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CATFISH IN YOUR BACKYARD POND. FRIEND OR FOE?

Mgannon — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:19:26 +0000

Probably the biggest misconception I see among pond owners is that introducing a catfish to your pond will help keep your pond cleaner. With respect I’d like to burst the bubble on that school of thought. Catfish, although scavengers, will not do anything to actually help keep your koi pond water garden clean; and may actually have a greater impact on lowering the overall water quality of your pond than your traditional koi and goldfish will! As a pond pro part of my job is to give advice that even I may not want to live by and that includes the advice I give about keeping catfish in your backyard koi pond or water garden installation. However; before I give my angle on catfish, we need to narrow down which type of catfish I am referring to. Most fishkeepers will be introduced to catfish via the aquarium hobby, and if that is the door you came in through then you know that there are many genus and species of “catfish”. Some of these catfish grow no bigger than an inch in length, while others can become behemoths capable of swallowing small animals! When it comes to catfish in your backyard pond we are not really stocking either of those extremes, but typically the catfish that go into our ponds and water gardens can get very large, very quickly; sometimes up to 10lbs! In the wild the channel cat can get up to 40+ lbs. By far the most popular catfish that is sold by water garden and pond centers is the channel cat; so for this argument’s sake let’s pick on them. The channel cat, Ictalurus punctatus, is most often sold to pond owners who have the belief that these fish will somehow keep our ponds cleaner and clearer by eating all the garbage, algae, and fish waste that occurs in the pond. Any experienced, honest pond fish reseller should tell you this will not be the case. The channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, is a fish of “MOSTS”. Ictalurus punctatus is the MOST populous catfish species in North America, it is the MOST popular catfish in aquaculture practices, it is the MOST adaptable catfish living in habitats from clear to muddy waters and lakes to streams, and the MOST popular state fish being the official fish for Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Tennessee! It is the MOST popular catfish with U.S. anglers, and the MOST tasty delicious catfish. It is also the MOST popular catfish for ponds, and possibly the MOST misunderstood choice of pond fish on the market. So let’s dish up the channel cat. The channel cat is an omnivore actually, which by default makes it a scavenger, but the channel cat is not a fish to depend on for housekeeping in your pond. In its natural settings the channel cat will eat “smelly” foods like decomposing fish, but also chow down on worms, crayfish, shrimp, other fish, lots of frogs, insects, larvae, seeds, and algae too. However; the channel cat will actually adapt very well to the feedings that you provide for your expensive koi and pond fish. They will very quickly become the primary consumer of your expensive fish food, easily muscling your koi out of the way at every feeding; and the channel cat can eat a lot! Channel cat in the pond equals skinny koi and high food bills. If the catfish is not satisfied with the feedings you provide it would not be surprising if smaller fish in your pond start to disappear. Blame the heron, but the catfish may not be so innocent either! Channel cats are also nocturnal, and become active at about the same time that most other pond and water garden fish are trying to settle down for the night. This may create a certain level of stress to the more desirable pond fish like koi and ornamental goldfish. The channel catfish is rarely bought for the purpose of adding beauty to the pond because they don’t have great coloring, typically grey or "gold". They also hide most of the time only coming out for feedings. And they will not create better water quality or reduce waste in your pond. For those that are enthusiasts of the keeping the channel cat in the backyard pond or water garden there are many good points to this fish. The channel cat is very easy to keep, being able to handle a wide spectrum of water quality. They will take just about any prepared fish food, so don’t be shy about buying that 50 lb. bag of trout chow to keep up with their appetite. They are not expensive and widely available. Channel cats can be bought small and grow out quickly. They handle low water temperatures no problem, and they live a long time with 12 to 20 years a typical life span. When they are big enough they can actually be ridden around your pond like a dolphin. Well, maybe they can’t be ridden, but the other positive aspects of the channel cat still hold water. Given the information you now have, you can decide whether keeping the channel catfish in your backyard pond is for you. General pond fish keeping hobbyists will love the channel cat for the many positive aspects they have. Those trying to keep a more controlled koi pond environment may want to think twice before buying these fish for their “housekeeping” reputation. Whichever the case, I am sure that the channel cat will be available to pond and water garden keepers for many years to come. Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

