Last month class as fantastic and I am looking forward to this weekend class. This certification course is definitely worth the time. A lot of knowledge, I already feel I have grown mentally, and spiritually. My mind is buzzing with ‘zones’ and ‘guilds’. Solar path finders are so cool. I can’t wait to explore more of the Sirius Community. And I got a little snow shoeing in!
August is here. These bees are working hard in this heat and humidity. I think they are doing better than I am:) The thistle is beautiful and it attracts birds, bees and butterflies…and deer do not like them
First before everything else you must have a good filter system. I prefer the Biofall/skimmer filtration system.
The skimmer removes the larger debris from the surface of the pond and gives a clean place for the pump to sit so it does not get clogged.
The biofilter is where the water gets filtered. The water usually enters the biofilter and passes through filters and some sort of media that supplies a large surface area for bacteria to grow (lava rock/ribbon/bioballs/sponges). This is also a great place for plants and is usually where you waterfalls begin.
Plants compete with algae for food. So the more plants you have in the pond the better. Please view what are the invasive plants in your area and don’t buy or use them. I like to float water hyacinth in my biofalls because the long roots feed on the nutrients the filter traps.
Bacteria and Enzymes are also used to breakdown and use up the nutrients in with water. In the spring we add beneficial bacteria to the pond because the cold weather decreases the numbers over the winter. If you drain and power wash you pond you also kill off the good bacteria so you need to add more.
Barley straw placed under a falls or pellets put in the biofilter help deter string algae, it is a deterrent. As the barley breaks down in the presence of bacteria, sunlight and oxygen, the compounds are converted into low levels of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide modifies the pond chemistry to improve pond clarity. Hydrogen peroxide itself is relatively unstable and does not persist in water, but the slow release effect from the barley straw provides a constant source of hydrogen peroxide. The effects from barley straw will begin as early as one to two weeks after installation, and will remain effective for between three to four months.
Green Clean is a product with organic approval that is a granular based peroxide. It works on contact with algae. I use it on waterfalls and when spring cleaning a pond. READ THE LABEL BEFORE USE!!!!
I have some clients with large koi that only UV Sterilizers help. Remember that the algae must pass by the light in order to affect it.
Dyes have been helpful to decrease the growth of algae. I have used blue in a larger watergarden to deter the growth of curly pond weed.
Simple living is about bringing consciousness into our lives and overcoming entitlement. If you’re out and you’ve forgotten your travel mug, you don’t deserve coffee. And, if you make this small sacrifice this time, you’re almost cetain to remember to bring it the next.
-Wanda Urbanska
one cup a day for 20 years is over 7000 cups in the landfill
As you can tell postings are new to me but I am going to try to post weekly. Jason Gallagher from Skytemple Design (a fellow member of Business Builders BNI)is helping me with Social Networking. I now have my business on Facebooks.
Tax season is almost done, ends Tuesday here in Massachusetts!!! I will be able to dive in this week to get my clients ponds done now. Thank you everyone for your patience.
It was a beautiful weekend and I was able to open two clients’ ponds. Some of my clients say their spring does not begin until they can hear their waterfalls going. Yes, very tranquil indeed!
I have received call from people about what to do with pass algae problems so I posted a page that I hope will help. The pond community is a very friendly group so as always if anyone has anything to add I am always eager to know what is working out there.
Was at Tripple Brook Farm in Southampton Saturday. BoyScouts (Pack 211) were splitting plants for a plant sale. If you have not been on Tripple Brook Farm’s website it is a must. I’ve worked with Steve and Ruth in the past and they both are a wealth of information.
In Montague today, had to take a picture of the falls!
