Lazy Fish Worries

If your fish hang out at the bottom of the pond, or act restless and lazy, then it's likely that your pond is suffering from poor aeration.

When oxygen levels drop below 7 PPM it not only affects the ability of your fish to breathe, but it also negates your pond's bio filtration systems. That's because optimum bio filtration results require large quantities of air. When bio filtration degrades it results in the buildup of toxic ammonia levels. This, in return, causes stress in your fish which can result in lethargy and even death.

Your immediate first aid calls for increasing oxygen levels at once. Unlike chemical treatments, you can't cause any problems by putting "too much" oxygen into your pond. The easiest way to maintain oxygen levels is to run an aeration pump 24 hours a day. If you are already doing that, and your oxygen levels are still too low, then either your pump is defective, undersized for the pond, or your water temperatures are so high that the water is not capable of retaining sufficient oxygen. Treat whichever of these conditions exist.

Once you have cured the oxygen generation system problems, its time to test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and pH. It's also a good idea to test for total alkalinity and hardness. Adjust any levels that are out of normal ranges using pond additives that are designed for each problem.

If you found multiple problems, or suspect that you have a general water quality issue, then you should commence a daily changing of 20-40% of your pond's total volume until you have turned the water over twice. Of course, you need to use chlorine-free water. After you have turned the water over twice you should perform all of the tests that I wrote about earlier and make any required adjustments.

If your fish do not recover, or you are experiencing kills, then you may have a parasite or other health problem. Check our article archives for potential solutions.

**************************************************
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly
newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over
9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE
'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!
**************************************************

---

Creativity with Ponds

Here's where your creative instincts kick in. This is where... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Yours to Design and Plan

To design a wild flower garden, you do not need... Read More

The Swallowtail -- A Beautiful Butterfly

Swallowtail butterflies are some of the most beautiful butterflies found... Read More

10 Tips to Care for Your Antique Ceramics

To care for your antique ceramics you need a gentle... Read More

Choosing Pond Plants

A pond without plants is like cake without icing. Pond... Read More

What is Compost Tea?

Organic gardeners all know compost is fantastic stuff. But now,... Read More

A Rose is a Rose?

There are many varied definitions of what each color of... Read More

Grow Herbs in your Garden for Pleasure and Profit

Herbs can add a touch of magic to your garden... Read More

Ceiling Patio Heaters

It is unavoidable, Fall is coming and we like to... Read More

Growing Palms

Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the... Read More

Wooden You Like to Know? A Primer to Wood Outdoor Furnishings

To many people, wood is the quintessential building material for... Read More

Garden for Birds #4

I would like to know...WHO STOLE SUMMER???What did you do... Read More

Adirondack Furniture - What It is and Why You Want It

Adirondack is the name given to a style of furnishings... Read More

Organic or Chemical Feeding of Plants - Whats Best

A fundamental question in vegetable gardening is - what is... Read More

Teak Garden Furniture: A Natural Extension of the Home

In the past, the garden has traditionally been a separate... Read More

5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Cant Live Without

Gardening is fun and rewarding and may be considered a... Read More

Teak Patio Table - Why You Need One

Do you love to cook outdoors but end up having... Read More

Butterfly House in the Flower Garden

Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for... Read More

Understanding Weeds - But mostly How to Kill em

When I was a child, I loved to pick Dandelions.... Read More

Avoiding Unsightly Algae

Excessive organic matter in the pond provides nutrients for algae,... Read More

The Container Vegetable Garden

If you live in an apartment or town home, you... Read More

Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on... Read More

9-11 Changed Everything for the Garden Tractor Business

While traveling the US and occasionally taking the back highways... Read More

Pruning the Backyard Grapevine

Proper pruning of your backyard grapevines is essential to maintain... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More

What You Should Know About Miniature Roses

Miniature roses are exactly what they sound like. They have... Read More

Hummingbird Migration

Specific humming bird migration patterns differ by species and habitats,... Read More

Fountains of Refreshment

When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening verses Organic Gardening: Which Grows the Best Cannabis?

Copy-write 2005 Jan Money.Hydroponics gardening offers many advantages to the... Read More

Fall Garden Planning - Garden Plans for Next Spring and Ordering by Mail

It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and... Read More

What Type of Gazebo is Right for You? Top Questions You Need to Ask

Having a gazebo in the backyard is an excellent way... Read More

Fuchsia procumbens

Fuchsia (named after Leonhard Fuchs, a 16th century German botanist)... Read More

Wooden Greenhouses

An important addition to any British back garden, the greenhouse... Read More