Summer Pond Tips

Low Oxygen levels Kill Fish

Use an oxygen tester and air stones to keep your availableoxygen level to at least 7.0 parts per million of dissolvedoxygen in 90 degree F. water. Koi and goldfish start showingsigns of stress at oxygen levels of 4.0 ppm and will startdying at 3.0 ppm. The higher the water temperature goes theless oxygen that's available. Water temperatures over 90degrees will also affect fish health so keep the temperatureunder control by providing shade during the hottest parts ofthe day.

It's Parasite Season

Warm water causes an increase in parasites such as anchorworms, fish lice or flukes. Some parasites such as anchor wormand fish lice are visible and can be treated with Dylox,Dipterex or Masoten.

Invisible parasites such as external protozoa and flukes cannot be seen but they usually cause symptoms including extrathick mucus, constant scratching by rubbing against objects,flashing, or jumping. Some variations will cause a noticeablehead shaking and yawning. COntact your pond specialist fortreatments because different symptoms are indicative ofdifferent infections. Follow label instructions at all timesor you could cause serious injury or death to your fish.

Summer Koi Feeding Tips

If you water is between 70 to 85 F. then feed a low proteinfood in a quantity that is equal to 1.0% to 1.5% of total koibody weight in pond. Estimate total koi body weight in pondand feed recommended % of food daily based on season and watertemperature divided into intervals of about 2-2-1/2 hours.Takes koi about 2- 2-1/2 to digest food in warmer water and4-8 hrs in colder water when feeding is begun. So in warmerideal water temperatures feed 5-8 times daily the individualportions totaling daily amount needed. In cooler temperaturesfeed 1-3 times daily.

Sunblock for your Koi

Koi are not immune from sunburn, especially in shallow pondsthat get direct sunlight. Provide shade such as water liliesor a rock overhang. Even a beach umbrella will do in a pinch.

Watch for Evaporation

Depending upon the surface area of your pond, you can loseseveral inches per day to evaporation. Monitor and adjust yourwater levels daily or as neccessary. Remember, do not usewater with chlorine in it if you have fish!

Five Quick Tips For Healthy Summertime Water

1. Ensure that you have good mechanical and biologicalfiltration and that your pump will turn the pond water overtotally at least twice per day.

2. Operate the pump 24 hours a day.

3. Provide adequate shade by having 60 to 70% of the pond'ssurface area covered with floating plants or other types ofshade.

4. Add water clarifiers and bottled bacteria if your waterremains cloudy even when good filtration is present.

5. Test oxygen levels daily and add air stones if levels fallbelow 7 PPM.

************************************************Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and severalpond-related websites including macarthurwatergardens.com andpond-filters-online.com. He also publishes a free monthlynewsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over9,000 pond owners. To sign up for the free newsletter andreceive a complimentary 'New Pond Owners Guide' for joining,just visit MacArthur Water Gardens by clicking the link above.>************************************************

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Landscaping/Gardening Information:

Related Articles

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar
HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR RECIPEWe love hummingbirds and love to watch them throughout the day, especially after a long day, relaxing in our backyard nature retreat.We have 4 feeders that are strategically located throughout our gardens.
Fertilizing Your Water Lilies...
Unfortunately, sunlight is not enough.Your water lilies will grow, thrive, and bloom much better if youget in the habit of fertilizing them regularly.
The Basics Of Pruning
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose and the landscape purpose for which it was planted, whether it's growing in the ground or in a container. Pruning can range from removing unwanted buds to severely excising canes.
Tips On Caring For Your Cut Flowers
Imagine it's a special occasion and you've just received a glorious bunch of roses. You put them in your best vase and you stand back to admire them.
The Protea Family (Proteaceae)
The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground covers, trees and shrubs that often make superb garden plants. While some of the species are frost-tender, they are in all other respects remarkably resilient plants that often thrive in situations where others would rapidly succumb.
Chives - Allium Schoenoprasum
Known as common garden chives, Allium schoenoprasum, can be grown indoors and out. Chives are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and calcium.
Butterfly House in the Flower Garden
Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for your flower garden, you first have to determine what it is you actually want. A search for butterfly houses will yield two different types.
Unique Flowers make a memorable gift!
Think "outside of the box" when sending your next floral gift! The possibilities are endless! Floral Design is an art and florists can customize a masterpiece of flowers!Many florists put a sampling of arrangements on their websites for you to see, but don't feel confined to the photos! The most impressive arrangements are of an "original" design.Ask the florist about any "specialty" flowers they may have in stock.
Add Rich Color To Your Garden With Blue Perennial Flowers
Blue flowers are some of the most striking plants around and can add a rich splash of color to any garden. Plant them in a cluster of all blue or mix them in with other flowers for a rainbow of color.
Plants, Birds, Love and Deer Hate
Hi Friends;This is the second year in a row I am dealing with a woodchuck.That's a ground hog to some.
Colour in the Garden
Colour affects our emotions, moods, physical, and spiritual well-being. It has a significant effect on everything we eat, drink, and touch and influences our physical environment including our home, office, and garden.
Are My Grapes Ready to Harvest?
This is the time of the year that I keep hearing the question "When do I harvest my grapes?" Or sometimes the question is phrased "Are my grapes ripe yet?" And then there's the "Are they ready yet?"Yes, it's that time of the year when grapes are turning color and homeowners are thinking about when their grapes will be harvested. But many homeowners think that when the color turns, the grapes are ready to eat.
Potting Benches: Beautiful and Practical
Do you love spending time outdoors in your garden creating beautiful floral arrangements that can be enjoyed by all? Do you spend more time gathering up your supplies than you actually do planting flowers? If so, you should consider enhancing your garden with a potting bench.Potting benches do more than just add another gorgeous piece of furniture to your outdoor space; they are also very practical and can be extremely convenient when creating floral masterpieces in the garden.
Suet Facts and Tips
If you are like many people, backyard birding is a hobby for you whether you actively encourage visits from birds or not. One way to attract birds is to put out suet -- beef fat -- and watch the crowds stop by and devour the treat.
Sunflowers
Hi there,I am Jhon Saunders and recently took up gardening as a hobby. i have managed to buy cheap gardening equipment and also items such as blubs, lights etc.
Pruning Roses Secrets
Pruning your roses is one of the most needed and the most annoyingly difficult tasks that goes with proper rose care. It takes a steady hand the proper procedure to ensure the best possible roses that you can get.
Teak Patio Furniture Is The Perfect Choice For Your Terrace
You have spent hours of time and quite a lot of money on getting your back yard just right. The trees are lush and green, the flowers are blooming and everything looks beautiful.
The Ultimate Magic Garden
Spring is the season to start planting seeds for the future. For me, the ultimate Magic Garden would be planted using the Feng Shui bagua as a guideline for the boundaries of the plot and incorporate flowers herbs and plants that correspond to each signifigant direction.
Gallica Roses
Very soon stocks of new season's roses will be arriving in the garden centres, if they're not already there. Indeed, to be sure of getting the most sought after varieties it may have been necessary to put an order in some time ago.
Would You Like More Information About Climbing Roses?
What is more beautiful than seeing a home or building with an arch of climbing roses in the landscaping? Climbing roses are one of many plants that branch out and intertwine themselves among arches, trellises, or even buildings and railings. They can add a great landscape element to any foundation.