Potassium Permanganate-Superb disinfectant and parasiticide, from Koi Health and Disease (part 2)

A brief synopsis of Potassium Permanganate-Superb disinfectant and parasiticide, from Koi Health and Disease-Reloaded-2006 by Erik L Johnson, D.V.M

Potassium Permanganate-Superb disinfectant and parasiticide, from Koi Health and Disease (part 1)

A brief synopsis of Potassium Permanganate-Superb disinfectant and parasiticide, from Koi Health and Disease-Reloaded-2006 by Erik L Johnson, D.V.M

Made in the Shade, A Synopsis

A brief synopsis of the article Made in the Shade by Kelly Billing and Zac DeGarmeaux from Pond Trade magazine.

Parrot’s Feather: A Thriving Pond Addition

Problems with algae? Parrot’s feather can help!

Alkalinity – Quick Reference

Alkalinity – Quick Reference Alkalinity (kH) is also referred to as carbonate hardness. Alkalinity is a measure of the buffering capacity of water, or water’s capacity to resist changes in pH. Since most biochemical activity in aquariums results in more acid conditions, alkalinity tends to decrease. Total alkalinity is determined by the amount of free […]

The Role of Ozone in the Aquarium or Pond

Ozone has been found to be an effective agent against parasites and bacterial diseases in the aquarium and pond. Ozone generators are now common components of the complete filtration system.

Ammonia – Quick Reference

Ammonia – Quick Reference Ammonia (NH3) is produced by organic waste, decaying plant and animal matter and is deadly to aquatic life. Ammonia is very toxic and is not tolerated at any level! Common causes of ammonia in an established tank include: • fish overload • overfeeding • filter failure • poor maintenance • medications […]

Koi Treatment: Bacterial Ulcers

Koi Treatment: Bacterial Ulcers An ulcer is usually a bacterial infection to the skin surface that has broken through the armor of the scale. It could be in the epidermis and even deeper all the way down to the muscle. The external enzymes that bacteria produce dissolve nutrients into a form that can be absorbed […]

Koi: All Five Senses

Koi and what they smell, hear, see, taste, touch and bite.

Fish Dips and Baths

Fish Dips and Baths Newly bought fish or sick fish are best observed and/or treated in a separate hospital tank instead of the main aquarium. Many medications and preventative supplements which are directly added to the water will affect the beneficial bacteria. This can bring the biological filtration to a grinding halt; it can use […]

Food for Thought 1: Krill

Food for Thought 1: Krill by Mandy Anders Krill is one of the many important foods aquarium fish consume. Krill are small, marine shrimp-like crustaceans than form an important part of the marine food chain. In the wild, krill serve as the primary food for many types of marine organisms, including fish, whales, squid, and […]

Night-Bloomong Water Lilies

Night-Bloomong Water Lilies Chris Deer If you are like many Americans today, you get up early, leave for work and come home just before dark. If this is the case and you have a pond with water lilies, you likely only see the colorful lily blooms open on weekends or if you have a day […]

Lotus Garden

Lotus Garden If you have a low-spot in your garden and can’t figure out what to do with it – think lotus garden. Heavy clay soil is no reason to be discouraged, as aquatic plants thrive in wet soil. In fact, one of the gems of the plant world is perfectly suited to this environment. […]

How Many Pond Fish?

How Many Pond Fish? Pond owners commonly ask, “How many fish can I have in my pond?” The answer is, “It depends.” Three factors influence the “fish capacity” of your garden pond: – The type and size fish you want to keep. – The type of pond filtration. – The level of maintenance the pond […]

Pond Plants 1: Cattails

Pond Plants 1: Cattails Mandy Anders The cattails are a group of durable, fast-growing pond and bog plants in the genus Typha. Cattails grow as native plants nearly world-wide. This highly adaptable genus can tolerate full sun to almost full shade, grow in shallow waters, and sometimes colonize brackish marshes. As a ornamental pond plant, […]

