E-News from
www.PondDoc.com
- March 2007 -
Wake up, guys! It's Spring!
Yawn and stretch! Have you missed your koi and goldfish this winter? Are you ready to enjoy the sounds of the water again? Are you looking forward to the warm, toasty days of spring? They're He-e-e-e-r-e-e! The winter of 2006 was rather cold in our little town of Dahlonega. We even got snow! (I know - we should try living in New York or Chicago!!!) You guys up North really got a beating this winter (and I feel your pain) so I KNOW you are happy to see the sunshine. Hopefully your March will be as pleasant as I am hoping ours will be.
What's Up, Doc?
E-News
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water gardening and koi-keeping hobbies.
© copyright 2007,
PondDoc.com
Peggy Ferguson, Editor
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Peggy's Direct Phone: (404) 375-9600
Cecil "The Pond Doc": (770) 663-6325
Fax: (706) 864-7290
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Inside This
Edition
Spring Opening
Pond Cleaning
Developing the Nitrifying Cycle
Fish Mating
Fish Foods
Product
Profiles
Ultimate
Bacteria in a Bottle
Koi and Goldfish Foods
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Our first try with February's edition of E-News was well received. Although many of the email addresses I have on file were kicked back and we got through to only a portion of our mailing list, I feel those of you who received your E-News were happy to receive it. Only a few folks opted to "unsubscribe". This is such a new thing for me and I'm no email guru. I am delighted from the feedback we've received from you guys. I will take any of your suggestions to heart and try to improve my publication (and my website) so that you can enjoy it more. I set up a "score us" form so that you can send me your comments. I'd appreciate it, if you haven't already, if you would take a few moments and give me feedback. Go HERE to score us on our E-News and Website.
~ Peggy
What's Up, Doc?
- The Doc's Service Department is Presently
Scheduling Pond Cleanings
For those of you located in the North Metro Atlanta and North Georgia Areas who have us perform a professional cleaning on your pond in spring - NOW is the time to call and book us. We fill up fast and already are booked a couple weeks ahead. Call the Doc directly at (770) 663-6325. If you have a bead filter you might want to have it serviced (and thoroughly cleaned) as well.
Even if you are not in our service area and want to have your pond cleaned professionally before the warm weather gets to you I would suggest you go ahead and schedule the service with a local company. As the weather begins warming up companies are flooded with calls and, if they are like us, they build up quite a waiting list. Book early to avoid the rush.
We've had a great sale on Emperor brand Smart Ultraviolet Water Clarifiers going on for quite a while. We've even dropped the regular prices of the 65, 80, and 130 watt Smart units. The 40 watt units are the last of the "SALE" items but the sale price will be going away soon. If you plan to add a UV to your system in the near future you may want to check our wonderful prices out. Click HERE to see them.
Seasonal Check List
March is simply fabulous! -- At least it is here in Georgia. We experience some wonderful, warm and sunny days and then sometimes we are surprised by a snow storm. Although the weather may be unpredictable, there are a few things in March that ARE predictable. Daffodils bloom in profusion while hoards of hungry wild birds flock to the feeders. Problems with ammonia and nitrite spikes are almost guaranteed during this time of changeable weather. For that reason, this month's e-newsletter will delve deeply into the nitrifying cycle - how it affects your fish's health and how you can help the pond establish and maintain it.
- Continue feeding M-Wheat Fish Food once a day when water temperatures are constantly above 50 degrees. Switch to staple foods (M-Grow, M-GOLD or M-Color) when the water temperature gets above 64 degrees.
- Continue to Test the water parameters (ammonia, nitrites, pH) every week. Tis' the season for ammonia and nitrite spikes!
- Help the nitrifying cycle establish itself for the season. Beef up your biological filter by adding bacteria-building agents such as Microbe-Lift PL. Use Microbe-Lift's Bead Filter Bacteria if you have a bead filter.
- Now is an excellent time to do a thorough pond cleaning - while the water is warm enough not to freeze you and before the nitrifying cycle gets established.
- If you haven't started your pump back up for the new season do that now. The fish will need the aeration. Perform a thorough backwash on bead filters before running any water through it back into the pond.
- Definitely check your UV to make sure it's working and order yourself replacement lamps and/or quartz sleeves but DO NOT TURN IT ON until your biological filter is established.
- If you have a blue heron decoy beside the pond, take it away until late May. In Georgia blue herons mate when the weather warms up and a decoy could actually attract a heron to your pond during this time. If you are not located in Georgia adjust the mating season as necessary.
Recommended Reading
This month's articles of choice are specifically aimed at opening up and cleaning the pond for spring and helping your system build up it's biological processes for the new season. Learn about (or take a refresher course) on how the nitrifying cycle works and how to get it started in your pond, how ammonia and nitrite affects your pond water and the health of your fish and how to manage it, and how to clean your pond like a professional. Also, we are addressing the early spring behavior of goldfish and koi. As the water heats up so will your fish! Know what to look for during the mating rituals of your koi and goldfish and don't confuse them with a health problem. Included on our list is a "fun" article that was recently reprinted in a hobbyist magazine.
- UPDATED! Spring Opening and Cleaning for Your Pond
- Spring Maintenance for UV Clarifyers and Bead Filters
- UPDATED! That's Amore! -- Fish Mating Behavior
- Pond Envy -- Complication of a Serious Disease
- There's MORE articles in our Product Profile Section below
These are only a few of our product profiles. You can find more product profiles and comparisons on our website.
Visit PondDoc.com's Product Profile Page
The most important problem that happens during the warm-up time of spring is the pond building up its cycle for the new season. Until the cycle is established and stable ammonia and nitrite spikes can and will occur and can mean health problems (including death) of koi and goldfish. The products we profiled this month are used to help combat this dangerous situation. We will explore the world of koi and goldfish food - the different kinds - when to feed them what and how to find the best deals without scrimping on quality.
- NEW! Ultimate Water Conditioner - Ammonia and Nitrite Detoxifier and De-Chlorinator
- NEW! Bacteria in a Bottle - How they Work - In Laymen's Terms
- NEW! Food for Thought - Choosing the Best Koi and Goldfish Foods for Your Money
Online We Can Do More than JUST Ponds
Picnic in Style!
We are pleased to be able to carry a wonderful line of outdoor living accessories from Picnic at Ascot. I cannot describe in words just how smart and cool these picnic baskets, wine carriers, backpacks and other items really are! The quality of the materials and workmanship of the products is great. The thought that goes into the design of each item shows with the choice of accessories included. Plates, napkins, flatware and glasses are included in many of the carriers as well as specialized accessories such as cheese boards, wine openers and stoppers. Use them as ready-packed carriers for hiking, camping, beachside, picnics, the game, in the car when traveling -- you name it! All you have to do is add the food and beverage. If you need a great GIFT for someone special, try one of these and stuff it with goodies and wine. See the complete line of outdoor living items by clicking HERE.
- Personalized Bluestones
These thick, natural bluestones from the quarries of Pennsylvania are sandblasted so the illustration and wording are raised. This is an absolutely natural stone that looks great in any garden, as part of a stone patio or walkway, or embedded into a stone wall. No two are alike but each is personalized with the artwork YOU choose and the wording YOU want. I use them for pet grave markers and they make excellent housewarming, wedding, and anniversary gifts as well. There are literally hundreds of artwork designs from which to choose or have your own artwork set in stone. Order NOW for delivery by Mother's Day without a rush charge. Click HERE to go to our bluestone web page.
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