Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Water chemistry Water clarity increase and feeding halt

After a successful Fluridone treatment July 4th (elimination of DW and Coontail) I was told my water was a great color green of planktonic algae, and the clarity was less than 12". And by the way, my aeration system runs 24/7 and the water level is normal if not rising in my 2 acre pond.

Between Thursday night which was a voracious feeding by the newly stocked HSB 3 weeks ago, and Saturday, the water clarity improved beyond my belief as I can now see the bottom of the pond in the 4' depths. Not using a secchi disk I'm guessing the clarity is right at 4'.

Beginning Friday morning the feeding has all but shut down. I just got back from this morning's feeding and it's the same, nil. I'm feeding twice a day, 7am and 5-6pm.

Could this be as simple as the water temp dropping with the evening temps dropping into the 40's? We haven't necessarily had a cold front move in, it's just starting to cool off quite a bit in the evenings.

Thanks for any clues on this. I was getting so used to the feeding frenzie by the new HSB!

I changed on my ponds the feeding time to 12:30pm 1 time feeding for 10 seconds middle of the day when the sun was high. I was feeding twice a day at 7am and 6pm 7 seconds each and they quit after these cold rains and temps. Noticed yesturday they were hitting it good and cleaning up after 10 min so I went to 14 seconds 1 time a day 12:30.

Iceman

Thanks Iceman. I considered that as well but even the 5pm feeding yesterday, sunny, 70's, no wind,,,,, no feeding.

I'm lost on this one.

Yes it could be that. Try moving the feeding time to mid-day.

I have quit feeding in the morning and gone to a light feeding in late afternoon after the water has warmed up. My water temps dropped to the mid 50's a couple of nights ago after a 39 degree night. Looking at the forecast my water temps should be better in the coming week.

Strangely I get my best algae blooms in the fall and winter. My macrophytes have died off in the big pond and they've been replaced with an brown/green algae bloom that has a clarity of about 2 feet. Fortunately there is plenty of oxygen in the cooler water if it goes any father.

Just curious, how close were you standing to the feeders once the water cleared up?

I have one feeder in particular where there's less fish feeding if I stand where they can see me. The water's extremely clear there.

Shorty, you and I are close in proximity so we're experiencing the same weather. I'll try again late afternoon today when the water has warmed up a bit.

And FireIsHot, since I started feeding nearly 3 weeks ago I would stand on the edge of the dock and toss out the food, then sit in my lawn chair and watch.

At the 5pm feeding last night I had family over with the little kids near the water so for this afternoon's feeding I will stay clear after tossing in the feed and see what happens.

Thanks everyone!

What's the water temp there now?

Esshup, I'll check it at the 5pm feeding (probably the warmest at that point) and also at 7am tomorrow morning and report back.

I can tell you that the water temp in my little pond was 54 degrees Saturday morning. It was 59 degrees later that afternoon when I waded out to retrive my fish cage.

Shorty, I would imagine my pond would be similar although, I've been interested since installing the aeration system in June how the water temps differ at different depths. This will give me the excuse to do that

BTW, I waded out into mine yesterday as it was such a beautiful day, but didn't get too far! I'm not ready for this cold weather!

Well, as soon as I can find a thermometer I'll check the temps

Water temp was 64 degrees yesterday afternoon at my place.

Thanks Shorty, I would think mine was similar but still no feeding

I'm going out shortly to try the morning feeding before I give up (the mornings).

*UPDATE* At 7:30am feeding, still nothing

Maybe they are feeding better on natural sources since they can see their prey, so not as hungry for the fish food?

lovinlivin: I have had a similar feeding experience lately. Fish aren't feeding and water has cleared but not as much as you describe.

Natural sources might be a reason as liquidsquid suggests. When I look in the water from my dock, where one of my feeders is, there are thousands of tiny fish, probably bluegill fry, swimming around. They are less than an inch long. that has to be very tempting to the larger bluegill. i am going to let my feeders run out of Aquamax and then after we get back from Big Cedar do some hand feeding to see if they start again.

Feeding (on pellets and natural forage)decreases a lot as the temps go down along with their metabolism.

Just an update, feeding has been sporadic as has been the weather. Warm sunny days they feed well later in the day, still not much in the mornings.

I'm agreeing with the cooler temps, metabolism, etc.

The LMB haven't fed much on the pellets from the beginning, it's mainly been the HSB. I'm currently light on BG but hoping to get some stocked in there soon. More food for the LMB!

Thanks everyone and have a great time at the PB Conference. So bummed I can't make my first one this year