What size weights to use for anchoring a pond fountain

What size weights to use for anchoring a floating pond fountain or lake aerator:

It is so important to follow these guide lines for anchoring a pond fountain or decorative aerator when using weights. If not done properly, the force of the motor can cause the unit to spin and pull the float down under the water, impeding the spray of the nozzle. Here is a chart of the minimum weight for each anchor according to the size of the floating fountain.

Secure a 3/8" or thicker nylon anchoring line to each of the two attached eyebolts on the shaft of the unit, or thru the holes on each side of the float. Make sure lines are long enough to extend outwards, 10 - 15 feet apart for pond fountains, for lake aerator 20 - 25 feet apart at a 45° angle to the pond or lake bottom.

Size of display aerator or decorative pond fountain:

1/3 HP - 20 lbs each

1/2 HP - 25 lbs each

3/4 HP - 25 lbs each

   1 HP - 35 lbs each

1.5 HP - 45 lbs each

   2 HP - 45 lbs each

   3 HP - 55 lbs each

   5 HP - 75 lbs each

At this point, your display aerator or pond fountain can be floated into position in your pond or lake. Once you have decided on a suitable location for the fountain to be placed, simply attach a boat anchor, concrete block, or similar weighted item to each of the two nylon lines. Once attached, place those anchors at the bottom of the pond spaced appropriately for the size unit. 

How to control Planktonic Algae

Planktonic Algae?

Physical Distinctions:

Planktonic algae is a microscopic weed that when it covers the surface of the pond it can have a blue green color to it, and sometimes a green and orange color.

The good and bad of Planktonic Algae

Planktonic algae blooms are considered important in the beginning of the pond food cycle. However, if the growth gets out of control, too much planktonic algae will deplete the oxygen and threaten fish kills.

How to control it:

Floating, planktonic algae cannot be removed, except by replacing the pond water that does not have planktonic algae. This is not possible or practical so the best way to control it to keep it at a minimum is to install a floating pond fountain or lake aerator. This will help to keep the pond oxygenated and help retard the algae blooms.

Pond dyes will also help to keep the algae growth to a minimum as well as beneficial bacteria. All options are environmentally safe and will enhance the beauty of your pond or lake.

How to get rid of Watermeal

What is Watermeal and how to get rid of it?

Watermeal is a very tiny rootless floating plant. It is hard to see until it groups together, in a large mass on the surface of the pond. Watermeal is often mistaken for Duckweed.

Watermeal is a native weed, and is invasive. Duckweed and mosquito fern often grow together with watermeal. Just like any other floating weed, if it is allowed to spread and cover the surface of the pond or lake, it will deplete the oxygen and possibly cause fish kills.

The good and the bad:

Watermeal is not a necessary food source for ducks, but they will often eat it. However the ducks can also carry it to other ponds or lakes in the area.

So what are safe control options?

The best way to get watermeal out of the body of water is to use a large net with a long pole that has a float on it to scoop it out. It is hard to rake it out because watermeal is so tiny, which makes it difficult to remove. The Lake Rake is the best option because it has the float on it. That makes it easier to skim across the surface. To make it work better, wrap the Lake Rake with a dense netting, so that it works like a scoop.

The next best option is to install a floating pond fountain or decorative aerator in your pond. Both will aerate to put oxygen back in the pond but also, push the watermeal towards the shore for easier scooping.

How to control Chara in a pond or lake

What is Chara?

Description:

Chara has a strong almost garlic like smell. Grayish green micro branches that has a stiff or crumbly texture, and can resemble a flowering water plant. It does not flower and won’t extend above the ponds surface.

Pros and Cons of Chara:

Chara is eaten be a variety of ducks. Portions of Chara that are submersed provide habitats for many species of invertebrates. As the food chain goes, these invertebrates are then consumed by fish and other wildlife. As the water plants die, the bacteria and fungi from the decomposition provides nourishment for a variety of these invertebrates.

Natural Management Options

Physical Management Options:

Chara can be managed by using the Aquatic Weed Eradicator and Lake Rake, but is difficult to control because it re-establishes from spores and fragments.

Many types of mechanical weedremoval devices are available that cut or chop up aquatic weeds. Remember that many submerged aquatic weeds can regrow from fragments, therefore removal of cut fragments is also necessary to keep from spreading the unwanted plant.

Use products that are safe for pond environments like Muck Digester to naturally reduce the nutrient supply that feeds the Chara and many unwanted aquatic weeds.

Fertilization to supply a plant or algae bloom prevents the formation of most bottom rooting aquatic plants and produces a powerful organic food chain for the fish.

Non-toxic pond dyes or blue colorants stop or retard the growth of aquatic plant by limiting sunlight penetration, similar to fertilization. However, dyes do not enhance the natural organic phenomenon of the food chain.

Biological Management Options:

Grass carp does not control aquatic plants the first year they are stocked in the lake.. Grass carp stocking rates to control Chara are usually in the range of 7 to 15 carp for each surface acre.

Adding aeration to the pond:
All aquatic weeds prefer a stagnant water environment including Chara. Adding a pond aerator puts oxygen back in the pond and help prevent it from coming back.