Winter Fish Loss from Predators
We are already getting many emails from pond owners who's precious pets have disappeared! Sometimes there are signs of a visitor: Rocks are moved, plants flattened and the area around the pond is generally a mess. These clues usually point to a racoon. Often, however, there are no signs at all and yet...the fish are gone! In those cases the suspects are usually birds: Hawk, Owl, Heron or other predatory flying guests.
What can be done to prevent these visitors from making a meal or your fish?
The best protection is a pond net: Pond Net - It will replace some of the cover the fish lost when the plants died down and protect them from all but the most vicious predators. It has the added benefit of keeping leafs and debris out making spring start up easier.
If protection is needed during the "ponding" season or at other times when we do not necessarily want to look at a net over our pond, then the "scare crow" may be a better option: Scare Crow
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
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.
Winterize your Pond today!
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.
Winterize your Pond today!
Friday, November 03, 2006
PUMPS IN OR OUT IN WINTER ?
PUMPS IN OR OUT IN WINTER ?
112 - at last count! That is how many emails I received asking whether the pump should come out of the pond or can be left in for the winter :)
The official answer is: If you live in a cold climate the pump should come out and be cleaned thouroughly and then be stored for the winter in a frost free place. -- Old type "oil filled" pumps should be stored in distilled or very soft water to prevent the seals drying out and cracking.
The not so official answer is: I have been known to leave a pump in the pond IF it is deep enough in the water that the pump will not, under any circumstances, freeze. There are dangers to this: The electrical cord could be damaged by ice and must be checked very carefully before turning the pump back on in the spring. In any case, the pump should be cleaned and inspected in the spring. This is NOT the recommended course of action! Of course, manufacturers will not warranty any damage resulting from freezing of pumps!
So, generally, it is best to remove the pump and store it properly! EVERYTHING needed to winterize your pond can be found right here: Winterizing Your Pond.
112 - at last count! That is how many emails I received asking whether the pump should come out of the pond or can be left in for the winter :)
The official answer is: If you live in a cold climate the pump should come out and be cleaned thouroughly and then be stored for the winter in a frost free place. -- Old type "oil filled" pumps should be stored in distilled or very soft water to prevent the seals drying out and cracking.
The not so official answer is: I have been known to leave a pump in the pond IF it is deep enough in the water that the pump will not, under any circumstances, freeze. There are dangers to this: The electrical cord could be damaged by ice and must be checked very carefully before turning the pump back on in the spring. In any case, the pump should be cleaned and inspected in the spring. This is NOT the recommended course of action! Of course, manufacturers will not warranty any damage resulting from freezing of pumps!
So, generally, it is best to remove the pump and store it properly! EVERYTHING needed to winterize your pond can be found right here: Winterizing Your Pond.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Winterization Do's and Don'ts
Winterization Do's and Don'ts
It is already that time of year, where did the summer go? Now it is time to get the pond ready for winter and to do a few simple fish to help make sure your fish survive until spring:
Hopefully you will already have moved your tropical plants inside, so they do not freeze! Examples (but not a complete list of plants that must be moved inside in colder climates: Water Canna, Taro, Umbrella Palm, Papyrus and tropical Water Lilies.... Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce should be fished out and discarded. If allowed to die in the pond they will sink and make a terrible mess to clean up in the spring (they will also foul the water and take up valuable oxygen while decomposing.
Stop feeding the fish when the water temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they will no longer be able to digest food. Koi in particular should be fed a cool weather food once water temps go below 65 degrees to make sure they can digest it properly.
Put netting over the pond if there are a lot of trees around, to prevent them from ending up in your pond! Netting also helps to protect your fish from predators once the plants die down and no longer provide cover.
Ensure that your fish have adequate oxygen during the winter by either letting a pump run or putting a de-icer in the pond. T I P: Pumps tend to clog and it is very unpleasant to have to clean them when the water is cold. Using a de-icer instead eliminates that chore - crowded ponds may need an air pump in addition to a de-icer to provide adequate oxygen.
The PondMarket provides a completely free ebook that is short and to the point and takes you through winterization step by step (taking a few moments for winterization makes spring start-up much, much easier). Just go to http://www.pondmarket.com and click on any of the "free ebooks" links and download your copy.
The PondMarket also provides not only all winterization products but many kits that we have put together which will make winterization much simpler: Winterization Kits
It is already that time of year, where did the summer go? Now it is time to get the pond ready for winter and to do a few simple fish to help make sure your fish survive until spring:
Hopefully you will already have moved your tropical plants inside, so they do not freeze! Examples (but not a complete list of plants that must be moved inside in colder climates: Water Canna, Taro, Umbrella Palm, Papyrus and tropical Water Lilies.... Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce should be fished out and discarded. If allowed to die in the pond they will sink and make a terrible mess to clean up in the spring (they will also foul the water and take up valuable oxygen while decomposing.
