I just received my "Helpful Tips" letter from Exotic Aquatics informing me of how to keep my pond ecologically balanced through Fall & winter. I have a few questions and instead of just calling the office, I thought others would appreciate the answers here on the forum.
First of all, it says to switch to Cold Temperature Bacteria in the winter. What temperature should the water be at before switching? I'm in southern California and we just don't get many cold days in winter! Does the bacteria I have in my pond now suddenly die when the temperature dips one night? I currently use the powdered and liquid bacteria weekly since I have a heavy fish load according to Daryl's Pet Shop. I have 17 goldfish and koi (18 if you count the new baby goldfish I discovered). They started out about 3-4" long just 3 months ago, and they're now 8-10". They love their Pond Diggers All-Season Food (and the roots to my water hyacinths and water lettuce)!
Second, when do I switch to Cold Temperature Food? If my water is staying on the high end of the 65? - 50? range, do I just continue with the All Season food?
Third, you recommend Pond Debris Scrubber for String Algae prevention. When my pond was installed, I was given a box of Pond Balance. I purchased quite a bit more of it to have on hand and to use regularly as a preventative measure. Does it do the same thing?
Finally, you mention that this is a great time of the year to clean out the biological filter (especially in California). Do I clean mine if it is only going to be 4 months old in October? If so, what is involved in cleaning it out? I have a back flushable waterfall, do I just turn off the waterfall, open the valve and then spray the hose from the top of the waterfall, or do I actually take the rolls, of whatever that stuff is, out and clean them?
Thank you for all of your help, you make owning a pond much less stressful (reducing stress is why I have one in the first place!).
I just wish your letter had arrived a couple of days sooner. I had just signed up for a conference which just happens to be on the same day as your Fall & Winter Preparation Seminars (October 13th). If I hadn't already obligated myself to the conference, you can be sure I'd be at your seminar.
Connie
P.S. Can you give us a head's up as to when the Spring Preparation will be? I'll put it on my calendar now so I'll be sure to not have a scheduling conflict!
Pond Digger,
Did you miss my post? I was hoping for information that could be shared with everyone.
Connie
Cranky! I hate when a post slips by me! Let me address all of your questions! We really DO appreciate your questions right here on the message board so everyone can learn from it!
Consider Switching from your regular Beneficial Bacteria to Cold Temperature Bacteria when your water temperatures are consistantly below 65 degrees. The bacteria that you have been using all summer long is still effective into the mid 50's however moves much slower than in the summer months. 48 degrees is "LIGHTS OUT" for this blend of bacteria.
The thing that you need to know is that the bacteria we offer is blended with several different strains of beneficail baceria. Warm Temp strains & Cold temp strains, Low oxygen & high oxygen strains, among others. The special thing about our Cold Temperature Bacteria is we blend in a heavier amount of strains of bacteria that THRIVES in cooler waters.
The Cold Temperature Variety Bacteria is extremely active in water temperatures below 60 degrees and continues to be active into the low 40's. As a matter of fact, during our Fall/Prep Seminar I demonstrated how you can use up to TEN TIMES the recommeded amount regular dosage on our packaging on ponds that have moderate sediment on the bottom of the pond.
I did this demonstration on the pond at Daryl's Pet Shop in Redlands. The thing is, I used the broadcast method of dispersing the dissolvable powdered bacteria on primarily one half of the pond. A week later when I visited the pond, the half of the pond that I used the COLD TEMP BACTERIA on, there was a substantial and visable reduction of sediment and debris on the bottom of the pond. The pond at Daryl's Pet Shop has been running water temperatures into the low 60's each night. The fact that the pond is an above ground display does not leave as much room for insulating the temperature in the water as in in-ground features.
Cold Temperature Fish Food. I personally watch my fish food stock closely in September. Typically, I want to make the FULL switch to Cold Temp Fish Food when my water temp hits 60 degrees. I will make a switch from my Color Enhancing & Growth Formulas, that I only feed a couple times a week in the peak of the summer and stop using it all together by the end of August. At least here in Southern California, as soon as September hits, the water temp will typically move into the 70's.
