OMG - what a mess

[tucker]

Finally have an area large enough that is thawed in my pond (probably 3' x 3' - out of an area of 15' x 15') that is near an edge. The sun is out, so I ventured out to try and see what was going on, if anything. Should never have done that, lol.
First thing I noticed when getting close, is all these little clumps of green stuff floating on the top, some yukky algae type of thing. The closer I got, I noticed the greener the water was looking - not a dark pea green, looks more like little (but large enough to see) suspended pieces of algae floating all around. Where the ice is melted, there are some pots with lots of algae (doesn't look like string algae) off the sides.
I have kept a hole open all winter (except for 1 day), and the pond was cleaned real good last fall. They are calling for temps in the 50's by the end of the week, so hopefully, the ice will start melting soon.
Questions - how soon, once the ice melts, can I start shop vacing some of this stuff up, without stressing my goldies. Should I wait for certain temps?
As soon as the ice melts, can I get my pump going (at least having it go to a temp filter containing lots and lots of quilt batting?

Good news is that I saw alot of my goldies slowing swimming along the bottom....one of the biggest ones even swam up about 2 feet towards me....think she was saying, where is Spring? :wink:

Karyl

[Terri]

Well I think spring has won the battle over winter (fingers crossed) ;)

If the pond water is above 45F then go for it. What's the temp of your tap water (it's well water?)? As soon as the ice is off do your vac with a water change, you could add a small pump with the batting idea... if the pond temp is around 50-55F then you could start your pump/filters up. (that's what I'd do anyways....)

Before you do this, test your water to get a baseline.

Glad the goldies are doing well :-)

[Dewi]

I leave my pump on all year round, but I turn my UV off and slow the pump down to about 50% of its capacity, have always done this, is there any reason why I shouldn't???

[Jackie Ramo]

I run my system all winter. In the really cold places its discouraged as folks feel it can over chill the water. Wales is warmer than here.

[Ron C]

I have the same stuff growing in my pond. YUP it is gross looking. I have a DIY pond vac that I made last year, and I vacuumed it all out about three weeks ago. Guess what it has grown back. A friend of mine told me it is a winter type algae and will die off when the temp raises. The stuff growing on the bottom and sides is over two inches deep, as I can't even see the brick my Koi Cam is tied to. Then there is the stringy stuff that is growing from the lillie pots and laying on top.

I hope my friend is right, cuz other wise the fish will go into qt and I will drain the pond and clean all that gunk out. I did try putting in some algaefix, but it didn't do anything. Maybe it is too cold. Last time I looked the water was at 45 df.

[Jackie Ramo]

Ron, I can't count how many people are sorry they used algaefix... Just wait, it is cold water algae and the first food for the fish. You don't want the fish to starve do you???? :-) Mine were up and muching today, there is even one bare patch on the side.... must have been hungry!!!

[Busy B]

Do you think that having your waterfall on all year has helped to open the ice up faster Jackie?

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, mine is one of the first ponds to open up and warm up. All the ice should be gone today even without the sunshine. The water movement through the middle of the pond prevents the ice from getting deep so it thaws faster. I've even had the centre part open several times this winter.

[Busy B]

And it doesn't cool the water more? You don't have to worry about keeping a hole open...the falls did it?

[Jackie Ramo]

Yes, the falls and skimmer act as the degasser. Mind I do set the waterfall so it doesn't flow to the bottom and of course the skimmer only takes surface water. The fish are undisturbed and once the ice forms stay at the 39F range. Without the ice layer they do get colder. Also my pond is 4' 9" deep, almost 5 feet so well below the frost line for here. The warmth of the bottom helps.