Blagdon - Setting up, caring for and maintaining your pond

Transcription

1 New Section 1 Page 1 Blagdon - Setting up, caring for and maintaining your pond Interpet has been making pond and aquarium products for over 60 years. The award winning range of Interpet pond treatments are now carried under Blagdon, The Pond Masters banner. The range helps to make pond keeping easy and rewarding by ensuring your pond and fish remain healthy. POND DESIGN AND LAYOUT The essentials of good pond design include: 1. The positioning of the pond so that it is not continually exposed to direct sunlight and so that it will not collect too many Autumn leaves. 2. The depth of the pond should be at least 46 72cm (18 24 ) depending on climate, so that in Winter there is adequate space for the fishes to survive under the ice. 3. The size of the pond should be the maximum that is practical for the space, as natural balance is more easily established and maintained within larger ponds. For extra advice see the further reading list.

2 New Section 1 Page 2 Calculating water volume VOLUME OF WATER It is essential to know the volume of water that your pond holds as this information will help determine the maximum number of fish that may be stocked, and the accurate dosage levels for any treatments or medications. The easiest way to do this is by measuring the amount of water put in at the initial filling stage. This is done by checking the time taken for a running hose to fill a bucket of a given volume (e.g. a 2 gallon/9 litre bucket) and than noting the time taken for the same running hose to fill the pond. Tap water should always be conditioned by using Fresh Start which removes harmful chlorine from the water and provides booster colloids to help mature the new water rapidly. If your pond is already filled an approximate volume can be found by finding the surface area (average length x average width) and multiplying this figure by the average depth. Example: average length x average width x average depth average depth = 60cm = 0.6m (2 ) average length = 2m 74cm = 2.74m (9 ) average width = 1m 83cm = 1.83m (6 ) length x width = surface area 2.74m x 1.83 = 5.01m² (9 x 6 = 54 sq ft) surface area x average depth = volume 5.01m x 0.6m = 3m³ (54 x 2 = 108 cubic feet) Conversion of Volume to Litres/Gallons The pond volume, as calculated above, has then to be converted into litres or gallons. Useful Conversions: 1 gallon = 4.54 litres, 1 metre = 3ft 3in (39 inches) Volume in m³ x 1000 = pond capacity in litres Volume in cubic feet x 6.23 = pond capacity in gallons N.B. Some pre-formed ponds have their capacity identified by the manufacturer.

3 New Section 1 Page 3 Stocking the pond with plants and fish PLANTS Plants do not only add to the appearance of your pond, they also contribute considerably to a healthy pond environment. A general guide to achieving a balanced plant population is: 1 lily plant per 1.4m (15 sq ft) of water surface area. 1 marginal plant per 1.4m (15 sq ft) of water surface area. 1 bunch of oxygenators e.g. Curly Pond Weed (Lagarosiphon major) per 0.2m (2 sq ft) of water surface area. 1 clump of floating plants e.g. Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) per 1m (10 sq ft) of water surface area. The regular use of Flora Boost will ensure that the plants receive optimum nutrition to give healthy plant growth and encourage flowering. FISH The guideline for the maximum stocking level of a pond is 2 3 of fish per square foot of pond surface area (55 82cm per m) e.g. Pond Surface Area = 100 sq ft. Therefore 100 x 2 3 of fish = of fish. i.e. 50 x 4 fish. N.B. when calculating fish length do not include the tail. When setting up a new pond it is advisable to reduce the level of stocking to 1 of fish per sq foot of surface area to allow for growth and maturation. After filling a new pond, wait one or two days before adding the fish to enable the pond water to mature and plants to establish. Adding Pond Guardian Tonic Salt at a level of 1gm/litre reduces stress on fish and reduces the toxicity of waste material which may build up whilst a new pond is maturing.

