POND TIPS:  Â

Please note:  I am not a veterinarian or pond biologist.  This information is from my own experience or product information sheets.  

  

1.  Algae Fix  (Chemical that kills algae) must be used in the proper amount. You must know the exact size (GALLONS) of your pond. You can NOT guess - IT could kill your fish!  Use in early morning with extra aeration. First time users use 1/2 recommended dose.  Be careful. Algae fix is safe, I use it myself. BUT, BECAUSE IT KILLS ALGAE (& ALGAE MAKES OXYGEN) YOUR OXYGEN LEVEL WILL DROP VERY LOW.  WATCH YOUR FISH CAREFULLY.  Unfortunately, I can not  replace fish you lose using algae fix.

2. SUN GROWS ALGAE!!  That is a FACT!!   Your pond needs to be covered over 75% to control algae naturally. Another way to rid your water garden of GREEN YUCKY WATER.....is to use an ULTRA VIOLET (UV) LIGHT... An ultra violet light will kill the green, and keep your pond CRYSTAL CLEAR!   I carry all sizes of these, and usually have them in stock.  THIS IS THE SAFE WAY TO KILL GREEN WATER ALGAE.  Keep in mind with the UV, I recommend that you change the UV bulb about every 12-15 months.

3. KoiZyme protects your fish against the threat of PATHOGENIC BACTERIA, such as AEROMONAS & PSEUDOMONOS (which can lead to the dreaded ulcer disease).   I USE KOI ZYME WEEKLY.

4. SALT. SALT. SALT!!   Salt improves gill function and reduces stress in fish.  It helps restore electrolytic balance which is essential for the uptake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide and ammonia.  Salt also helps reduce the toxic effects of nitrites.  Please consider the use of POND SALT..... 1 CUP TO 100 GAL. WILL = .1.   LILIES CAN TOLERATE UP TO .2, WATER HYACINTHS UNDER .1. If you have questions concerning salt, please ask me. NEVER ADD MORE THAN .4 (4C PER 100 GAL) I recommend a salt test kit.  Salt stays in the the water until your change the water. 

5. I can supply all your water garden needs!!! If I don't have something you want, ASK....I will do my best to get it!  If you don't know something.....ASK.....I will do my best to find the ANSWER!

6. Keep the dying leaves (Yellow) pulled off your lilies.  Pull dead blooms.  Keep leaves out of your pond.  Leaves can turn your water a dingy brown color.  Keeping them out, keeps the pond healthier!

7. STRING ALGAE - String or Hair Algae is the long strands of green that will grow from the sides of plants, or the sides of the pond, etc.  This type of algae will not make it through the UV light.  If you have string algae, I recommend using BARLEY or Algae Fix. BARLEY is the more natural and safer way.  Barley comes in several forms...Liquid, which must be placed in the pond every week, or pellets that should be placed in every 2 weeks, or bales that take about a month to decompose enough to help control the string algae.  I recommend the liquid for the QUICKER FIX.   Bales must be in moving water and near the surface.  Do not allow them to sink to the bottom of the pond. 

8. Lillie's can go in deep water, usually under 2 feet.  They do better when they are fertilized and divided - usually every 2  years they should be divided, and fertilized every year.  I do carry fertilize spikes and liquid.

9. CHLORINE....When you have city or county water, you have to DECHLORINATE it when you add water, just remember that using chlorinated water will kill all the good bacteria, and can kill your fish.

10. NEVER PUT ANY OTHER WATER FROM ANY OTHER PLACE IN YOUR POND.  It is a good idea to wash or dip your plants in a fresh bucket of water to remove unwanted bacteria from any other pond source.  This will not get rid of all the bacteria, but will certainly help!  I do carry tablets that will remove the bacteria....and is very simple to use.

11. ADDING PLANTS - Remember when you add any plants to your water garden....rinse them off with a water hose before you put them in your water.