“POOR MAN’S KOI” AKA THE AWESOME SHUBUNKIN

Mgannon — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:11:44 +0000

You say Shubunkin, I say Shuboykin You say Shubumpkin, I Shubunkin Let’s call it all the same… or are they?! Shubunkin, the poor man’s koi, are beautiful and easy to care for calico goldfish. Shubunkin make a great choice for the backyard water garden pond adding color and liveliness to any setting. As a pond fish the shubunkin are cold hardy, can tolerate a wide spectrum of water conditions, accept many foods, and will reproduce pretty readily in a typical pond set up. They are available from most pond fish sellers; and with a reasonable price tag they have become a popular choice for water garden and pond owners. Even though shubunkin, or Carassuis auratus “auratus”, are nicknamed “poor man’s koi”, let’s face it, koi are a “hole nutha level” of fish. Koi have very distinctive patterns which will define what type of koi it is. What the shubunkin do share with koi are the nice colors, but with random speckled calico patterns of red, blue, copper, black, violet, yellow, orange, and white. Blue is the most desired background color with shubunkin aficionados. What shubunkin also share with koi is the high level of breeding standards among shubunkin breeders. Being a shubunkin enthusiast is practically a way of life. There are even competitions where members of various “societies” will show their fish for awards and ribbons for their prize shubunkin; much like those involved in “kichi societies”. The attention to breeding standards has been producing different type of shubunkin according to body type, not color patterns, which have produced 3 distinct type of shubunkin: the Bristol Shubunkin, the London Shubunkin, and the American Shubunkin also called the Japanese Shubunkin. So, the Chinese brought goldfish to Japan. The Japanese developed calico goldfish somewhere around 1900. Some American breeders fixed the characteristics of the shubunkin, and the British developed shubunkin types. The British Aquarist’s Society (BAS) officially recognized the Bristol shubunkin in 1934. …a simple history to this fish. The London shubunkin could basically be described as a calico goldfish with the same body shape as the common goldfish. The Bristol shubunkin has a more refined body shape and fins with richer colors and deeper blues and blacks. The American shubunkin has the classic shubunkin colors and markings but with a body shape more like the comet goldfish’s longer body and fins. The American shubunkin also drives a 1967 Mustang convertible and goes honky tonking on weekends. Shubunkins are happy fast moving pond fish that get along fine with most other pond fish including koi, orfe, bitterling, and dace; but they may be too fast to be kept with highly ornamental goldfish. Shubunkin can live up to 20 years and grow to 15+ inches full size. Shubunkin have some transparent and pearly scales that catch and reflect light giving them a sparkle! Vegetable based pellets should be the staple of their varied diet, and feed the shunbunkin daily. They are very social and do best in groups, which is also the best way to display them. Then can thrive indoors in aquariums too, just give them big tanks. The wide appeal of the shubunkin from the beginner fish keeper to the experienced fish keeper is easy to see. The ease of keeping and bright colors for the beginner, and the high breeding standards with the opportunity to claim top honors at fish competitions appeals to the experienced. The shubunkin has claimed its rightful spot among the favorite fish in the pond and water gardening world. It’s time for you to give them a try too. Now, if we could only get the name right...shubikin, shubunten, bunkers, shubunks, shubinks, shudoobeedoos… Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

