February 2012 Pond Conditions
2/12/2012
It has been a warm February but turned very cold very quickly the last couple of days. Pond temp went from 54* down to 42*. It was too cold to clean the filter so I drained it and topped up the pond which helped raise the temperature to 45*. With all the sunshine this week there has been an algae bloom in the veggie filter. I also threw what was left of the hyacinth in there so if we get some warm temps again it may grow on its own. pH has been around 8.0-8.2. Other parameters not checked since I am not feeding the fish.
12/13/2012
Water temp 42-45*, air 20-55*, pH 8.1
Major fluctuations in temperatures this week. Should warmup later in the week. I finally cleaned the filter pads after 9 days.
12/17/2012
Water Temp 52*, Air 45-60*, pH 7.8 (calibrated)
Took the cover off since we are expecting a few nice warm days. Moved the air diffuser to the veggie filter so I could see into the pond the next couple of days. Cleaned some of the rocks and mortar bits off the floor of the pond by sweeping them into the bottom drain. Water is clear and fish look healthy.
Also turned jets opposite direction for a few days to see if fish swim other way and straighten out their tail fins. Fed the fish but they took a while to eat it. reduced flow over the falls.
12/22/2012
Water temp 52*, air temp 50*, pH 8.1
expecting warm weather in 70’s tomorrow then cooler through the weekend. Fish are more active but still hovering near bottom when approached.
2/25/2012
Water temp 52* (reached 60* this week), air temp 35-45*(reached high of 72*)
pH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrates 0, Nitrites 0, GH/KH barely reading.
Weekly water change and filter clean but doubled to give the filter a good clean out. Disassembled the Waterco pre-filter and cleaned the algae stuck to the sides. Replaced the crushed coral ($12 for 15lb bag) to prevent pH crash in the coming summer months. I think it also is what helps with the nitrification since it has a bunch of holes and rough surface area. Moved the air pump to the bio filter as an experiment.while I have no nitrates/nitrites I think it may help push the heavier algae and debris to the bottom of the filter and let the bacteria that fight algae work on it there.
2/29/2012 Leap day
Water temp 58*, Air temp 50-70*, pH 8.3, Ammonia 0, Nitrates 0, Nitrites 0, GH and KH beginning to register.
Finally getting some warmer weather. The crushed coral seems to be adding to the water hardness but only slightly. The tree above the pond is blooming so I will need to keep the skimmer running 24×7 since it tends to drop a lot of debris as the flowers bloom and spread seed. Started feeding with Saki Hikari multiseason diet today. Will monitor Ammonia and Nitrates carefully over next few weeks to insure I have adequate bio filtration.
BUDGET Water $13.86, Food $54, test strips $12, crushed corral $12, 2 Mugo pines $30, Dirt $12, New UV bulb $24.
Note for 2012 forward I plan to keep the cost of running the pond on the conditions calendar posts.
