In this Issue:
Aug 3, 2002
|| Frog Eggs everywhere
|| Tree Trunk in Pond - Conclusion(s)
|| Keeping "Stuff" out of the Pump
|| Fun (Pond) Fact
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Algae Battallions (I, II & III)
have kept many ponds healthy this summer!
They have been an incredible success!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>> FROG EGGS EVERYWHERE
Our garden ponds provide valuable habitat for many creatures
including frogs and toads. Lately we have had a lot of
inquiries regarding frog eggs and toad eggs in the pond, so
here are some answers:
-- Frog eggs are laid in a large clump, Toad eggs are laid
in long strings
-- Frogs are done laying eggs in more southern areas, it
may still be going on in more northern areas
-- Eggs are usually laid in quiet water, frogs tend to keep
eggs away from very turbulent water (for example near
waterfalls)
-- The eggs will turn into tadpoles and then into frogs, at
which time most will look for their own little territories,
fall victim to predators and some may even stick around
your pond
-- Frogs and other amphibians are disappearing at an
alarming rate and our garden ponds help to reverse that
lamentable trend. Be proud of every frog egg that hatches
in your pond!
=> Want to do more?
Join Frog Watch USA and help keep our environment healthier
and happier!
http://monitoring2.er.usgs.gov/frogwatch
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
While we are talking about the environment:
Many of you have noticed that products ordered from
our online store
sometimes arrive in peculiar boxes: shoe boxes, auto parts
boxes, etc...
That is because we try to use recycled boxes whenever
possible. A recycled box is a tree saved :)
Many of our local customers know this and help us by
bringing small boxes by the store for us to use, as well
as bubble wrap and plastic grocery bags (which we use
to pack customers purchases at the retail store).
These things can have amazingly long life cycles and
re-using them can make one go a very long way!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>> TREE TRUNK IN POND - CONCLUSION(S)
Roger M. weighed in on this subject and I am going to
reprint our (email) conversation here:
**Hello, I own the Fish Factory Pet Center in Jacksonville,
Florida. It is TRUE that putting wood in the water will
decrease the PH.
Certain tropical fish such as Angels and Neon Tetras,
as well as most all types of catfish thrive in a low PH
enviroment.
We have sold driftwood for years to put in fish tanks
to accomplish this and it works very well.
I'm surprised no one else came up with this.
Only drawback to this is that sometimes the wood will
turn the water the color of "weak" tea for a short period.
Does not harm the fish and will go away after awhile.
**Hello Roger! Thanks for your imput on this subject.
I will be sure to save your email and mention it in the
next edition.
Do you have any idea how long it takes for the wood to
lower the pH?
**Time will vary according to the size of the wood used vs.
the amount of water to which it is applied.
It is correct not to use pine or other "soft" woods for
obvious reasons. Old natural driftwood or old logs
(for ponds) are the best.
It is the Potassium acid in the wood which lowers the PH
and may discolor the water for awhile.
For people who keep turtles in their pond, something that
floats or protrudes out of the water is needed to provide
the turtles a place to get out of the water to sun.
Most wood needs to be anchored and this is easily
accomplished by weighting the wood down by drilling a hole
through a flat "landscaping" rock, then running a wood screw
through the rock into the bottom of the wood. It will hold
the wood down until it becomes waterlogged.
Thanks, Roger, for your expert input on this subject!
~If you enjoy this newsletter, please pass it on to friends
and relatives who may also enjoy it! Thank you!
>> KEEPING "STUFF" OUT OF THE PUMP
One often heard lament from pond owners is that the pump
keeps getting plugged up with "stuff" from the bottom of the
pond!
Here is an easy way to help alleviate that problem:
-- Put the pump in an aquatic planting basket
-- surround the pump with large gravel (has to be large
enough not to get sucked into the pump, so the pump does
not get damaged)
This will keep larger debris out of the pump and reduce
the number of times it has to be cleaned! Don't forget:
helpful things available on our website:
e-books to help with building and maintaing ponds and fish
water gardening e-Postcards to send to family and friends
Splash! - the Photo Album featuring the ponds of our
subscribers and customers
the Pond Information Pages with lots of help and information
for pond building and maintaining
BEST OF ALL: It's all F R E E !!!
http://www.pondmarket.com
>> FUN (POND) FACT
The Water Lily has been Egypts national flower for over
4000 years!
If you want to "Say it with Flowers", Water Lilies denote
purity of the heart!
Water Lily tubers are a favorite food of Beavers!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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