General Pond Stuff

Anything having to do with ponds and pond care.

Pond Air Pumps – How Different Designs Work Best

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I guess to most people, the act of pumping air into a pond doesn’t sound all that complicated.  And in truth it’s not really, but there are a few basics that are good to know if you’re trying to get the best aeration system set up in your pond.

I don’t usually get too hung up on some of the components.  On the airline I do suggest going with self-weighted tubing when dropping the line into the pond simply because it’s easier to manage, sinks on it’s own, and it’s quite durable.  In other words, the benefits outweigh the costs.

Diffusers come in a several kinds of shapes and sizes.  Small ponds use air stones in most cases and these usually work pretty well.  Large pond aeration systems use some kind of rubber membrane to diffuse the air.  It might be in the shape of a tube, or a plate, but for the most part the air output and diffusion is good with either type.

The compressor or pump however is another matter.  This really is the backbone of any good aerator system and it just makes sense to get a really dependable performer to fulfill this important role.

In this article I want to talk about the most common types of pond pumps, how their designed, and where each type is best suited for use.  Certainly each one will work best in a particular setting so I’ll outline those differences in more detail.

Along with that, there’s an “in action” graphic (compliments of Gast Mfg.) to show how easy of these designs works internally.

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What’s So Special About Starter Bacteria For Ponds

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We live in a complicated world.  Go to most doctors and there’s a good chance he’s a specialist in something.  I know general practitioners still exist but they sure aren’t as common as they used to be.  As I found out recently, even the common car key, just isn’t so simple anymore.  I still haven’t decided if having a computer chip in the things is an upgrade.  

Nevertheless, progress, as they say will move forward whether we like it or not.  But coupled into that evolution is an increase in complexity, and with that, usually an increase in confusion.

Which leads me to a recent question that came in from a concerned pond owner.  He wanted to know more about starter bacteria for ponds.  If he should use one.  Where he could find one.  And how long he should continue to use it.

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How Long Can You Store Dry Pond Bacteria?

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So here’s a great question on pond bacteria.

Dry pond bacteria to be exact, and it’s timely, in the sense that many people simply won’t use it as much, or as frequently as they might during the spring and summer.

The question is “How long can you store dry bacteria and still have it be good?”

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Don’t Waste Your Money On This Pond Bacteria

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For anyone who’s read anything on this blog, you no doubt have come to realize that I love beneficial pond bacteria for all that it can do.

I can’t think of any one thing that will organically work and do more to improve a pond’s environment.  From nutrient reduction to limiting organic material build up, and reducing what’s there if you have a good bit already, it’s really a swiss army knife for eco-friendly pond management.

With all of this “power” you’d think it was the best thing since sliced bread.  But let me cover a few of it’s drawbacks…and don’t worry this won’t take long.

First, it’s not a quick fix.  I find this to be a great advantage, because it means it’s usually pretty safe to use where fish and other wildlife are concerned.  But it can try a person’s patience in this day and age of instant gratification.  Sadly, there’s usually trade-off’s for the quick fixes and slow and steady usually win’s the race if you can hack that route.

Second, it’s important to note that at certain times of the year, and with some blends of bacteria you’re more than likely just wasting your money if you use them at the wrong time.

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Fall And Winter Pond Care

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It’s been a long hot summer throughout most of the U.S. but as we watch the colors of the leaves turn from green to shades of yellow, orange, and brown, we can finally say the worst for most ponds is over, at least as far as the heat is concerned.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that finally fall has arrived, and it won’t be long before winter will arrive. So as we usually do, it now seems appropriate to talk about how to care for your pond throughout the colder seasons.

In an effort to keep this simple, efficient, and effective, let’s address the main areas that you can focus on in regards to winter pond care to help your pond, fish, and plants get through another frosty few months.

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Fast Food For Frogs

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Well ok, apparently some things aren’t fast enough to escape a hungry frog. Watch as this catepillar goes eye to eye with this frog…gives new meaning to the idea of being defiant.