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Pond Pulse |
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Volume 1, Issue 12, Decmeber, 2007 |
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In This Issue Message From The President Special Days Meaningful Messages Consumer Checklist Your Investments Rewards Your Business IPPCA 3-Year Recap EasyPro Aquatic Specialist Pond Water Chemistry 101 More Product Discounts Announced New IPPCA Sponsors Members of The Month Thank You-2007
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Calendar of Event Proline Seminar by Danner Mfg. January 8, 2008 St Louis, Missouri January 15, 2008 Tucker, Georgia January 22, 2008 Palm City, Florida January 24, 2008 Harwich, Massachusetts January 25, 2008 Jobstown, New Jersey October 2, 3 & 4, 2008 InfoTanza™ 2008 |
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Message From The President
In the words of the rock group Queen, "Another one bites the dust and another one down, another one bites the dust". That was the year that was, when the dust settles on your year will it be a win, loose, or draw? There is always mumbling about presidential year elections being economically slow because people don't know who is going to be president. One thing for sure, George W won't be, (Except in Florida) but does it really matter? It's kind of the same with technical water quality in ponds, or green lights when you are driving, if it matters, it matters. What seems to be a given is the sun will rise in the east in the morning. Some mornings are bright and sunny, some are over cast and rainy, but even behind the clouds the sun is still there. On January 1st each of us will be given 365 days, god willing, in which to do something. What will you do? It seems as this year closes there is allot of chaos, an Omaha shooting and else where, weather in extremes. Ice storms and 80 degrees side by side on the map, mud slides, strange indeed. In 08 keep in mind the words of Joseph Campbell, "Follow your bliss". That means to follow a passion. To para phrase another song, "Don't worry, be happy". That doesn't mean blow off your responsibilities, because we still have to fit in the social structure, but to follow a passion, something that makes you happy. Guess what!? My bliss is ponds. Right now the rock and gravel kind, with expanding horizons to different venues. You know how watching a waterfall just draws you in. How when at the end of the day as a pond builder you sit listening and watching your waterfall and pond to unwind and you know there are many people that you helped be able to do the same thing, its kind of, "peaceful easy feeling". May that peaceful easy feeling be yours this holiday season, and if you have not yet found your bliss, may it be wrapped up with a bow and placed in your lap in the New Year.
Rocke; Huntington President IPPCA |
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Special Days In January January Birthday’s
Debi Phelps (3) Matthew Genton (3) Samantha Genton (5)
Do we have your birthday and/or anniversary?
Send in your dates to info@ippca.com and we will add you to the calendar. |
Your Investment rewards your business….And your career The International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA) delivers many "behind the scenes" benefits. The association advocates effective, modern pond and water garden products, practices and education. Our efforts at federal and state government levels have resulted in the over-turn and modifications of standards, legislation and regulations that were detrimental to the pond and water garden industry, and an ongoing campaign and pro-active lobbying action for beneficial legislation and actions to hinder negative legislation. Together our members work to improve standards promoting fair competition and product acceptance in the market place. |
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pH |
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We are going to skip many of the technical details since it is not really necessary that a pond keeper knows exactly what pH is. What is important is to know how to make pH measurements, to routinely make the measurements, and how to interpret their results. The discussion below is not intended for chemistry majors nor for anyone who desires a technically accurate description of our subjects. It is provided for the average pond owner to visualize what is going on in his or her pond. A pH measurement will help us determine if our water is a proper place to put the fish. For our Koi ponds, the pH should normally be between 7.0 and 8.5, but it is probably acceptable to be anywhere between 6.0 and 9.0. Although most of the fish could tolerate a pH as low as 5.0, bio-converter bacteria are subject to damage. Long term conditions above 9.0 can cause kidney damage to the Koi.
