MOSQUITO CONTROL
Q. With the West
Nile virus still a huge concern, how can I keep mosquitoes to a
minimum this summer and still keep my pond?
A. If
your pond is healthy and maintained it will not be a breeding ground
for mosquitoes. The most effective way to control mosquitoes
is to find and eliminate their breeding sites, which is standing
water. So if you are maintaining a pond, water circulation is
key. The continuous use of a pond pump will create water
movement and add valuable oxygen to the water. Mosquitoes will
not lay their eggs in such a turbulent environment. The second
layer of prevention is fish. A pond with a healthy and hungry
fish population will eat most mosquito eggs and larvae.
Mosquito larvae are a prime source of natural food in
ponds.
Here are a few additional steps you can take to reduce
the number of mosquitoes around your home:
- Carefully water your
lawn/garden to prevent standing water that could linger for
days
- Dispose of any containers that collect and hold water
(i.e. buckets, tin cans)
- Empty any water that may have
accumulated in wheelbarrows, old tires, pet dishes, etc...
-
Drain water regularly from birdbaths, flowerpots and window
boxes
- Use larvicides when standing water cannot be
eliminated
- Reduce the number of areas where mosquitoes can find
shelter like cutting down any weeds near the home and mowing the
yard regularly
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor
saunas and hot tubs
NEW PONDS
Q.Which
is better, an in-ground pool or an above ground
pool?
A.Installing an in-ground pool is really
simple! And it’s perfect for beginning water gardeners.
You simply dig a hole, place a liner, level it and fill the
pond. Above-ground pools require very little digging, but you must
build sides to support the pond - and depending on the style of pond
you select, this can require skill. Above ground pools are great for
hard to dig areas – compacted or clay soils, or where the ground is
filled with tree roots. They’re also great for mild climates
where water doesn’t freeze.
Q.Can I set up a pond in the front yard of my
home?
A.When setting up a pond in
front of a residence, you must first check your city’s regulations
governing the maximum depth of such ponds.
Q.What is the easiest water garden for a beginning
gardener to create? I’d like to start out
small.
A.Container water gardens are an excellent
way to get started. Beckett’s
Container Fountain Kit,
CGFK60, includes all the materials you need, and it’s very easy
to install. Starting small may be wise. Soon you may
decide to add another, more ambitious project to your
yard!
Q.Can I use pool or roofing liner in my
pond?
A.We never recommend pool and
roofing liner for use in water gardens. These materials are
not produced with fish safe material and may even kill your fish,
water plants and other aquatic life.
Q.Why do I have to install underlayment under the pond
liner?
A. Underlayment placed below
the liner prevents it from being punctured by rocks and glass.
Q.How are PVC and EPDM liners
different?
A.EPDM liners stay
pliable in very cold temperatures because they are rubber
based. However, PVC liners are lighter and easier to
manipulate because they are plastic based.
Q.How much liner should I leave at the edge of a pond
when I’m setting it up?
A.Before
you purchase your liner, calculate an excess of at least 6-12"
of liner around the entire perimeter of the pond.
Q.Will freezing and thawing crack my preformed
pond?
A.Because they’re made from
high-molecular weight polyethylene, preformed ponds resist
freezing, and withstand the pressure of frequent freezing and
thawing.
Q.How many gallons of water are in my
pond?
A.To figure the capacity of
your pond use the formula below:
Length x Width x Depth x 7.50 =
Gallons (in ft.)
Q.What is the difference between a mechanical and
biological filter?
A.Mechanical
filters strain and trap dirt and debris, biological filters have
filter beds that contain live bacteria which breakdown harmful
ammonia.
Q.When should I turn on my pump and
filter?
A.The general rule is to turn the pump and
filter on once the temperatures are consistently above
freezing. Most pumps last longer when run
continuously.
Q. Why is it a good idea to connect
a filter to the pump that supplies a spray
head?
A.Using a filter
prevents debris from blocking the spray head and changing the
shape of the jet.
