Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Spring Water Garden Pond Fish Care
Early spring is a very stressful time in the colder parts of the U.S., because the fish have been dormant so long and now have to cope with a lot of water temperature fluctuation!
For this reason, it is very important to really take care and keep water quality at an optimum at this time of year. Particularly if Koi or Golden Orfe are present in the Pond.
The digestive system of Koi depends entirely on its intestine (Koi have no stomachs) and when the water is cold their intestines do not work at the normal rate. That is why it is important to feed Koi a low protein diet in the spring.
Beneficial bacteria have not had time to establish a sufficient colony to deal with great loads of fish waste, there again the amount, type and quality of the fish food is important (like the old saying goes: garbage in--garbage out!).
It is best to start feeding slowly and to measure nitrites about once a week until the weather stabilizes, especially in ponds with many and/or expensive fish (or those dear to the heart)!
Remember, our free e-book "Spring Start-Up" is available for download on our website!
Products necessary for a good start in the spring pond can be found here.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Pond Weather Problems
POND WEATHER PROBLEMS
We sure have had some awful weather in parts of the U.S. Here in St. Louis we have had snow about every third day for a couple of weeks and no end in sight.
That reminded me to list some of the do's and don'ts of winter weather for the garden pond:
1) If your pond is covered by snow and ice, sweep off some of the snow. The snow on top of the ice keeps the pond dark and any plants (algae is a plant) will start taking oxygen out of the water and can deprive your fish of it! !! Observe all necessary precautions not to fall in the pond!!
2) Be sure the pond is not completely frozen for any length of time (how long varies with pond size and fish population). We do not let our ponds freeze completely at all, opting instead to use de-icers to keep them open.
3) Do not beat on the ice to break it. The resulting sound waves can harm and/or kill the fish!
4) Sometimes we get sudden, very warm days. This can be a problem if the water is heated to quickly by the sun. Koi in particular are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. If possible start a pump to help keep the water evenly heated at all layers. The pump should be about midway in the depth of the water (for example, if the pond is 3 feet deep, submerse the pump intake at about 1 1/2 feet).
Seasonal Pond Supplies
We sure have had some awful weather in parts of the U.S. Here in St. Louis we have had snow about every third day for a couple of weeks and no end in sight.
That reminded me to list some of the do's and don'ts of winter weather for the garden pond:
1) If your pond is covered by snow and ice, sweep off some of the snow. The snow on top of the ice keeps the pond dark and any plants (algae is a plant) will start taking oxygen out of the water and can deprive your fish of it! !! Observe all necessary precautions not to fall in the pond!!
2) Be sure the pond is not completely frozen for any length of time (how long varies with pond size and fish population). We do not let our ponds freeze completely at all, opting instead to use de-icers to keep them open.
3) Do not beat on the ice to break it. The resulting sound waves can harm and/or kill the fish!
4) Sometimes we get sudden, very warm days. This can be a problem if the water is heated to quickly by the sun. Koi in particular are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. If possible start a pump to help keep the water evenly heated at all layers. The pump should be about midway in the depth of the water (for example, if the pond is 3 feet deep, submerse the pump intake at about 1 1/2 feet).
Seasonal Pond Supplies
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Ponds in Winter --- Southern, Northern
Ponds in Winter --- Southern, Northern
Brrr, the weather in most parts of the country has been absolutely horrid! We have had a little bit of everything: cold, snow, rain, fog... Can't wait for spring! In the meantime, though, here are some cautions for your pond until the weather gets better.
** Southern Ponds:
Since winters in the southern states tend to be much milder, many ponds hover right around the 50 degree water temperature mark. This is hard on the fish, because it keeps them right on the edge of dormancy and hunger. Exercise care when feeding! Only easily digestible cool weather food should be fed that contains mostly vegetable matter. Beneficial bacteria tend to multiply much slower and if the fish are active enough to feed they do - of course - produce waste. Care must be taken that enough bacteria exist to digest the waste. Microbe Lift Fall/Winter Prep is a very good cool weather bacteria. All necessary products can be found in the "Seasonal Supplies" department (many at Grand Opening Prices of 20% off) at Pond Market On-Line Store
** Northern Ponds:
Chances are, everything is pretty much dormant in the pond in our colder states right now. There are, however, a few cautions to observe even here: Fish cannot go very long without oxygen. A vent hole must be kept in the ice on top of the pond either with a pump or a pond de-icer. If there are a lot of decomposing leaves in the pond the oxygen situation can get especially precipitous in the later weeks of the winter. Microbe Lift OX is a great product to help with that situation: it immediately makes more oxygen available to the fish and also for the beneficial bacteria to help their reduced numbers deal with the decomposing matter in the pond. All these products can of course be found at (many at Grand Opening Prices of 20% off) Pond Market On-Line Store
Brrr, the weather in most parts of the country has been absolutely horrid! We have had a little bit of everything: cold, snow, rain, fog... Can't wait for spring! In the meantime, though, here are some cautions for your pond until the weather gets better.
