Preparing your ponds balance
The following schedule has been developed to help you get a new pond (or newly cleaned pond) off to a good start - aiming to achieve a natural balance, and as a result, clear water. A pond will turn green, foamy, and have an odor in the first 90 days. To add water in chloramine areas put hose in bottom of pond and add water slowly. The purpose of this chart is to control the balance setup, not stop it. NOTE: Read instructions in the catalog for all chemicals you have purchased. Be aware of their capabilities and limitations.
Note: |
Use this setup for ponds up to 25,000 gallons. Ponds over 25,000 gallons switch to 25,000+ chart for maintenance after balance is achieved. |
DAY |
PROCEDURE |
Day 1 |
A. Use 2 oz. Quick Start per 100 gallons of pond water. 1) Oxygenating Grasses 2) Water Lilies 3) Bog Plants 4) Creeping Plants |
Day 5 |
A. Add one-pound Water Clarifier per 100 gallons of pond water. |
Day 12 |
A. Add 1/3 teaspoon Uberkler for each 100 gallons of pond water to a gallon of water and mix thoroughly until all crystals are dissolved. |
Day 15 |
Feed fish as much as they will eat in ten minutes - approximately one tablet per fish. Note: Over-feeding fish adds excess nitrogenous wastes to pond, fertilizing algae and endangering the health of your fish. |
Day 19 |
A. Repeat Uberkler treatment, using 1/3 teaspoon per 100 gallons. B. Inspect containers to insure plants are still properly planted. Note: When underwater the soil will often pack, exposing rooting areas of aquatic plants. Also, if oxygenating grasses are floating, they will have to be replanted and a 6" wire mesh dome placed over the container to prevent the fish from eating them while they root. |
Day 22 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 26 |
Repeat Uberkler treatment, using 1/3 teaspoon per 100 gallons. |
Day 29 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 33 |
Repeat Uberkler treatment. Use 1/2 teaspoon per 100 gallons for further treatment. |
Day 36 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 40 |
Remove Uberkler bottle cap and place ten inches below pond water surface. If cap is clearly visible, repeat Uberkler treatment and continue with day 43. If view of cap is clouded, return to day 1 and start again, deleting salt, Fish Stabilizer and Quick Start. |
Day 43 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 47 |
Use Uberkler as before. |
Day 50 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 54 |
Use Uberkler as before. |
Day 57 |
Feed fish as before. |
Day 61 |
Use Uberkler as before. At this time the pond will start to balance and control itself. It is important to stop chemical treatments. Avoid the temptation to overfeed your fish. If the pond water is not clear, check the oxygenating grasses, replacing or replanting as needed. Note: Amount of chemicals needed to fulfill chart: 2 lbs. Water Clarifier/100 gal.; 1/2 lb. Formulated Fish Salts/100 gal.; 2 oz. Fish Stabilizer per 10 inches of fish; 8 oz. Uberkler ponds under 500 gal.; 16 oz. Uberkler ponds over 500 gal.; 2 oz. Quick Start per 100 gal. |
Notes: |
Pond Set-up schedules product doses may vary from label instructions. Dosages have been altered for best results during transitional period of pond set-up. If you wish to add plants and fish to an out-of-balanced pond, it is best to drain and rinse the pond first and reestablish with elements needed for pond balance. Our preferred technique for getting a new pond started right! |