Stop feeding the fish when the water temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they will no longer be able to digest food. Koi in particular should be fed a cool weather food once water temps go below 65 degrees to make sure they can digest it properly.
Put netting over the pond if there are a lot of trees around, to prevent them from ending up in your pond! Netting also helps to protect your fish from predators once the plants die down and no longer provide cover.
Ensure that your fish have adequate oxygen during the winter by either letting a pump run or putting a de-icer in the pond. T I P: Pumps tend to clog and it is very unpleasant to have to clean them when the water is cold. Using a de-icer instead eliminates that chore - crowded ponds may need an air pump in addition to a de-icer to provide adequate oxygen.
The PondMarket provides a completely free ebook that is short and to the point and takes you through winterization step by step (taking a few moments for winterization makes spring start-up much, much easier). Just go to http://www.pondmarket.com and click on any of the "free ebooks" links and download your copy.
The PondMarket also provides not only all winterization products but many kits that we have put together which will make winterization much simpler: Winterization Kits
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Fun (Pond) Fact
Fun (Pond) Fact (TM)
One of the major areas of cooling for fish are the gills. Pond Fish will breathe more slowly during the winter to help preserve body heat!
One of the major areas of cooling for fish are the gills. Pond Fish will breathe more slowly during the winter to help preserve body heat!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Fall Tips for Winterizing the Pond
Fall Tips for Winterizing the Pond
Time to make some preparation for winterizing the Pond, even if most of the country is not yet quite ready for complete winterization.
September is a good month to do a few preparatory things that will help make winterizaton easier later and will aid in cleaning the pond to give fish a better chance at winter survival and even make spring start-up easier.
The things to do now include:
* put netting over the pond to prevent leaves from falling in
* add special Autumn formulation (works in colder water) of beneficial bacteria to break down pieces of leaves and twigs that do manage to get in the pond. This will also help to eliminate organic waster in the water from this summers plants.
* Switch to cool weather fish food to ensure food gets properly digested and does not foul the water or hurt your fish.
* Add a pond thermometer to monitor water temperature.
Many more tips and detailed instructions for winterization can be found in our free e-book "Garden Pond Winterization"
Just go to PondMarket.com and click on any of the "Free eBooks" links to this ebooks and many others.
Time to make some preparation for winterizing the Pond, even if most of the country is not yet quite ready for complete winterization.
September is a good month to do a few preparatory things that will help make winterizaton easier later and will aid in cleaning the pond to give fish a better chance at winter survival and even make spring start-up easier.
The things to do now include:
* put netting over the pond to prevent leaves from falling in
* add special Autumn formulation (works in colder water) of beneficial bacteria to break down pieces of leaves and twigs that do manage to get in the pond. This will also help to eliminate organic waster in the water from this summers plants.
* Switch to cool weather fish food to ensure food gets properly digested and does not foul the water or hurt your fish.
* Add a pond thermometer to monitor water temperature.
Many more tips and detailed instructions for winterization can be found in our free e-book "Garden Pond Winterization"
Just go to PondMarket.com and click on any of the "Free eBooks" links to this ebooks and many others.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Pond De-Icer or Pond Air Pump? Which should be used?
Pond De-Icer or Pond Air Pump? Which should be used?
Winter Survival for the fish in the pond depends in large part on the availability of oxygen.
A Pond De-Icer will keep a hole open in the ice which may form on top of the pond and let harmful gases like carbon monoxide escape and oxygen enter. A De-Icer (or two for large ponds) is usually enough keep Goldfish alive and well.
Pond Air Pumps infuse large amounts of additional oxygen and should be used in ponds with larger Koi and Golden Orfe, because the need for oxygen is much greater for these pets.
In some very cold areas where long periods of ice and snow are expected both should be used if large Koi or Golden Orfe are present in the pond: Pond Winterization
Winter Survival for the fish in the pond depends in large part on the availability of oxygen.
A Pond De-Icer will keep a hole open in the ice which may form on top of the pond and let harmful gases like carbon monoxide escape and oxygen enter. A De-Icer (or two for large ponds) is usually enough keep Goldfish alive and well.
Pond Air Pumps infuse large amounts of additional oxygen and should be used in ponds with larger Koi and Golden Orfe, because the need for oxygen is much greater for these pets.
In some very cold areas where long periods of ice and snow are expected both should be used if large Koi or Golden Orfe are present in the pond: Pond Winterization
Thursday, October 12, 2006
When the Leaves fall....
When the Leaves fall, it is time to cover the Pond with netting! Leaves that blow into the pond will sink to the bottom and create all kinds of problems:
~ they will decompose using up valuable oxygen in the process
~ they will increase the amount of "muck" in the pond bottom
~ spring start-up will be harder because the bottom will have to be cleaned out!