THE ART OF WATER GARDENING

Mgannon — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:12:57 +0000

Could water gardens be the ultimate and most influential form of art ever created? Follow me back… Worlds Fair Paris, France 1889, the Exposition Universelle du 1889. 100 years after the French Revolution the world was changing, and at this very moment Paris was the center of it all. The world’s fair of 1889 attracted the most brilliant of exhibitors from around the world. This event is when the Eiffel Tower was unveiled to the wonder and amazement of the world’s most elite aristocrats, sophisticated minds, and influential artists. They were all in Paris at this time, it was incredibly exciting, a very unique and mind opening world event. At this time too a little known French horticulturalist was invited to exhibit. He created a relatively minor display in the gardens of one of the attractions along the “World’s Fair Route”. This botanist had developed a hybrid flower with subtle tones of pinks and yellows; and vibrant reds. His name was Bory Latour-Marliac, his flower was a water lily; and Europe had never seen lilies other than white to grace their water gardens. His display would have been found in the gardens of Chateau de Bagatelle where World’s Fair attendees came to see the Chateau for its famous architecture and gardens, the new type of flowers created by Latour-Marliac was not what drew the visitors to this site. These flowers were kind of a horticultural “side show”. However, those bright floating flowers that graced the water garden of Chateau de Bagatelle did catch the attention of one of the World’s Fair visitors; his name was Claude Monet. At this time, the 49 year old Monet was a professional artist whose current paintings were mostly of the French countryside from in and around his rented home that was located in the country side in Giverny. After his experience at the Worlds Fair of 1889, Monet, already an avid gardener, undertook the construction of his own water garden. Like many of us water garden and pond builders, his first pond was not big enough so Monet decided to build it larger to the dimensions that hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy today. When his new pond was finished and filled from a local waterway tributary, Monet purchased from Latour-Marliac himself, many different varieties of colorful hybrid water lilies. Monet also populating the rest of his garden with plants that would create his interpretation of a Japanese style garden, fused with modern French garden design. Weeping willows, bamboo, Japanese iris and peony, ginko trees, and amazing wisteria vines with hanging clusters of blue flowers. Monet adorned the garden with a Japanese style bridge, but seemed to stay away from stone lanterns, tea houses, and some other typically traditional Japanese garden elements. Having never been to Japan, Monet received a lot of his inspiration from Japanese wood carvings and prints which he was an avid collector of. Monet, an artist influenced by other painters and artists, created in his garden, a place inspired by the art of royal architects and gardeners of Chateau de Bagatelle. At the jardins de Bagatelle he encountered the art of Latour-Marliac a botanist who painstakingly put color into lilies. Monet was inspired by the art of Japanese garden builders and print makers whose artistic objective was to recreate nature. All of this multi level artistic influence and creativity happening near the epicenter of art at that time; Paris, France. Monet’s garden was in and of itself more a piece of art than a garden, with layer upon layer of artistic influences. Claude Monet then went on to make this amazing piece of art, into art; by making his water garden the subject of his paintings. The last 30 years of his life Monet produced 250 paintings with the subject being his water garden. Monet was totally focused on his water garden, producing a steady flow of paintings now called the Water Lilies series. With one of his paintings bringing about $80 million dollars at auction…..(someone, please pass me a paintbrush, I’ll be by the pond)! Monet said, “You know I’m entirely absorbed in my work. These landscapes of water and reflections have become an obsession. It’s quite beyond my powers at this age, at yet I want to succeed at expressing what I feel.” Claude Monet passed away in 1926, at the age of 86. There you have it. One of the most important and influential artists in known history; completely and utterly obsessed with his water garden. Can you relate? I suspect he kept some very beautiful koi as well given his love of the Japanese art forms. All this gives me a greater appreciation for those water garden and pond designer/installers out there who keep the art form alive today. Many water garden builders still use chromatella lily which was developed by Monet’s water lily supplier, Bory Latour-Marliac. Latour-Marliac’s well known and reliable Chromatella; or more specifically Nymphae marliacea – chromatella has become a staple of today’s water garden designs! This gives very good credence to the idea of water gardens being the ultimate art form. Although many who exhibited at the Exposition Universelle du 1889 would beg to differ, like Gustave Eiffel; there is no denying that what was ultimately produced from that event that will be well remembered in human history, will be a series of paintings by a water garden obsessed artist by the name of Claude Monet. Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

