Consider these helpful hints this month to get the most out of your pond,
while preparing your fish for fall.
September is a very beautiful month, my favorite by far. The sun hangs a
bit lower in the sky, softening its brilliance. The dog days of summer are
over, the climate becomes milder, and the evenings express hints of the
crisp fall weather that is yet to come. Meanwhile, the pennant race begins
to heat up!
Throughout this month your tropical water lilies will continue blasting
fragrant flowers well into October, while your hardy water lilies will start
to slow down, saving energy in preparation for their winter slumber.
Many of your marginal aquatic plants will get a second wind when we get
past the intense summer heat, while several of the cooler weather aquatic
plants such as golden buttons and water cress may show signs of awakening.
This time of year your water gardens will maintain water temperatures in
the high 60's to low 70's. Use this temperate weather to your advantage to
touch up your summer tan naturally and pump up your fish with the last of
your high protein summer food to prepare them for their winter slumber.
I'm a firm believer that you get tenfold what you give; therefore, get
100 percent out of your pond in September by performing these 10 simple, yet
affordable tasks this month to reap the all the rewards your pond has to
offer:
1. Stock Up on Wheat Germ Food
This month you will want to use up the last of your high protein growth
formula fish food, and stock up on carbohydrate-based, wheat germ fish food,
unless you have some left over in your freezer from spring.
As the water temperature drops into the low 60's, you will want to feed
a quality fish food with the main ingredient of wheat germ for easy
digestion.
2. Use a Pond Thermometer
If you don't have a pond thermometer, get one! If you have one, clean
it up, and get into the routine of regularly checking your pond's water
temperature.
You will want to know when your pond's temperature drops below 60
degrees. As the water temperature cools, you will want to accordingly
adjust your fish feeding regime.
When the water temperature drops and holds to below 55 degrees,
discontinue feeding your fish, both Koi and goldfish, until next spring when
it maintains 55 degrees or above.
This concept is difficult to grasp; however, if you maintain your water
quality, and your fish have been fed properly over the summer, your finny
friends will welcome the winter slumber, especially because we have such
mild winter weather in our area.
3. Check Your Scarecrow Motion Sensor Devise
Egrets and blue herons, which I refer to as the T. rex of water gardens,
may have not bothered your fish recently, but that may be because the water
temperatures and fish metabolisms have been at their peaks for months due to
the summer heat.
As the water temperature cools, so will the metabolism of your fish.
This means their reflex movements will become slower, making them easier
prey for their predators.
To help protect these pets, which provide so much tranquility to you
year round, be sure you have a working Scarecrow motion sensor devise for
every 100 square feet of surface area in your water feature. Install fresh
nine volt batteries in your Scarecrows.
4. Trim Trees
One of the most overlooked, proactive and preventative actions you can
take to maintain a healthy pond is to prune deciduous trees in close
proximity to your water feature.
Consult horticulture books, plant nurseries, Master Gardeners or members
of the Redlands Horticultural & Improvement Society to determine the best
pruning time and method. Do not top your ornamental trees; only fruit trees
can handle being topped without damaging the tree's integrity and structural
well-being.
Keeping leaves out of your water feature will help control nutrients in
your pond, and save you time and money spent maintaining your pond.
5. Add Beneficial Bacteria
At this time of the year, when your pond's beneficial bacteria starts to
slow down, it always is a good idea to super charge your pond with a mighty
dose of beneficial pond bacteria.
Dose your pond with up to 10 times your regular dose to consume as much
organic debris as possible in your pond and filtration systems. Be liberal
with your inoculations this month, as you can't overdose your pond with
beneficial bacteria.
6. Prepare for String Algae
Established ecosystem ponds, which are properly maintained over the
summer, are absolutely, undeniably carefree with little to no string algae
problems. However, as the water temperature cools and nutrient levels are
high, conditions for string algae are at their peak.
This is the time to stock up on your preferred water treatment product
for controlling string algae in your pond. At the first signs of string
algae, if treated properly, the hairy nuisance should not be an issue.
7. Stop Fertilizing Water Lilies
Water lilies are the jewels of the most avid water gardeners' ponds.
From the common, hardy water lily to the rare, and usually expensive,
tropical water lily, you will find both fragrance and stunning beauty in the
blossoms that adorn our ponds.
