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Today's Pond Q&A
In this issue:
- String Algae for Winter Feeding
- Best Configuration for Submersible Pumps
- Winterizing in Zone 7
- Solutions to Heron Problems
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Question #1>
Hello Carolyn,
I have a lot of string algae, I want to get rid of it before I shut
down my pond for winter, so here in central Illinois I have only
another month to get this done. What do I need to get to get rid
string algae? I am sure you have answered this question several
times before but please one more time.
Thanks.
==
Answer #1>
Hello,
Gee, I hope I get this to you before you remove all the string
algae. If you have fish in the pond, you will need to leave the
algae for them to eat over the winter months, especially in central
Illinois. On those days when the warmth gets the fish up and
swimming, but we don’t want to take the chance of feeding them not
knowing what tomorrow will bring, it’s the algae that will sustain
them.
Regards,
Carolyn
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Question #2>
Hi Carolyn,
We have a pond that we dug ourselves. The main pond itself measures
about 4' x 6' with a maximum depth range of 6" to 2 1/2' at the
center part. Then we have a stream of about 8' long. We have been
using a beckett pump that is no larger than a 400 gallon pump. The
problem we're having is that the pump bearings are going bad. This
is a submersible pump and we don't know what to do.
Our concern is that this is our 3rd pump in two years. We're just
getting a bit concerned that it might be something we are or are
not doing right. Where would be the best place to put the pump, in
the shallow end (stream side) pumping up to the pond, or in the
deep end drawing the water from the shallow end? We really
appreciate any help and suggestions as we are definitely novices.
Can you help us figure this out.
==
Answer #2>
Hi,
Pumps are generally guaranteed for a year and most times will last
up to five years per pump if cared for properly (although no
guarantees). Even at one year, you are burning up pumps too
quickly.
The pump should not be sitting on the bottom where it sucks up
debris. That will burn out a pump quickly. You can position the
pump up on a milk crate, off the ground, where it doesn't collect
anything that will get into the impeller.
I was told a long time ago that submersible pumps do not belong in
a pond. I realize that sounds contradictory, but there are better
ways to utilize a submersible pump. I have a quarantine tank that
uses a submersible pump. The pump is not in the tank. It is in
the filter, outside the tank, at the end of a long line of filter
media, in the cleanest water available, pumping water back into the
tank rather than pushing it out.
You can do the same thing with your pond. Water always seeks its
own level, so it will pull water from the pond into the filter by
gravity flow. Make sense? Much easier on the pump to pump clean
water than dirty water. Also, the debris will be filtered out
easier this way rather than having been pureed by a pump motor
first. It gets "grabbed" by filter media best when it's still in
big pieces.
Regards,
Carolyn
MacArthur Water Gardens carries submersible pumps. Click the
link below for additional information:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/R/submersible.htm
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GALLERIA!
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Question #3>
Hi Carolyn,
Could you give some information on winterizing our pond here in west
texas? we live in zone 7 and we have sunshine at least 200 days a
year!
We have lilies and water spearmint along with the mossy plant
that floats ....we've done real well for our 1st 7 months as
ponders but we are at loss about how to winterize in our
climate.any information you can give us would help.
Thanks ever so...
==
Answer #3>
Hi,
Why, it doesn't sound like you GET winter... Do you? Actually, I
lived in Paris, TX, for a few years and I know Texas has winter. I
remember ice storms and even snow. I remember having to put on a
sweatshirt a time or two.
But for your pond, winterizing will very much depend upon the water
temperatures, not the air or what's going on around you. If you
have water lilies, and they are the hardy variety, then all you
have to do is trim off any yellowing leaves and stems. I am
guessing the mossy floating plant may be Azolla which, if it dies,
can easily be replaced, no?
Any plant that is not going to survive your winter temperatures
must be removed from the pond. Clean-up is your biggest
fall/winter job with a pond. You don't want to leave any debris on
the bottom either.
And if you have fish in there, stop feeding when the water is in
the 50F range.
Regards,
Carolyn
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Question #4>
Hi Carolyn,
We have a heron for the first time & it tried to eat one of our
large koi. It couldn't get it down because it was too big, but of
course it died. Any remedy for keeping heron away?
My brother has recently told me of a sprinkler that is associated
with a motion sensor that might be helpful in shooooooing predators
away from the pond. This seems to be a more attractive solution
than net. As well this might even spice up the whole pond
experience, adding a mission impossible element and all. Have you
heard of such a contraption? Does it work well? Where to find one.
==
Answer #4>
Hi,
There are many remedies, but these birds have excellent memories and
great eyesight. They will always find their way back to your pond.
The trick is to make them remember it as a not-so-nice place next
time. I have used clear monofilament fishing line, strung tightly
back and forth across and around the pond, back as far as 3' from
the pond, so that they bird had to jump over each string. After a
couple of jumps, it gets tired of all that and hopefully decides to
go find an easier place to fish.
That would be the motion-sensor-activated scarecrow and you can find
it at http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/R/scarecrow.htm.
They will work but you should move it around so the birds don’t
get used to it being in one spot.
Regards,
Carolyn
MacArthur Water Gardens carries decoys and other anti-predator
products. Click the link below for additional information:
http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/R/decoys.htm
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========== @SK Carolyn =================
Have a pond question? Just send it in
to: Carolyn@macarthurwatergardens.com
and our own in-house pond expert will
try and answer it for you! Write POND
in the subject line for quick response!
========================================
Happy Pondkeeping!
Brett Fogle
MacArthur Water Gardens
www.macarthurwatergardens.com
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3781 Oak Ridge Lane
Weston, FL 33331