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.>************************************************

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