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Preparing Your Pond For Winter: When To Stop Feeding The Fish

John Redd

Preparing Your Pond for Winter Should you stop feeding your fish during winter? For those of you who have "winter", where the water temperature stays below 50° F, then yes. If you have a mild winter with water temps above 50° F, then no, not really. For colder areas, if you have fish in your pond, you can stop feeding them once the water temperature stays below 50° F. At this temperature fish will go into hibernation and stop eating. Set up a good thermometer to monitor the water temperature. Rather than going cold turkey, wean your fish off food as the temperatures go down. When the water temperature is steadily between 55-60° F, only feed the fish once a day. Reduce feeding to once a week when the water temperatures stay between 50-55° F. If the temperature stays below 50° F, you can stop feeding them until the weather warms in spring. Discard any remaining fish food since the nutrients in any open packages will dissipate over time. If your area experiences a warm spell the fish can eat algae from the pond sides; you don't need to feed them. Finally, consider installing a floating de-icer to keep your pond surface clear of ice. In colder climate zones an air hole needs to be kept open to allow for a proper oxygen/carbon dioxide gas exchange for fish to survive the winter. If your pond completely freezes, you risk losing your fish.

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Airline Tubing is Now Available

Outdoor Water Solutions has partnered with a high-quality tubing manufacturer for 2018 with the goal of providing competitive prices on weighted airline tubing to customers in the pond and lake industry. We are now taking orders for spring delivery of 3/8”, 1/2”, and 5/8” weighted airline tubing in both 100’ and 500’ rolls. “You will find that our prices are very competitive with your current suppliers and the quality is exceptional,” says Joe Forman, Sales Manager for Outdoor Water Solutions, Inc. If you would like a quote for any amount of airline, you can contact Joe at 1-866-471-1614 or joe@outdoorwatersolutions.com. We are also rolling out our Elite Dealer program in February. This new program is designed specifically for pond and lake professionals to help grow their businesses and please their customers by offering longer warranties and added accessories to our new Elite product line. Stay tuned for more information about this program and innovative product line.

Outdoor Water Solutions National Sales Manager

Outdoor Water Solutions is pleased to announce a new member of our team, Joe Forman. Joe is Outdoor Water Solutions National Sales Manager and is responsible for working with dealers and distributors, with a focus on working with pond and lake management professionals. Joe grew up in rural Arkansas and has a passion for the outdoors including fishing and race cars. Growing up in North Central Arkansas, Joe spent a lot of time enjoying what the Ozarks had to offer. From trout fishing on the White River and Mirror Lake, camping at Blanchard Springs, and floating the Buffalo River, this environment created many valuable experiences with his friends and family. He was also able to pursue his passion for dirt track racing living in this region. Starting in go-karts at age six, Joe’s parents, grandparents, and brother would travel the circuit every weekend, moving to full race cars at age fifteen, including dirt modifieds and late models. During the weeks, he, along with his dad, grandfather, and brother would assemble the cars, maintain engines, repair damages, and work on new setups with chassis adjustments, tires, gearing, and shocks. With his team of family members, Joe was able to win many races and multiple championships through all levels of his racing career. Racing not only gave him hands-on mechanical experience but also taught him to always look for a competitive advantage. Joe has always valued education and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. Now he looks to apply his education with his upbringing to solve customer’s pond and lake needs with the Outdoor Water Solutions team. Joe is very grateful for where he was raised, and still looks forward to those weekends when he goes back home. In 2018, Outdoor Water Solutions is introducing several new and exciting products to the market along with our new “Elite” dealer program. Having Joe come on board will be a great asset for all of our dealers. Joe can be reached at our office at (479)756-1614 or on his cell phone at (870) 213-7519.

Eco Line Fountains

Looking for a fountain that is energy efficient? Outdoor Water Solution's newest Eco Line fountains have various benefits available, including an eco-friendly design! These fountains are economical to purchase. The 1/2 HP Floating Pond Fountain Eco Line is regularly $995 but is on sale during the month of August for $895. The 1 HP Floating Pond Fountain Eco Line is $1,695 and includes many features. Also, all of the Eco Line products operate with a full two-year warranty. No other company can offer these high-quality fountains at as low of a price as Outdoor Water Solutions. The Eco Line fountains are also available with LED lights. These lights can help make your pond stand out. The 1/2 HP Floating Fountain Eco Line with LED Lights is regularly $1,495 but is on sale this August for $1,295. The 1 HP Floating Pond Fountain Eco Line with LED Lights is $2,195 and is already built for you. With easy maintenance and economical prices, the Eco Line fountains are great options for your pond. If you have any questions regarded this new line of products, give us a call at 866-471-1614.