CRAYFISH FOR YOUR POND

Mgannon — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:13:09 +0000

Many ornamental and natural pond owners will at some point look to add some sort of critter to their pond for some added interest or for another reason like algae and aquatic weed control. One of the options that they are sure to see out in the pond market would be crayfish. Crayfish (Procambarus sp.); also called crawfish, crawdaddys, mudbugs, are pretty commonly offered by pond center retailers. To be sure, crayfish can add interest and a bit of plant and/or algae control to your pond. Crayfish look like little lobsters, sporting very large front claws much like the Maine Lobster. Also like the Maine Lobster, it is native to the U.S. Crayfish have hard shells that they will molt from time to time. This molting, interestingly, will often occur when the moon is in its full phase. Crawdaddys “gotbout” 10 legs, easily seen when they swim. They can swim forward and backward using powerful thrusts of their tail to propel them. Those 2 large claws are used to defend, fight, and capture; they are very strong and can give a real nice pinch so be careful handling them. The exoskeleton covers the entire body except for the underside, and is usually a shade of brown and red but also a blue variety popular in the aquarium trade; called “electric blue” crayfish (which are pretty cool!). Crayfish have 2 antennae and eyes on the outside of their head. Crayfish can regenerate lost limbs. They have strong jaws that they will use to eat the shell that they molt. The female crayfish will carry eggs on her abdomen, and baby crayfish will hold onto the mother for a time before they drop off to be on their own. Crayfish have gills to extract oxygen from water, but can also survive extended periods out of the water; sometimes making pretty long overland journeys. In the southern US crayfish, or crawfish as they are called in the south, are grown on crawfish farms and harvested in May, June, and November. They are a very popular regional cuisine prepared in flavorful “boils” and very tasty; eaten like shrimp or tiny lobsters. The new comer to this cuisine may be surprised when they are told to “suck the head”! But let’s not eat any crayfish from our backyard ponds, ok? Crawfish are readily available from the farms, and we should leave it to the pros to provide us with edible crawdaddys! When purchasing crayfish for your pond you should know that they are generally sold as “crayfish” but there are actually several varieties available. The varieties are difficult to tell apart, and need to be looked at very closely by someone who knows crayfish pretty well; and that typically is not going to happen. One variety (species) Procambarus fallix virginalis, reproduces by cloning itself. Ponds that have very high crayfish populations probably have the “virgin crayfish” variety; and those populations’ numbers can get very high, so they will need to be thinned from time to time. The annual spring cleanout for your pond is a good time to remove the overpopulation. Crayfish are very hardy and can handle a very wide range of water quality and temperature extremes pretty well. They are filter feeders and scavengers with a diet ranging from snails and small fish, to plants, algae, and other crayfish! They will also easily accept any prepared foods you offer too. Crayfish are shy and not very visible in the pond and will generally hide during the day, get active at dusk. In natural ponds they will burrow into the mud banks or an area around the pond during winter; while in liner or concrete style ponds they will settle into leaf piles, plants, silt pockets, or wherever available. If you are intentionally keeping crayfish, offer them somewhere to winter over. The benefits of keeping crayfish is that they are easy to keep and have a very minor effect in the control of algae and aquatic weeds, they help create a more complete ecosystem in your pond, they are very fun to have because you don’t see them that often, and they can offer some recreation in a natural pond by fishing them. In natural ponds they also offer a natural source of food for game fish and aquatic birds. Keep an ear open for the next crawfish festival where you can learn how to enjoy them in a whole different way!! And remember….SUCK THE HEAD!! Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

THE LOTUS FLOWER. MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE

Mgannon — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:46:01 +0000

The lotus flower, Nelumbo nucifera. The relationships that are sometimes developed between man and plant can be very fascinating. This definitely holds true for the lotus. The lotus and human connection goes back well beyond 1000 years, and crosses numerous cultural and geographical boundaries even from ancient times. The lotus is even revered in a spiritual way by several cultures. Still today, lotus is a widely known and popular water garden plant that can be found in about any water garden center, just about anywhere on the planet. The lotus flower has achieved truly an iconic status with its familiar large flower head that is easily identified by even the beginner water garden enthusiasts and chefs. Chefs? Why is the loveyourPOND blog, keyword POND, talking about chefs? Well, it is because a big part of the reason that the lotus flower has stood the test of time for more than a millennia now, and is propagated and sold worldwide, is because it happens to be edible! Like most plants that have kept up with the pace of humanity the lotus not only is beautiful, it is useful too, and its added benefit of being edible and providing nourishment to our bodies is what has kept this beautiful flower so near and dear to us. The roots, seeds, leaves, and stems are all edible. The seeds can be dried and popped like we do to corn, or even eaten raw. Young leaves and stems can be mixed into salads. The versatile root can be used in soups, or as a tasty snack chip! Wait a moment though; before you run out to your pond, grab a lotus, and start chewing on it; at least let me give you a recipe!

LOTUS ROOT CHIPS

Ingredients:

(1) 6”-8” Lotus Root (rhizome)

The juice of (1) Meyers Lemon

½ cup water

3 tsp. Olive Oil

Coarse Sea Salt

Crushed Red Pepper (of course!)

