Not sure what a fish kill is? The following is a great educational site about fish kills, when they happen and why.

Here is information on Summer Fish Kills: www.fish-kill.com

Using your subsurface aeration system (water aerator) is a simple way to generate oxygen to those fish and assist in the breakdown of the unwanted plants, algae and sludge. Using a natural, biological approach by circulating a consistent flow of oxygen, you are keeping your pond or lake healthy and beautiful at the same time!

In many ponds and lakes, anoxic conditions (devoid of oxygen) can develop on the bottom.  Anaerobic bacteria will flourish leading to the buildup of Hydrogen Sulfide gas, which has a very characteristic “rotten egg” odor.   It can be especially prevalent under windy conditions or when a new aeration system is installed.

Planktonic algae (cyano-bacteria) can secrete compounds that have a very distinct chemical odor.  The odor is often a result of large algae blooms.  You may also have smelled something similar in tap water, as the compounds tend to make it through typical water purification processes.

These algae will either grow on the bottom, around the edge or will create “rafts” by trapping oxygen bubbles created during photosynthesis and float up to the surface. This group of algae, comprised by many species of Cladophora, Hydrodictyon, Mougeotia, Rhizoclonium, Spirogyra and Zygnema, is bright yellow to green in color and has a stringy texture.

Massive blooms of blue-green algae can cause a rapid shift in water color in the upper reaches of the water column.  In some situations, these algae can be toxic or cause oxygen crashes resulting in fish kills.

North Carolina has reports of being able to produce strawberries sooner this year. Kansas has magnolia, forsythia and other trees blooming 3-4 weeks early than normal. You can sunbath in Ohio and beds of daffodils and tulips are in full bloom in Central Park, New York. All in March!

Unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, where it’s been as hot as 70 degrees in places that normally don’t see over 30 degrees, has hurried the bloom of plants, flowers and trees throughout the country. This also means aquatic plants and algae in ponds and lakes are going to start sooner this season. As a result, you just might need to prep your pond or lake a little differently this year.

There are many things to consider when planning to keep your aquatic oasis in a healthy state this year. It may be as easy as starting your biological treatments early or you might have to consider a full blown aquatic management overhaul.  From past experience we know the best treatment course always includes a natural, biological solution of a subsurface aeration system and beneficial microbes.

Subsurface aeration is a proven technology, and is considered to be the foundation for improving and maintaining proper water quality and clarity in ponds and lakes. Subsurface aeration eliminates stratification, increases dissolved oxygen levels and discourages the growth of algae and aquatic plants. It also creates the proper conditions to grow and maintain large populations of beneficial microbes.

Beneficial microbes are naturally occurring microorganisms that perform beneficial tasks in the aquatic environment. These bacteria are capable of improving water quality and clarity by targeting organic particulates and excess nutrients, such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus, brought in by various sources. Although beneficial microbes are naturally occurring, they typically are present in low concentrations that are not able to improve water quality and clarity on their own. The application of beneficial microbes can boost their populations giving them the ability to affect water quality and clarity.

Contact Ford or Kurt to find what combination will work best and target your problems, before they start. Spring into a healthy pond or lake today!

In either case, pond scum is a symptom of poor water quality and indicative of poor pond or lake health.

The buildup of organics on the pond bottom increase the demand for oxygen, which commonly leads to anoxic conditions (no oxygen) which further increase the rate of accumulation.

Although they can be helpful, they will not do enough to maintain proper and healthy water quality. The falls may be large and drop deep into your pond, however the force is typically not powerful enough to add oxygen to the water column at varying depths. Also, if your pump intake is located near your waterfall, it will not circulate the whole pond.

Question submitted by Amanda.

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