** Southern Ponds:
Since winters in the southern states tend to be much milder, many ponds hover right around the 50 degree water temperature mark. This is hard on the fish, because it keeps them right on the edge of dormancy and hunger. Exercise care when feeding! Only easily digestible cool weather food should be fed that contains mostly vegetable matter. Beneficial bacteria tend to multiply much slower and if the fish are active enough to feed they do - of course - produce waste. Care must be taken that enough bacteria exist to digest the waste. Microbe Lift Fall/Winter Prep is a very good cool weather bacteria. All necessary products can be found in the "Seasonal Supplies" department (many at Grand Opening Prices of 20% off) at Pond Market On-Line Store
** Northern Ponds:
Chances are, everything is pretty much dormant in the pond in our colder states right now. There are, however, a few cautions to observe even here: Fish cannot go very long without oxygen. A vent hole must be kept in the ice on top of the pond either with a pump or a pond de-icer. If there are a lot of decomposing leaves in the pond the oxygen situation can get especially precipitous in the later weeks of the winter. Microbe Lift OX is a great product to help with that situation: it immediately makes more oxygen available to the fish and also for the beneficial bacteria to help their reduced numbers deal with the decomposing matter in the pond. All these products can of course be found at (many at Grand Opening Prices of 20% off) Pond Market On-Line Store
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Ugly, stringy Stuff growing in the Pond NOW?
Ugly, stringy Stuff growing in the Pond NOW?
That "stuff" is called by many names:
String Algae
Hair Algae
Blanket Weed...etc...
This time of year (winter) it can grow at amazing speed!
The cause is a low concentration of beneficial bacteria due to the low water temperatures and simultaneous over-abundance of nutrients (sludge in the bottom of the pond, decaying leaves and other organic matter).
This algae growth can take vital oxygen away from the fish, especially if the pond gets covered by ice and snow.
There are rememdies available that work even in colder temperatures:
"Aqua One" beneficial bacteria is not temperature sensitive and will help get rid of excess nutrients in the water
"PondMarket Restor" will clean off the stuff coating the rocks in the pond
"Pond Balance" will disolve the long strings growing so profusely!
All of these helpful products can be found here: Pond Water Treatments
That "stuff" is called by many names:
String Algae
Hair Algae
Blanket Weed...etc...
This time of year (winter) it can grow at amazing speed!
The cause is a low concentration of beneficial bacteria due to the low water temperatures and simultaneous over-abundance of nutrients (sludge in the bottom of the pond, decaying leaves and other organic matter).
This algae growth can take vital oxygen away from the fish, especially if the pond gets covered by ice and snow.
There are rememdies available that work even in colder temperatures:
"Aqua One" beneficial bacteria is not temperature sensitive and will help get rid of excess nutrients in the water
"PondMarket Restor" will clean off the stuff coating the rocks in the pond
"Pond Balance" will disolve the long strings growing so profusely!
All of these helpful products can be found here: Pond Water Treatments
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Beneficial Bacteria in Winter
Beneficial Bacteria in Winter
Many ponds in colder climates are dormant now with pumps and filters disconnected. Several subscribers have send emails asking what they could do about the pond becoming somewhat stagnant. One of the alternatives is to use a good cold weather beneficial bacteria product to help keep the pond working until warmer weather lets us put some movement back into our garden pond.
We have a couple of products that are favorites to use for this purpose:
1. Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter prep for a bacteria specially formulated to work in colder water temperatures and
2. Aqua One is a good, all-around beneficial bacteria product that works in almost any temperature.
Like so many of us, we envy our subscribers in the southern 1/3 of the US right now because we cannot enjoy our ponds as much right now as you folks in the south can...but we can do our utmost to keep the pond healthy so it comes back to life in record time and as healthy as possible.
Anytime a pond starts to smell even just a little bit it is a sign that things are not well. This circumstance should be avoided at all cost and remedied at once if it occurs. Water Treatments
Many ponds in colder climates are dormant now with pumps and filters disconnected. Several subscribers have send emails asking what they could do about the pond becoming somewhat stagnant. One of the alternatives is to use a good cold weather beneficial bacteria product to help keep the pond working until warmer weather lets us put some movement back into our garden pond.
We have a couple of products that are favorites to use for this purpose:
1. Microbe-Lift Autumn/Winter prep for a bacteria specially formulated to work in colder water temperatures and
2. Aqua One is a good, all-around beneficial bacteria product that works in almost any temperature.
Like so many of us, we envy our subscribers in the southern 1/3 of the US right now because we cannot enjoy our ponds as much right now as you folks in the south can...but we can do our utmost to keep the pond healthy so it comes back to life in record time and as healthy as possible.
Anytime a pond starts to smell even just a little bit it is a sign that things are not well. This circumstance should be avoided at all cost and remedied at once if it occurs. Water Treatments
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Is your Pond ready for Winter?
Is your Pond ready for Winter?