4 When introducing new fish to an established pond quarantine in a suitable container for a period of 2 weeks. During this time observe the fish for obvious signs of disease. It is advisable to give fish a precautionary treatment course using General Tonic. When releasing new fish into a pond it is important to ensure that the temperature of the water the fish are coming from is the same as that in the pond. To achieve this, float the water filled plastic bag containing the fish on the pond surface (out of direct sunlight) for approximately 20 minutes before releasing them. New Section 1 Page 4

5 New Section 1 Page 5 Maintaining your pond throughout the year SPRING During the Winter, fish enter a period of dormancy which in Spring leaves them in a weakened condition, and therefore more susceptible to infection. Rapidly re-establish essential biological cycles after the winter dormancy with a dose of Bio Start bacteria and enzyme culture. It is important to examine the fish carefully for signs of disease. Check the water regularly with Pond Health Test Kit and as a precautionary measure treat the pond with a course of General Tonic. During the Spring the water temperature rises. When it reaches 5 C begin to feed the fish by using a good quality and easily digestible pond fish food. Most ponds towards the end of Spring, tend to go through an algal bloom phase resulting in green water, as part of the natural cycle. This will generally clear naturally, but clearing can be accelerated by the use of a product such as Green Away. If your pond is in a lot of sun light during the day, adding a UV clarifier or a filter with a UV clarifier is advised. Spring is the time to replace any existing UV lamps in preperation for the season ahead.

6 New Section 1 Page 6 Hints for using Green Away Green Away is not an algicide and therefore does not pose a threat to your pond s ecological system. It works by clumping together the suspended particles of green algae that cause green water, to form larger denser particles which settle to the bottom. It is important to remove this sediment, since if left in the pond it will decay and may cause oxygen deficiency and poor water quality. The easiest way to remove sediment is by adding Pond Sludge Buster which safely consumes the dead algae. Removal of sediment is ideally carried out using a mechanical filter. If no mechanical filter is available, siphon off the algae with a length of hose if possible. Alternatively a pond cleaner, such as a Blagdon Pond Monsta may be used. Green Away works very effectively within the ideal safe pond ph range (ph ). However, outside of this range the product becomes increasingly less effective leaving some brown colouration in the water. If this occurs you should take steps to rectify the ph, see Water Quality both for the health of your fish and to enable Green Away to clear the pond.

7 New Section 1 Page 7 Maintaining your pond throughout the year Summer At this time of year your pond is at its best. Plant growth is lush and in full bloom, and fish are active. To keep things at their best feed the pond regularly with Flora Boost, a specially formulated low nitrate and low phosphate plant food for ponds. Fish should be fed with a good quality, nutritionally balanced food. Continually check water quality with Pond Health Test Kit. Regular use of Bio Start will prevent problems and cut down the need for pond cleaning. The most commonly encountered problems at this time of year are: 1) Excessive algae growth Green Water This is caused by an excess of certain minerals and excess of light. This can be controlled by following the tips listed below. a) Establish a good biological balance in your pond. Use plenty of plants which will act to deprive the algae of light and nutrients. At least half to one third of the water surface should be covered. For details of recommended stocking levels, see Stocking the pond with plants and fish. b) Check for excess nitrate which causes algae problems using a Pond Health Test Kit c) Treat suspended green water algae as it accumulates using Green Away as rapidly as possible to ensure your plants remain healthy, see Hints for using Green Away. If you cannot establish a balanced pond, the water can be kept clear of green water by using a UV Clarifier.

8 New Section 1 Page 8 balanced pond, the water can be kept clear of green water by using a UV Clarifier. Blanket Weed Fibrous green strands of algae which choke the pond. This problem can now be controlled safety without algicides by the use of Pond Balance. Unlike algicides, Pond Balance does not damage plants or fish but works by making pond conditions unsuitable for blanket weed growth. After resolving algae problems, add Pond Sludge Buster. This will safely break down the dead algae without de-oxygenating the water. Alternatively eliminate blanket weed by fitting a Blagdon Electronic Blanketweed Controller. 2) De-Oxygenated pond water This occurs because the warm water conditions present during the Summer reduce the ability of water to hold oxygen. Consequently on hot sultry days, especially before thunderstorms, you may find fish gasping for air at the water surface. This situation can be avoided using a Pond Air or Koi Air air pump or by the use of a fountain pump such as from the Blagdon range of pond pumps. 3) Water becomes murky preventing the viewing of fish. This problem can be solved initially by using Clear Pond. If, however, this occurs persistently, it suggests that you need either to clean out the pond or to fit a Blagdon Filter. 4) Cleaning the pond. The majority of debris which blocks up a pond or filter is organic in nature. Pond Sludge Buster is a bacteria and enzyme culture which consumes organic matter and reduces the frequency of pond filter cleaning.

