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Whether you have a newly dug pond or lake or one that has existed for many years, fish structures are always a great idea. Two common questions we hear a great deal are, "What type of structure can I place in my pond?" and "What good is structure in a pond or lake anyway?"
First, structure provides cover, resting, feeding and spawning areas in and around the water resource for your fish. Without structure, fish fry would not survive the natural predation that exists within your pond or lake.
Secondly, wood structures can be used but should be constructed of oak, hickory or cedar due to their resistance to decay. Some examples are: pallets nailed together with chicken wire wrapped around, large tree stumps or logs and / or a few Christmas trees. Other materials used are field tile, concrete block, PVC pipe and brush plies.
Ideal depth and placement for structure should be 2-8 ft. deep but not placed in the deepest areas if the dissolved oxygen within the water resource is significantly low. If the dissolved oxygen is <1 ppm then you should install an aeration system to compensate.
For a newly dug pond or lake, we suggest placing your structure in and around before it is filled. This is an excellent time to properly place your desired structure at the correct site and depth without employing a boat.
For existing ponds or lakes, structures can be constructed on the ice or placed there after and allowed to fall into the desired location when the ice melts.
Bioaugmentation
Before Treatment
Six weeks after treatment
$28.00/lb.
Bioaugmentation is defined as the application of specially selected microorganisms to enhance the microbial population that naturally exists in your water resource. The purpose of these applications is to facilitate a gradual shift in the microbial population and not to totally replace the existing population. The population shift must be accomplished in a controlled manner to maintain the integrity of the microbial ecosystem. Overfeeding the specially selected microorganisms could result in a population no better equipped to handle the broad range of nutrients (nitrates, phosphates and organic matter) in the influent water than the original population.
When added to your water resource, they reduce nutrients and organic muck which ultimately improves the water quality and minimizes algae and rooted plant growth. This happens as a direct result of bacteria digesting the excess phosphorus and nitrogen in the water column. Which is the primary cause of excessive aquatic plant growth. These microbes also effectively reduce sludge buildup from pond and lake bottoms by accelerating the decomposition process of organic nutrients that contribute to the offensive hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) odors and murky water. When added to your water resource, these microbes will multiply exponentially and then die off due to nutrient consumption. What does this mean? When you participate in the bioaugmentation program you add an initial dose of bacteria and then subsequent doses every two weeks thereafter throughout the season to maintain a high population of bacteria so rapid consumption of nutrients can occur.
We, at MBA, can assist you with the correct dosage for your water resource. Usage of bacteria occurs from April though October when the water temperature is>50°F.
NOTE: A frequent question often asked, "How many different strains does your blend contain?"
After numerous discussions with manufacturers of microbes, we would like to stress that the number of strains (there are only approx. 6-8 strains used in aquatics) are important but what truly matters is the nominal microbe count per gram. The higher the nominal microbe count the better the performance.
Ask your sales representative how these microbes can aid your water resource and what dosage is correct for your specific application.
Watch for the fall sale on our microbes for the upcoming year. It is a great way to guarantee your microbes for 2005 and save money, too.
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OF PAGE
Causes of
Unhealthy
Ponds
How to
Achieve a
Healthy Pond
Effects of
Herbicides
Causes of
Fish Kills
Types of
Algae
Aquatic
Vegetation
Unwanted
Aquatic
Vegetation
Types of
Aeration
Fish
Structure
Bioaugmentation