[MWG] Today's Pond Q&A

------------------------------- Today's Pond Q&A In this issue: - BACTERIAL INFECTION - ALGAE PROBLEM ----------------------------- Question> Carolyn, I to was unable to identify the cause of fish deaths! My pond has been in for almost three years. It is about 2,500-gallons, 40 inches deep in the center and oval shaped. I have a 3500-gallon an hour pump that splits my water through two separate devices. The first is a pressurized bio-filter rated for 2500 gallons an hour that flows to a rock waterfall and the other is a UV filter that flows into another bio-filter waterfall. The water clarity is great and all appears to be doing great accept for the rising death toll. I had about 15-20 koi, mostly babies, 3 medium size fish 10-12 inches, 3 med under 6-8 inches and the rest are under 5 inches. Based on all water tests and routine visual exams I to assumed all was well in my pond. However, about early June I had a medium-size fish pass away. I checked for any signs of infection and found none -so I to assumed it was just his time to go. Then less than a week later I had one more die. This had me worried, so I checked all my pond chemical levels and they were fine. Unable to identify any problems I preceded to do a 75% water change -added in some more salt to get the salt level back up, got a second opinion from a local pond store owner who did scrapings on healthy fish, autopsies on dead fish and found nothing. I went with her thought on treating as a precaution until we could find the cause. I purchased an air pump that releases oxygen in the bottom of the pond to ensure that they were not suffocating and used a broad spectrum product for the treatment of parasites, protozoa, fungi and bacteria. Things were good for almost another week then a few days later I found two more mid-size fish floating. So we the pond store owner (I buy all fish through her and happened to have added 2 new small ones this year) and I bagged 2 fish from her store and 2 from my pond to take to Michigan State University for further testing. Sure enough hers were given a clean bill of health and mine had an unknown bacteria that responded to only one antibiotic that had to be injected in each fish in my pond for three days. I have no more dead fish. It seems to have worked. I now know what an unknown bacteria is. I know that MSU will work to classify it. My question is: where do people like me go to keep up on what is going on with situations like this? How are these things tracked? I was told that my infection could have come from anywhere including bird droppings to frogs jumping in the pond to something that could have been growing in the food to you name it. The possibilities are endless. Thanks Pat _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Pond Filters, Pumps, UV's and More... Discount Prices at Our Online Store! http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Answer> Hi Pat Yes, that certainly can be a frustrating situation not knowing how to protect your fish. The best thing I can recommend, other than what you are already doing by contacting others (such as today) would be to join a koi club in your area, use the Internet, and read the literature available. Most hobbyists are most eager to spread their knowledge with others. Dr. Erik Johnson, DVM, has written a number of books on Koi and fish Health and has a website. There are a plethora of good books on the subject. The one thing I would say to you is that no matter what we do, unforeseen things will happen. Back in 1998, at a Koi show on Long Island, NY, there was a terrible outbreak of KHV, previously not known, and most ponds were wiped out before anyone knew what had happened. I must commend you and the pond store owner on your affirmative action. Just know that we will deal with them together to minimize our losses. - Carolyn == Question> Pond 8x10x24. Pre-filer, 650 gal per pump, filter with built in UV, followed by charcoal filter water fall to pond. Water temp up to 85 degrees. Every afternoon coating of Algae forms on surface to pond. Using Eco-Blast but limited result. Algae seem to be suspended in water all day making it murky. Have tried emptying half of water, replacing it, but with limited result. Going nuts, Help. Need for clear water making me ill. Any ideas? Dudley == Answer> Hi, Dudley, Generally the algae is increased by nutrients and high temperatures in the water this time of year. I would suggest you change the bulb in the UV, or increase the size of the UV light. Algae Fixx has been working for us in ridding the pond of algae that doesn't go through the UV. If you cut down on feeding, shade the pond (in whatever way is possible, or at least shade the filters) and address the UV, you should see some results in a few days. Rather than add more water, try adding oxygen in addition to the other things previously mentioned. - Carolyn == Happy Pondkeeping! Brett Fogle MacArthur Water Gardens www.macarthurwatergardens.com Â© MacArthur Water Gardens 1698 SW 16th ST Boca Raton, FL 33486 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This email is never sent without permission. You (or someone using your email address) bought something from MacArthur Water Gardens, or signed up for our newsletter, affiliate program, mini-course or requested a fr^e report.. The information we have on file is Your name: Friend Your email: If you wish to be removed from this list, simply click once on the link below.

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Message Added: August 13th, 2005 at 9:30 am