How to Prepare:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Slice root across (not lengthwise) into 1/8” thick pieces
Mix lemon juice and water
Soak sliced roots in lemon juice mixture for 5-8 minutes
Quick dry the root slices and spread out onto cookie sheet
Drizzle with olive oil
Add salt and red pepper to taste
Bake for 20-25 minutes, but be sure to flip the slices half way through
Serve them up!!

If you have not had lotus chips before you are in for a treat. Just don’t tell anyone that they are eating from your pond until after they have enjoyed this tasty snack. What you can tell them is that you have just prepared a fun healthy and easy recipe that is high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. You have also just helped to keep that ancient relationship between man and lotus alive. So now that you have been properly prepared, now that you know what you are doing, now that you have worked up an appetite, NOW you can run out and start eating from your pond! POND APETIT! Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

DOES YOU POND NEED A SHOWER?

Mgannon — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:31:55 +0000

Bakki shower filtration is a fairly new approach to pond filtration here in the United States, yet it has enjoyed some popularity in Japan and the UK for some time now. Bakki showers would seem comparable, in concept, to the familiar “trickle” type filters that are well known in the pond and aquarium industry; but there are differences. The design of the Bakki showers typically will consist of deep stainless steel trays. The trays are filled with filter media and have the water delivered on top, trickling down through the filter media, and then discharged from the bottom of the tray. The discharge into the pond looks like it is leaving a large shower head. The amount of trays used depends on the size pond you are filtering. One tray, depending on the quality of filter media, will filter about 500 gallons. The trays can be stacked on over the other about 4 high treating about 2000 gallons of pond water. If more filtration is needed a new stack would be started. This type of filtration is a “wet/dry” approach with the filter media constantly showered with pond water (wet); yet exposed to open air at all times (dry). The Bakki shower filter system was invented and patented by Momotaro Koi Farm (MTK) in Japan; and inspired by the natural filtering qualities of natural waterfalls. Bakki showers have gained great popularity in Japan and Asia with growing interest in the UK and even the US. Some of the benefits of the bakki shower system are greatly reduced maintenance; claims of “maintenance free” are slightly overstated (everything requires maintenance). Bakkis offer higher levels of biological filtration, higher levels of oxygen to purify the water, great mechanical filtration for excellent water clarity. The bakki showers are “stand alone” filter systems for ponds that help increase koi growth and appetites. The down sides of Bakki shower filter systems? Yes, there are a few. The biggest is cost; the bakki shower filter systems from Momotaro are expensive, which has led to many DIY inquiries over the internet. They are very large filters which can make them hard to hide if you don’t enjoy seeing the filter system on your pond; however they can be somewhat decorated by growing some plants in the trays to soften the look and maybe even add minor filtration benefits. They are “loud”; depending on how exactly you choose to discharge the water back into your pond will dictate how loud they are, but compared to most other types of filtering methods the Bakki will be up there in the decibel factor. But here is the thing…. Don’t let the international koi community know you heard it here please; but, the REAL beauty of the bakki filter system is not the actual structure, you know those stainless steel deep trays. The REAL beauty of the Bakki filters function is from what type of media you use and the Momotaro Bakki Filters come with a very special, very awesome, filter media called Bacteria house Filter Media. Bacteria house filter media was developed by MTK in Japan, who had won “Best Filtration Media in the World” award (yes, such an award exists…I know, I know). The filter media was originally intended to be used with waste water filtration and like so many things in the pond industry we, very smartly, use those developments to our benefit in creating high water quality in our koi ponds and water gardens. The Bacteria House filter media was refined several times into what is now available to us pond keepers is an awesome material. Bacteria House filter media can be used “wet/dry” or “submerged” to great effect. It is made from super heated ceramic that allows for massive colonization of beneficial bacteria faster than other media. It offers mechanical filtration with rapid breakdown of solids. Bacteria House media breaks down ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. It creates odor free water, and rapidly degasses pond water. The end result is a media that will increase fish health, appetitive, and growth. So the REAL beauty is in those wonderful beads of Bacteria house filter media, which can be used in many other filtering devices; but you did not hear that here. If you are looking for powerhouse filtration then Bakki Shower filters are some of the best on the global market right now. If you are looking to purchase a genuine Bakki Shower filter by Momotaro there are dealers in the UK and Japan. If you are hoping to create your own “DIY” shower filter there is all sorts of online discussions and “how-to” for you; but always be careful with whom you take your advice from. No matter how you build it or buy it, remember the REAL beauty is what you cannot see at the microbial level while beneficial bacteria come alive on the Bacteria House filter media! Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

