A Guide To Ideal Seasonal Pond Temperatures

One common goal that many pond owners have is maintaining a healthy and beautiful pond all year-round. One of the main tricks to keep your pond looking great through the summer, fall, winter, and spring, is to maintain ideal seasonal temperatures. For most pond life, but especially fish, maintaining the right temperatures each season plays a huge role in their survival. Throughout each season, it is essential for pond owners to keep an eye on the temperature of the water. Compared to the air, water temperature takes a long time to heat up or cool down, so having a thermometer is vital to figure out the correct temperature for the health and safety of your pond.

In addition, the deepness or shallowness of your pond or water garden will play a role in the water temperature. When a pond is deeper, light is decreased significantly. That being said, when a pond is shallower, light from the sun is able to heat the water faster.  It is for this reason that when the air is cold, the lower layers of water may still have warmth — all of which is essential to the survival of pond life during the various seasons.

Maintaining ideal seasonal temperatures can be a challenge for some pond and water garden orders. To help, we put together a seasonal guide for ideal water temperature for your pond or water garden.

Winter

Since we are currently in the winter season, we are going to start here! It is recommended that pond owners try to maintain a 40-degree water temperature in their ponds and water gardens in the winter season. Of course, depending on what climate you reside in, this may be more difficult for some owners than others. On the water temperature drops down below 40 degrees, it is important to shut off and running water features, like waterfalls or fountains. You will want to make sure that your pond is deep enough so that when the temperature falls, the fish will be able to go to the deeper, warmer parts of the pond. If you live in a colder climate where water often freezes, consider reading one of our upcoming blogs, ‘ What Should I Do If My Pond Freezes?’.

Spring

After winter, when the temperature starts to increase, your pond will start to warm up.  During this time of year, pond water should be between 55 and 65 degrees, Fahrenheit. Spring is a stressful time for fish as they are coming out of a dormant state. This causes them to have weakened immune systems, but when the water temperature is around 65 degrees, Fahrenheit they will become stronger and cause the fish to be more active and have a better chance of survival.

Summer

The ideal temperature for pond water in the fall is around 68 to 74 degrees, Fahrenheit. When the water is around 85 degrees, Fahrenheit and above, the pond water loses most of its ability to contain dissolved oxygen. In addition, high temperatures can cause pond fish to be more active, using up a lot of oxygen. When all the oxygen is used up and no more remains, it can cause the fish to die.

Fall

Across the nation, most pond water temperatures will start falling around September and October. Around this time, the water should be around 70 degrees, Fahrenheit. As the temperatures start to get cooler in the fall, it should be a goal to have your ponds water temperature to drop to around the mid-fifties. Maintaining this temperature through the seasons will allow for pond life to properly adjust to the shifting seasons.

By following these guidelines, pond owners will be able to keep their ponds throughout each season of the year. In addition to maintaining the ideal seasonal water temperatures, part of keeping your pond healthy is having the necessary equipment and pond care products. When you are in need of pond supplies, there is no better place to get pond products online than Castle Aquatics! We carry a wide selection of some of the biggest brand names in pond care products. Whether you are looking for pond filtration products or submersible pumps, pond lighting, or pond UV clarifiers, you will be sure to find it at Castle Aquatics!

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Aeration for Cooler Weather

For many new pond owners, pond aeration sounds too technical, but we are here to make it simple!

So first: What is aeration and what will it benefit your water garden and fish?

We should point out, you don’t “need” to aerate your pond, BUT a well designed and installed aeration system with proper air pumps will greatly enhance the oxygen levels and water circulation in your pond – which helps make sure your pond has less muck and less maintenance, which is a win-win situation.

Pond aeration simply means that you add an air pump to your pond to help oxygen levels in your pond achieve sufficient amounts. A pond air pump such as the PondMAX Complete Air Pump Kit will benefit your pond and aeration system in many different ways, especially for these summer days.

And for winter days, a pond air pump such as the Teton Aeration Kit is a must. This aeration kit provides a stabilizing effect for your pond by allowing oxygen to flow and regulate the pond’s natural behaviors. This kit will move the air stone up to a shallow edge in ponds a foot deep and creates bubbles that will help to keep a small section of ice open in your pond. The circulation and bubbles created by Teton pump and air stone will also help with gas exchange since the majority of your pond may be covered in ice. The amount of oxygen and circulation from this process can really help retain the quality of your pond hence make it prepared for when Spring and Summer comes back around.


Improving the oxygen levels and water movement to your pond is extremely important during hot summer days or if your pond has a large population of fishes.


