December 2012 Pond Conditions Calendar
12/1/2012
water temp 52*, Air temp 35-60*, pH 7.8, Nitrates 0 (finally)
Nitrates are finally zero after not feeding for 1 month. Weekly filter cleaning and changed about 100 gallons. Water Loss about 90 Gallons for the week. Few leaves in the pond/basket thanks to netting. Fish are settled at bottom except on warm afternoons. Weather is unusually warm with no major cold snaps in sight. Water is still tea colored from leaf tannins.
12/8/2012
water temp 56*, Air temp 35-60*, pH 7.6, Ammonia 0, Nitrates 0-.5
weekly filter clean (2 dumps) + 2 midweek dumps of the filter. Trying to reduce brown color of water. Cleaned leaves/debris out of veggie filter.
12/23/2012
water temp 46*, Air temp 32-57*, pH 6.7, Nitrates 0.
Missed full filter clean last weekend but did double dump and full cleaning this week. Still lots of leaves blowing into pond so has tea color. pH meter is losing its screen so can not be sure of accuracy. Fish seem healthy and are still swimming near top on sunny days.
Expenses:
Water bill: $12 < 900 gallons.
4mil Plastic sheeting for cover: $20.
12/30/2012
water temp 44*, air temp 24-48*
Added plastic cover this week since night time temperatures are dropping below freezing. Seems to be helping. No filter clean this week but dumped the water twice. reduced water flow to limit air cooling. Fish seem ok and are hanging out at bottom. Will get some temps in upper 50's this week.
