Pond Boss Magazine
https://www.pondboss.com/images/userfiles/image/20130301193901_6_150by50orangewhyshouldsubscribejpeg.jpg
Advertisment
Newest Members
Shotgun01, Dan H, Stipker, LunkerHunt23, Jeanjules
18,451 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums36
Topics40,899
Posts557,069
Members18,451
Most Online3,612
Jan 10th, 2023
Top Posters
esshup 28,411
ewest 21,474
Cecil Baird1 20,043
Bill Cody 15,110
Who's Online Now
15 members (Snipe, RAH, Freg, Rick O, Justin W, bstone261, Theo Gallus, esshup, jpsdad, Bing, e_stallman, FishinRod, Augie, emactxag, Ron crismon), 750 guests, and 181 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#491554 06/10/18 08:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
My father in law's pond seems to be having issues. Last night he saw hybrid blue gill gasping for air. This morning there are 4 dead and many still gasping for air. He has his aerators on 24 hours a day for the past 2 days, 4 diffusers in his one acre pond. Prior to this he had the aerators on a time running mostly at night. It is in Worden, IL and has been hot 90 degrees plus.

He hasn't sprayed his pond, doesn't have an abundance of algae, nothing added to the pond this year other than feeding his fish...Which he does by hand.

Any suggestions that I can pass on to him?

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 277
C
Offline
C
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 277
Tagged for answers.

My $ says water temp is just high enough so dissolved o2 is low...but, if aeration is in use at night, seems like the cooler, deeper water would have available o2.
How deep is the pond?


Half acre 30 year old farm pond, Mebane NC. Aeration & feeder.
LMB, CC, SC, BG, HBC, two no account welfare carp and nine seasonal Tilapia that all the other fish are terrified of.

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 44
Offline
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 44
Mike,
Since the fish are piping, you know O2 is low.

Before we can help eliminate the problem, we need more information.

Hows the biomass? Too many fish can cause this problem. Too much vegetation can make it worse.

How deep is the pond? Do you know the water temp? Have you checked the chemistry?

All these things and more can contribute to your problem. The quickest fix is to reduce the fish load. This will give you time to figure out the rest of your problems.


Brian

The one thing is the one thing
A dry fly catches no fish
Try not to be THAT 10%
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
The pond is 12' - 14' at the dam, 4' - 8' from the other end sloping to the dam. April 2016 we stocked 250 RES, saw probably 50 of those die same day. 450 HBG different sizes, 3" - 5" and 5" - 7". 150 CC and 75 albino catfish. I don't know the water temp or chemistry.

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
Offline
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
How old is the pond? Have you had fish in since the beginning? Other species?


9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
Originally Posted By: SetterGuy
How old is the pond? Have you had fish in since the beginning? Other species?

Old pond that was killed off 3 years ago and then stocked in April 2016. Water will be tested tomorrow, hopefully leaving the aerators on 24/7 will bring it back.

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 172
S
Lunker
Offline
Lunker
S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 172
Unfortunately, if this heat continues in the Midwest, this won't be the last post of a kill off. I'm right in the middle of one, 1 acre pond with 3 diffusors...didn't help. It was sprayed several days ago. My Kasco surface aerator is burned out, that might have saved them. Nothing I can do now. I would advise anyone in the heat zone not to spray right now, aeration or not; half treatment or not.

Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 277
C
Offline
C
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 277
Originally Posted By: Mike4634
Originally Posted By: SetterGuy
How old is the pond? Have you had fish in since the beginning? Other species?

Old pond that was killed off 3 years ago and then stocked in April 2016. Water will be tested tomorrow, hopefully leaving the aerators on 24/7 will bring it back.


I bet running aerators in the daytime will heat the water even in the deeper cool spots. Tough call.
I'm learning from each of these fish kill posts. Thank you for posting it.


Half acre 30 year old farm pond, Mebane NC. Aeration & feeder.
LMB, CC, SC, BG, HBC, two no account welfare carp and nine seasonal Tilapia that all the other fish are terrified of.

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
Originally Posted By: Clay N' Pray


I bet running aerators in the daytime will heat the water even in the deeper cool spots. Tough call.
I'm learning from each of these fish kill posts. Thank you for posting it.


That's what I was worried about, but have been told both ways. My father-in-law was told to run them only at night.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
Member
Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
I have had a fish kill in my pond plus witnessed one in a friends pond - no fun at all. Lost huge catfish and bass.

First time it happened I thought the same thing - some type of poison got into my pond. However it turns out that the pond turned over and lost oxygen -

To my knowledge an aerator is the solution - good luck to you

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 887
Likes: 3
B
Offline
B
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 887
Likes: 3
He needs to get water temps, but my guess it is a combination of biomass and water temp.

I would be removing as many of the CC as I could asap, and run aerator only at night.


1.8 acre pond with CNBG, RES, HSB, and LMB
Trophy Hunter feeder.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
Anytime there is a DO problem and fish are at the surface gasping for air you have an emergency situation. You need to create an O2 sanctuary asap. Any type of tool that will churn up the surface water should be used. You can move diffusors shallow 2 ft , use a boat motor/prop to churn water , or other method. You can figure out temp and causal matters later but get some DO into the surface waters. Fish can sense and move toward areas with improved DO status. Breathing comes first !

See this

https://srac.tamu.edu/serveFactSheet/292

Last edited by ewest; 06/11/18 01:42 PM.















Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
J
Offline
J
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
Remove at least half the CC!

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
M
OP Offline
M
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 22
So other than the heat, the catfish are causing problems?

Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Offline
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 4
Originally Posted By: Mike4634
So other than the heat, the catfish are causing problems?



I can't speak to your specific problem, but here's what I've learned.