9 New Section 1 Page 9 Maintaining your pond throughout the year Autumn This time of year should be used to prepare the pond for the long winter months ahead. Cease feeding the plants and remove foliage as it dies back, to prevent them decomposing and polluting the water. If possible prevent leaves falling from trees into the pond by using a pond cover net or regularly remove any that do fall in. This is to stop the leaves decomposing and consequently polluting the water. This is a good time of year to carry out general pond maintenance involving removing any accumulated sludge from the pond bottom. Add Pond Sludge Buster to further clean the pond. Fish should be prepared for their Winter fast by feeding a high quality food. Once water temperatures drop below 10 C (50 F) feed an easily digested food designed for low water temperatures. Winter Fish only require feeding with food designed for low water temperatures when the temperature is above 5 C. Below this they remain dormant. If there is a prolonged cold spell with ice on the pond the fish may suffocate through lack of oxygen or become poisoned by toxic gasses, produced from decaying matter trapped under the ice. To prevent this happening use an energy efficient pond heater, such as an Affinity Ice Vent, to give constant assurance against ice covering the whole of the pond surface. Never break the ice using a hammer etc. as the shock waves may kill the fish. It is far better to pour some warm water to gently melt a patch of ice.

10 New Section 1 Page 10 Water quality Conditioning Tapwater Tap water contains chlorine and other substances that make it unsuitable for fish. To overcome this, when filling your pond or topping up with fresh water always use Tap Safe or Fresh Start. This will remove the chlorine and also add helpful booster colloids which supplement the protective naturally occurring colloids, and therefore cut the time and risk involved in maturing tap water for your pond. Remember to run water through the hose for a few minutes before filling the pond. This will minimise the risk of copper or other undesirable substances being introduced in the pond. Toxic Fish Waste The fish pond is a closed environment and any toxic waste excreted by fish remains in the water around them. If this waste is allowed to build up it will affect the health of pond fish. Naturally occurring biological cycle converts ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. These cycles take some time to become established and may break down, so toxic waste levels should be monitored with an Ammonia or Pond Health Test Kit. If ammonia is found use Ammonia Remover, and speed up essential biological cycles with Bio Start. If the pond contains a lot of fish a Blagdon Filter will be needed to act as a mini sewage treatment works. Importance of ph The ideal safe ph range for most pond fish is between Tap water generally has a ph of between Unfortunately a number of factors can contribute to alter the ph outside of this ideal range, such as excessive plant growth, overstocking, and influence of materials used in the pond construction e.g. untreated concrete. ph should be regularly tested using a Pond Health Test Kit to ensure that it is stable within the ideal safe range. ph Trouble Shooting 1. Excessive Alkalinity Remedies a) Use ph Adjuster for Alkaline Ponds when the water test results are above ph 8.5. b) Always check for obvious causes of the excessive alkalinity and remedy the problem if at all possible, seal untreated concrete and eliminate algal blooms. 2. Excessive Acidity Remedies a) Use ph Adjuster for Acid Ponds when the water test results are below ph 6.5 b) Always check for obvious causes of the excessive acidity, such as rotting matter, overstocking, and leeching of acidity from planting medium, and remedy the problem if at all possible.