Q.How warm should it be for me to open my pond for the
spring?
A.What’s important is the
temperature of your pond water. Get a thermometer for your
pond and check the temperature at different times of the day.
Water temperatures vary and are warmer in the afternoon and cooler
in the morning and evening.
Q.Is it possible to have colored underwater
lighting?
A.Colored plastic lenses
(red, blue, green or yellow – included in Beckett’s BLK30 kit)
let you change the color light from the underwater lamp.
MAINTENANCE
Q.How much work is
involved in maintaining a pond?
A. It depends on
your pond size, type and ratio of plants and fish.
Surprisingly, larger ponds usually take less work because they are
more chemically and thermally stable. Ponds with a lot of plants and
fewer fish are the easiest to maintain. The more fish you
have, the higher the maintenance.
Q.If my liner is punctured, can I repair
it?
A.You can repair a punctured EPDM or PVC liner
with the Beckett Liner Patch Kit LPI.
Q.Do I have to fertilize my aquatic plants? How
often?
A.In general, you should fertilize aquatic
plants once a month with Plant Plus™
Aquatic Plant Food (APF12). Plant
PlusTM tablets are great for all
types of water lilies and aquatic plants plus it promotes strong
blooming.
Q.What percentage of the surface of my pond should be
covered with plants? Why?
A.You should
cover about 60% of your pond surface with floating plants and plants
with floating foliage. Too much light penetrating the
water surface causes an overgrowth of algae.
Q.How often should I add bacteria to my
pond?
A. Weekly. This maintains a healthy
bacterial colony throughout the season, especially if your pond
tends to accumulate leaves and other debris. Try Crystal
Pond© with
Bio-BarleyTM (BP8).
Q.Should I empty my pond in winter or cover
it?
A.You don’t have to empty
or cover your pond in winter. It is a good idea to drain about
¼ or 1/3 of the water.
Q.Can a pump be
repaired?
A.Encapsulated
submersible pumps cannot be repaired due to safety concerns.
Therefore, it is extremely important that you keep your warranty
information.
Q.Can I fertilize my water hyacinths and water lettuce
using a soluble 20-20-20
fertilizer?
A.You should never use
soluble or granular fertilizers designed for ornamental gardens in a
water garden. These products could be toxic to fish and water
plants.
Q.Do I have to change the pads in my filter every
year?
A.New pads are definitely
more efficient.
Q.Ideally, what should be done about falling leaves in
the Autumn?
A.One significant event
in Autumn is that the leaves begin to fall. Be sure to clean
them from you pond on a regular basis easily done by using
a fish net to scoop them out. If fallen leaves are not removed
they will begin to decay and throw off the ecological balance of
your pond.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Q.Why
are my fish dying?
A.Your pond
could be overstocked. Be sure you have only 2-3 inches of fish
per square foot of surface. If your fish are showing signs of
stress; e.g., gulping at the surface, it’s safe to assume they are
not receiving enough oxygen. Installing a pump with an aerator
should help. Also, examine your fish for other signs of
disease such as sluggishness, clamped fins, tattered fins or
tails. It’s also a good idea to check your pH. Out of
range pH increases the toxicity of amonia and nitrates.
Q.Why are my fish not
eating?
A.Remember that during the
summer, your fish will also feed on plants, mosquito larvae
and other insects in their environment. So they may reject any
external feeding at this time. Additionally, be sure you
purchase food designed specifically for ornamental pond fish and
that you feed them on a regular schedule.
Q.Why is the water in my pond
green?
A.Usually, green water
indicates that too much light is penetrating the water, an excess of
organic waste or a high concentration of fertilizer from
runoff. An algae bloom in spring when the water temperature
rises is to be expected. Use the following steps (in order, not
all at once). Stop feeding fish, remove bottom debris, clean bio-filter
pre-filters (using pond water), add plants, add Bacteria / Barley, add
UV filtration, Algaecide.
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