Let’s dive into the list of benefits for using an aeration system:

  1. Most air pumps and aeration kits come equipped with pond air stones, which creates small bubbles and as those bubbles rise to the surface they create water lift and circulation. This circulation will bring the bottom, low dissolved oxygen water up to the water surface where there is have more oxygen to mix with. This way, you are able to double the oxygen levels of your pond, which in turn helps fish.
  2. Fish require a well-oxygenated environment and with the use of an air pump, you can fix stagnation-related problems like algae bloom, excess debris, surface runoff and noxious gases formation.
  3. If your main pond pump fails, an air pumps will save the day as a emergency backup to keep your fish alive for days and weeks while you work on getting a new pump.
  4. Useful during winter months if you turn off your main waterfall pump due to harsh winter climates, by helping to keep a small section of ice open in your pond which aids in gas exchange between the air and water if the majority of your pond is covered in ice.

Pond Aeration is the Secret to a Healthy Pond Environment


While not all ponds need aeration, having air pumps or aeration kits in the water will greatly benefit the pond environment. Increased water movement and contact with air can help turn a stagnant body of water into a thriving, healthy and well-oxygenated ecosystem.

 

Check out these Aeration Kits to get you started!

PA8

PondMAX Complete Air Pump Kit

PondMax aeration kits offer the perfect solution for a quick fix to your lack of oxygen or need for an ice deterrent. They are well suited to the elements of winter and can reduce the ice build up in ponds in cold areas as well.

Teton Aeration Kits

The Teton Aeration system is a very cost effective way to add oxygen to your pond. The kits come with an air pump, air tubing and air stones.  The air pump supplies air to the air stone below the water surface.

 

In need of some pond supplies? Check our PondMAX and Teton product lines, and when you’re read to order, visit our Dealer Locator to find a store near you: castleaquatics.com/dealer

Want to become an Authorized Dealer with Castle Aquatics? Click here to learn more!

 

 

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Determining The Right Water Treatment Dosage for Your Pond

Longer days and cool summer nights create beautiful moments to enjoy your koi pond or water garden. However, higher water temperatures and more sun exposure welcomes uninvited debris and other challenges that can affect your pond’s water quality.

Treating pond water effectively with the right products is critically important to maintain and balance a healthy aquatic environment. This is where our PondMAX water treatment product range provides the perfect solution. PondMAX water treatment products are designed to reduce excess nutrients, fish waste, eliminate muck and remove debris – PLUS they are fast acting, easy to use, maintenance free, and safe for your fish and pond health.

But, one of the most common questions we receive during these summer days to keep ponds healthy is:

“How much water treatment should I use for my pond?”

Luckily, figuring out the right amount of water treatment doesn’t have to be difficult with our expert team at the ready to help!

We have created a quick and easy PondMAX Water Treatment Dosage Guide to show you the recommended dosage for each product while helping to maintain your pond health and get rid of unwanted debris.

Take the guesswork and time-consuming maintenance tasks out of your pond care by following the dosage table below:

Now, creating a healthy and crystal-clear aquatic environment is as simple as 1-2-3!

Download your copy of the water treatment dosage guide here.

Want to find PondMAX water treatment products for your water garden this summer? Contact your local store to check availability.

Have questions about which water treatment products you should use? We are here to help! Contact us to speak to one of our expert product specialists.

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Helpful Tips For Your Pond Design

One of the most popular backyard trends for homeowners is the addition of a pond or water garden to their property. Ponds are an easy and wonderful way to improve an outdoor living space as they provide a wonderful aesthetic addition to a home, plus they create a relaxing backyard oasis for those who want to get away from the rest of the world.

When homeowners are considering the addition of a pond or water garden to their property, one of the most important parts of the process is to think of a design that is not only appealing but functional as well.

Because designing a pond can be an overwhelming and stressful task, we thought it would be helpful to put together some essential tips for homeowners related to designing the perfect water garden or pond. While we won’t go too in-depth with the specifics of pond design and pond building, we will cover some crucial tips for homeowners to keep in mind as they lay things out and prepare to have a beautiful pond added to their yards.

Tip #1: Determine the budget

Like all home improvement or addition projects, the first thing to do is establish a budget. While homeowners may have varying opinions, we believe that homeowners’ budgets should be high on the list of factors that determine what they want to do and where they want to go with their pond design. Of course, the larger the pond the more money it will likely cost more for materials, landscaping, supplies, and mechanical devices, like pond filters and pumps. In addition, the bigger the pond is, the more pond supplies it will use over the long run.

Once homeowners are set on building a pond or water garden, it is a good idea to plan out a budget and determine what you can and cannot afford. Investing in building a pond and then not be able to support it, or being frugal on supplies and equipment in order to save a few bucks will not end up working well. Remember, ponds cost more than just than the initial cost to get it up and running. Additional money will have to be invested in pond equipment, supplies, and pond landscaping in the long run in order to maintain a healthy pond or water garden environment. Once homeowners have a realistic budget set for the pond they want, they can continue the pond design planning process.

