ponddoc.com
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All bead filters tend to cake in ponds that are overloaded with fish and/or plants. An overabundance of algae can literally glue the beads together after a season of use. If your bead filter is needing to be backwashed more than once a week it’s time for maintenance. During winter many of us turn off the pump and the unit is left with standing water all winter long.
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Now that spring is just around the corner it’s time to begin the loving task of opening up the pond. The transition of winter to spring can be tricky for the fish. Parasites and anaerobic (bad) bacteria thrive in cool waters before the fish have had time to build up their immunity. Aerobic (good nitrifying) bacteria take their time to establish in the biological filter so we run the risk of deadly ammonia and nitrite build-up in the pond during this time of year.
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Definite noticeable changes occur in koi and goldfish, plants and the pond itself as the temperature of the water begins to drop. Leaves on water plants start to brown and die back. Koi and goldfish become less active and require less food. Leaves fall and cover the surface of the pond. The pond may suddenly clear up after not being clear all year. These are changes we see. The changes we do not see are just as important.
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Springtime is the most critical time of the year for fish in the pond. As water temperatures rise it puts our fish in the danger zone also referred to as Aeromonas Alley. The danger zone is water temperatures between 50° and 65°. In many states during the winter the water temperature drops below 50° which kills all the bacteria (good and bad) and most parasites become inactive. Fish do not eat at these temperatures and the pond goes into a period of dormancy. Here in Georgia, however, spring's warmer daytime temperatures starts raising the water temperature but we still have cool nights.
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There are two terrific times to give your pond a good, thorough cleaning. One is in Spring and the other is in Fall after the leaves have already fallen. It’s not a task to be taken lightly. It’s wet. It’s dirty. The muck stinks and the bottom of the pond is slippery. Performing a major pond cleaning requires courage to start the ball rolling and a little muscle to get it done.
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Cleaning the pond in fall and/or early spring can be quite a chore. Many opt to have a professional do it. There are several factors that determine the price of a professional cleaning, not simply the size of the pond. Before a professional can give an accurate estimate for cleaning a pond, those factors have to be considered.
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Springtime is almost here, and it’s time to get the yard ready for some fun in the sun! This usually means cleaning up several months’ worth of debris, and it’s often hard to decide where to start. Most homeowners begin by raking leaves and mowing the lawn, and then focusing on the areas where heavy debris accumulates. If you have an outdoor koi pond or water feature, you already know that you have your work cut out for you every spring. Even a covered pond can collect a lot of debris and sludge over the winter!
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A pond as part of your home's outdoor ambiance is a beautiful featured addition that provides times of peace, relaxation and tranquility. However there are special needs and possible seasonal occurrences that are typical for most outdoor fish ponds one should be mindful of. As temperatures dip a freeze is probable over your pond and there is partial protection nature invokes; the pond experiences a state of suspended animation of sorts. At best a small pond heater is a great idea to protect your outdoor space adequately.
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It all depends. Do you have fish? If you do, are there any places on the surface of the pond that are completely still. If so, you need more. Do your fish hang out at the water return? If yes, you need more. Fish require oxygen in the water to breath. If the oxygen is depleted, the fish simply smother.
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Incorporation of the element of water into residential landscaping is not a new idea. Ancient fountains were found in the ruins of Pompeii and one only has to witness the extravagantly crafted fountains of Versailles to realize the importance 17th-century France placed on water in the garden. Perhaps ancient Oriental cultures were the first to use the element of water in landscape design. The roots to our modern koi ponds are richly imbedded in Japan while the roots of our water gardens are probably more from Europe and more specifically the United Kingdom. It was in these areas of the world where the first cases of Pond Fever were reported.
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I know of people who feed their pond fish catfish food and even dog food. They smile and tell me how cheap these foods are and that their fish do just fine with them. This may be true — for a while. Eventually, however, the "cheap" ingredients in these foods will cause the fish to become obese and die.