How Muck Pellets work on Pond Microbes

Get rid of all the muck! Are you looking to clean up your pond or lake front so that you can provide a healthy aquatic environment? Outdoor Water Solutions offers Muck Pellets which digest accumulated pond muck, which is organic debris that reside at the bottom of your pond or lake. Once applied, these pond muck removal pellets release a specialized blend of beneficial bacteria, which instantly begin digesting muck, improving water clarity and eliminating noxious odors. Here are some tips to read before applying: 1) When should you start treating? Muck pellets become active in your pond or lake temperature hits 50 degrees. Usually, this will happen around the month of April. The earlier you start the better outcome you will get. If you start treating in August, you would only have 3 months activity (Aug, Sep, Oct) before your water temperature dips down again below 50 degrees. Start applying in April, so you will have 6-7 months for the microbes to eat. The longer the better as they'll consume 2x - 3x more organic matter if they have the whole season. 2) Even with 6-7 months of activity, treating with microbes can typically consume 3-5" of organic matter in one season. Keep this in mind because in many cases there will be 10-15+ years of accumulation, which will take some time to consume. 3) Lastly, aeration. We have seen increased activity where aeration is present due to increased concentrations of all aerobic bacteria in the area which then need more OM to eat. If you don't have aeration around your dock, this might be something to consider when trying to get rid of muck. These tips will ensure that your application of the muck pellets will be successful. Learn more about out Muck Pellets here.

Pond Aeration: Solar, Wind and Electric Options

Pond Aeration: Solar, Wind, and Electric Options Are you considering an aeration system for your pond or lake but are unsure of which type would work best? More and more pond owners are purchasing bottom diffused aeration systems for their ponds or lakes. The benefits of having an aeration system are extensive and include: Eliminating stratification and the problematic thermoclines in ponds and lakes that can cause a fish kill when a pond turns over. Adding much-needed oxygen to the entire pond changing it from anaerobic to aerobic which is much more effective at eliminating organic matter smells and other issues associated with an anaerobic body of water. Increasing the levels of dissolved oxygen or DO allow fish to better utilize the whole pond, not just the top third while giving the fish more potential for growth. Breaking down excess nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen in the water column which can help reduce algae along the pond edges. There are three different ways you can aerate a pond. Using an electric aerator is probably the most popular. Systems range from 1/3hp up to ¾hp compressors. Outdoor Water Solutions has many options available including our 3/4hp Quantum™ compressor in our new aluminum cabinet with its Optimal Air™ Diffuser system. Electric systems work great where you have access to electricity and want 24/7 aeration. Our Quantum™ compressors all carry an industry leading 3-year warranty and are designed to last. A second alternative is using wind energy to aerate your pond or lake. A windmill aerator with the BalCam™ compressor is a great long-term way to aerate your pond cost effectively. On average, you can count on 6-8+ hours of wind a day to turn the windmill head and compressor. This is more than adequate for most farm ponds and small to medium sized ponds if your goal is to eliminate stratification and change the pond to aerobic vs. anaerobic. These windmill aeration systems have the longest warranty available at 5 years on the compressor and can produce up to 4.5 CFM of air. These windmill aerators range from 15’ in height up to 28’ and come in 3 legged and 4 legged metal and also wood towers. Finally, the third option is solar aeration. As the cost of solar panels has come down, solar aeration has become more affordable for most people. It’s a popular option where you don’t have ready access to electricity, and you want to take advantage of the sun. Our new AerMaster™ Direct Drive™ solar aerators are a great option for those looking for a more affordable solar aerator while producing up to 5.6 CFM of air, which is significantly more air than any other solar aerator on the market. These are battery-free systems that operate on most days, even if cloudy but do not operate at night and include our Optimal Air™ diffusers. We also offer a high-quality battery backup solar aeration system that uses state of the art components for those wanting to aerate up to 20 hours a day. Lastly, both the wind and solar aeration systems can be used in conjunction with electric aeration as a backup for night time use or when there is no wind blowing using our innovative controller to manage when the electric system operates. This allows for substantial energy savings by using wind or solar when it’s available, then using AC power as a backup power source. To learn more about pond aeration and pond aerators, please contact Outdoor Water Solutions at 1-866-471-1614. We’re also one of the only companies to offer a Tech Hotline for technical calls. That phone # is 479-879-2961.