THE SPRING CLEANOUT FOR YOUR WATER GARDEN POND

Mgannon — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:51:32 +0000

In many parts of the US the beginning of spring also triggers the beginning of pond season. Some may even think that pond season triggers spring! Who really knows? Whatever your chicken or egg opinion is, it is indisputable that the 2 events go great together; like peanut butter and chocolate. The advent of spring is the time for most pond owners to get out and start the pond up. Most pond owners also must deal with the fact that those long winter months were not kind to their pond and start-up will require more than just plugging in the pond pump. Winter can wreak havoc over those months and since pond owners don’t really check up on their ponds too often during winter the pond just may be full of surprises. What kind of surprises? Well, not the fun kind. Early spring usually has all the right conditions for a big bloom of string algae in our fish ponds and water gardens; the previous several months had little to no filtration going on, the bare minimum of maintenance was done, leaves and twigs have made their home in your pond and the nutrient levels are sky rocketing. So what happens? Algae happens! Algae, the most basic plant on the planet, has an abundant food supply of nutrients, temperatures are warming, and the days are getting longer giving more light. Couple those factors with the fact that more complex plants like water lily or water iris, have not really “woken up” from their winter slumber so they are not competing for those nutrients. With these conditions it is an absolute smorgasbord for pond algae, so it eats and eats, reproducing and growing faster and bigger before you know it your pond is full on 5 foot long strands of stringy hair algae. If you do the math it really is no surprise: moisture + light + nutrients – competition + warmth = POND ALGAE. So, how do you get rid of pond algae? The annual ritual of the spring cleanout for the pond or water garden is just the answer. Physically changing the water in your pond, not just treating it, immediately reduces nutrient levels. Removing the leaves, branches, sludge, and other organic debris in your pond removes the source of nutrient build up. Cleaning your filters and starting up your pond system starts breaking down and controlling the remaining nutrients. Circulating your pond increases oxygen levels to purify the water even further. Do those chores and add in a nice healthy dose of beneficial bacteria and some barley straw extract and your pond will be looking good and ready for the new pond season. Hey, while you’re at it check your fish for health issues, check other systems in your pond like pumps, lighting; and set up predator deterrents. Predators are pretty busy during those spring months so be vigilant! Add new diffusers to your aerator, and put away all of your winter pond gear. When you’ve done this pond season is officially underway so invite some friends over for a pond party, and don’t forget your local pond guy, they love parties! And hey, if you want to make your life really easy; have your local pond professional take care of the opening service for you. There are many pond pros out there who offer these services and great prices and they may take a weekend job for you and be able to do it all in one day! Support your local pond pros!! Please! If you need a referral send along a message and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog will help you out… Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

YOUR RAIN BARREL, HOW TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN IT

Mgannon — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:18:01 +0000

Rain barrel hygiene! Have you been rain water harvesting without a clean up? Your rain barrel could use a good cleaning, its’ been a couple of years now right? Have you taken a good look inside your rain barrel lately? You may be surprised at what you find. A clean rain barrel is a happy rain barrel. Your rain barrel treats you right by working hard to collect all that rainwater that otherwise would be draining off into who knows where. This water can then be utilized around the house and garden in numerous ways. Rainwater harvesting in New Jersey is sure to create some residue, and rainwater harvesting where you are will too! So treat your rain barrel right and practice a little rain barrel hygiene. Over the course of time your rain barrel will collect and accumulate all sorts of sediment and organic debris that comes into your rain barrel from your roof source. Perhaps pieces of grit, bird waste, pollen, dust, leaves, seeds, and other particulates that land on the roof you are collecting water from. This debris laden water enters your rain barrel and it is there that all this material settles out of the water column and forms a layer of muck on the bottom of your rain barrel. Many rain barrels also form a layer of algae growth on the interior of the barrel walls that eventually ends up settling to the bottom of the barrel. So when it comes time for rain barrel hygiene how is this done? How to clean a rain barrel? Luckily the vast majority of rain barrels are very hardy types and will require a cleaning once a year with maybe a little tidying during the season. The barrel should be cleaned of debris and algae growth and the plumbing components and hardware should be checked at this time to. This bulleted list will give the steps you can follow when cleaning your rain barrel. HOW TO CLEAN A RAIN BARREL

