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Water Changes When To Make Them?
After Winter
In the Spring it is always wise to do a gradual
partial water change of 20-40%, this is because during the winter
months with cold weather a lot of the ponds natural bacteria will
die, also as the water cools their rate of reproduction also slows.
Therefore the water will have a heavier carbon loading than normal
which is not good for aquatic life.
Before Using a Pond Treatment
If you have used a different pond treatment in
the last 6 months it is always wise to do a partial water change
(10-20%) before using a new treatment. This is because different
manufactures treatments have:
1) Different chemical formulas and they may not be
compatible with the product you are about to use.
2) Some products, even so called natural biological
products contain metals such as zinc, copper, aluminum etc.
These metals will build-up over a period of time in
your pond. They do not evaporate so you can only remove them via
water changes.
Doing the Water Change
Remember, do not change more than 20% every other
day, this is to give fish time to acclimatise to the different water
conditions.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Oxygen Requirements For Fish
Assess your pond before using any water treatment -
check levels of oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, general
hardness etc. Many fish fatalities are due to lack of oxygen in the
water, for example koi need 6 ppm dissolved oxygen at rest and
higher levels when active, most ponds require 8-10 ppm dissolved
oxygen. In all ponds, the biological filter and plants demand
dissolved oxygen first and the fish survive on the residue, in most
ponds supplementary aeration is vital to fish welfare. Any water
treatment can lower dissolved oxygen levels and water conditions may
decrease it still further.
WARM WEATHER CAUTION
- The higher the water
temperature is the lower the level of dissolved oxygen present
therefore in warm summer months adequate aeration is essential. The
factors below all affect pond water oxygen levels. Do not shut pond
pumps and aeration devices off at night.
-
Oxygen levels, derived from photosynthesis rise
during the day when sunlight shines on plants and green algae in the
water.
-
Oxygen levels, drop at night because pond
oxygenating plants and algae are not producing oxygen but consuming
it as well as the fish and bacteria, therefore do not use pond
treatments in the evening or early morning.
-
Muggy, overcast summer days often precipitate
oxygen depletions. During cloudy weather, the intensity of light
reaching surface waters is greatly diminished, resulting in a marked
decrease in oxygen production from photosynthesis. Oxygen
consumption, however, remains unchanged. This results in a net loss
of oxygen over each 24-hour period.
-
The recent use of another pond product increases
the risk of an oxygen deficit especially medical treatments and water
de-chlorinators.
-
Fish species vary with the volume of dissolved
oxygen they need for survival and fish such as large Koi have a much
greater requirement. The larger the fish the more oxygen it needs.
-
A waterfall or fountain moves the water but fails
to produce the minute air bubbles that provide oxygen. An air pump
(sized for your water volume) which adds oxygen via air stones /
diffusers is recommended for all ponds.
-
Test kits are available from aquatic outlets to
test water parameters.
If despite precautions, fish rise to the surface
and gaps use a hosepipe to introduce oxygenated water temporarily
while an air pump is immediately installed.
Which Order to Use Hydra Products?
When treating your pond with multiple Hydra Aquatic
products do not mix products but use the products in the following
order:
1) Quartz. 2) Crystal. 3) Water Dyes. 4) Bio Aquatic
Bacteria Boost. 5). Phos-Gone. 6). Silt-Less.
As with all pond treatments only use when you can
observe fish - in the unlikely event of an adverse reaction. Always
leave at least 5 days between adding different treatments to ensure
the previous treatment has been completely exhausted. If using the
Quartz and Crystal in the same pond do a 10-20% water change after
using the Hydra Quartz. No need to do a water change when adding
other products listed above. In lakes because the volume buffering
capacity is much greater there is no need to do water changes.
Hydra Bio Aquatic Bacteria Boost - Blue Measuring
Spoon - 1 level spoon = 1 oz, 1 heaped spoon = 1 and Half oz
Boosts the ponds natural bacteria levels this
accelerates breakdown of organic material and out-competes algae for
nutrients required for their growth. If using other treatment wait
for 48 hours before using
Hydra Bio Aquatic Bacteria Boost.
