Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations couple questions

I've been reading old posts and followed the links that ewest has posted trying to educate myself a little before asking quest. on here.I quess you guys probably get the same quest. everytime somebody new comes along,sorry if this is another set of quest. that have been answered.
This is a new pond,hoping to make it a bluegill pond,with some bass for pred.
Thinking I'm going to start with fatheads and some 2 to 4 " bluegills and build a forage base.
I see you need phytoplankton and zooplankton at the bottom of the food chain. Is there a way to ensure theres enough present?
Since this is a new pond I was thinking to fertilize when the weather warms before stocking FH and BG.I just began to research fertilizing,when I get the questions I'll be back to ask about that.
I've ordered some back issues of PB that has articles dealing with ph,alkalinity,etc.What type of testing equipt. should I start looking for to test the water(if it ever fills up).
I recieved my first issue of pond boss and the pond management book which I read the first evening.I'm trying to locate a fish supplier in Mo.,most of the advertisers in PB are in texas,seems like a long way off,the haul bill would prob. be more that the fish cost. Theres a hatchery in Salem Mo.,about two hrs. from me.Country fish farms,has anyone got info. on these guys.I'm pretty concerned about fish suppliers after reading some of the posts on here. If you'd rather not post on here about someone I'd app. it if you could private message me.I'm in south central Mo,If anyone could tell me how to go about searching for hatcheries close,I'd app. that also.I hav'nt had much luck searching the web.except for Dunns,which I've scratched off the list.
Thanks for any help,Mike

You are doing everything right so far. Ordering Pond Boss and Pond management book was the best advice you could have gotten anywhere. That is a good start!

This place seems like a quality place although I have never lived within 800 miles.

http://www.missourifishfarms.com/

Maybe someone from the area could offer a better place.

I am also a neophyte to this web page and to pond management, but your question is one of the few I feel qualified to weigh in on, since I have over 25 years of experience in water chemistry and environmental engineering.
A company by the name of HACH sells all type of water testing equipment including complete kits designed for lake chemistry and / or environmental monitoring. Go to their web site for a catalog. The main parameters of pH, alkalinity, and hardness can be measured with a low cost pH meter and a small titration kit. If you want to get sofisticated you can even get a DO meter, PO4, and NO2 / NO3 photometer.
Another source for less expensive but less accurate testing is through a pool supply company where you can get pH strips and drop testers for alkalinity. This option is all you will likely need.

Mikeak and others who have asked:

For most general questions I start my online search for answers if I can't fine an answer here at the following 3 links which I suggest all learn how to use. They are easy with a little effort.

SRAC fact sheets

http://srac.tamu.edu/fulllist.cfm

Fish base

http://www.fishbase.org/search.php?lang=English

Aquanic

http://aquanic.org/index.htm

From these three there is a world of info. Just look for your self.

Geez, MSpin, we need someone just like you for stuff like this. Hope you hang around for awhile!

Bruce

MikeAK,

There are lots of fish suppliers in Missouri. Contact the Missouri Dept. of Conservation or go to their website. They should have a list of fish suppliers in your state.

Mikeak :

Here are 2 Missouri links 1-- pond manual 2--hatcheries

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/pondhb.pdf

http://mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/fishdealers.pdf

and here is a link to a PB thread with several Mo. guys who can tell you more

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002075#000000

Thanks for the help guys,this is incredible,what a good bunch of people.
ewest,Once again,killer links,thats what I've been looking for.This will keep me busy for a while.
Thanks again all,Mike

Where exactly is Mansfield? If I knew where you are at I might be able to point you in the direction of a good supplier.

h2O - Go get Google earth. This is a big download if you have a slow connection, but is the neatest thing on the web for free. You can find other PB ponds or anything on it. I just put in Mansfield, MO and flew right to it. Some countries have complained that it is damaging to their national security. Most rural areas don't have very accurate satellite photos but in cities I can make out the color and style of a vehicle in the driveways. I have a 1 mega-bite per second connection and a powerful computer so may be slow on some computers.

http://earth.google.com/

h20fwlkiller,Mansfield is about 45 min east of Springfield,Wright county.
Thanks Mike

Here are a few to try. I was told by the local private lands conservationist that these are reputable companies. All should be within an hour or two drive of you.

Country Fish Farm
Salem Mo
573-729-4383

Ozark Fisheries
Stoutland, Mo
573-765-3227

Osage Catfisheries Inc
Osage Beach Mo
573-348-2305

h20fwlkillr,Thank you,I've talked to the guy at country fish farms and he seemed ok,was looking for confirmation though.I'll call the other two and talk to them also. Thanks again,Mike
I'll be taking you up on the offer to talk waterfowl.
Thanks Mike