Pond Plants 2: Iris

Pond Plants 2: Iris Mandy Anders Water Iris include a multitude of species and colors. All of the water iris are bog and marsh plants, but these water-loving plants can survive periods of dry soil. Iris are very hardy, and will grow in full sun to part shade. They possess long, blade-like leaves of green, […]

Pond Plant Media

Pond Plant Media by Mandy Anders Pond plants should be periodically repotted to ensure proper growth. Plants can become root-bound, stunted, or malnourished if not divided and potted. Aquarium stocks two excellent choices for potting pond plants. Both of these soils are heavy, so they will not float in pond water, and do not contain […]

Floating Rings for Pond Plants

Floating Rings for Pond Plants by Carol Lockey The floating rings from MAN Island Planters offer many great benefits for ponds. With these floating rings, potted plants are able to float with just the bottom submersed so that the roots are in the water. This is great for nutrient control because the roots of the […]

ALSS Aquarium Salt

ALSS Aquarium Salt by Mandy Anders Aquarium Life Support Systems has added Aquarium Salt for freshwater to its line of growing line of salt products which includes One Sea Salt for saltwater aquariums and Pond Salt for ponds and water gardens. Salt benefits freshwater organisms in multiple ways, including electrolyte replenishment, nitrite poisoning prevention, stress […]

Salt Application in Aquariums and Ponds

Salt Application in Aquariums and Ponds Aquarium Staff Salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is used often in aquariums, koi ponds, and water gardens for treatment of fish diseases. Salt treatment for ponds and aquariums is a proven practice in the health care and maintenance of koi and aquarium fish in aquaculture, aquarium stores, ponds, and […]

Pond Predators

Pond Predators by Mandy Anders Ponds, unlike aquariums, are greatly influenced by their environment. While aquariums are more controlled environments protected from temperature fluctuations and weather changes, ponds are subject to many environmental factors. One such factor is predation. Ponds, with their clear, clean water and brightly colored fish look like easy-to-spot buffets to many […]

Pond Plants 9: Creeping Marginals

Pond Plants 9: Creeping Marginals by Mandy Anders Marginal plants encompass a diverse group of pond, bog, and moisture loving species. Marginal plants usually grow well in very shallow water, with some species thriving in up to 6-8 inches of water, to other species doing best with just their roots wet. This article addresses marginal […]

Pond Plants 7: Lotus

Pond Plants 7: Lotus by Mandy Anders The ornamental lotus are typically hybrids of the North American native Nelumbo lutea and the sacred lotus, Nelumbo nucifera, of Asia. These plants are hardy in East Tennessee and overwinter with ease. The lotus is the definitive star attraction of water garden plants. Large-leaved with showy, fragrant flowers, […]

Pond Plants 8: Papyrus

Pond Plants 8: Papyrus by Mandy Anders Papyrus include several species of the genus Cyperus that make lovely addition to ponds. All of the varieties of papyrus are tropical, and must be brought indoors for the winter. Papyrus normally tolerate between 6-12″ of water depth, but some of the giant varieties will withstand slightly deeper […]

Pond Plants 5: Oxygenating Plants

Pond Plants 5: Oxygenating Plants by Mandy Anders Plants release oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis. Oxygen releases through microscopic openings called stoma. The majority of stoma are located primarily in leaf surfaces (although to a lesser degree they are present in stems as well). For pond plants, this means that submerged leaves produce oxygen […]

Bog Filters

Bog Filters Mandy Anders Bog filters provide exceptional natural filtration for ponds. Bogs trap debris and nutrients for plant growth, provide additional surface area for nitrifying bacteria growth, and add beauty to ponds. Plants in the bog filter consume nitrates and phosphates from fish waste, preventing these nutrients from being used by nuisance algae. Pruning […]

Hydra Aquatics Battery Powered Air Pumps

Hydra Aquatics Battery Powered Air Pumps Product Review Product Review – The storms last week brought back memories of last year’s extended power outages. We had 12 battery powered air pumps on the shelf, and they were all gone within 10 minutes of opening the store after one stormy night! I strongly suggest that anyone […]

