Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Fertilization I want to fertilize but am unsure of the situation

Every pond is different. On ours I never add on the second application post bloom more than 25% of the amout I added to achieve the bloom. Normally the first application total is 1-2 lbs per acre of water sol fertilizer and the second is about one-half pound. Rain (water out flow) amount cause that to vary. Often the second application is in late July to Aug.

Myself I'm struggling to get a significant algae bloom going in my perch and bluegill production ponds even though I've fertizlied three times (once every two weeks). It obviously the temps. We warm up for a while only to have strong cold fronts come through and make it cold enough to have frost. Frost three weekends in a row now including the last two nights.

I had a bloom starting in my pond 2 weeks ago and visibility was closing in on 3'. Now it's past the 6' mark. With the FA that I have in the pond, I don't want to fertilize until the Tilapia get stocked. Hurry up, Rex!

Don't you want your water temps to be consistently in the 70's before you plant?

So he's going to be in the area eh? I'd love to have him stop by if it's worth the trip. He could even stay here overnight if he wanted to.

I don't believe so, they will survive down to 45°, and the pond is in the mid to upper 60's now so I think they'll be fine. If he has the time I can lead him to your place. Still no word on a confirmed schedule.

I'd be curious if plopping a few in your largest pond would help your Sago problem.

Visibility is back to 18". Looks muddy (brown) from recent rains. I also shot 5 snakes this evening.

I was in the 40's for a high today at my location. A miserable rainy cold day today for the middle of May. Not much change in visibility.

Good luck. I'm sure things will bloom once it warms up as it should for me.

Visibility is now 22" but the water appears muddy. It's not muddy it's just brown. I assume the algae bloom has now turned from green to brown. It's ugly but the fish don't seem to mind. I assume I need to add more fertilizer when the visibility gets to 27" or so. Will it turn back to a green color?

It should but go slow on the amount.

Will do. At what visibility do you wait to add fertilizer?

Each pond is different. On ours during summer when visibility gets to 30 inches I start adding small amounts (about 1/3 to ½ lb of water soluble per acre) and wait a week to see what happens. Water inflow (rain and springs) and evaporation are important to consider.

Does your pond ever go from green to brown like mine did?

Yes several times each summer.