Tip #2: Plan for space

Each homeowner’s yard size, shape, and terrain will often vary from others, which is why it is necessary to do the proper planning in regards to the size and shape of a pond or water garden. As a first step in the planning stage, it is best for homeowners to attempt to fit a pond in an area as accurately as possible. Building a large pond in a small area can cause a space to cramped and crowded while a small pond in a large yard can seem unusual and insignificant. It is best for homeowners to find a balance between yard and pond size, while maintaining a respect for their set budget, desires, and goals.

The choice of pond liner material will also have an impact of a ponds size and shape, as a preformed liner is set in terms of the layout it provides, while an EPDM pond liner has the flexibility to create a pond or water garden of just about any size and shape. In terms of gallon capacity perform liners are smaller, however, this doesn’t make them a bad choice for homeowners. In fact, for those who have a smaller yard or area when they are planning to have a pond built, a preformed liner will generally be the easiest and convenient option. And, for those who have the yard space and ambition, a larger pond will have fewer limitations than a smaller, or preformed pond. In the end, though, homeowners should strive to build a pond or water garden that fits well in their desired space.

Tip #3: Buy quality pond products and materials

As mentioned above, in order for a pond to operate properly and effectively, certain equipment, products, and materials are needed. Pond pumps and filters are the two most common pieces of pond equipment that work to help keep a pond clean, balance, and healthy and the quality of each piece can influence the way it performs. When building a pond, it is important to do some research and shop around for these items for a pond as prices can vary just as much as the level of quality. However, what’s most important for homeowners when shopping for quality pond equipment and products is to ensure the pond equipment they purchase or have installed is more than capable for the needs of their pond. Consider the following issues.

A common problem that many pond owners encounter is the growth of algae. When the weather warms up, algae may begin to bloom and grow wildly. Algae growth is caused by the presence of certain nutrients. These nutrients can come partly from fish waste, which is usually eliminated by a ponds biofilter. Using a filter that is cheap, undersized, or too small for the amount of water in a pond, or if the amount of fish in a pond grows beyond its capacity, certain elements will be left in the water that can cause algae problems or spiked ammonia levels which can be harmful to pond inhabitants. Using an undersized pond pump may cause future problems because they need to drive water through the filter and entire system to sufficiently circulate an adequate amount of water in a set amount of time. If the water happens to circulate through the system slowly, certain parts of the process will be unable to keep up, potentially causing the water quality to go down. Like other components of a pond or water garden, larger pond filters and pumps will likely cost more money, but purchasing a pump or filter that doesn’t meet requirements just to save some cash is not a good idea and will likely cost more money in the long run. It is best to overestimate the demand and size of these pond items accordingly.

Castle Aquatics Tip: When purchasing quality pond products, be sure to include the amount of fish that are estimated to be added later on, which can increase the demand for specific pond equipment, like filters and pumps.

Tip #4: Layout the pond formation

Once homeowners have finished some of the initial steps of planning a pond design, they can begin to layout the formation of the pond or water garden. First, to begin the layout they can use an unused garden hose or long rope and move it around until the shape of their ideal pond is defined. Homeowners can utilize this method as many times as needed in order to get the size and shape that they desire, plus it will help with the visualization of a pond. The layout of a pond can be changed as many times as needed until the digging begins, so it is essential for homeowners to choose a layout they will enjoy. Once homeowners decide on a shape they like, and one that fits into their yard space well, they mark the edges of the layout with spray paint. This will create the perfect stencil to use for digging out the area of the pond. This can be a fun do-it-yourself project for people, or the job can be delegated to a landscaping company or pond builder to help bring their pond project closer to completion.

By following these tips, choosing the right pond design will likely be less overwhelming for homeowners, making the process of adding a pond or water garden to their property much more simplified. Once a design is chosen and the pond installation process has begun, the proper equipment, materials, and products will need to be purchased to ensure that the pond is healthy. For quality pond equipment, materials, and pond care products, there’s not a better spot to shop for pond owners other than Castle Aquatics. Whether you need pond maintenance equipment, pond pumps, or UV pond lights, Castle Aquatics is sure to have the pond products you are looking for. Our certified dealers carry the best pond products, like the PondMAX filters. If you are installing a pond in your yard, get the essential pond products you need, shop at Castle Aquatics today!

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Preparing Your Pond For Cooler Weather, Part 4

You should start preparing for the cooler weather before it comes, therefore cleaning and maintenance is needed year round for the most part. Although it is most needed in preparation and throughout the cooler weather season, vacuuming your pond is a necessity for you to keep your pond in its best shape, and for the health of your koi.

