Most people, unless they live in the deep south or southwest, enjoy the beauty of their pond throughout the spring and summer months. As back-to-school and football seasons approaches, so does cold weather.
During the fall season, it is important to prepare your pond and fish for the winter ahead. During the summer, even with the use of skimmer filters, it is possible for a fair amount of debris to accumulate on the bottom of the pond. It is important to try to remove as much of this material as possible before winter to avoid the development of organic waste products that can rob the water of its oxygen.
Unsightly algae is perhaps the biggest problem faced by pond keepers. While we have an arsenal of herbicides and ultraviolet clarifiers, sometimes we need to take a different approach. Herbicides prevent the growth of other desirable plants, like lilies and other bog plants. Ultraviolet clarifiers can require extensive setup requirements.
To promote the well-being of your pond fish, it is a good idea to follow a couple of steps to prepare the pond for the spring and condition the water. If you are adding more water or filling up the pond for the first time, you will want to use a product like Stress Coat, Complete Water Conditioner, or Vanish Dechlorinator to eliminate any chlorine or chloramines in the water.
Paul Kamm