Drain, then disconnect your rain barrel from the down spout that is feeding your barrel. Place barrel to the side.
Start at the gutter canal that feeds your rain barrel to make sure that the gutter is clean and clear from debris. Rinse this gutter with a garden hose to be sure it is draining properly.
View the interior of the downspout to be sure that there is no material blocking the downspout that could end up in your rain barrel.
Place a new ½ inch mesh screen at the top of the gutter downspout to filter out larger debris.
Remove and clean, or replace the mesh screen on your rain barrel. Be sure the mesh is in good condition to handle the new season. This screen is to filter out smaller debris from entering into your rain barrel, thereby reducing overall maintenance. This screen also keeps insects or critters from entering your rain barrel.
Inspect the inside of your rain barrel for general condition. You are looking for cracks in the barrel, debris on the bottom, or algae growth on the interior.
Lay your rain barrel on its side and spray rinse the interior of the barrel to remove loose debris.
If you need to scrub the interior of the barrel a long handled brush will work well. Using a mixture of vinegar and water, or a light bleach and water solution; scrub the interior of the barrel’s walls and bottom with the brush. Then rinse your barrel again and let dry.
Inspect the spigot of the barrel to make sure it is functioning well. Clean if necessary.
Reconnect your barrel, wait for a good rain, and enjoy the best water available for your preferred uses.

With a little bit of time your rain barrel can be kept clean and operational for years of use. If you have any rain barrel tips or stories let’s hear them. Thanks for reading! Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon.

: Aquascape Inc. has a state of the art rain barrel concept

FULL SERVICE AQUATICS NEW POND AND WATER GARDEN WEBSITE IS HERE!

Mgannon — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:59:00 +0000

The new FULL SERVICE AQUATICS website is beautiful, and ready for your visit. It is so easy to use and so smooth. Plenty of beautiful things to look at and watch. Plenty of information too, so easy to access. We are calling the new website LOVEYOURPOND.COM and it was designed with the “koi pond and water garden minded” in mind. Welcome. The HOME page is your launching pad. Choose where you want to go and what you want to see. Drink some coffee and enjoy the site, or connect with our social networking. Give a simple click and LoveYourPond will take you away... You can choose your own dream project with our new POND PACKAGES. Space is not a concern anymore; we have packages from “Patio Ponds” to our new “Pond Hunter Package” for those who really want to take the plunge. Pondless waterfalls, water gardens, and koi ponds installed by Full Service Aquatics are listed here; or customize any type of project. The new PORTFOLIO is actually a pleasure to use. Browse the portfolio for aquatic project ideas and inspirations. It is filled with beautiful images of the koi ponds, water gardens, and waterfalls created by Full Service Aquatics. The new SERVICES and OTHER SERVICES pages present the full range of services and maintenance for koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, and waterfalls. This is where you can learn about our “rainwater harvesting” offerings too. If it is a rain barrel or a complete rainwater harvesting system Full Service Aquatics is the go to company. “On-Call” and “Emergency” services are provided by Full Service Aquatics too; if you have an emergency don’t wait, call. Are you looking for some “pondertainment”? Then check out our VIDEO CHANNEL. “The Pond Hunter” videos present project videos, koi video, pondumentaries, and pond how-to video. Visit our video library for dozens of videos with new pond videos posted regularly; “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic”. If you want “pondformation” the new FAQ section is awesome (really!) and will answer your questions. You can also get lost in the LOVEYOURPOND Blog with a huge archive of pond and water garden articles ranging from maintenance advice and pond history; to pond industry reviews, fish keeping tips, and water gardening how-to. The LOVEYOURPOND blog is written for the “koi pond and water garden minded”. Learn ABOUT US, and CONTACT us. Sign up for our newsletter; and shop in our new POND SUPPLY STORE. We have everything, and it is always in stock, ready to ship right to your door. Fish food, pond supplies, water treatments, and equipment; heck, entire pond kits! Order anytime of day from the convenience of your home. Full Service Aquatics knows you’ll love this new site; it was created for you. LOVEYOURPOND.com remember it, LOVEYOURPOND.com visit it, LOVEYOURPOND.com tell someone about it, You to will LOVEYOURPOND. The LOVEYOURPOND Blog is written by Mike Gannon of Full Service Aquatics. All rights reserved, all content is property of Mike Gannon.