Many overlook what’s on the bottom of their pond, and the buildup of muck can become detrimental to the quality of the water. It’s important to start cleaning before the pond reaches 50F because the fish will still be active and constantly moving during the warmer weather.  This makes them less likely to be affected negatively by the cleaning procedures, and lessens the chance of harmful toxins, fungi and parasites.

A Pond Vacuum is a maintenance device that has minimum disturbance and can suck up debris from the hard to reach areas of your pond. Just like a regular vacuum for your household, pond vacuums are simple and hassle-free to use, making your pond maintenance routine easier than ever before.

Why vacuuming is neccessary

  1. Leaves and debris land on the pond surface all year and sink to the bottom, which will create an increase of ammonia through the winter months. – The rotting leaves, tree branches, dead aquatic plants that fall into your pond through time ruins the oxygen levels of the pond, which can harm your fishes’ health. Using a pond vacuum can help you get to hard to reach areas to suck up debris and keep your water clear and in its best shape.
  2. Algae dying from cooler water temperatures sinks to the bottom. – The aquatic life also contributes to the debris that can build up at the bottom of the pond, which can cause ammonia for your fish from its alteration of oxygen levels. It is best to remove them from the bottom of the pond to prevent it in the best way you can.
  3. Excess fish food and fish waste sink to the bottom of the pond. – When feeding your fish, their diets can change throughout the cooler weather, and feeding the perfect amount every time is not guaranteed. The fish food and their waste can contribute to the debris as well.

TYPES OF POND VACUUMS

AUTOMATIC – The PV450L by PondMAX is an electric pond vacuum designed to provide high suction and a large capacity waste tank. When in auto mode the PV450L will suck until the tank is full and then automatically go into standby while it drains the waste tank for 30 seconds. Then it returns to suction mode and makes cleaning out the debris in the bottom of your pond or fountain a breeze.

MANUAL – The ProSucker from PondMax is also a great manual option. It makes it very easy to clear out the light muck that build up in a smooth bottom water feature. The ProSucker uses the pressure from your garden hose to create a vacuum and pull out the waste.

Consider these options from PondMAX and contact your local store to check availability.

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Preparing Your Pond for Cooler Weather, Part 3

When preparing for the cold weather, pond maintenance and koi care are equally important so that your fish will last through the colder months.

Koi and pond fish are cold-blooded animals, which means their bodies respond to how warm or cold they are according to their surroundings. Cold weather could cause loss in appetite and digestion problems.

When water temperature reaches lower at 60°F, it’s best to change their diet to a wheat germ base that has low protein, making it easier for your fish to digest. When water temperature drops to 55°F, the metabolism of your fish will begin to slow down and you should reduce the amount you feed them.

Benefits of Cold Weather Fish Food

  • Highly Digestible

The cold weather weakens their digestive systems, and having easy to digest foods will help them be able to consume the appropriate amounts.

  • Low In Protein

Proteins are harder to digest than other nutrients, and during this time of year your Koi and Goldfish need low protein diets to help the digestion process.

  • Vegetable Based

Low protein and wheatgerm foods are most ideal for feeding in cooler temperatures, and help keep the ammonia to a minimum.

Consider these Cold Weather/Wheat Germ Fish Food for fall and contact your local store to check availability.

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Preparing Your Pond for Cooler Weather, Part 2

Koi Ponds and watergardens are a very nice addition to any backyard. We enjoy them all spring and summer, as a cool refreshing place to relax near with friends and family. As cooler temperatures come and fall arrives don’t suddenly abandon your pond, get prepared like a water garden expert with these helpful tips. Following are some great tips…..

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Preparing Your Pond for Cooler Weather, Part 1

It is essential to maintain the health of your pond, especially during the winter. However, pond maintenance during the fall/winter season must be done properly. To help ensure that owners care for their ponds the correct way we have put together this series of articles to help guide your preparedness.

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How A Pond Can Add Value To Your Property

Based on ponds’ effect on property values, it’s clear most people enjoy the sight of water — and they’re willing to pay extra to get it. For homeowners whose property size or location isn’t quite suitable for a full-scale pond, adding even a small water feature, such as a waterfall or fountain, to your front yard can….

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How To Plan For Building A Pond

What kind of pond is best for your property? Water features are a gorgeous addition to any home, but there are several factors to consider when planning in order to choose the best kind of pond or other water feature for your lifestyle and…

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7 Steps For Maintaining A Clean Pond

Most pond enthusiasts know that good water quality is integral to the health and aesthetic of any pond habitat. However, for many people new to the world of pond maintenance, sourcing and maintaining good water quality in their home ponds can be a struggle. For instance, you might notice that even with clear waters, your pond’s fish are…..

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How to Backwash a PondMAX Filter

With PondMAX professional filter systems you will find weekly maintenance a breeze! The Spin to Clean backwash is the easiest backwash system on the market today. Watch this video to learn how it works in more detail.

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