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Normal centrifugal submersible
pond pumps can operate against a closed valve with little effect upon the
well being of the pump.
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The maximum flow through a
normal gravity (box type) biofilter is governed by the size of the outlet
pipe from the box. Try to pump too much into the filter and you risk pumping
your pond completely dry.
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To correct pH problems in a pond
use dilute solutions of vinegar, or lemon
juice for high pH readings and
baking powder for low pH readings. Make sure you do not add too much at
once. The procedure is add some, wait,
test again. It is important to
always test at the same time every day since
the natural pond cycle creates pH changes at different times of day. For
example as carbon dioxide is released by plants the pH may well decrease,
When the plants absorb carbon dioxide the pH could rise again. About 10am is
a good time to test.
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Testing pond water. This is
straight forward and is done by using special kits. Look out for expiry
dates since chemicals used for testing are sensitive to time. Do not get
carried away with the test results. After all they are indications only. The
good reason for testing is to check stability or consistency and not
absolute values. If your fish and plants are thriving and your pH for
example is consistently on high side .......... so what? When you see a
definite change then start testing.
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Water has a maximum density at 4
degrees centigrade, about 39 degrees
Fahrenheit so when a pond has a
frozen surface the water at the bottom of the pond is normally at this
temperature. Only in extremes of climate or in very shallow ponds therefore
does a pond completely freeze solid. Koi will normally stop feeding around 8
degrees centigrade, 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Plants and algae in a pond
compete for the available nutrients in the form
of phosphorous and
nitrogen containing chemicals. It follows that the more pond plants there
are then the greater the probability of reducing algae blooms. Old well
planted stable ponds as a result tend to suffer less from algae problems
than newly created young ponds.