Outdoor Water Solutions Bacteria Packs

Outdoor Water Solutions Bacteria Packs We offer 12lb, 25lb, 100lb and 250lb quantities of our bacteria blend. Our bacteria helps break down organic matter on the bottom of the pond, diminish nutrient overload and helps reduce odor to create a clean, clear & healthy pond. OWS Bacteria Packs are a highly concentrated dry blend which contains cellulose enzymes, hyper cellulose producing bacteria and bacteria designed to work in cold weather to accelerate the breakdown of leaves, sediment and other accumulated dead organic waste packed in a barley straw base. Product is easy to apply Environmentally friendly Safe for fish and plants Breaks down dead algae Reduces most odors Dissolves within 5 minutes of placing in water What makes our bacteria packs better than other products on the market? First is concentration. We use 2 Billion CFU’s per gram of bacteria. Most other companies only use a 1B formulation to save money. We also use a 5-way blend of microbes formulated specifically for ponds and lakes. These strains are highly active at breaking down organic matter and are used extensively in the wastewater treatment industry. Lastly, with our dry formulation, we can get 20-50x more active bacteria in the package than you can with a liquid bacteria product. Ask before you purchase someone else’s product what their concentration is and how many strains of microbes they use. Many suppliers don’t know, and if they do, they won’t tell you. Product Use Rates: Apply 4 lbs (8 waters-soluble packets) per surface acre every two weeks. Double the initial dose and start treating once the water temperature hits 50 degrees F. Note: For ponds that have excessive sediment (black organic matter) on the bottom or are prone to algae, you may want to double the application rate for best results. For more information on our microbes, click here.

Expansion Into Pond & Lake Management Services in Northwest Arkansas

OWS Expands Pond and Lake Management Services in Northwest Arkansas Effective spring of 2016, Outdoor Water Solutions is expanding into pond and lake management services in Northwest Arkansas with a focus on sales, installation and maintenance of fountains and bottom diffused aeration systems. Areas covered include Springdale, Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville and the surrounding service area. "We continue to receive many calls from potential customers in the NW Arkansas area looking for pond and lake management services and expertise," says John Redd, President of Outdoor Water Solution, Inc. a Springdale, Arkansas-based company. Outdoor Water Solutions sells a full line of fountains, surface aerators, and bottom diffused aeration systems driven by wind, solar and/or electricity. "We now offer full installations of these systems within the NW AR market area." Other products available include pond dye’s, microbes, algaecides, herbicides, fish feeders, dock packages and a wide range of other products all related to having a beautiful pond or lake. "Additionally, we are pleased to announce an expanded fountain line that includes 1/2hp, 3/4hp, 1.5hp, 2hp, 3hp, 5hp and 7.5hp fountains all available with and without high-quality stainless steel LED lights that come in a multitude of colors," says Redd. Outdoor Water Solutions solar and wind driven aerations systems are in high demand because these systems can operate without electricity or supplement electric power to save energy costs. Outdoor Water Solutions, with a team of trained technicians, can also troubleshoot and repair most fountains and electric aerators should they need work and would be glad to provide those services within the NW Arkansas market. Jay at Melody Point Development in Grove, Oklahoma states, “Outdoor Water Solutions did an excellent job coming up with a plan for aerating our six-tiered ponds in our development. They also helped oversee the installation and worked directly with our people to get the job done right”. Please call 1-866-471-1614 or visit us online at www.Outdoorwatersolutions.com to see our full product offering. We would be glad to work up a quote for your particular pond or lake that would include equipment and also installation if needed.

Pond Care Products

Outdoor Water Solutions Line of Pond Care Products Together with a team of seasoned biologists and water quality experts, OWS has created a simple, easy to use pond maintenance system made up of three principal components. First, we offer a line of all natural bacteria products called OWS Lake & Pond Bacteria designed to help break down excess nutrients and organic matter throughout the whole pond which can help reduce algae and odor helping create a clean, clear pond. Secondly, we offer several different all natural dyes and colorants OWS Lake & Pond Dyes, including blue and black that works to filter the sunlight which helps prevent weeds and algae from growing by naturally blocking the sun’s harmful UV rays. Available in both dry and highly concentrated liquid formulations. Lastly, for swimming areas, docks, beaches and other high use areas offer a OWS Lake & Pond Muck Pellets that is high concentrated and focuses on attacking muck and sludge in specific areas. This is a great product and sinks right into the muck to do it’s job. We have also added turtle traps, fish traps, weed rakes & weed cutters along with many items to get rid of geese, herons, turtles and other predators.