The serious water lily addict will figure out that by fertilizing this
elegant aquatic plant you will be rewarded with more intense blooms more
frequently. Use aquatic fertilizer tablets designed for water gardens to
achieve the best results, throughout the summer months. However, September
is the month that fertilization should stop!
This month, your water lilies will come to the end of their growing
season and start to shut down, preparing for dormancy for the approaching
winter months. If you continue to fertilize now, the only thing that will
benefit from your efforts will be string algae! AURGH!
8. Consider Aeration
Aerators are the most overlooked, inexpensive way to benefit your water
feature year round. Not only does a good outdoor aerator add fantastic
water circulation from the pond's top to bottom, it also looks great with
the bubbles splashing at the water's surface.
During the winter, most pond owners reflect and record, in stone, the
data collected over the past year's pond season. When the new season
arrives, most pond owners refer to their notes and treat the new season just
like the previous one.
What most pond owners fail to consider is that their Koi at the
beginning of last year's pond season were substantially smaller. Of course,
larger fish tend to need more food, which places more strain on your water
quality.
An aerator easily can be installed into your existing pond and is well
worth the time and investment. When you have a quality aerator on your pond
everyone -- ranging from fish and plants to beneficial bacteria and you --
benefits.
9. Install Underwater Lighting
The days get shorter this month; therefore, much of the time you spend
at home will be after dark. With the investment of just a few hundred
dollars, you can double your enjoyment of your pond with the addition of
underwater lighting.
Pond owners, who already have a low voltage, underwater lighting system,
certainly agree with me that fish seem to kick things into overdrive in the
evening, performing a wonderful aquatic ballet in and out of the underwater
lighting system.
If you have such a system, then check the timer to ensure it is coming
on at the time that best fits your schedule. Make sure that any rapid growth
of aquatic plants over the summer haven't covered any lighting stations,
and, of course, replace any burnt out bulbs.
To see how underwater lighting enhances and illuminates water gardens,
attend the fifth annual "Moonlight Pond Tour for the Cure" charity event,
hosted by Exotic Aquatics, from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and
7 in Redlands and neighboring communities.
Proceeds from this self-guided tour will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation, along with other authorized non-profit organizations.
Non-profits interested in selling tour tickets to benefit from the proceeds
are welcome to contact Exotic Aquatics at 1-800-522-5043.
Tickets are $10 per person, with no charge for youth, ages 10 and
younger. Tickets will be on sale, starting at month's end, in Redlands at:
Exotic Aquatics' headquarters, 609 Amigos Drive, Unit One (week days); and
Daryl's Pet Shop, 860 W. Redlands Blvd. (daily).
10. Attend a Koi Fish Seminar
Koi hobbyists, retails, contractors, and veterinarians and other health
professionals are invited to a Koi health and disease seminar, hosted by
Exotic Aquatics, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 23 at its headquarters.
Experts will cover Koi health and nutrition, including what to look for
in buying and handling Koi, water quality and tank health, plus diagnose
problems and prescribe treatments.
Exotic Aquatics will host a Koi wet lab from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun.,
Sept. 24 at its headquarters. Guest speaker will be Vicki Vaughan, director
of Aquatic Services at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary
Medicine and Director of KOILAB, a complete diagnostic service for fish.
Participants will learn how to biopsy fish and identify parasites under
a microscope, administer anesthesia and inject antibiotics.
A microscope is highly recommended for the wet lab. You may bring your
own, or pre-order the Pond RX 400x magnification through Exotic Aquatics for
$139. Microscopes will be available the day of the wet lab for $189.
Seating is limited for either day of this annual weekend event sponsored
by Exotic Aquatics, which also is known as The Pond Diggers. For more
information, or to make a required reservation for either day, call
1-800-522-5043, or visit www.exoticwaterscapes.com.
Eric Triplett owns Exotic Aquatics, recognized nationwide as one of
the country's top pond and pondless waterfall construction companies.
Triplett is a Certified Professional Pond Contractor and an authorized
dealer for Russell Watergardens, specializing in the Hydro Vortex Biological
Waterfall filter and a "Dry Hands Cleaning" Hydro Clean Skimmer. To reach
The Pond Digger, call 1-800-522-5043; or visit the company's website at:
www.theponddigger.com
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