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Ammonia NH3 |
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Ammonia, NH3, measured in parts per million (ppm), is the first measurement to determine the "health" of the biologic converter. Ammonia should not be detectable in a pond with a "healthy" bio-converter. The ideal and normal measurement of ammonia is zero. When ammonia is dissolved in water, it is partially ionized depending upon the pH and temperature. The ionized ammonia is called ammonium and is not particularly toxic to the fish. As the pH increases and the temperature drops, the ionization and ammonium decreases which increases the toxicity. As a general guideline for a water temperature of 70OF, most Koi would be expected to tolerate an ammonia level of 1 ppm for a day or so if the pH was 7.0, or even as high as 10.0 if the pH was 6.0. At a pH of 8.0, just 0.1 ppm can be dangerous. |
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Temperature |
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Whether you measure your pond's temperature in degrees Centigrade or degrees Fahrenheit or both, a thermometer is considered a requirement for all ponds. A floating pool or spa thermometer is good. It is recommended that it be floated in the filter/converter system or tied to an easy access point at the edge of the pond. Acceptable 35OF-85OF (2OC-30OC) Ideal Range 65O F-75OF (20OC-25OC) |
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Nitrite NO2-N |
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Nitrite, NO2-N, measured in parts per million (ppm), is the second chemical measurement made to determine the "health" of the biologic converter. Nitrite should not be detectable in a pond with a properly functioning bio-converter. Thus the ideal and normal measurement of nitrite is zero. A low nitrite reading combined with a significant ammonia reading indicates the ammonia-nitrite biologic converter action is not established, while a low ammonia reading with a detectable nitrite reading indicates that the nitrite-nitrate bacterial conversion activity is not yet working. |
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Nitrate NO3-N |
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Nitrate, NO3-N, measured in ppm, is the third and last measurement used to determine the "health" of the bio-converter. Nitrate is produced by one of the autotrophic bacterial colonies by combining oxygen and nitrite. This occurs both in the bio-converter and to a lesser degree on the walls of the pond. A zero nitrate reading, combined with a non-zero nitrite reading, indicates the nitrite-nitrate bacterial converter action is not established. In an established pond with part of the routine maintenance including 5% to 10% water change outs every week or two, nitrate levels will normally stabilize in the 50-100 ppm range. Concentrations from zero to 200 ppm are acceptable but should normally be below 100. |
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Alkalinity |
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Alkalinity is most often measured in ppm (referred to as calcium carbonate equivalents). A measurement is normally made by pretreating the water sample with a pill, powder, or droplet solution which results in the sample turning blue. The alkalinity is then determined by measuring (from a calibrated pipette or by counting drops) the amount of a second acidic reagent required to change the color to pink. A recommended test kit should measure a range of 0 - 200 ppm. An Alkalinity test kit is recommended but not considered to be a requirement for the average pond keeper. In an established pond, the ideal Alkalinity measurement should be around 100 ppm. Readings from 50 to 200 are acceptable. |
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Water Change Outs |
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Partial water change outs can reduce the amount of anything dissolved in the water but not totally remove it. Although it is sometimes necessary, draining and refilling a pond should only be used as a last resort! Do not use large water change outs to clear green water conditions. A large water change out will normally make the situation worse, not better. Often, several partial water change outs, performed over a period of days or even weeks, can reduce the concentration of an undesired item to acceptable levels without serious after effects. A water change out reduces the amount of a substance in the water by the same amount as the percentage of water replaced. Remember the concentrations of any "good" stuff in the pond is being reduced at the same time as the "bad" stuff. Also the water being used for replacement may have undesirable components as well.
