Record high temps have been running rampant in our area let alone across the country, which can pose a concern for pond owners. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to ensure you keep a healthy pond with happy fish during the dog days of summer. Refer to our five critical tips during the summer pond season and you can rest easy knowing your fish and pond are well cared for.
1. Add Oxygen: Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water so you should consider placing an aerator or an additional water pump in your pond. Fish use more oxygen in the summer because they’re more active. They’ll benefit from the increased supply that an aerator adds.
2. Feeding Fish: If you feed your fish, feed them in the morning and be careful not to overfeed. Uneaten food decays faster in warmer water and can pollute the pond. Don’t worry that they won’t get enough to eat during summer pond season. Fish will gladly nibble algae off the rocks
3. Keep It Clean: Remove dying leaves and flowers before they have a chance to decay in the warmer water. And since the water’s warm, feel free to wade into the pond to remove dying lily pads and blooms. Don’t be surprised if you feel your finned friends rub up against your legs!
4. Provide Shade: Pond plants such as waterlilies and other floating plants help provide fish with shade from the heat of summer sun, cooling the water and making algae control much easier as well. You can also add a fish cave to your pond to provide a shadier spot that also serves as protection from predators.
5. Pond Evaporation: Be mindful of evaporation of pond water. With the conditions we have been enduring, ponds in our area have been evaporating levels of water in excess of three inches per week. If you’re experiencing even faster evaporation rates, you might want to check for a pond leak.