Wintertime Fish Kill

Animal metabolism and oxygen consumption are greatly reduced in cold water. Cold water is able to retain more dissolved oxygen than warm water. Therefore, in a typical pond there is sufficient oxygen contained in the water to support fish life.

Wintertime fish kill is often the result of a steady decrease in oxygen during a long period of ice cover. In early winter the body of water is saturated with oxygen and wind at the surface created a continuous mixing that keeps oxygen and temperatures uniform. In mid-winter ice can begin to form, eliminating the mixing and oxygen transfer of the open water. The sole source of oxygen becomes the small amount produced by the few remaining algae and plants. While greatly reduced, oxygen contribution from photosynthesis is still possible as long as the ice is thin enough to allow sunlight to permeate through. A more critical problem develops late into harsh winters where the ice thickens considerably or is covered by dense snow.

The greater the volume of water in a pond the less likely the chance of winterkill. More water simply translates to more available oxygen. Dead, decaying aquatic vegetation is another significant factor in ponds that experience winterkill. A pond bottom covered with these materials will have a reduced oxygen supply as bacteria attempt to break down the material producing gases that can be toxic to fish. If the pond has a high fish load the effects of reduced oxygen are amplified.

As long as the pond is open or partially open, oxygen levels will likely remain sufficient during winter months. Natural oxygen levels can quickly rebound during a warm period of two to three days if ice buildup is reduced. A diffused aeration system is the single most important preventative measure that a pond owner can take against winterkill. Aeration not only directly adds oxygen, but the boiling action it created is often able to keep a hole in the ice and reduce overall ice buildup.

Summertime Fish Kill

Oxygen production due to photosynthesis is highest during the summer. Warm water and long hours of daylight maximize the amount of oxygen producing algae and plants. However, the respiratory processes of animal, plant and bacteria are also at their highest levels at this time. As long as daytime oxygen production outpaces nighttime consumption a summertime fish kill due to oxygen will not occur.

Many ponds can become choked with vegetation during summer months, which doesn’t directly cause a fish kill. Issues may arise in ponds with excessive vegetation during a period of hot, calm and cloudy days. Just like a pond surface covered in heavy ice and snow, a substantial reduction of sunlight reduces oxygen production.

Herbicides and algaecides can indirectly affect fish populations depending on the amount and type of vegetation being treated. When excessive aquatic vegetation is treated late in the season, the simultaneous die off can create a substantial build up of decaying organic matter. This breakdown requires massive amounts of oxygen to process. Additionally, the vegetation is often the major contributor of new oxygen into the body of water.

A summer pond can become stratified, meaning warm upper layers sit on top of separate and distinct cold bottom layers. The oxygen rich upper layer is sufficiently mixed by wind while the bottom most layers may be completely devoid of oxygen by late summer. Cold water is denser than warm water, therefore drops to the bottom of the pond. If a stratified body of water is suddenly mixed by a weather event such as heavy cold rain the result may be a large fish kill.

As long as the amount of vegetation is in balance with the aquatic life a fish kill can be avoided; the prevention of a summertime fish kill is closely related to wintertime prevention. Again, the best method to prevent fish kills is to install an aeration system to mix and add oxygen to the pond.

The post What Causes Fish Kills? …and how to prevent it. appeared first on EasyPro Pond Products.

Installing aeration to a pond or lake is the single most valuable water management and water maintenance strategy that can be implemented. The movement of oxygenated water from the bottom up provides a long list of benefits to your water.

The older a body of water, the higher the organic muck load and the higher total oxygen demand (TOD). Put simply, ponds and lakes age. Aeration can stop and even reverse the effects of aging. Oxygen is the “fuel for the engine” that drives all biological and chemical processes in your water. Without oxygen nothing will decompose.  All the fish waste, dead algae/plant material, leaves, etc. that fall to the pond bottom will only continue to build up unless there are sufficient oxygen levels to maintain aerobic bacteria colonies. These bacteria in turn accelerate the decomposition process and aid in the overall biological balance of a lake or pond.

