Eagle Ponds & Landscaping,
Inc.
Design ● Construction
Ponds ● Streams ● Waterfalls ● Outdoor Lighting ● Landscaping
POND CARE
Bacteria - First Two (2) weeks; Add bacteria once a day for fourteen (14) days. Dosage in accordance with product instructions as to gallonage. Thereafter: Dosage in accordance with product instructions.
Also see our in depth Bacteria instructions below.Plants - Fertilize marginal plants one (1) tablet every three (3) months. Follow the Manufacturer’s instructions. Separate and re-pot once to twice yearly as required. There are two schools of thought on this subject; one says supply the fertilizer and one says allow the plants to use the systems nutrients to feed the plants. Both work!
Green Water - Most ponds experience a “Green Water” period between the first and sixth month. This happens as the plants, fish and good bacteria fight to establish their dominance in the ecosystem. It will usually correct itself and disappear on its own within a few weeks.
Algae “On the Rocks” - This is natural and will always happen. It may be green, brownish or black. Don’t panic! This is normal.
String Algae - During changing seasons, string algae may occur. It can be hand harvested, or treated with SAB (String Algae Buster). It is usually good to have some on hand. We also recommend “AlgaeFix”. Call and we will deliver it. Don’t over-use! Use only to treat the problem not as a regular maintenance.
Filters - Clean waterfall filter twice a year, ponds with heavy fish load may require more.
1. Shut off pump.
2. Remove all plants from waterfall tank.
3. Vigorously rinse the bio-media bags in the waterfall tank, then set aside on a clean area. (Do not use city water, as chlorine will kill the beneficial bacteria.)
4. Do the same with filter pads. Clean as well as possible.
5. Siphon or bail out the dirty water in the waterfall tank. Wipe down with a moist towel.
6. Replace the previously cleaned waterfall filters and biological-media bags.
7. Replace the previously removed plants.
8. Turn on pump. You’re done!Skimmer Filter - Service strainer net once a week or as needed. Clean filter once a month or as needed. Please Note: If the water level in the pump chamber side of the skimmer box is higher than the front (Pond Side) of the skimmer chamber. This is an indication that the skimmer bag and skimmer filters need to be cleaned immediately. You can use city water on these two items, as chlorine will not harm them.
Fish Feeding - Feed the fish everything they can eat in 3-5 minutes two to three times a day. When the water temperature drops below 55º STOP feeding, you will only give them a stomach ache. If you do not have a pond thermometer get one or call us and we will ship/bring one to you. Read the information on the food label as their food is seasonal. In the fall they need different food than in the summer, check the label.
Happy Pondering,
Richard Williams, CAC
Certified Aquascape ContractorTo print a copy of these Pond Care instructions Click here!
Bacteria
-
Description:
Dry bacteria & enzymes is a non-chemical natural fish and plant product. It
helps provide good
water
quality and clarity by consuming excess nutrients, reducing ammonia & nitrites
and digesting
sludge.
The microbes will serve as your continuous live-in pond clean up crew.
A
proper system, such as the Aquascape, coupled with bacteria spiking should
always keep the water
healthy
and clear.
-
Directions:
1. Apply approximately 1 teaspoon (measuring scoop included) of Bacteria for each 1,000 gallons of pond water. Add this daily for the first two weeks.
2. Spread the bacteria into pond at your skimmer. The waterfalls pump will mix it for you. If you do not have an Aquascape ecosystem, mix bacteria in a bucket of pond water and pour the mixture around the perimeter of the pond. (NOTE: Significantly higher dosages (5 to 10 times) may be required when water quality and clarity problems are extreme or when not using Aquascape systems.
3. Reapply the recommended dosage once or twice a week when it is cold and once or twice a month when it is warm. On average, your pond needs more bacteria spiking when the water is cold (Spring and Fall) and less when it is warm.To print a copy of this Bacteria instructions Click here!
RECOMMENDATION
This is not to alarm you but to prepare you for a situation that will happen.
Pond owners need to have an auxiliary (emergency) pump. We suggest a small aquarium pump with 200-250 GPH capability. The need for this pump is to be used in the event that your main pump goes out and as we know nothing is forever. Should your main pump go out, place the auxiliary pump in the pond so that the discharge is a few inches from the surface underwater. The purpose is to oxygenate the water for the fish. When the main pump goes out, the oxygenation of the water stops. In the winter it is not as crucial as hot weather when the fish will die without oxygen in the water after a period of time. The time you have is in relation to the temperature, number of fish, and size of pond.
This is not to alarm you but to prepare you for a situation that will happen. I keep my emergency pump in the garage, in its original box. These pumps can be inexpensive as they are for auxiliary use only. You can pick one up at any aquarium store or call us and we will ship one to you or drop it off. Should you have any questions regarding this item or anything on the web site, call or e-mail us.
