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Do Cattails actually die in the winter or can I do something to prevent them from coming back? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on October 27, 2011 by thepondguy

During the winter months, cattail foliage dies off. Leaves and stems turn brown and dry up when the weather gets cold, and optimistic pond keepers dare to imagine their backyard water features without the scourge of unwanted cattails. But deep beneath the pond, cattail roots are alive and well in their dormant state, saving up their energy to come back strong in the spring.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Catfish, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Emergent Weeds, Phragmites, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Is there an ideal temperature to treat algae? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on October 7, 2011 by thepondguy

It depends what you mean by the word “treat.” If you’re looking to throw a party in its honor, pretty much any temperature will do – because algae grows all year ‘round, even during the winter months. But if you’re hoping to give it the kind of treatment that makes it feel extremely unwelcome, you’ll see the best results when water temperatures are at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Filed under: Algae Control, Algae Defense, Benefits of Owning, Chara (Algae), Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

I’m going to use my pond for skating over the winter. What do I need to do to store my aeration system? I’m going to use my pond for skating over the winter. What do I need to do to store my aeration system? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on September 19, 2011 by thepondguy

One of the great joys of a backyard pond is its four-season versatility. After three seasons of aesthetic satisfaction, there’s nothing better than strapping on a pair of skates and hitting the water when it hardens up for the winter. But before the temperatures drop, your aeration system demands some seasonal attention.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Benefits of Owning, Carbonate Hardness, Emergent Weeds, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Turnover, Water Clarity, Water Quality, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

It’s been cold where I live. Should I stop with my bacteria now? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on September 12, 2011 by thepondguy

In bacteria paradise, the temperature in your backyard pond would never fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When water temperatures drop below 50 for any sustained period of time, the bacteria call it quits for the season.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Algae Defense, Benefits of Owning, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Pond Dye, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Should I cut cattails before I treat them? | Ponds & Lakes Q&A

Posted on July 29, 2011 by thepondguy

At first blush, it seems pretty logical to cut cattails before treating them. But when you understand how the treatment works, it’s immediately clear: cutting first is the wrong way to go.

Filed under: Cattails, Emergent Weeds, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 6 Comments »

What is the difference between algae and Chara and how should I treat them? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on July 20, 2011 by thepondguy

To an entomologist, the differences between a cockroach and a termite may be a subject of profound fascination. However, to a homeowner, they’re both insect problems. If you have them, you sure as heck want to get rid of them – and the sooner the better.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Algae Defense, Chara (Algae), Muck, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

There are rakes, razors, cutters…skimmers…is there a difference and which works best to clean the pond? | Pond & Lake Q&A

Posted on July 14, 2011 by thepondguy

Yes. You could sweep your garage with a toothbrush. It’s possible. Some people – who have a much lower tolerance for dirt than most – might even do it. But when the time comes to do the job, you’re much more likely to choose a push broom, or better still, a shop vac. Why? Because they’re the right tools for the job. The same principles apply when you’re cleaning your pond. If you pick the proper tool, the job will be a lot easier – and much more effective.

Filed under: Algae Control, Benefits of Owning, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Duckweed, Emergent Weeds, Phragmites, Pondweeds, Sago Pondweed, Uncategorized, Water Clarity | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

We just purchased a house that had a pond, it hasn’t been taken care of, where do we start? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on July 6, 2011 by thepondguy

If you’ve ever adopted a stray pet, you already have a general sense of what it’s like to become the keeper of a long-neglected pond. Like the stray, the pond probably looks like it’s been reclaimed by nature: rough around the edges…

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Algae Defense, Cattails, Chara (Algae), Emergent Weeds, Fish, Fish Kill, Muck, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Pondweeds, Sago Pondweed, Season-Long Control, Uncategorized, Water Clarity | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

What’s the difference between MuckAway and PondClear? What’s the difference between Muck Away and Pond Clear? | Ponds & Lakes Q&A

Posted on June 29, 2011 by thepondguy

As pond owners know, there is a bit of the teenage boy in Mother Nature. She thinks nothing of dumping leaves, pollen, sticks and other organic material in your ponds, clouding the water and mucking up the bottom.

Filed under: Algae Control, Benefits of Owning, Muck, MuckAway, Pond & Lake, Pond Clear, Pondweeds, Water Clarity, Water Quality | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

My pond looks like an oil slick. Why and how can I get rid of it? | Pond & Lakes Q&A

Posted on June 17, 2011 by thepondguy

Every year, Mother Nature unleashes a mass of pollen into the air to facilitate the fertilization of seeds in flowering plants. It’s an effective design, but not terribly efficient. Pollen ends up everywhere – just ask anyone who suffers from hay fever – and the surface of your pond is no exception.

Filed under: Aeration, Algae Control, Duckweed, Emergent Weeds, Fish Kill, Fountain, Pond & Lake, Pondweeds, Turnover, Uncategorized, Water Clarity, Water Quality | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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