New Solar Aeration Systems

Outdoor Water Solutions is pleased to introduce a new line of affordable, high efficiency solar aeration systems. Available with and without accessories and in multiple configurations, we offer several different solar aeration systems to meet your aeration needs, all with “Direct Drive” (DD) technology. Our solar aeration systems come with 2 or 4 high efficiency solar panels that allow you to aeration for more hours each day. We have eliminated the expense of batteries by offering a direct drive (DD) solar aeration system. This reduces your cost along with the maintenance issues associated with extra components. Each solar aeration system includes 2 or 4 panels with aluminum mounting brackets and adjustable pole bracket with variable angle configuration, compressor(s), a Direct Drive power controller, heavy duty steel cabinet with locks, mounting pole, solar power disconnect, cooling fans, pressure gauge and a pressure relief valve. Each DD solar aeration system can operation by itself and be totally independent of other aeration systems or it can be combined with a windmill aeration system to give you a longer operation time each day. The solar aeration systems can also be combined with electric aerators or a windmill and electric aeration combination. Outdoor Water Solutions solar aeration systems can be combined with an Outdoor Water Solutions Pond Aerator Control Box that will turn your electric aerators on if the sun isn't shining, allowing you to use the power of the sun when it's available to save you money. Solar Panels & Mounting Hardware Polycrystalline 120W Solar Panels. Solar modules are designed specifically for use in OFF GRID applications. • Pre-cut, pre-drilled mounting frames to connect 2 panels in parallel. High quality adjustable angle mounting bracket with powder coat finish. Includes quick cable disconnects to make assembly much easier. Includes a 5’ Galvanized steel mounting pole with instructions. Tubing & Diffusers High quality weighted airline that sinks to the bottom of your pond. Low psi rubber membrane diffusers with stainless steel hardware. Compressors Outdoor Water Solutions DD DC solar compressor rated at 2.8 CFM. Aerates ponds up to 15’ deep with its vertical piston design. Aeration Cabinet Powder coated steel cabinet with secure locking system. Cabinet includes either 1 or 2 high efficiency DC fans. Mounting feet and a post mount kit included. Solar disconnect provided for safety purposes when working on the unit. System includes a pressure gauge and high quality Pressure Relief Valve. Access our AerMaster DD Solar Aerators sales sheet. See our selection of Solar Pond Aerations Systems here.

4 Ways to Treat Spring and Summer Ponds

Now that the ice is gone and summer is here, it is time to think about treating your pond. All ponds age and as they age, they eventually accumulate black muck on the bottom which leads to excessive plant vegetation and algae issues. Why, because the bottom of most ponds is anaerobic and things do not break down and decompose very easily in an anaerobic environment. As the muck layer grows, it releases phosphorous and other nutrients which then feed green plants and algae or pond “moss.” So how do you prevent these things from happening? Here are four recommendations: First, consider adding bottom diffused aeration. This turns the bottom aerobic which means much more rapid decomposition due to the more active aerobic bacteria. Why do you think the wastewater treatment plants churn and move their water, to add oxygen and aerobic bacteria, the same way oxygen and aerobic bacteria keep an aquarium clean. Aeration can be done with wind energy, electricity or using solar power. All are effective and all work. Secondly, add some additional microbes and aerobic bacteria. A concentrated blend of dry bacteria can speed up nutrient and organic matter decomposition. This can be in pellet form to work on the bottom muck extensively or in dry powder form to circulate throughout the water column. Use a colorant to help filter the sunlight. We have a wide range of dye’s that are all super concentrates and can help significantly, especially in ponds with shallow edges where algae is prone to grow. Lastly, you can selectively use an algaecide or herbicide to help with problem areas. Outdoor Water Solutions carries a wide range of these products to help control excessive algae and weeds in problem ponds. Have questions about maintaining your pond or lake? Give us a call 866-471-1614.

Visit us at the Pond Boss Conference!

Visit Outdoor Water Solutions Outdoor Water Solutions invites you to attend the Pond Boss VI Conference & Expo at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront on Lake Ray Hubbard, just minutes from downtown Dallas on February 19-21, 2015. Sponsored by Pond Boss Magazine, the Pond Boss Conference & Expo provides an opportunity to visit with industry experts on pond management, see hands-on demonstrations, participate in seminars and workshops, and learn your path to the perfect pond! The Conference kicks off with a reception on Thursday evening February 19, followed with two days of seminars, workshops and demonstrations leaving you informed, energized and excited about reaching your own pond management goals. The Expo puts you face-to-face with leading industry experts, state-of-the-art products and cutting edge technologies for your pond. Stop by the Outdoor Water Solutions booths, 41 & 42 and see the latest we have to offer in windmill aeration, electric & solar aerators, water pumps, fish feeders, fountains and pond & lake care products. Kick off the event with the 2015 Pond Boss Fishing Tournament! Lake Ray Hubbard is known for excellent Bass fishing and this will be a great opportunity for you to show off your angling skills! The fishing tournament starts at 1pm on Thursday, February 19, 2015. Conference registration fees include all program sessions and workshops, access to the Expo, Thursday evening reception, Friday Walking-Talking Lunch, Friday evening Banquet and Saturday Lunch. Register Now! View the Conference Brochure Review the Speaker Topics & Agenda We look forward to seeing you at the Pond Boss VI Conference & Expo! Sincerely, John Redd Outdoor Water Solutions