating unwanted organic debris.

Keeping up with the leaves now will make for an easier clean up in the Spring.
Using a Cover Net will help prevent leaves from getting into the pond in the first place.

Keeping up on pond maintenence now will make for a happy pond owner later.
Your Koi and Goldfish will thank you too!

Pond Market Fall Check List Guide for Ponds

Fall is here. What do you do to protect your Pond from the elements and the wrath that Mother Nature can bring us sometimes? Below is a great Fall Checklist Guide.

1) Prepare Pond Plants for Fall by pruning dead leaves and moving marginal plants to deeper water.

2) Pond Filter System: Clean and store if turning it off, clean and inspect for worn parts if it will be running. Protect Pressurized Filters with straw bales if necessary.

3) Cover the pond with Pond Netting to keep leaves out and protect the Pond Fish from predators.

4) Use a Pond Aerator to provide sufficient oxygen for the Fish to insure survival.

5) A Pond Heater/De-Icer will keep a hole in the ice to let harmful gases (carbon monoxide) escape.

6) Feed an easily digestible Cool Weather Food to let the Fish add to their fat reserves before the water gets too cold for them to eat (48 degrees Fahrenheit).

7) Add Beneficial Bacteria that is formulated to work in cooler water temperatures to help reduce build up of decomposing leaves and make spring start-up easier.

8) Keep a Pond Thermometer in the water to show when to feed Cool Weather Food and when to stop feeding completely.

9) Test the pH, Salt, Nitrite, Ammonia to insure the fish stay healthy.

10) Using Barley will help prevent too much stringy growth.

11) Phos–X will remove Phospahtes to help keep the water clear.

12) Use Restor to help eliminate existing stringy growth on Waterfall, Plants and rocks.


Remember, A Healthy Pond is a Happy Pond.

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Cool Weather Pond Fish Food

Pond Fish are "cold blooded", which means their body cannot regulate its own temperature. Their body temperature depends on the environment they live in!
When the water they swim in gets colder their body functions slow down. This includes their ability to digest.
They also do not have stomachs! Their digestion is entirely done with their colon, which is slowed by their lower body temperature.
Feeding the wrong kind of Pond Fish Food once this happens can lead to severe digestive problems including impaction and even death of the fish (with no apparent outward signs of distress).
Cool weather Pond Fish Food contains easily digested vegetable matter (wheat germ and/or spirulina) to prevent this from happening.

Seasonal Pond Tips

If you could mine your Pond.....
you would find minerals and metals!

These minerals and metals are normally found in fresh water and evaporation and consequent topping off concentrates these minerals and metals more and more.
This accumulation of minerals can be harmful to the Pond Fish!

It is best to do a partial water change in the Autumn (20 - 30%) to dilute these substances and make the Pond healthier for your Fish to survive the winter.
We have talked many times of the importance of de-chlorinating all tap water that is added to the Pond, no matter how small a quantity it is. This time of year it is helpful to use a De-Chlorinator such as "Stress Coat" which helps to increase the slime coat that protects your Pond Fish from disease and parasites during the time when they are most vulnerable: Winter!

Seasonal Preparation Tips

Have you checked the bottom of your Pond?
Cleaning it up now and keeping it clean may eliminate the big Spring clean-out.

We always like to avoid draining the Pond in the Spring.
It is too much work, not good for the Pond Fish (or your back) and puts the Pond back to "brand new status" with all the potential problems of aging it and getting it balanced all over again.

It is much better to take a little bit of time now to prepare properly!
Check the pH to make sure the Beneficial Bacteria colony can flourish as long as possible - add some if necessary.
In far northern area where leaves may be falling already Pond Netting should be used to keep as much leaf debris off the bottom as possible.

Nutrient levels (in other words: fish poo) can get out of hand in cooler weather making that awful stringy stuff grow all over the place. Adding Barley Extract can help prevent that (and prevent some rock scrubbing).

How to hand feed your Pond Fish

How tame are your Pond Fish? Are they eating out of your hand?
It is not as difficult as you might think to train Pond Fish to do just that...

Here are some tips:
- Do not feed the Fish for a day or two to insure they are really hungry
- Present as small a silhouette as possible (squat or kneel instead of standing)
- Take some Pond Fish Food in your hand and make a fist around it
- Hold your fist in the water and let the Fish Food get wet and the flavors leak
- Release one stick/pellet of Pond Fish Food at a time and let it float
- Do not move your hand once the Pond Fish start to investigate

After a few days the Pond Fish will even start to try to get into your fist to get to the Food quicker. Have patience!

