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  • Koi and breeding fish in ponds ... Two key factors that stimulate koi to breed are water temperature and day length (photoperiod). These stimuli work in tandem to influence when koi spawn. Water temperature will fluctuate at comparable dates from year to year, whereas photoperiod is far more consistent. I.e. We know that June the 21st will be the longest day each year but that temperature will fluctuate year on year and is not as predictable as day length (especially up in Lancashire!). The overall effect of these interactions means that koi will spawn at different times all over the country (or perhaps not spawn at all). http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/longkoispawning.htm water gardening and water features

  • 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. When you see a definite change then start testing. If you do test make sure you do the tests at same time every day and record the results on a graph so you can notice any significant changes. One-off results should always be treated with great circumspection. all about ponds and waterfalls

  • Must the UV be placed before the biofilter? In theory it does not matter at all but in practice if you have a simple box type filter is must be before the filter. Reasons are: The UV works under small pressure - water must be forced through it while the biofilter drains under gravity. In sand filter systems (which I do NOT recommend) the UV light comes after the pond filter because the whole system is under pressure. Not applicable in many cases but you can also split the flow from your pond pump - part through UV light and part through biofilter. all about pond uv and algae

  • Pond volume measurement ... Measure the depth using a tape or stick. Using the pond pump measure how long it takes to fill say a 5 gallons container. Now pump water out of the pond for say 5 minutes Record the depth after pumping out water The pond's volume is then calculated as follows: S = depth of pond in inches or any unit before pumping starts D = inches or any unit of water pumped out of pond when pumping stops T1 = time to fill the container T2 = time pump was run to pump out water V = volume of container ..... Volume of pond = (S x V x T2) DIVIDED BY (D x T1) waterfall pumps

  • In winter the filter will continue to operate mechanically at all temperatures above freezing but there is little point in using the U/V unless the temperature of the water rises well past 10C (45F). If this is likely then many U/V clarifier manufacturers advise you fit new a bulb. If it freezes, drain the filter and start again in the spring as though from scratch. This means it will take about 6 weeks for the pond filter to be effective so start up early. all about pond uv and algae

  • If you would like to test how much water looks best for your waterfall do the following. i) Place a hosepipe into the waterfall inlet ii) Adjust the flow until you are happy with the effect iii) Without closing the hose fill a known volume container from the hose iv) Calculate the flow rate by dividing the volume of the container by the time taken to fill it. v) You can weigh the container as an alternative to knowing its volume because 1 US gallon weighs 8.83 lbs, 1 Imperial gallon weighs 10 lbs, 1 litre weighs 2.2 lbs. vi) If one hose does not deliver sufficient water then use 2 hose pipes. fiberglass water features

  • Ponds in winter ... Something very strange happens to water at 4C (39F). Instead of warmer less dense water being at the surface, as in the summer, the density changes and the water that is closest to freezing becomes the least dense and floats to the top. The result is that the bottom stays at a fairly steady temperature under a blanket of cold or frozen water. If the pool freezes, there is nothing to worry about for a few days. There is plenty of oxygen in cold water even if the fish needed it. But if there is any rotting matter in the bottom of the pool, toxic gases produced in the muck could build up. In order to maintain gaseous exchange between the water and the air, float a ball or a piece of wood in the pool. all about ponds and waterfalls

  • Too much algae in pond .... Beware algae blooms in ponds. Let's equate this to what living organisms do in the pond. Think of the flora and fauna as exhaling carbon dioxide while inhaling oxygen during the night. From this you will agree that dawn is the critical time in a pond. Often people wake up to find dead fish and wondered what happened. Such deaths could be associated with very low oxygen levels coinciding with high carbon dioxide levels. When ponds are full of suspended algae such problems can arise. pond algae

  • Thinking about a pond? ... The pool must be in full sun especially in the UK. Away from trees and prevailing winds that could carry leaves into the pool. Avoid trees with poisonous leaves. In the UK these include Willow, Elder, Poplars, Laburnum, Yew and Oak. Avoid too much exposure to prevailing winds. Avoid boggy areas ii your landscaping ideas. Consider now whether you will have waterfalls, fountains, filters, lights and other accessories like Ultra Violet Clarifiers. You will need an adequate power supply and the connections to cope. Consider accessibility to a water supply. What are you going to do with the excavated soil? Keep the top soil, but what about the rest. fiberglass water features

  • Do not feed more food than what you fish can eat in about 5 minutes. Remember your fish can survive almost indefinitely without food from you. Any excess food should be removed ... there are even devices sold that confine the food to an area to enable excess to be removed. As water temperatures increase the appetites of fish increase and the oxygen holding capacity of water decreases. Getting the balance right between feeding and overfeeding is important. If you find your fish gasping at the surface and are not sure why start changing portions of the water immediately. Stop feeding. water gardens, pond keeping

 

Never switch off your pond pump for more than about 60 minutes

Make sure the delivery pipe from the pond pump is not kinked

Must the UV be placed before the biofilter?

A waterfall adds oxygen to a pond by creating a large surface area

Submersible pond pumps can operate against a closed valve

It is a good idea to pump out about 10% of your pond water

Lighting in and around ponds creates a brand new dimension

Sick and tired of looking at debris on the bottom of your pond?

Do not feed more food than what you fish can eat

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