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Should I add pond dye to my pond?
The Uses of Pond Dye Many who have ponds have used pond dye for a variety of reasons. Those who are new to having a pond may wonder about the various ways you can use pond dye. What is pond dye? Well, this type of dye is made to give a pond or water feature an artificial color. However, rest assured that pond dyes are safe to use around ponds or even reflecting pools. They are environmentally friendly and can be helpful for ponds that experience an overgrowth of algae bloom. Let’s go over the ins and outs of pond dyes. When to Use Pond Dye You may be wondering when it would be a good time to use pond dye. If you are having trouble with algae, you may consider pond dye as an alternative. However, remember to have an aeration system to get the most out of the pond dye. Using an aeration system would circulate the pond dye much more efficiently throughout the pond. The color would also be evenly distributed as the aeration takes place. How Much Pond Dye Should You Use? The amount of dye used in a pond will depend on its size. You can figure out the amount of dye you need by doing some calculations. By multiplying the acreage and depth of the pond, you can get an idea of how much water you have in your pond. Depending on your final numbers, you can calculate how much pond dye you will need to use. On average, a bottle of dye may be able to cover about 4 to 6 acres feet of water per bottle. You can try one bottle and make adjustments as needed. If you notice the transparency of the pond coming back, you can always add more. A Surprising Result Our pond dye comes in three different colors: blue, dark blue, and black. No matter the aesthetic you are going for, we have you covered. When you use pond dye for the first time, you will be surprised at the results. The surface of the water itself will automatically turn a different color, such as blue. If you want to control algae bloom in your pond, you can estimate if you need more dye by looking if you can see to the bottom of the pond. You can test this by looking into your pond from about two feet in depth. It is suggested that you add small amounts of dye over time. Once you get the pond color and transparency just as you want, you can stop adding more dye. The color can complement an exterior layout with a natural ambiance. You may even start to notice your pond clearing a bit because of the pond dye. In the end, if you want to emphasize the overall natural adornment of your pond’s layout, a pond dye would be the ideal choice.
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Is Your Pond Summer Ready?
Summer is here and it is bringing the heat. The long days of summer expose your pond to the strong rays of the sun for longer periods of time. This causes the water temperatures to rise which can cause several problems like fish kills, algae blooms, and water stratification. In this article, we’ll go over potential problems that may arise during the summer and what you can do about them. Fish Kills Warm water holds less oxygen making it harder for the fish in your pond to breathe. The stress of trying to find oxygen can lead to the development of diseases, while the lack of oxygen can cause the fish to suffocate, ultimately killing them. Algae Bloom During the long days of summer, you may also see a bloom in algae. While algae is essential to your pond’s health, an excess of algae can quickly cover the surface of the water making the pond look unappealing and further reducing the oxygen in the water. Water Stratification Stratification happens when bodies of water have no natural movement in the water causing it to separate into layers because of changes in temperatures. This leads to the warmer oxygen-rich water to separate to the surface and the colder less oxygen-rich water to settle on the bottom. Stratification can cause fish to die and make it hard for beneficial bacteria to break down excess nutrients. How to Beat the Heat The summer can be a stressful time for ponds, but it shouldn’t be for you. The key to these issues is introducing movement and more oxygen with pond aeration. Outdoor Water Solutions offers a full line of products to keep your pond properly maintained and summer ready. Fountains are not only an excellent way to aerate your pond, but will also make your pond look great at the same time! Pond fountains help mix the water in the pond causing the temperature to even out, and helps accelerate the decomposition of muck and nutrient buildup; helping control algae blooms and maintain the health of your pond. The Elite Solar Pond Fountains will not only aerate your pond but may also save you money on energy costs. A solar pond fountain is a great alternative to wind or electric power aeration systems. Our floating solar powered fountains are available in three different sizes. They work in ponds as small as ¼ acre to ponds larger than 5 acres. Our Classic™ line of floating pond fountains are made to outperform other manufacturer’s fountains and carry a 4 year warranty on the pumps and motors. These fountains are available in 5 different horsepower capacities including ¾ HP, 1½ HP, 2 HP, 3 HP, and 5 HP. Outdoor Water Solutions offers high-quality products to keep your lakes or ponds summer ready, so you can relax and enjoy them. Please email or call us at 866.471.1614 and we can provide you with a detailed quote and can even help you choose the right products for your needs.