During treatment
All bacteria consume oxygen and they will reduce the
amount available for fish, therefore ensure adequate aeration by
water pump or air pump. Allow plenty of time to observe fish in the
unlikely advent of an adverse reaction. Leave UV lights switched off
for first 24 hours to give bacteria a chance to be established.
Application Method
Either add directly to biological filter or mix with
1:20 with water from pond or lake in plastic bucket, leave to
activate for 20 minutes then pour the solution around the surface of
the water. Diluted form is to be used within 30 minutes of mixing.
If possible circulate treated water by pump for even distribution.
See label for dilution rates.
Hydra Crystal - Blue Measuring Spoon
Initial Dosage - 1 heaped spoon treats 100 gallons
Maintenance Dosage - 1 heaped spoon treats 400
gallon
Activated by water the product immediately starts to
electrically charge individual algae cells so that they clump
together. They either sink to the bottom of the pond where the
filter system will clear them or float to the top. If there isn't a
filter system - particles will simply settle and decompose over
time. Best time to apply is late morning to early afternoon.
Do Glass Test Before Applying To Pond
Take a sample of water from your pond into a clear
glass. Add a pinch of
Hydra Crystal
(as in pinch of salt) to
glass and stir with spoon. The water will initially go cloudy then
you will start to see clumps forming as it pulls the green algae out
of the water (within 30 minutes). Leave overnight and depending on
product used you should be left either with a fine sediment at the
bottom of the glass or algae floating on the surface with the
remainder of the water crystal clear.
N.B.
If for any reason the above does not
happen, please speak to our Technical Helpline on 1-866-809-7286 before using the product
During treatment
Ensure adequate aeration by water pump and or air
pump. Remember algae is adding oxygen to your water, therefore
removing it will lower your oxygen levels. Allow plenty of time to
observe fish - in the unlikely advent of an adverse reaction. Clean
mechanical filters before starting treatment and keep these filters
clean during treatment. Either dose Hydra Product at pump outlet,
broadcast over pond surface, or dilute with tap water and add as a
slurry. If powder floats on surface use hose with spray jet to mix
into water body.
Circulate treated water thoroughly for even mixing
and distribution. Leave UV and pump switched on. If you find that the
algae floats on top of the water (as a scum) during treatment it is
important that this is removed from the pond, using old tights, sheet
or towel to line a net. Bring this underneath the algae and net
algae out. If this is not removed it could interfere with the normal
air / water exchange of oxygen. In extreme cases if no improvement is
seen - repeat application (after 48 hrs). Before retreating always
take a sample of your pond water into a clear glass to check that it
is in fact green and not simply suffering from suspended solids.
Hydra Quartz - Blue Measuring Spoon - 1 level spoon
= 30g, 1 heaped spoon = 45g
Initial Dosage - 1 heaped spoon treats 100 gallons
Maintenance Dosage - 1 heaped spoon treats 500
gallon
Hydra Quartz
are easy
to use granules which start working on contact, they starve the
blanket weed by chelating and absorbing nitrates and phosphates
which are essential for blanket weed growth.
During treatment
Ensure adequate aeration by water pump or air pump.
Remember algae is adding oxygen to your water, therefore removing it
will lower your oxygen levels. Allow plenty of time to observe fish
- in the unlikely advent of an adverse reaction. Clean mechanical
filters before starting treatment and keep these filters clean
during treatment. Easy to use simply sprinkle or broadcast onto
affected areas. Switch off pumps for 30-60mins whilst ensuring water
is oxygenated. UV lights can be left on during treatment.
In extreme cases if no improvement is seen - repeat
application (after 48 hrs).
When To Use at Maintenance Dosage
Use every 1-2 month at maintenance rate to keep pond
clear of blanket weed.
N.B.
Do not use if the pond is clear of blanket
weed (wait until it starts to appear). If you have to repeat any
Hydra Quartz
treatment leave at least 48 hours between
consecutive treatments and change 10% of pond volume before
subsequent treatment.
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