As the water temperature rises
above 6 degrees centigrade the fish can be fed sparingly with low
protein foods to aid digestion which may be slow after winter
hibernation.
The fish can be inspected for any clinging
parasites they may have picked up. These should be identified
and dealt with accordingly.
Re-pot or divide plants as
necessary. Move lilies nearer the surface to speed up
growth.
Introduce any new fish but check that you don't
have to many for the pond size, as a guide for each square
foot of surface area of the pond 2-3 inches of fish may be
kept.
Allow for fish growth, especially Koi Carp which
double in size yearly for app 6 years.
SUMMER
Top up water lost through
evaporation adding the correct amount of anti chlorine
solution if using tap water.
As pond temperatures rise, the
oxygen level will fall so if the fish are seen gasping at the
surface action must be taken. As an emergency measure a jet of
water from a hose can be directed at the water surface. A
permanent solution such as a waterfall or fountain should be
considered.
Remove any dead leaves from the pond. Thin out
plants as necessary to avoid them choking the pond and keep
control of blanket weed by removing by hand or twirling round
a stick.
There are devices on the market to control blanket
weed such as magnets and chemicals but they don't work that
often. The nutrient/ph level of the water is usually the
culprit, and there are kits to test for incorrect levels - but it
all gets rather complicated. Watch out for dead frogs in the
pond as they will cause the water quality to rapidly
deteriorate.
AUTUMN
Keep fallen leaves off of the pond
with a net stretched over it.
Pine needles produce tannic
acid which is harmful to fish, finer mesh is needed to stop
these, something like net curtain.
Continue feeding the
fish as much as they will eat in 5 mins. Give a wheatgerm type
food as the temp drops and metabolism slows.
At the end of
the season trim back growth on lilies above the crown and
lower to deeper water, other semi hardy plants should also be
lowered to prevent icing up.
WINTER
Unless the pond freezes solid keep
the pump running but raise it to within a foot of the surface
so as not to disturb warmer water at the bottom of the pond
where the fish live over winter
To prevent the pond icing
over use a pond heater which floats on the surface and keeps a
hole free from ice.
Do not ever crack ice forcibly as this
can shock the fish. A pot of boiling water may be used to melt
through the ice.
Stop feeding the
fish.