Cold weather is upon many of us! Brrrrr! If your pond is not ready for winter, now is the time! Our e-book "Winterizing the Garden Pond" gives many helpful hints and tips. We give it away at http://www.pondmarket.com Just use any of the e-book links.
In addition to the many tips in the e-book we use MicrobeLift Fall/Winter Prep to help rid the pond of decomposing organic stuff and to help increase oxygen levels. It helps the fish in our ponds survive. It can be found in the "Seasonal Items" department in our online store.
We also leave pumps running in ponds that are home to Koi to insure adequate oxygen levels. Large Koi in particular need a lot of oxygen and are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Leaving the pump running assures that the water is circulated properly. We do, however, move it up from the bottom of the pond.
Cold weather is upon many of us! Brrrrr! If your pond is not ready for winter, now is the time! Our e-book "Winterizing the Garden Pond" gives many helpful hints and tips. We give it away at http://www.pondmarket.com Just use any of the e-book links.
In addition to the many tips in the e-book we use MicrobeLift Fall/Winter Prep to help rid the pond of decomposing organic stuff and to help increase oxygen levels. It helps the fish in our ponds survive. It can be found in the "Seasonal Items" department in our online store.
We also leave pumps running in ponds that are home to Koi to insure adequate oxygen levels. Large Koi in particular need a lot of oxygen and are very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Leaving the pump running assures that the water is circulated properly. We do, however, move it up from the bottom of the pond.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Special Edition: PondMarket.com Gift Certificates
"Special Edition: There is still Time for...Gift Certificates"
Still missing a Gift for that someone Special who likes Gardening?
Electronically transmitted Gift Certificates are available until 10 a.m. central time on CHRISTMAS EVE!
We issue the Gift Certificate and email it to you, you print it and present it in time for Christmas to that special person on your list!
Get your Gift Certificate here.
Still missing a Gift for that someone Special who likes Gardening?
Electronically transmitted Gift Certificates are available until 10 a.m. central time on CHRISTMAS EVE!
We issue the Gift Certificate and email it to you, you print it and present it in time for Christmas to that special person on your list!
Get your Gift Certificate here.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Special Edition: Give the Extra-Ordinary Gift
"Special Edition: Give the Extra-Ordinary Gift --- Items for the Garden Pond"
We have filled our " B a r g a i n s " Page to the brim for those of you still looking for that E x t r a S p e c i a l and unusual C h r i s t m a s G i f t:
1) Pond Fountain/Filter Kits - Just plug it in and watch the display
2) Electric Pond Vacs - make Spring Cleaning a Breeze
3) Mag Drive Pond Pumps - long lasting and energy efficient
4) Beautiful,plumbed Statuary Spitters - beautify your Pond
5) Water Treatments Kits - keep the water healthy and clear
6) Splash Dance - dancing Fountains, the ultimate in Pond Decor
7) Pond Size Fogger - brings Romantic Atmoshpere to the Garden Pond and more.....
....not so sure what to choose? How about a Gift Certificate???
Vist our "Pond Supply Bargains" Page!
We have filled our " B a r g a i n s " Page to the brim for those of you still looking for that E x t r a S p e c i a l and unusual C h r i s t m a s G i f t:
1) Pond Fountain/Filter Kits - Just plug it in and watch the display
2) Electric Pond Vacs - make Spring Cleaning a Breeze
3) Mag Drive Pond Pumps - long lasting and energy efficient
4) Beautiful,plumbed Statuary Spitters - beautify your Pond
5) Water Treatments Kits - keep the water healthy and clear
6) Splash Dance - dancing Fountains, the ultimate in Pond Decor
7) Pond Size Fogger - brings Romantic Atmoshpere to the Garden Pond and more.....
....not so sure what to choose? How about a Gift Certificate???
Vist our "Pond Supply Bargains" Page!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Christmas Pond Market Gift Certificates
The Holidays are here!
Do you have a pond? Do you know someone who has a pond or is going to build a beautiful, relaxing pond? Well, here's a great gift idea for the holidays.
There are two ways to send a friend a gift.
I. You can get it from our online store. There are Japanese Deer Scarer - Shishi Odoshi, Floating Lily Lights, Laguna Angel Boy Fountains, Laguna Golf Caddy Fountains and more. Visit our gift store.
II. If you're not to sure what they have already and would like for them to give them a Gift Certificate so they can pick out their own gift...
get your family or friends a Gift Certificate here.
Have a great Holiday.... From PondMarket.com
Do you have a pond? Do you know someone who has a pond or is going to build a beautiful, relaxing pond? Well, here's a great gift idea for the holidays.
There are two ways to send a friend a gift.
I. You can get it from our online store. There are Japanese Deer Scarer - Shishi Odoshi, Floating Lily Lights, Laguna Angel Boy Fountains, Laguna Golf Caddy Fountains and more. Visit our gift store.
II. If you're not to sure what they have already and would like for them to give them a Gift Certificate so they can pick out their own gift...
get your family or friends a Gift Certificate here.
Have a great Holiday.... From PondMarket.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