Water Conditioners Part 1 of 3: Chlorine

All aquariums and ponds need water. However, not all water sources are equal in quality. Water conditioners make tap water safe for aquaria by neutralizing and/or removing various toxic substances. The most common toxic substance in tap water is chlorine. Municipalities use chlorine (or chloramine) to kill bacteria in drinking water, making the water safer […]

Water Conditioners: Part 2 of 3: Chloramine and Ammonia

As mentioned in Part 1 of this article series, chlorine is a highly toxic substance in tap water that must be neutralized before adding water to an aquarium or pond. Unfortunately, many municipalities now treat water with the more stable compound chloramine. Regular dechlorinators cannot detoxify this compound. Chloramine consists of chlorine and hydrogen atoms. […]

Water Conditioners: Part 3 of 3: Additional Benefits

Excellent water conditioners perform functions beyond dechlorination. Aqualife Complete and Prime help in emergency situations by removing excess ammonia and detoxifying nitrite. Nitrite attaches to the gill filaments of fish and prevents oxygen absorption. Aquarium salt, like API Aquarium Salt also helps with nitrite poisoning and can be used in conjunction with either of these […]

Go-Go-Gadget-UV!

Go-Go-Gadget-UV! Ultraviolet sterilizers combat green water algae growth and parasites. To best achieve this goal, sterilizers need to be paired with the appropriate flow rate. Algae growth is best controlled with longer exposure time to the UV rays. The Oase, LifeGard, and Danner line of UV sterilizers offers many useful features to simplify installation. The […]

Controlling Algae in the Garden Pond

Algae is an unavoidable and recurring part of pond keeping. Getting and keeping it under control is a combination of good equipment and proper maintenance. Once a good balance of conditions is achieved, the garden pond will be a source of endless pleasure.

Hot Weather and Pond Algaecides

Hot Weather and Pond Algaecides Chris Deer Summer came in with a BANG this year after such a pleasant mild spring. For some garden pond owners, this has caused algae to bloom in their ponds (especially if you do not use a UV clarifier). When the pond water is cooler (below 80 degrees), the water […]

Getting your pond and pond fish ready for cooler weather

Getting Your Pond & Pond Fish Ready for Cooler Weather Chris Deer FRESHWATER: The weather is cooling down quickly and pond owners should get their pond and pond fish ready for the change of seasons. Steps taken now will not only keep your fish healthy in the winter months, they will also prevent many algae […]

Choosing a Pond Pump

With the plethora of pumps on the market installers and customers must understand the different technologies and the type of water feature they are trying to create. Choosing the best pump does not come down to price alone. Better pumps and using two pumps can save hundreds and even thousand of dollars over the warranty and life of a pump. It is crucial dealers and end users understand the different technologies in order to make the correct purchasing decision.

Raccoons and the Water Garden

Take a few precautions to eliminate these annoying pests. With their food supply cut off, raccoons move on.

Winterizing Your Water Garden

The winter months bring lower temperatures, ice, snow, leaves, and a complete transformation of your water garden. To avoid any unwelcome trauma, it’s important to winterize your system. Most gardeners don’t realize that winterizing a water garden is more than pulling out tropical plants. Changing fish food, trimming plants, changing water, and adjusting equipment are all part of properly winterizing a garden.

The Importance of Dissolved Oxygen

Mechanical filtration is a reliable method to boost available oxygen in the aquarium or pond.

Preparing The Pond for Summer

Preparing The Pond for Summer During the winter months, debris and waste accumulates in a pond. During the spring and early summer, many pond keepers and maintenance professionals perform a complete water change to remedy the buildup. Removing all of the water and fish offers both risk and reward. Before undertaking a complete cleaning, the […]

Product Review – Matrix Carbon

Product Review – Matrix Carbon Seachem Laboratories MATRIXCARBON is a totally unique activated carbon that is shaped as a spherical bead of about 1.4 mm in diameter with a very uniform particle size distribution. The spherical shape is ideal for hydrodynamics that provide for maximum water flow and contact without the compacting and channeling characteristic […]

The Amazing Realm of Japanese Koi Koi Patterns

Familiarity with Koi history and Koi culture creates a special appreciation for the beauty and elegance of Koi breeding.

