- Test your pond weekly and test immediately if you suspect any fish maladies, such as finding them lying at the bottom of the pond or gasping for oxygen at the surface.
- Change 10-25% of your water monthly, depending upon fish load. If you have chlorine in your water, spray the water into your pond and add a de-chlorinator such as DetoxMax+. Chlorine can harm not only fish but your beneficial bacteria as well.
- Follow the label directions on your beneficial bacteria (Microbe-Lift PL or BioClarifier) and add it as directed. Turn off your UV lights for 24 hours after adding your bacteria to prevent killing it.
- Feed fish a high quality, nutritionally balanced food. High protein summer food, such as Blue Ridge Food, will give them the nutrients they need to thrive in warmer temperatures with increased activity. A good rule of thumb, feed no more than the fish can consume in 5 minutes. If there is any remaining, remove it with a net.
- Feed your plants, with plant tabs, at least once a month for prolonged blooms. Cut back and remove any decaying leaves before they fall to the bottom of the pond.
- Resolve cloudy water problems or suspended particles by using ClearMax. A flocculent will clump suspended particles together to either bring them to the surface or drop them to the bottom of the pond where your bacteria will consume them.
- Increase dissolved oxygen with continuous water movement. Plants respire at night by consuming oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide so that is when there is the lowest level of oxygen in the pond. It is important to run your pump during the night to add oxygen back into the water and during very hot days. Use an aerator to add dissolved oxygen to the pond. Aerators are energy efficient and can be used all year long.
- Algae can be controlled by treating it as it appears or using products to prevent it. Stringy algae are not harmful but can be unsightly, control stringy algae using Pond Balance, NatureMAX, or Algae D-Solv. Algae D-Solv also works for suspended algae (single-celled algae). We do not suggest using Algae D-Solv in temperatures 85 degrees Fahrenheit or above because warm water has the lowest concentration of oxygen! Use oxygenating plants such as hornwort to compete with algae for nutrients. Barley (Pellets, Bales, or Liquid Extract) can be used as a preventive when placed in the flow of water. Surface coverage is another great way to reduce algae. Your pond should ideally have about 70% of its surface covered to reduce algae growth. Water Hyacinths, Water Lilies, and Floating Island Planters are all great ways to provide surface coverage.
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