Prevent all these problems
easily by covering the pond with pond netting. Adding cool weather bacteria will help eliminate any small particles that fall through and will also clean up anything already decomposing from summer time plants.The PondMarket carries a wide variety of winterization items, both individually and in kit form: Click Here for Pond Winterization
Friday, July 14, 2006
In this issue:
Get rid of Frogs?
Specials for Nasty Pond Water
While they last: Fountain Pump Kits on Sale!
Fun (Pond) Fact
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tired of measuring stinky, sticky
Beneficial Bacteria to pour into the Pond?
Try our "Fizzy Kicks"!
Dry, easy to use blocks to just drop into the Pond!
The stuff is great, it is flying off our shelves!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Get rid of Frogs?
This time of year we have lots and lots of inquiries about methods
to get rid of frogs....the noise they make at night can be a bit
disconcerting!
BUT...Frogs are incredibly beneficial: They consume an inordinate
amount of insects!
Frogs and Toads are suffering from massive shrinking of their habitats
and if you are lucky enough to be able to provide some then THIS IS
A VERY GOOD THING!
Remember: Out of 10,000 frog or toad eggs, only one makes it to
adulthood (on average) to the point of reproducing.
It is preferable to leave the frogs alone, but there are some things
that can be done to reduce their numbers:
1) Get rid of food sources. Frog eat insects and insects are
attracted by light. Turn of all outdoor lights and use dark curtains
in front of windows that let light shine outside.
2) get a cat
3) remove all possible hiding places close to the ground (wood piles,
low growing plants, empty flower pots, etc.
Specials for Nasty Pond Water
Warm summer temperatures can turn your pond colors you do not want to
see! We would like to see our fish, not water that matches the color
of our lawn!
The PondMarket has put Vorton UVs (Ultra Violet Clarifiers) on sale
to help with that!
Want Clear Water? Install a Vorton
(make sure to size it correctly) and see your fish at all times
On Sale Right Now for a limited time!
Fountain Kits by Laguna Blow-Out
Fountain Pumps in clog-resistant housings...3 year Warranty on motor,
two or three different Fountain Heads included...very energy efficient
magnetic drive....WHILE THEY LAST
INVENTORY CLEARANCE:
Click Here: Fountain Kits
Remember the BLOG!
Missed the last newsletter? It is always posted in the Blog once the new
newsletter goes out, so you can always catch up here!
Fun (Pond) Fact
In keeping with the Frog Theme: Breeding seasons for most native frogs
runs from about March through May, some breed in June.
Since it is already June, the noise should start to diminish soon!
Get rid of Frogs?
Specials for Nasty Pond Water
While they last: Fountain Pump Kits on Sale!
Fun (Pond) Fact
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Tired of measuring stinky, sticky
Beneficial Bacteria to pour into the Pond?
Try our "Fizzy Kicks"!
Dry, easy to use blocks to just drop into the Pond!
The stuff is great, it is flying off our shelves!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Get rid of Frogs?
This time of year we have lots and lots of inquiries about methods
to get rid of frogs....the noise they make at night can be a bit
disconcerting!
BUT...Frogs are incredibly beneficial: They consume an inordinate
amount of insects!
Frogs and Toads are suffering from massive shrinking of their habitats
and if you are lucky enough to be able to provide some then THIS IS
A VERY GOOD THING!
Remember: Out of 10,000 frog or toad eggs, only one makes it to
adulthood (on average) to the point of reproducing.
It is preferable to leave the frogs alone, but there are some things
that can be done to reduce their numbers:
1) Get rid of food sources. Frog eat insects and insects are
attracted by light. Turn of all outdoor lights and use dark curtains
in front of windows that let light shine outside.
2) get a cat
3) remove all possible hiding places close to the ground (wood piles,
low growing plants, empty flower pots, etc.
Specials for Nasty Pond Water
Warm summer temperatures can turn your pond colors you do not want to
see! We would like to see our fish, not water that matches the color
of our lawn!
The PondMarket has put Vorton UVs (Ultra Violet Clarifiers) on sale
to help with that!
Want Clear Water? Install a Vorton
(make sure to size it correctly) and see your fish at all times
On Sale Right Now for a limited time!
Fountain Kits by Laguna Blow-Out
Fountain Pumps in clog-resistant housings...3 year Warranty on motor,
two or three different Fountain Heads included...very energy efficient
magnetic drive....WHILE THEY LAST
INVENTORY CLEARANCE:
Click Here: Fountain Kits
Remember the BLOG!
Missed the last newsletter? It is always posted in the Blog once the new
newsletter goes out, so you can always catch up here!
Fun (Pond) Fact
In keeping with the Frog Theme: Breeding seasons for most native frogs
runs from about March through May, some breed in June.
Since it is already June, the noise should start to diminish soon!
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