Hi, The things that I do for my two ponds works for me...has for over 10
years. I have been involved with aquariums since 1971. Sometimes on a
large scale(fish room and breeding many common and rare killifish etc...) I
have always kept things simple with them including my ponds. I don't
personally believe in going out and buying every gimmick and gadget that
comes out on the market for our hobby. Some things I do may raise an
eyebrow...but they are methods I use after researching things thoroughly.
I use good home built bio/mechanical filters. I have the 10 original fish
that I started with that are huge ,plus a large assortment of offspring. I
do the least amount of work possible. I keep things simple. I have never
had disease and have only lost a couple of fish over the past years due to
winter stress. I have never vacuumed this pond.Never used any chemicals or
additives. I never check water PH. I DO make water changes about every
other week of about 20 percent. Unless we have had allot of rain. I keep
things simple. It is a POND. Not a indoor aquarium. I stay away from all the
gimmicks out there ....just one more thing to spend money on that's not
needed. I have used floating catfish food exclusively(about 18 cents per
pound or less). I do supplement there diet with extra Water Parsley from the
bio filters. The Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis have used "Krazy
Cat" catfish chow for years for their large koi and their fish biologist
said they have never experienced any ill effects from it. Thanks MIKE