Hey Guy's,

I put +/- 1,800 2-3" CNBG in my NEW POND 8 days ago. No other fish are in there. The pond is 3/4 full. Today I had 20 floaters I picked from the edges around the pond. The pond is very muddy due to all the rains we are having. I am trying to help it fill as fast as possible with my WELL flowing into it also. I had my WELL water checked at my local pool store. The PH=6, CAL=10, ALK=20.
Could the dead fish be because of all the fresh rain we are receiving? 15" this past week.
Could it just be the weak one's that have died off?
Could it be to muddy of water?
I do have 2 Vertex aerators in the bottom of the pond that haven't been turned on yet.(Building House)
Pond is 1 acre, 18' max depth.

Thanks,
Chad

Chad:

20 is right around 1%. I'd say it's the weakest ones. Having a big discrepancy in water quality from where the fish came from makes for stressed fish. The more stress, the greater possibility that some will go belly up.

The turbidity isn't helping any. Muddy water will clog fish gills (even partially), and inhibit their respiration.

Thanks Esshup,

I have found no more floaters. I am hoping it was just the weak that didn't survive.

Within the next 2-3 weeks, the pond will be full. I will then add/mix the Aluminum Sulfate to clear her up. Then I will follow up with some lime. Hopefully there little gills can wait a few more weeks.

I received my 1st bag of Optimal BG food the other day. Now I just have to get them train up. If I could do it over again, I would have built a 20'x20' containment 10' deep and got them trained in it. Surly they are eating other bugs in there.

Chad

PH of 6 is pushing it IMO. That's on the low end for sure! Specially if the fish you bought came from 7 or 8 PH. What is the actual PH of your pond water do you know?

And congrats on the new pond!!

RC

Chad, when you add the alum, make sure you buffer it with Hydrated lime to raise the pH, or the pH will drop too much and affect the fish. If the BG were feed trained, they will start eating the Optimal quickly. If they weren't, it'll take a while. Any stressors might put them off of the food for a few days.

RC51,

I have a low 6 PH in the pond. I checked it today with a strip and drops from a water test kit I got at Pet Smart. They ere both pretty close. Going to hit it will 100# of Hydrated Lime tomorrow and see how that does it, maybe more if needed to get it close to an 8. Next week or so when it is full, I will work in the Alum Sulf.
Today we seen some fish movement/pecking of the water while we fed. Very happy to see that.

I have pictures to show, but I haven't figured how to put them in my post yet. I can upload, but not post. I'll get it eventually.

Chad

Chad,

I am not a pro but I suggest you wait till one shows up to comment on your Hydrated lime and alum sul addition schedule. My limited understanding suggests they need to be added at the same time.