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Today's Pond Q&A
In this issue:
- Maintaining Water Quality in Winter
- Overwintering Turtles
- Overwintering Water Hyacinth
- Overwintering Frogs
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Question #1>
Hello Carolyn,
I have been reading your articles religiously. I followed your
suggestion to change pond water 25% weekly and apply microbe-Lift
for each change. My water is not only crystal clear but my Kois and
their babies are very happy in it.
My question is: How do I maintain the pond using the same process
in the winter. I live in Maryland and winter is very cold thus
freezing the pond solid. I use two pond de-icers but how do you
maintain the water quality in this condition?
Thanks for your help.
==
Answer #1>
Hello,
That’s easy—just switch to MICROBE-LIFT/Autumn Winter Prep. The
bacteria in that formulation is psychrophilic, cold weather
bacterium, and will work at temperatures 55F and below.
It comes with a couple of water soluble packets containing
cellulase enzymes to speed up the process of biodegrading any leaf
matter that ends up in the pond. Use these packets 2 weeks after
leaves start falling in your area. The ML/AWP is a 4 month
application, once monthly, and should begin when the water is
around 55-60F.
Regards,
Carolyn
MacArthur Water Gardens carries Microbe Lift products, including
Autumn Winter Prep. Click the link below for additional information:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/R/microbe-lift.htm
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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR TOPICAL WATER GARDEN INFORMATION?
Check out our online article archive at the link below:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/R/articles.htm
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Question #2>
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you first for helping us all! Now my question is,
I have a 7 month old pond approx 3000 gallons around five feet
deep, I keep Koi, goldfish and Red ear slider Turtles, I have
finally figured out how to keep the water clear, thanks to your
website.
Winter is coming, and I usually hibernate my turtles, mainly
because I did not have a pond. Would you recommend me taking them
out and hibernating them or should I just let them be?, I don’t
want to lose them.
Another thing is can I run my pump year round or will it freeze.
Temperatures in Tx, sometimes surprise us.
Thank You!!!!
==
Answer #2>
Hi,
I lived in northeast Texas for a while and will always remember the
ice storms and one year a 2” blizzard. Those were the good old
days.
Anyway, I have a friend up here on Long Island, NY who keeps
a pond full of red eared sliders, which are native to these waters
and woods and quite capable of overwintering in the pond. He
doesn’t have any problem with leaving his turtles outside, in the
pond. He leaves the filter system running.
Regards,
Carolyn
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ENTER YOUR POND IN OUR 2008
GALLERIA!
Just send us 4 or 5 good pictures of your backyard pond
paradise along with a brief description of your pond
construction. Send your information to us at
pondpics@macarthurwatergardens.com
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Question #3>
Hi Carolyn,
Winter will soon be here in Michigan and I would like to know the
best way to keep some Water Hyacinth plants. I don't think they
would survive outside so I may try butting a few in my basement.
Should I trim off the foliage and keep them damp or What ?
Thanks
==
Answer #3>
Hi,
Water Hyacinth is a tropical plant so it would not survive outdoors
in Michigan. In order to overwinter indoors, you will need to have
very bright sunlight or full-spectrum lighting for them in a
circulated tank. Keep them warm.
The leaves tend to be very small when indoors and some will make it,
some won’t. Don’t fertilize them. You may find aphids on them which
can be washed off with Insecticidal Soap. I guess it’s worth a try.
Regards,
Carolyn
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Question #4>
Hi Carolyn,
My pond is doing just fine, however, over the summer we put a few
frogs in the pond, however, it is now getting cooler at night(long
Island, NY), and I'm not sure what the frogs need in the pond to
hibernate, or would it just be easier to catch them and bring them
in for the winter. We will be leaving the Koi in the pond as it is
approx. 5-6 feet deep. We were thinking of putting some dirt on
the one side as it was dug with some shelves. Hope you have some
ideas. Thanks.
==
Answer #4>
Hi,
I do not recommend putting dirt into the pond. No dirt in ponds,
ever. But you can dig a 2-3’ hold beside the pond and fill with
peat moss, sand and leaves for the frogs to hibernate in. If it is
against the house it will also stay warmer for them.
The problem is that they will have to find it themselves. If you try
to put them in it, they won’t stay there. If they are green frogs,
leopard frogs or bullfrogs, they should overwinter okay outdoors on LI.
Regards,
Carolyn
========== @SK Carolyn =================
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to: Carolyn@macarthurwatergardens.com
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========================================
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Brett Fogle
MacArthur Water Gardens
www.macarthurwatergardens.com
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3781 Oak Ridge Lane
Weston, FL 33331