11 New Section 1 Page 11 leeching of acidity from planting medium, and remedy the problem if at all possible. Minimising ph Change To avoid excessive changes in ph occurring the following advice should be followed: 1) Carry out an annual 50% water change in conjunction with clearing out debris from the bottom of the pond in Autumn. Do not forget to treat the fresh water with Fresh Start. 2) The use of a 0.1% (1g per litre) solution of pond salt such as Pond Guardian Tonic Salt. A physiological formulation which has a mild buffering effect of stabilising the ph. 3) Always ensure the construction materials used in the pond have a minimal effect on the water ph, for instance if using concrete make sure it is properly sealed. 4) Treat green water algal blooms quickly with Green Away since algae can adversely effect the pond water ph.

12 New Section 1 Page 12 Pests and diseases Why does disease occur? In every pond there are naturally occurring disease organisms bacteria, fungi, viruses etc. When the fish are healthy their immune systems (much like ours), are able to keep disease at bay. However like us, if something upsets the natural balance disease may strike. Such upsets can occur through: 1) A weakening of the fishes immune system mainly caused by stress. 2) An increase in the number of disease organisms present. 3) An introduction of new pests and diseases via new fish/plants/snails. 4) A nutritional imbalance or malnutrition. Stress Fish are extremely susceptible to stress. Stress is the biggest threat to fish health, and can be caused by a number of factors: a) Poor water quality such as excessive toxic waste, pollution from garden chemicals and inappropriate ph. Use Pond Health Test Kit to test the ph and toxic waste. b) Overstocking, see Stocking the pond with plants and fish for more details. c) Transportation, introduction to the pond, netting and general handling can all result in stress. All of these factors can be minimised by good pond and fish management, the addition of % Pond Guardian Tonic Salt and treatment with General Tonic. Increase in Number of Disease Organisms This is caused by environmental factors favouring certain disease organisms. For instance: a) Excessive sludge encourages a build up of harmful bacteria. Use Sludge Buster to reduce levels of sludge and to combat disease causing organisms. b) Overstocking enables free swimming parasites to multiply. Again these factors can be minimised by good pond and fish management. New Introductions to the Pond Each fish in a pond develops a degree of immunity to the disease organisms present in that pond. If they are moved to a new pond, or if new fish are introduced into their pond, there is a probability that they may encounter disease organisms unknown to them; and contract the disease. Hence the importance of an efficient quarantine programme (see Stocking the pond with plants and fish ). Poor or Imbalanced Nutrition

13 New Section 1 Page 13 A poor or imbalanced diet can lead to malnutrition and weakening of the fish which can increase their susceptibility to disease. This is easily avoided by feeding only a quality pond fish food with a specially formulated balance of nutrients See How to recognise and treat disease for ways to diagnose and treat your fish.

14 New Section 1 Page 14 How to recognise and treat disease With a little experience attentive pond keepers will know instinctively when a fish is off-colour, it may not come up for food so readily, or may stay in a quiet part of the pond, or have its fins folded unnaturally or be seen to rub against solid surfaces. If fish just look generally off-colour without specific symptoms it is a good idea to use a general tonic such as General Tonic and add a 0.1% solution of Pond Guardian Tonic Salt. Some disease symptoms may be more obvious on closer inspection. A diagnosis using the symptoms may be made by referring to the table below. See bottom of the page for descriptions of diseases and their treatments. Always monitor pond water quality with Pond Health Test Kit since poor water conditions can produce similar symptoms or may be the cause of the disease outbreak. Diseases at a glance chart - See below Common diseases and their treatment View the full Blagdon Pond Treatment Range online. (Prices shown are Recommended and Suggested retail prices and may vary instore or online). Or use the dosage calculator to determine the amount of treatment to use. Disease: Chilodonella Symptoms: Whitish/blue opaqueness covering skin (especially head, eye and back regions). Fish breathe rapidly. A highly contagious condition. Caused by: Parasite. Treatment: Use Anti Parasite. Disease: Costia Symptoms: Fish swim awkwardly with fins folded, may rub against solid objects. May be a whitish film over skin and gills. Fish may breathe rapidly. Caused by: Parasite. Treatment: Use Anti Parasite. Disease: Finrot, mouthrot and tailrot Symptoms: Mouth and fins show opaque whiteness, blood streaking and deterioration. Often follows on from an attack by fin-nipping fish. Caused by: Bacteria. Treatment: Essential to treat rapidly with Anti Fungus and Bacteria. Disease: Fungus Symptoms: Patches of cotton wool-like growths. Caused by: Fungus. Treatment: Essential to give immediate treatment using Anti Fungus and Bacteria.