We use the All Season Fish food most of the year rotating it between the Growth and Color Enhancing during the warmer months and then use the All Season Fish Food to acclimize the transistion from spring into summer and summer into fall.
Each and every pond is different depending on how many fish you have, how big the fish are and how frequently you feed the fish. The goal is to be out of your Color & Growth fish foods by the end of the summer and out of your ALL SEASON by the time your water temp hit LOW 60's.
Bottom line is DON'T STRESS over your fish food inventory. If you still have plenty of the higher protien fish foods when the water gets cold, bag it and put it in the FREEZER, if you have the room. It will keep it super fresh in the FREEZER. Bottom line is it's not going to go bad. If you don't have room in the freezer, keep it in a zip lock bag and store in a cool, dark, dry location.
POND BALANCE is a quality product that we have used for many years. I would defiantely continue using the product as you have until it is gone. Our Pond Debris Scrubber is an oxygen based contact product that you should use to restore brilliant colors to your waterfall rocks. You of course can use the Pond Debris Scrubber in streams and in the upper shelfs of your pond, too. We are working on improving the product so that it continues it's scrubbing ability into the entire pond after you use it on your waterfalls and streams! Beta Tests have proven fantastic results!
Since you have a Back Flushable Waterfall Filter, you are sitting pretty. You will not need to take out the rolls of media.
1. Turn off your pump.
2. Open the drain valve and wait till the waterfall filter runs empty.
3. Turn the pump on again, yes with the valve still open. The water will fill the filter FASTER than the drain can handle so just before the water in the filter turns into a waterfall THEN TURN OFF THE PUMP.
4. Let the filter drain again. Do this a time or two and this will give you a well cleaned filter.
5. When the water starts to run clear CLOSE THE DRAIN VALVE and start up your pump again.
6. Add declorinator to nuetrilize chlorine and chloramines in the top off water.
7. Add some liquid bacteria and you're golden.
Now that your pond is matured, I would suggest a cleaning like this every 4 to 6 weeks. If you wait four months, on mature ponds especially ponds that are heavier stocked with fish, you will find a VERY DIRTY FILTER.
Sorry you missed our seminar and once again sorry I missed your post originally. Typically we do our Spring Prep Seminars mid March to mid April. I can't be more precise at this time. I will be setting those schedules in the next month or two so stay tuned.
Thanks,
The Pond Digger
I still have a couple of questions. Do I continue my weekly use of liquid bacteria (In addition to the cold temperature powdered) or am I just wasting it in cold water? I was told to use the liquid AND powdered weekly because of my heavy fish load.
Also, are you suggesting using Pond Balance (since I still have it) together with the Debris Scrubber? What's the difference between the two? Do they do the same thing?
I'm going to go ahead and order the Cold Temperature Bacteria and the Cold Temperature Food. I don't know when it will finally get cold enough to use it though! The coldest I've seen my water is 66?, and it looks like we're in for some warmer temperatures again (upper 80's today and upper 90's tomorrow).
Thanks again for your help.
Connie
Good Questions Connie,
I would continue using the Liquid Bacteria until you stop feeding your fish. A 50 degrees you should completely cut the fish off of food. Our liquid bacteria is effective down to 48 degrees.
Use Pond Debris Scrubber to restore the beautiful colors in your rocks and gravel in your waterfalls and stream bed. Use Pond Balance to treat the pond. Our newest version of Pond Debris Scrubber (PDS) will DO BOTH! We only have our new & improved Pond Debris Scrubber in 7 lb. containers, at least for another couple of weeks so I am certain you have our original product. Use both until they are gone and then move to our new & improved PDS.
At 66 degrees I would certainly make a move to the cold temp product line. 65 is simply the hard cold number I give out as a bench mark to motivate. The temperatures are certainly up and down but it won't be long before jackets will be mandatory in the AM.
Thanks for the questions!
The Pond Digger