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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25 |
My small 1/4 acre pond water seems fairly clear but overall, the pond just looks very dark. It isn't muddy, just real dark. The wife says she can smell something but I don't. Any ideas.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99 |
That's a classic sign of water coping with an influx of fresh water. Believe it or not, fresh rainwater in abundance de-stabilizes a pond's biology. The water chemistry changes, water often softens and its ability to buffer change can be diminished. If it has a musty or stale odor, that's a symptom. Don't be surprised if your fish begin to come to the surface. Do you have an aeration system? Have you been feeding your fish?
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25 |
Yes, I have an aerator going 24/7 and I feed catfish food once a day. We have had an enormous amount of rain lately with the "inland hurricane" that came through. We are supposed to have a week of sun and dry weather. Will this take care of itself, or is there something I can do?
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99
Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
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Editor, Pond Boss Magazine Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,347 Likes: 99 |
Since the aeration system has been going consistently, you will probably be in good shape. I expect it will take care of itself. However, if you can get your hands on some aglime (calcium carbonate), I would add 500-600 pounds and that will help. If the fish will eat, feed them, but cut back on the amount of feed for a few days until the water stabilizes itself. It's a good thing you have the aerator...that probably saved some fish.
Teach a man to grow fish... He can teach to catch fish...
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25 |
Thanks Bob. I have noticed the catfish weren't feeding as aggressively lately, but I just threw some food to them and they are feeding better than a few days ago.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25 |
I added 200 pounds of aglime(due to the size being less than a 1/4 of acre) and two days later, the pond has turned a bright green with an appearance like a load of pollen dusted itself all over the surface. What happened now?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 267
Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
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Moderator Hall of Fame 2014 Lunker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,499 Likes: 267 |
My guess is by adding the lime you removed the limiting factor (acid water below 20 ppm alkalinity) to plankton production. You have a plankton bloom. Do you know your alkalinity pre and post lime addition?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25
Lunker
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OP
Lunker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 25 |
So is a plankton bloom a good thing? Will it go away on its own or will it grow into some kind of fish killing monster?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 16,055 Likes: 277 |
Yes, it's a good thing. It is the basis of the food chain.
It's not about the fish. It's about the pond. Take care of the pond and the fish will be fine. PB subscriber since before it was in color.
Without a sense of urgency, Nothing ever gets done.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley Rancher and Farmer Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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