GENERAL: If you have a mild problem with your fish and need a general
                 cure-all or wish to disinfect the pond without removing the fish
                 then 'Medifin' pond treatment can be used.

        YOU CAN ALSO ASK US ABOUT YOUR POND PROBLEMS.
        USE THIS DIAGNOSTIC PAGE TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF
        YOUR PROBLEM BEFORE SENDING US THE INFORMATION

BLANKETWEED: Airborne microscopic thread algae spores which attach
                           themselves to the sides of the pond and or fountains,
                           pumps, plants etc.
TREATMENT: Quite difficult to eradicate once established.

Remove as much as possible by spinning a rough stick within a clump.
Check the level of Ammonia, Phosphate and Nitrate present in the water with a commercial test kit, try and get these as low as possible as these feed Blanketweed.

                       Introduce more broad leaf plants into the pond.
                       Ensure you are not over feeding the fish?
                       If all fails, try Commercial Treatments 'Algofin Blanc Kit'
                       'Algofin Plus' 'Algin P' 'Blanc-Kit' 'Phos-Kit'.

GREEN WATER: Airborne algae spores representing a large group of
                          microscopic plant organisms which turn pond water into "Pea
                          Soup", clogging filters and preventing you seeing the fish.
                          Heavy infestations can kill fish by producing too much
                          oxygen in sunlight causing "Air Embolisms" by day or
                          "Asphyxiation" at night by absorbing the oxygen in the
                          water.
TREATMENT: If possible reduce the sunlight reaching the pond;
                       add more pond plants into the pond, or consider putting a
                       Pergola over a formal pond.
                       Check the level of Phosphate and Nitrate present in the water,
                       try and get these as low as possible as this feeds the algae.

                       Have you too many fish? Are you over feeding them?
                       If you filter the pond, fit a UV tube in the filter line before
                       thefilter.
                       If all fails then try a Commercial Treatment: 'Algae Kit'
                       'Algiclear' 'Algizin A' 'Algorem' (may effect other plants)
                       'Barley Straw' and 'Excel" (will not).

HERONS: Herons have absolute protection, it is illegal to kill, injure or maim
                one. This said, they are a major problem if attracted to a garden
                pond.
                A garden pond stocked with fish provides easy picking for a Heron
                and it will visit time and time again until all the fish are gone.
                You have to convince the bird that there are no pickings to be had.

The initial action is to completely net the pond over with a heavy duty netting, it is made to give support to such plants as peas or beans and will be made up of 100mm/4" x 100mm/4" squares and is available from the larger Garden Centres. This is suspended 150mm/6" above the water level and may require supporting in the centre of the pond.

Of course, a Heron can fish through netting with squares of this size it is only used to take the weight of the Heron without sagging and to support a covering of fine fruit netting. After a few fruitless trips to the pond the bird soon gets the message and stops coming. The netting can then be removed.
Bird Scarers are also said to be effective against cats and seagulls.
More HERE

SNAILS: There are several species of freshwater water snails native to
               Britain. None are to be welcomed in an ornamental pond.
TREATMENT: Once established only Commercial Treatments will have any
               effect. All of which will kill the fish and most damage plants.
               Thoroughly check all plants for snails and snail spawn before
               introducing them into the pond.

PROTEIN FOAM: Foam formed by waterfalls or fountains, often
                            with a Brown, Grey or a Greenish scum in the bubbles or at
                            the edges of thefoam. Caused by protein in the water from
                            overfeeding fish, by fertilizers leaching into the pond from
                            the surrounding land or a rockery and protein released
                            from the decomposition of dead animals/fish or
                            plant material.
TREATMENT: By removing the protein, Phosphates. Ammonia, Nitrite and
                       Nitrate. You are most likely overfeeding the fish.
                       If you filter, check that it is working efficiently - get it
                       working by priming with 'Cycle' or 'Bio-Start' bacteriological
                       agents that promote and speed up natural biological action.

When treating Blanketweed or Green Water with a chemical treatment, the release of protein from the dead cells can cause foaming, however, this will settle down.
If all else fails try Commercial Treatments: 'Algae Kit Phosphate Remover' 'Antifoam' 'Clarifin'.

© FBAS 2004 RCM/RDE                                    Pond Care Sheet 11 1/2

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