When biological oxygen demand exceeds supply, a fish kill occurs. You can aerate to increase oxygen supply and/or remove biomass to reduce demand. Too many fish = too much demand.

Catfish can also increase turbidity, decreasing light penetration and reducing oxygen produced by photosynthesis.

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
J
Offline
J
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 19
The CC can take up a lot, or most of the biomass, if large. I had the same problem last year. One morning they didn't come to feed, and were hanging around the bank. I netted out a few of the stressed ones, dressed them before they could die in the pond. I ran a pump to circulate the water, then immediately started catching out the CC (2 to 5 lbs each). I never had another problem. Last winter the otter attacks reduced the biomass even more. We ate CC last summer until they became "just another meat".

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
T
Member
Offline
Member
T
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 26
when I lost my pond it had nothing to do with the number of fish - it was well balanced

We had a very cool night followed by a hot day and the lake turned over - depleted the oxygen and fish died

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
E
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
Offline
Moderator
Hall of Fame 2014
Lunker
E
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 264
Tim your event is a common type fish kill and happens way to often.
















Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
Offline
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
I didn’t want to start a new thread about fish kills, so I’m just jumping in on this thread. I was at my pond yesterday. We’ve had a lot of days in the 90s, and I’m sure a lot more are coming. I don’t aerate, so not much I can do about it, but my water temps are climbing. I get a temp off the dock about 15’ from shore, and a foot deep. It was 87 degrees. Warmer than in the past at this time of year, that’s for sure. Diving in off the dock, it’s still pretty cool once you get down about 18”. My water clarity is about 12”.
What temps should I be looking out for that may signal impending problems? I could take the jon boat down in the evening and run the motor for a while to stir things up. Would that be advisable?
Thx
Jeff


9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
I had to use my outboard last week due to 99 degree surface temps.


I was advised to try to only stir the top 2/3 of the pond. I don't have aeration yet either. Pulling up that dead water from the bottom would be just as detrimental to your fish.

If aeration has been in place, I'm leaning toward either an overpopulation issue, or possibly the diffuser isn't moving enough water to get a complete turnover just running it at night....or a combination of both.

How long has it been since the diffusers were cleaned or replaced?

Last edited by Mike Whatley; 06/13/18 07:26 AM.

.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
Offline
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 109
No aeration at all. My pond is too far from our barn to run lines, either electric or air. Plus I’d have to run lines up and down through a big rocky ravine and 90% woods. Just not a viable option. I’ve looked at solar, but the $1,000 systems aren’t really going to move the amount of air I need or lack durability. Or, the $7,000 systems are just priced too high. So, I’m hoping for the best. Cutting back on feed. Hoping that will slow down the growth of total biomass.


9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
I am also curious about the temps/turbidity conditions that we should start worrying about O2 depletion.

I have been seeing 85 degrees - 18" below the surface, out 25 feet from shore and 75 degrees at the bottom (7 foot deep - 25 feet from shore). My secchi readings have gone from 3 foot to 2 feet in the last few days also.

I'm only a couple weeks away from starting the aeration system, however, and my fish are acting just fine.


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Offline
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,220
Setterguy, I've noticed with my pond that even tho the surface temp is crazy high (94 yesterday), as long as there is cooler water under it with O2, they'll be ok. 87 isn't too bad. But if you have an outboard motor, I'd keep it close by.

My fish seem to be doing fine even tho it's hot on top. When I stirred the pond last week, every bedding fish left and everything quit feeding. Yesterday there were 200 staged on the bank waiting for dinner.


.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Offline
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 101
Mike W., Are you taking the surface temps at the very surface (within a few inches?)?


Fish on!,
Noel
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 28
L
Offline
L
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,177
Likes: 28
Wow, how do you put up with that kind of heat that gets water temps above 90? By June! Sure we deal with 6 months of winter, but that heat and humidity would get old really fast.

My water temp is sitting at a refreshing 71, and pretty much the entire column is the same temperature straight to the bottom thanks to cold nights and wind. The perch love it, and so does the curly-leafed pond weed which is too rambunctious this year as it loves cool water.

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
Today's Birthdays
Bob Lusk, GaryK, GrizzFan, PhotographerDave
Recent Posts
Brooder Shiners and Fry, What to do??
by Freg - 03/28/24 09:13 AM
Happy Birthday Bob Lusk!!
by esshup - 03/28/24 08:45 AM
Relative weight charts in Excel ? Calculations?
by esshup - 03/28/24 08:36 AM
Dewatering bags seeded to form berms?
by Justin W - 03/28/24 08:19 AM
Reducing fish biomass
by FishinRod - 03/28/24 08:18 AM
New 2 acre pond stocking plan
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:05 PM
1 year after stocking question
by esshup - 03/27/24 06:02 PM
Questions and Feedback on SMB
by Donatello - 03/27/24 03:10 PM
Paper-shell crayfish and Japanese snails
by Bill Cody - 03/27/24 10:18 AM
2024 North Texas Optimal BG food Group Buy
by Dave Davidson1 - 03/27/24 08:15 AM
Freeze Danger? - Electric Diaphragm Pump
by esshup - 03/26/24 09:47 PM
Newly Uploaded Images
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
Eagles Over The Pond Yesterday
by Tbar, December 10
Deer at Theo's 2023
Deer at Theo's 2023
by Theo Gallus, November 13
Minnow identification
Minnow identification
by Mike Troyer, October 6
Sharing the Food
Sharing the Food
by FishinRod, September 9
Nice BGxRES
Nice BGxRES
by Theo Gallus, July 28
Snake Identification
Snake Identification
by Rangersedge, July 12

� 2014 POND BOSS INC. all rights reserved USA and Worldwide

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5