Chlorine – Quick Reference

&ItemNoChlorine – Quick Reference Chlorine is very toxic and is not tolerated at any level! Always use dechlorinator. Many brands are available: SeaChem, Tropical Science, AquaLife Complete (The best), Kordon makes great products. Many hobbyists swear by Start Right. Chlorine provides the same service in a fish tank as it does in the municipal water […]

Oxygen – Quick Reference

Oxygen – Quick Reference A readily available source of oxygen (O2) is as critically important to life underwater as it is for life on land. Like terrestrial animals, aquatic animals require oxygen for respiration, metabolism, fluid transport and energy. Oxygen is present in the air at about 20% and is dissolved in water even at […]

Efficient Algae Eaters

Efficient Algae Eaters Chris Deer It does not matter whether you have a fish aquarium, a reef aquarium, a planted aquarium or a garden pond, at some point you will have to deal with algae growth. From the time you add your first live animal and it produces waste into the water, a food source […]

Emergency Oxygen for Koi Ponds

Hydrogen Peroxide For Dissolved Oxygen – by Dr. Erik Johnson
Hydrogen peroxide can be used to increase the dissolved oxygen in the system.

Aquarium Life Support Systems Introduces New Product Lines

AQUARIUM LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCT LINES Well known trickle filter manufacturer and global wholesaler, Aquarium Life Support Systems™, is launching three new product lines under the names AquaLife Complete™, AquaLife DeChlor™, and AquaLife Select™. AquaLife Complete™ is shipping to dealers now. AquaLife DeChlor™ and AquaLife Select™ will debut mid-summer. The AquaLife™ product line […]

Poly-Bio-Marine Polyfilter

PRODUCT REPORT By Don Dewey POLY-BIO-MARINE, INC. POLY-FILTER January, 1978, was the cover date of the first issue of Freshwater And Marine Aquarium magazine. That premier issue also contained our first product evaluation of a consumer product – the Poly- Filter® by Poly-Bio-Marine, Inc. At that time the concept of product tests were viewed as […]

Algae and Phosphate. When Water Changes Are Not Enough!

Algae & Phosphate. When Water Changes Are Not Enough! by Jack Trebnio Many aquarium owners find themselves in a situation where the more water changes that they do, the quicker the algae grows. While there is no substitute for good husbandry practices that include small regular water changes and careful feeding, there are alternative to […]

Nitrates. How much is too much!

Nitrates. How Much Is Too Much! by Jack Trebnio There are many notions as to acceptable levels of nitrates. In fish only aquariums with large predatory fish, reports of 600-ppm levels at public aquariums without noticeable consequences seem acceptable. Things change very quickly when we start looking at delicate species such as butterflies, fairy wrasses, […]

Green Water

Green Water Green water is often referred to as “pea soup”. Free floating single celled algae grows at such a rapid rate that it turns the water green. If one were to take a glass of water, then added some fish food or plant fertilizer and placed it into a sunny spot the water would […]

Algaway 5.4 Dosing Chart

Fish Anatomy Basics

Fish Anatomy Basics Gills – The primary function of the gills is the absorbtion of oxygen and the excretion of carbon dioxide and ammonia. Healthy gills are deep red and do not stick together. Unhealthy gills are usually pale and the layers appear to clump. Additional signs of unhealthy gill function are listlessness, flashing and […]

Product Review: AquaLife Complete

Product Review: AquaLife Complete Manufacturer: Aquarium Life Support Systems Treating water to condition it for fish is extremely important, and AquaLife Complete, produced by Aquarium Life Support Systems, is an excellent way to make your tap water immediately suitable for fish. Over the past few years, public water suppliers – the folks who make the […]

Components for a Low Maintenance Garden Pond

Components for a Low Maintenance Garden Pond by Chris Deer Many of you may be considering putting a garden pond or koi pond in your yard. The biggest mistake someone considering a garden pond makes is improper planning. A water garden, just like a landscape, requires some thinking and planning before making a purchase. Where […]