Spring Start Up Checklist For Your Pond

Mark,

Another Emmy Award presentation! Thanks. Two questions. First, my pond is 3,000 gallons, so you I should add 30 pounds of salt? That seems like a lot. Do I simply throw the non-iodized pellets into the pond?

Second, on the check list, where do I insert: “Strategically place mink traps”?

Thanks.

Wes Shankland

Hi Wes,
Thank you for the comments…all good questions.

Other than the mink trap placement. My advice, don’t put them where you’ll likely step on one:)

As for the salt. Recommendations vary a bit since you might use less salt if you have plants, more if you do, and a quite a bit more if you are correcting something like a parasite problem with fish.

All things being equal, you will want to test the salinity of the pond water but the ratio of 1 lb per 100 gallons may take you to around 0.2%. With plants you would want to cut that dosage in half. And if you by chance overdo it a bit you can make partial water changes to bring the salinity down.

I don’t necessarily think that salt should be added frequently but it’s not bad to get things in order in the spring.

Your question actually leads me to think that I should do a video/pond tip segment on this very thing…so look for that in the near future with more details.

Thanks again,
Mark

Great info Mark especially about the salt, as I hear so many conflicting stories about salt. I have plants in the pond and it has approx. 1600 gal.so I am going to put in 8 lb.. Also my UV light. I understand that they last about 1200 hr..I run it 24/7 from approx. Mar. 1st until the end of Oct. Does this all sound about right? Thanks Joe

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the feedback. On the uv that sounds about right…give or take. I’d run it as long as you feel comfortable and know it’s working, you might get more mileage out of it.

On the salt, if you can hang in there, next week I’m going to cover this issue in more detail, it deserves more attention.

Take care,
Mark

you are so helpfull however one of my fish has a big growth over one eye im a little concerned about this any advice

Hi Gary,
I don’t consider myself a an expert on fish by any means. You might check on koivet.com as they have a lot of good information.

All the best,
Mark