Always Dechlorinate

When doing a water change or even topping off your Fish Pond with tap water, always use Dechlorinator.

Chlorine and Chloramines in tap water damage the gills of your Pond Fish. Over time, if not instantly, Koi and Goldfish will die from the damage being done to their gills. Having damaged gills will make the chances of your Pond Fish surviving in low oxygen situations (during hot weather, broken pump, an iced over pond, etc) slim to none.

Dechlorinator is an essential part of keeping your Koi and Goldfish healthy and happy.By using Koi TLC, tap water can be Dechlorinated, the slime coat on your Pond Fish can be replenished, stress levels for your Koi and Goldfish will be lowered, and more!

When your Pond Fish are happy, you're happy, too!

Fun (Pond) Fact (TM)

If they have not already in your area, they will soon....
Frogs and Pond Toad will lay their eggs!
How to tell which is which?
Frog eggs are inside what can easily be described as "one big glob",
Toad eggs are encased in long strings!

Is your Pond thawing out?

We can't wait for Spring! We took a walk around our display ponds yesterday and determined it was time to clean them up a bit to help us get in a Spring mood! Thank goodness, a truckload of the new PondMarket formulations was delivered last week, so "Fizzy Kicks" bacteria blocks, "Restor" rock cleaner and the new, super strength "Sheer Clear" clarifier are ready to go!
We won't even have to get our hands wet! In no time at all our ponds will sparkle and be a joy to look at! Come by and visit!
We are conveniently located at the intersection of two super highways in St. Louis:
Interstate 55 and Interstate 270/255!

Fun (Pond) Fact!

Dragonflies and Damselflies are two different creatures!
Damselflies fly slower due to their wing shape, while Dragonflies do not have hinges to fold their wings but Damselflies do.

Snow can kill your Pond Fish! Rescue them!

Fish Ponds need oxygen to provide a life sustaining environment. All sorts of living things in the Pond use oxygen: The Pond Fish need to breathe and beneficial bacteria need oxygen to digest fish waste and decaying organic matter. Oxygenating plants that normally provide some oxygen, will TAKE oxygen out of the water if suddenly deprived of light needed for photo synthesis. Lack of oxygen is the # 1 Pond Fish Killer in Winter!

What can you do?

Answer: Install an air pump to increase oxygen and sweep at least some areas of the pond free of snow so light can enter (never step on the frozen pond - the ice may not support you!)

Tip: Mark the snow covered Pond with a caution sign or flag to distinguish it from the surrounding landscape to prevent accidents!

Fun (Pond) Fact!

Many insects survive the winter in the bottom of the Fish Pond including the larvae of Dragonflies and Damselflies (also called "Nymphs"). They like to burrow under dead leaves and twigs along with other insect eggs and larvae.

What to do with your pond Now..in the North-in the South...

In the South the days are getting longer and warmer already and in the North the Winter is getting long and colder! Each can bring a different sort of challenge to the pond at this time! In the South ponds can start to get murky and need a nice starting dose of beneficial bacteria to start the colony and help clear the water.

In the North the Pond Fish can start to get into real distress this time of year because Ponds have been cold and frozen for some time and oxygen deprivation can kill a lot of Pond Fish in a hurry!
Best to always have an air pump running, especially for Koi! Nothing is sadder to wake up one morning and it is too late!

PondMarket's 2008 Pond Supplies Catalog

Believe it or not....
Spring is coming for sure! Time to order your free
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It arrives just in time to enjoy the upcoming Pond Season!
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Pond Got the String Algae Blues ???

What is that growing in your Pond this time of year? It's hairy, or bubbly, or sometimes just like a fuzzy carpet!
In whatever form or shape it grows during the colder months, it is hard to get rid off! Most water treatments do not work well in cold water...but we will tell you a few that do:
Restor will clean those rocks and the Pond no matter the weather!
Barley Juice/Fusion will help prevent re-growth even in winter!

String Algae loves cold water and high pH

Fun (Pond) Facts

Next Spring try growing some Water Cress around the edges of your Waterfall! .....



The roots do not have to be in dirt, they just have to stay continously wet. The Water Cress will soften the edges of the rocks, make it look more natural and your Koi will nibble on the plants growing close to the surface of the pond.

Participate in our Annual Pond Survey

Results will be posted in a later posting.