As you all know we are getting a ton of rain across the country right now. Here in Arkansas we are getting hammered. My pond has come up a foot from where it was. At this point my air has been off since end of October. With all this rain in the colder weather would be a good thing to turn it on or just don't mess with it at this point? Not sure if turning it on would help in this colder weather or just make it worse? Or neither? I know a lot of this is it depends but I guess what I am saying is what would you do? Turn it on or leave it off?
P.S. Air temps are about 41 outside.
thanks,
RC
I have surface temps in the 60's and low 70's for 8 days straight now!! It is tempting to turn the air on but don't believe the surface temps are too hot to warrant doing so yet. Also my indicater is our last frost will be over by Easter and that's not that far off. April 1st I believe. My lmb will be ready to start building nests and I don't want to disturb the spawn but then again these hard rains may do more damage. My pond is now at full pool and up in the tall sawgrass so I hope that helps the spawn!! I'm holding off for now RC51.
A good general rule of thumb is to run your aeration system when water temperatures are consistently above 55-60 degrees, or if you have an algae bloom at cooler temperatures. Don't run it when water temps are in the low 40's or lower. To be safe, go through your factory recommended start up procedures.
Thanks guys I was just worried about getting 12 inches of water in the pond all at once....and hearing about guys losing fish because of it....now that I think about it though it was always warmer when they lost fish not in Feb. Just paranoid I guess...
thanks
We got a two day total of 2.6 inches here. Raised the ponds about one foot each. We need more, as we are about 15 inches down since last August in this local area. One pond is still 17 inches from full, and the other is 11 inches low.
Yeah I kinda said that wrong. We didn't get 12 inches of rain but my pond came up 12 inches. Just a little paranoid of some kind of turn over but it's only been in the 40 and 50 where my pond is so I think I am ok for now. Least I hope.
We just got 8 and 1/2 inch rain just today!!! And it is still raining!! Been going over my spillway since 11 am this morning and I expect it will for the next couple of days. I may be picking fish out of the grass and bushes behind the dam again!!
Dang James
Been raining for two days and we got 1-1/2"! Pond is still 2' low.
Pat, had 10 inches when I went to bed around 10:00pm. Emptied the gauge again.Have 2 and 1/2 inch more this morning. Total 12 and 1/2 inch in a little less than 24 hours with more to come today and tomorrow!! What a waste. I know there are many of ya'll that can use it. I would guess "flushing" the pond out this time of year may be a good thing??
Dang that's a lot of water! Lime going out with the water change! It didn't rain any more last night , so will have to wait till next rain for more
So far this morning I have salvaged about 100 1-2 inch cnbg from puddles behind the spillway. Nothing like it was during that big tropical storm. Pat I wasn't even thinking about my ag lime. Darn it. I have a few tons left over up on the bank. But...I'm not going to do anything till after post spawn for lmb. Just let God talk it out with Mother Nature and see what they decide needs to happen!! Good luck over your way. Hope you get some rain. My water temp was still 62 at 8am this morning.
Wow, James, that's an incredible amount of water. We had 6 1/2" of rainfall here at our place in Polk County since the weekend, but nothing like you had. My siphon had not run in a while and was slow to start as the water level came up. I PU a 50' coil sewer snake from Lowes and worked it through the system 5-6 times and just got it to flow about 25%. After last nights deluge, I walked down to the pond this morning and could hear the siphon blowing full flow. Thank God, for this. I've never seen the water level this high since we renovated the pond in '14. I guess whatever had it partially plugged blew free from the pressure. Hopefully, the water will drain quicker than it will fall as we have more rain forecasted every day through Sunday. I need to put more ag-lime as well, but as Pat mentioned, I will wait until the rainy season here in SE Texas has run its course.
Dang that's a lot of water! Lime going out with the water change! It didn't rain any more last night , so will have to wait till next rain for more
That is why when you add lime you want to treat the water and the pond bottom. The water reflects the pond bottom and watershed dirt.
RC I would start the aeration as suggested if your water temps are 55+.
Ok Thanks Eric and everyone for your help on this. Just wanted to make sure!
RC
Eric
Are you saying to lime the pond bottom in an existing pond or can you add to wash or creek inflow and get the same results. Just wondering which method is more apt to keep the lime in the pond.
When a pond is first built get soil samples and add lime as suggested or more. After the pond fills and at the point more lime is needed add enough to not only be absorbed into the water column but to get some to the pond bottom. That will help the dirt which will be reflected in the water. It is better IMO to spread lime over the water and not rely on washing in. Adding so that it will wash in is helpful but not as good as direct treatment IMO.