Bubbling fountains and diffused air systems are commonly used to increase the natural levels of oxygen. The added oxygen, and equally important, the circulation created by these devices help to create a stable and productive ecosystem.

Fountains are a popular choice when decorative looks are desired, they float on the surface and spray water up into the air. As the water droplets fall back to the surface they pick up oxygen. Fountains also create surface ripples and circulation which helps control surface algae and duckweed, but do not contribute much in the way of deep ponds. Shallow ponds, where the sunlight reaches the bottom and wind action helps stir the water, may benefit most from a surface aeration system.

Deeper bodies of water will seldom have good oxygen all the way to the bottom. Diffused air systems utilize a shore-mounted air compressor that pumps oxygen through a hose to a special diffuser lying on the pond bottom. Since the bottom of the pond is where the most oxygen is consumed, it is an ideal way to deliver oxygen to where it’s needed the most. As the bubbles rise out of the diffusers they create a “lifting” or boiling action, which creates considerable circulation throughout the pond. This circulation helps to prevent water stratification.

Stratification

To help understand the concept of stratification, let’s take a look at these two graphics. The first indicates what occurs in a pond without proper water mixing and oxygen. The body of water can be broken up into three layers of oxygen content.

• Warm, typically oxygen-rich
• Recurrent surface scum
• Floating weed masses

Metalimnion – The middle layer of a stratified body of water

• Zone of decreasing water temperature
• Zone of decreasing dissolved oxygen

Hypolimnion – The pond or lake bottom that becomes uninhabited when stratified

• Zone completely void of oxygen
• Cold water temperature
• Accumulating organic muck
• Weeds prevalent
• Unusable by fish and all aerobic organisms

The second graphic illustrates a body of water that has become de-stratified by the boiling action of a diffused aerator.

• Uniform temperatures
• Uniform oxygen levels
• Fish can use the entire pond all year long
• Improved water clarity
• Reversed aging effects
• Improved natural pond bacteria populations
• Fewer aquatic weed problems
• Improved fish habitat
• Less organic material accumulation
• Protection from winter and summer fish kills
• An enhanced pond ecosystem
• Reduced surface scum build-up
• A better swimming and recreation area

Aeration Coverage

The amount of surface area an aeration system will effectively cover is greatly dependent on two factors – depth and shape. The deeper an air diffuser is located, the more boiling action it will create and a larger area will be aerated.

Selecting EasyPro Diffused Aeration Systems

From individual components to Sentinel Deluxe aeration systems, we have a wide range of aeration solutions. Basic aeration kits include a compressor, tubing and diffusers. These systems require that the compressor be housed in barns, garages or other structures. Sentinel Deluxe systems provide all the components of the basic kits and include mounting the compressor, outlet assembly, fan and electrical components in a lockable  weather proof cabinet.

Custom tubing lengths or choosing a preferred diffuser type can be done by starting with a base kit and making appropriate adjustments. Because ponds come in all sizes and shapes, one of our standard kits may not work best for your application.

Need help choosing a system? Let us know the location of your pond, the average depth and the location of power supply and we can help select or design a system for your pond. You can call us at 231-834-7720 or fill out our online form to submit your Aeration System Request.

The post Breathing Life into Lakes and Ponds – Aeration appeared first on EasyPro Pond Products.

DEFEND your pond all season long!

This unique water treatment is designed to help keep your pond water clean and clear. Aqua Defend contains a proprietary blend of all-natural bacteria, enzymes and ingredients to buffer pond water and help keep rocks and waterfalls clean. The strong combination of ingredients will help keep your water feature looking its best!

• Bacteria blend is especially effective at breaking down waste and sludge buildup
• Additive to help prevent buildup on rocks, waterfalls and in streams*
• Additive to bind phosphates, buffer pH and help settling of particles

Available in 4 sizes:
(Click the Part Number to be taken to the product page.)

Download the Aqua Defend Data Sheet HERE

FIRST TIME ORDER DEAL:
BUY 3 CASES, GET 1 CASE FREE
of the same size on your first order!

Download the Aqua Defend 2023 Early Order Form HERE

The post Aqua Defend appeared first on EasyPro Pond Products.