15 New Section 1 Page 15 Disease: Gill flukes and skin flukes Symptoms: Heavy infection causes rapid breathing and rubbing against solid objects. May be a whitish film over skin and gills. Caused by: Parasite. Treatment: Use Anti Parasite. Disease: Ulcers Symptoms: Shallow open sores. Secondary infection may occur i.e. fungus. Caused by: Bacteria. Treatment: Use Anti Ulcer. Disease: White spot (Ich) Symptoms: Pin-head sized white spots, visible over fish. May rub against solid objects, with clamped fins. Caused by: Parasite. Treatment: Use Anti White Spot N.B. It is possible in Spring that the breeding tubercules confined to the gill and pectoral fins of the male may be mistaken for white spot.

16 New Section 1 Page 16 How to use Blagdon Pond Treatments 1. Always calculate the volume of your pond as accurately as possible and follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. 2. Bottle sizes 250ml, 500ml and 1000ml are designed to measure 25ml doses. 3. Remove green cap and foil from dosing chamber. 4. Squeeze sides of bottle gently until dosing chamber fills to the correct mark. 5. Stop squeezing and with bottle upright, allow excess liquid to drain back into bottle. 6. Pour dose from bottle by tipping as shown. 7. Repeat as many times as necessary, then replace cap firmly. 8. It is advisable to mix the treatment with some pond water in a bucket before adding to the pond as this ensures a more even distribution. 9. Most of these products can be used in the pond at the same time. However, do not treat your pond with Anti-Fungus & Bacteria, Anti Parasite, Anti White Spot, Anti Ulcer, General Tonic, Pond Goldfish Treatment or any of the Koi Treatments at the same time. Leave seven days between treatments. As a general rule it is best to treat for bacterial and fungal problems first. 10. After completing the first course of treatment, do not repeat the treatment until 7 days have elapsed. If after this time there is no sign of improvement in the condition, the original diagnosis should be questioned. If there is a need to re-dose, it is perfectly safe to do so after this time. 11. These products can be used below 10 C; however, because the metabolism of disease organisms is slower at low temperatures they may take longer to have an effect. 12. Some of these treatments have dye-based active ingredients and so will colour the water. These dyes biodegrade over a number of days so the colour will clear naturally. CAUTIONS 1. Care with Dosage. Always be particularly careful with accurate dosage if your pond contains Golden Orfe, Sterlets, Golden Rudd and Tench, as these fish can be particularly sensitive to medications. 2. For Ponds Using Biological Filters. Biological filtration is carried out by bacteria. Some products can have an inhibitory effect on the bacteria. When using Anti Fungus and Bacteria and Anti Parasite or Anti White Spot, it is best to leave the filter running, but monitor toxic waste levels with a Pond Health Test Kit. Pond Bio Start can be used to assist in the rapid reinstatement of the biological filtration system. 3. Keep all treatments in a safe place away from pets and children. It is safe for domestic and wild

17 New Section 1 Page Keep all treatments in a safe place away from pets and children. It is safe for domestic and wild animals to drink from the treated pond. 4. All treatments should be handled with caution ensuring there is no contact with clothes or skin. In case of contact wash off immediately. 5. Wash hands after using treatments. 6. Keep away from eyes. 7. In the event of skin or eye contact wash off immediately. If treatment splashes in the eyes seek medical advice. 8. In the event of accidental swallowing contact your doctor or hospital immediately, stating the name of the product and also that all Pond Treatments are registered at the National Poisons Information Service. Since the conditions of use are outside the Company s control, the Company can accept no liability in respect of any loss or damage arising from incorrect or inappropriate diagnosis or treatments. For further information on setting up a pond look for some of the titles in the Interpet Publishing range of books.