Dog Days of Summer
As we approach the dog days of summer, you need to start thinking about what you can do for your water feature in order to keep a balanced ecosystem and your fish happy. Here are some tips you can use to take action against the summer heat.
Warm water has a low capacity for holding oxygen so you may start to see your fish gasping for air close to the water’s surface. As your fish struggle for oxygen they will become stressed which makes them more vulnerable to catch diseases. In order to prevent this happening, add oxygen to your pond by using an Aerator or an AquaForce pump. You can also install a fountain if your pond doesn’t have a waterfall or stream built in it.
When feeding your fish, try to do it in the morning when temperatures are cooler and make sure to not over feed them. Only feed your fish the amount they will completely consume in 3 minutes. Uneaten food decays faster in warm water which will lead to heavier polluting of the pond.
It’s best to stock your pond with many varieties of plants and to have plant coverage of 60-70% of the ponds surface area. Plants add shade and coverage so the water temperature can stay cool for your finned friends while giving them a place to hide. Adding plants will also prevent algae from growing as plants compete with algae for nutrients. Some great plants to use for coverage are water lilies, water hyacinth and water lettuce. While plants are great to have in your pond, you must remember to remove and trim back any dying leaves and flowers before they have a chance to fully decay in the warm water.
Lastly, before you think your pond has a leak, remember that water can evaporate from ponds at an alarming rate when the weather is super hot. Some people can experience at least 3” of water loss per week in the middle of the summer. Make sure to fill your pond up and don’t let it get too low that you can hear your pump gurgling as this could possibly damage your pump.
Here at Action we have everything you will need to keep your pond in tip top shape and to keep it balanced when the weather gets super hot. Don’t hesitate to call us with any other concerns during this time of year; we are here to help with all of your water gardening needs.