How to Care for an Old Pond
Improving Your Pond A pond can be an aesthetically pleasing feature for any home. The properly kept pond will enhance the overall natural beauty of the outdoors. Your pond may have crystal blue waters, koi fish, a water fountain, and more. However, what happens when you have an old pond to take care of that doesn’t have these types of displays anymore? Should you just cover the pond and give up any future improvements? This is not necessarily your only option. In this article, we’ll go over some of the things you can do to bring your old pond back to life. Using a Bottom Aeration System Anyone who has cared for a pond before knows the importance of aeration. Although most ponds use surface aerators, you will want to use a bottom aeration system instead of a surface aerator. The main reason for this is because old and dirty ponds will usually have all of the muck and pond scum stuck at the bottom of the pond. A bottom aerator can turn the anaerobic cycle at the bottom of the pond into an aerobic cycle. This will begin to circulate the water while the cycle slowly begins to break up the muck and other organic material. The type of aeration system you need will depend on the size of your pond and the availability of wind, solar, or electric power. We offer a wide variety of aeration systems to meet all your needs. Controlling Algae Makes a Difference Algae is an essential part of a pond and its ecosystem. However, you can have too much algae bloom in a pond. When this happens, your pond may develop a foul odor and large green areas that indicate blooms of algae overgrowth. We recommend using algaecide to help control algae in your pond. Outdoor Water Solutions recommends an algaecide like Green Clean Algaecide. This granular peroxide-based algaecide is available in 8- or 50-pound containers for a wide variety of pond sizes. Adding Beneficial Bacteria and Colorants If you want to speed up the process of getting your old pond back to a healthy environment, you can also add beneficial bacteria. This type of bacteria will aid the aeration process in breaking down the muck and algae in the pond. Colorants will also help to keep algae at bay. Besides adding beautiful color to the surface of your pond, a dye will also block sunlight from reaching deep into the pond. Because sunlight is one of the main ingredients needed for algae to thrive, eliminating its source helps prevent excessive algae growth. The Results All of these things working together will surely give your pond new life. Another thing you can do to get your pond looking nice and clean is to use a skimmer to clear off any large debris. By doing this, you will let your pond breathe by allowing the water to circulate freely with the aeration system. Having large parts of debris lodged in the pond can get in the way of its cleaning process. The final results will leave your old pond looking clean, beautiful, and a perfect place for new fish. Make sure that you consider Outdoor Water Solutions for all your pond equipment. Outdoor Water Solutions offers high-quality pond & lake aerators (solar, electric & wind) and aeration windmill systems, fish feeders, fountains, and all-natural pond care products. Please email or call us at 866.471.1614 and we can provide you with a detailed quote and can even help you design the best solar aeration system for your needs.
What is the difference between windmill pond aerator manufacturers?
What is a Windmill Aerator? People have harnessed wind power for thousands of years. The earliest forms of windmills can be traced back to 500 A.D., and possibly before that. Despite the many years between then and now, windmills continue using the same basic mechanisms to take advantage of wind energy. The windmill aerator system works when the wind hits the blades causing them to turn. As the blades of the fan head turn, the rotor is activated to operate the air compressor. The compressed air is then supplied thru the airline to diffusers to aerate your pond. A pond aeration windmill is an excellent way to keep your pond clean and healthy while saving you energy and money, and adds a classic look and feel to your property. What Sets Us Apart Working with a team of engineers, Outdoor Water Solutions has developed the most advanced technology available for wind-driven aeration currently on the market. Our windmills are built using quality materials making them more durable and use our “BelCam II” technology significantly increases the amount of air produced. What we offer: BalCam II Technology that minimizes bearing fatigue Where other U.S. manufacturers only offer a 2-year warranty we offer a full 5-year warranty on the compressor bearings and cams Canadian manufacturers only provide a 1-year warranty with an option to buy an extended warranty plan for an additional 24 months 73″ Head turns at low wind speeds High Air Output – 3.0-4.5 CFM rating rated at 30 psi When comparing our products to others on the market, you’ll find we offer the best overall package by providing the most air, the most pressure, and the longest warranty available on the compressor. Outdoor Water Solutions offers high-quality pond & lake aerators (solar, electric & wind) and aeration windmill systems, fish feeders, fountains, and all-natural pond care products. Please email or call us at 1-855.690.6012 and we can help you choose the best windmill aerator for your needs. Take a look at our aeration windmills product line or continue reading to learn more about our products. OWS Windmill Aerators Outdoor Water Solutions has a variety of windmill aeration systems to choose from that can be customized to suit your pond’s needs. 24 Foot Windmills This is one of the TALLEST windmills on the market! When fully erected the 24-foot tower stands over 27 feet. If you’re not quite sure about your location and wind speed, then going taller is typically better. Four Legged Windmills We offer a 4 Legged windmill tower for customers who prefer to have an extra leg! Galvanized Traditional Windmill This windmill is one of our most popular product lines. The high-quality galvanized windmill is made in the U.S.A. and is designed to last 15 to even 30 years! Powder Coat Windmills We offer 8 stock colors that can be mixed and matched to personalize your windmill. This high-quality UV powder coat is baked on, not spray painted, making it made to last! Windmill Heads Are you looking for a windmill head? Maybe yours blew down or you have an old windmill tower that needs the head replaced. Either way, we offer complete windmill heads that can be functional for pond aeration or can just be purely Ornamental. Wood Windmills Want a more Nostalgic look and feel? Our new wooden windmill towers are a masterpiece in design. Manufactured in the U.S. with a light cedar-colored pressure-treated wood, this windmill will look great for a long time!
Why Do I Need A Solar Pond Aerator?
If you have a pond, you know that stagnant water can cause unwanted bacteria, pests, as well as illnesses that can harm your fish. Having a pond aerator is essential to keep circulation of water and air inside your pond. The more oxygen you have the better off your pond will look and also healthier your fish will be. A great option for an aerator is a solar pond aerator. These aerators are made up of solar panels that transform sunlight into electrical energy to power the aeration system. By using sunlight to power your pond aerator, you can minimize the use of environmental resources thus saving on electricity. Solar pond aerators are also a great option when you can’t run a cable from your power source to your pond. Solar pond aerators come in different sizes. The larger the solar panel, the more sunlight it can absorb and convert. Larger solar panels are able to emit and create higher amounts of electrical energy. It can, therefore, operate a more powerful and efficient aerator. Ponds with lots of direct sunlight will be ideal to power a solar pond aerator. There are several choices of solar pond aerators. Knowing the depth of your pond, size and also your sunlight conditions will help with choosing the most efficient solar pond aerator for your pond. Outdoor Water Solutions offers high quality pond & lake aerators (solar, electric & wind) and aeration windmill systems, fish feeders, fountains, and all natural pond care products. Please email or call us at 1-866-471-1614 and we can provide you with a detailed quote.