Dear Pond Loving Friends,

As you know, it is that time of year again. Spring is springing, buds are blooming, birds are singing, squirrels are back in business, and your pond will be bursting out all over with multitudes of life forms within days if not hours. Once again, there will be lots of things going on here at Pond Professors over the summer. So, have a look at the rest of the news letter and watch for dates of events on the rest of the website. Be sure to mark them on your calendar!

This year we are offering our regular and super Cleanouts. The only difference is in a super cleanout, we will spend more time rinsing gravel, powerwashing and picking up algea. Since we charge by the hour and have always tried to be cost effective, we usually do the best we can in a timely fashion. Just let us know if you would like us to spend more time cleaning your pond. Please remember it is impossible to get every bit of algea or debris out of your pond, but we do our best. After the cleanout, your pond will continue to grow some algea because the water is cold and the bacteria and plants are still dormant.

If you are interested in having your pond cleaned this spring, call
(608) 758-1979 to schedule an appointment or email us at info@pondprofessors.com

1. Displaying your pond and garden is key to helping us raise money for local charities. The more ponds we have on the parade the more tickets we will sell.
2. Our goal as a pond club and business is to educate future pond owners about the correct way to build ponds. Since most ponds are green, mosquito filled and high maintenance, they can’t believe a pond can look so beautiful. They also can’t believe your fish live in the pond all winter?!
3. Oohs and Aahs. Pond owners may take for granted the beauty of their yard, but others will let them know how unique and beautiful their water garden truly is.
4. Parade participants will help introduce others to more ecologically friendly ways to landscape their yards. The more grass we can rip out to install natural water features, the more we will be helping the environment. Water is the source of all life. Ponds fit everywhere.
5. Pond owners who are part of the Parade are invited to our Full Blown Customer Appreciation gathering. You can network with other pond owners. You will be able to gathering information from our employees along with getting some free items for your pond!!

Green water is typical in the early spring as the air and water warm before most aquatic plants break their winter dormancy. Prevention is the easiest remedy for green water algae. Check that nutrients are not entering the pond through runoff from surrounding lawns and grounds. Monitor your fish population: too many fish result in the production of excess nitrates that bring on an algae bloom. Remember to include submerged plants in your spring plantings at a ratio of one bunch per one-to-two square feet of water surface. They will effectively compete with algae in a pond not overburdened with fish or great amounts of decomposing organic matter. Controlling Algae with chemicals are only the start of bigger problems, many of these chemicals may also inhibit the growth of desirable aquatic plants or harm the fish population. One such ingredient in most algaecides (copper sulfate) removes the slime coating from fish and leaves them susceptible to parasites and disease. Another item used in some ponds is ultraviolet sterilizers. These lights are setup after the filter unit so that all water passes within a specific distance to kill any microscopic plant or animal life with in the water, not a desirable effect in a natural water garden. This form of algae control also presents a “cleanup” problem. If the dead algae collects on the pond bottom as seimen, the cycle of decomposing organic matter produces more nutrients for more algae. AND the problem never ends….WORK WITH NATURE NOT AGAINST IT!!! Chemicals and Ultraviolet lights are not in natures ponds which are clear and clean…

• Plants: to compete with Algae for pond nutrients
• Physical removal: physically remove the clumps of algae
• Don’t over feed the fish: food not eaten will increase nutrients
• Fix Leaks: Continually adding tap water increases nutrients
• Control Run off: Fertilizer & Insecticides will harm life in your pond
• Remove Debris: Decaying leaves will contribute to unwanted algae
• Clean Bio-Falls: Completely once a year BUT only once per year
• RELAX: Getting back in balance will take a few weeks each spring.