Spring Start Up March 20 2010

Well, started up the pump/filter/waterfall today. Usually it's still covered over in ice and snow til at least the beginning of April. Earliest start-up yet!

The algae was already starting to take hold, so to give a little boost and help to the uv light in the filtration system we put 3/4 cup of liquid barley into the water. Last year we used this and it worked like a charm, algae pretty much gone in a few days.

Also last year first thing in the spring we lost quite a few fish to what appeared to be fast acting bacterial infection. We learned that as the water temperature rises, the metabolism of bacteria get going at a quicker rate than the fish's. This means that the bacteria is strong and ready to attack, but the fish immune system is still in its slow, cold winter phase leaving them vulnerable. To prevent another fish loss like last spring, when the water temp reaches 53 degrees F we are going to use Tetra Pond "Pond Fish Treatment". It is supposed to kill all baddies including Ich, Costia Cilodonella and Trichodina (reading from label here, I don't actually use these names in ordinary conversation LOL ) I'm usually not so keen on chemicals, but after last spring's large loss we vowed to deal with this critical transition time in an aggressive way.

Here are a few pics taken this aft. This is hands down the ugliest state for the pond, but I can' wait to see the water start to clear, the cattails start to grow and the lillies start to make their way up to the surface.