A water change out is considered to be when a measured amount of water is removed from the pond and then replaced. Just adding water and letting the pond overflow will not accomplish the desired results unless significantly more water is transferred. Water added to replace that lost by evaporation is not part of a change out. When making the water replacement with tap water that contains chlorine and/or chloramine, it would be better to pretreat the water with the chlorine neutralizer before adding it to the pond (particularly small ponds). If this cannot easily be done, use a fine spray of water over the pond and divide the total computed neutralizer dosage into two to four parts and add while the makeup water is being added. Don't Forget To Turn Off The Water! Set a timer or do something to remind you that makeup water is running into the pond. Inexpensive flow timer shutoff devices that hook directly on the hose are available and are a good safety item to use. |
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Contractor Of The Month Peter Stopen
CPPC since 12/07/2006 IPPCA Five Star Contractor 2007 ICPI Certified Installer (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) Affiliations: |
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Sponsor of The Month Fishmen Chemicals
Fishman Chemical, LLC was formed in the winter of 189 by the merger of Algon Chemical of Haworth, New Jersey and Fishman Pharmaceutical Located in Warren, New Jersey. Algon supplied human, veterinary and tropical fish pharmaceuticals, Fishman Pharmaceutical specialized in human pharmaceutical activates. As the businesses merged the emphasis turned to supplying only tropical fish pharmaceuticals. Fishman chemical LLC expanded, and now has warehouses in both New Jersey and Minneapolis, Minnesota with offices in the Florida Keys. Fishman Chemical now supplies tropical fish pharmaceuticals to customers in all 50 states and 14 countries. We currently stock over 65 tropical fish pharmaceuticals for wholesale distribution, and always welcome special orders. All of our products are of the highest purity. Fishman Chemical LLC guarantees the lowest prices in the industry.
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Associate Member of The Month Carollina Waterscapes Carolina Waterscapes is a full service water gardening center offering design, construction, supplies and accessories under one roof. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, our retail center consists of a large variety of aquatic plants, koi and goldfish varieties, quality pond supplies, fountains and unique garden and gift accessories. With four spectacular pond displays, a trip to Carolina Waterscapes will inspire any water garden enthusiast. There is something for everyone. Our mission at Carolina Waterscapes is to offer clients the highest quality of service in the water gardening industry. Our primary objective and utmost desire is to satisfy our clients. Carolina Waterscapes, Inc. exists for this purpose for without satisfied clients, jobs may be sacrificed. Our clients are not dependent upon us, we are dependent upon them. A client is not an interruption of our work, they are the purpose of it. We at Carolina Waterscapes believe that our clients will respond favorably to us when we provide and deliver a quality service and exhibit pride in our work. We at Carolina Waterscapes dedicate ourselves to this philosophy. |
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Many thanks to all of you for supporting the IPPCA in many different ways. Some of you are Contractor, Associate Members and Sponsors of the IPPCA. Some of you are message board members. Some of you are just hobbyist who wish to support the Pond and Waterscapes Only Trade Association and We thank you.
Dave and I have enjoyed many conversations and email with you all and have enjoyed working with each and everyone of you that have called in requesting information or just to say “Hello”. It is people like you that make this volunteer job so much fun, interesting and exciting.
Dave and I would like to wish all of you a “Merry Christmas” and a “Happy New Year”.
Dave & Gloria Jones Executive Director, Secretary/Treasurer
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The information was provided in part by Norm Meck We would like to thank Norm for his time effort in providing this information. Copy write 2006,2007 |
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IPPCA Goes to San Diego
Dave Jones, Executive Director of the IPPCA travels to San Diego, California, December 9-11 to attend the International Irrigation Show. The IPPCA become members of the Irrigation Association this summer and was offered a free booth. By all reports this was a successful show not only for the Irrigation Association but for the IPPCA as well as we gained exposure to manufacturers, distributors and contractors. Below are only a few of the pictures Dave brought back to IPPCA headquarters. |
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IPPCA Booth #242 |
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Dave Jones and publisher Denne Goldstein of the Irrigation Green Industry News. |
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Jeff Weemhoff, President Atlantic Water Gardens, IPPCA Sponsor |
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Demi Fortuna, Danner Mfg., IPPCA Sponsor |
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Valerie Steele, President, Savio Engineering, Inc., stops by to talk to IPPCA CPPC Mike Garcia of Enviroscapes. |
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Special thanks to Mark Lawson with K.D.S.D. Mark helped Dave out in the booth all weekend. Mark also supplied travel to and from the airport.
Thank you Mark! |