PONDEMINIUM 2012 EVENT REVIEW

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:46:55 +0000

In the month of February there are not too many people thinking about ponds and water gardens. It is cold, weather is nasty, and the ground has not been seen for a month now. Pond and water garden professionals are huddled around their stoves with blankets draped across their backs impatiently waiting on Spring. Ponds and water gardens are the last thing that we have on our minds right? Wrong! On February 1-3, 2012 in York, Pennsylvania about 60+ pond and water garden professionals came together for 3 days of networking and business building at an event held by Splash Supply Company of York, PA called Pondeminium! Mark and Rebecca Willoughby put together their second Pondeminium, which may be shaping up to become an annual event. Much of the event was held indoors with presentation and seminars held in the comfort of a warm dry conference room. The event kicked of with a “State of the Pond Industry” address given by The Pond Guy himself, Greg Wittstock; who teleconferenced in to give Pondeminium a nice jump start. But all the while there was also an outdoor pondless waterfall build happening at the Splash Supply Company retail location; being led by Brian Helfrich from Aquascape Inc. Brian is one of the country’s, if not world’s, most highly regarded pond builders. Brian makes the hands ON building seminars as fun as they are informative, always giving even the most seasoned pond and waterfall builders something new to learn. For the inside portion of the event industry professionals like Doug and Judy Harvey, BJ Linger, Rick Weidman, Mike Michoki, and several other respected pond and water garden pros shared their experience and know how on all sorts of topics. Topics from sales, marketing, and social media; to project showcases and pond aeration. Smaller break out groups discussing pond tours, home shows, social media, selling technique, and other more intimate discussions also took place; giving the attendees numerous options to help them fine tune and grow their pond and water garden businesses while making contacts and friend within the industry. The last indoor session was held by Brian Helfrich and was an “any topic” discussion between Brian and all the event attendees; it was good stuff for any pond pro to be a part of. The entire Pondeminium event was well organized and ran smoothly with very nice hotel accommodations offered with a group rate. Shuttles were available to go from the conference to the retail site, or it was an easy drive to everything. A very nice mixer style dinner at a local restaurant with panoramic views overlooking York was great too. Did I mention there were some killer chocolate chip cookies being passed around during the presentations? The Pondeminium wrap up was again held at the Splash Supply retail location at 4464 Lincoln Highway in York, PA. The pondless waterfall and a couple of overflowing urns were officially turned on creating some beautiful eye candy for traffic passing by the retail center. Handshakes were made, business cards were passed out and the pond pros headed back home; with some coming from as far as Missouri! If you want to learn more about the Pondemonium event or have an interest in attending an upcoming event visit the Splash Supply Company Facebook page at www.facebook.com/splashsupply. I am sure Mark, Rebecca, and Ryan from Splash Supply would be happy to hear from you. Mike Gannon is owner at Full Service Aquatics located in New Jersey, USA. Being “In The Pursuit Of All Things Aquatic” has led Mike to be a lifelong hobbyist and fish enthusiast. Mike began working professionally in the aquarium and pond industry in 1990. Full Service Aquatics started in 1995 offering all services, design, and installations of koi ponds, water gardens, and aquariums. Since that time Full Service Aquatics has become recognized for their designer pond installations, featured in publications, and winning awards within the water garden and pond industry. Mike is the creator of THE POND HUNTER video series on YouTube, the LOVEYOURPOND page on Facebook, and the LOVEYOURPOND Blog. Mike’s website www.loveyourpond.com is dedicated to koi ponds, water gardens, natural ponds, other aquatic interests. The website features a gallery of beautiful pond images and a comprehensive FAQ section. To contact Mike visit his website www.loveyourpond.com or email him directly at mgannon@fullserviceaquatics.com Other links for Mike Gannon: www.facebook.com/thepondhunter www.facebook.com/loveyourpond www.twitter.com/loveyourpond www.loveyourpond.com All copyrights to this material is solely owned by Mike Gannon