For Sure Winter Will End ... Think About Your pond & Prepare For Spring NOW

The severe winter on the eastern seaboard of the USA has probably not created the mood for most people to start thinking about their ponds but soon the cold, snow and severe frosts and ice will be behind us and that breath of spring air will arrive and rejuvenate everybody. Be ready ... Important note for the new season

I get many requests especially from the USA and UK to identify reputable outlets where they can source pond products and I have always been reluctant to do this. During this winter I have been researching suitable suppliers and will in future provide my readers with links to those companies I would feel happy to work with based upon their knowledge, commitment, service and dedication to the customer

The most important aspect is to make sure your biofilter gets off to an early and good start since it will have slowed down remarkably with low water temperatures. As the water warms evens slightly microorganisms also sense the change and wake up and not just the good ones either.

Spring is the time when many fish that have survived the winter die from disease. They die because their immune systems have been weakened overt he winter months brought on by poor food intake and digestion and the fact that body reserves have been drawn down dramatically. In this state almost any fish is prone to attack by lurking bacteria and viruses.

The challenge fish keepers face then is to ensure as much as they possibly can the health of their fish and environment in preparation for this spring fever period.

To the best of my knowledge there is only one product system available that will protect your fish from bacterial attack in this vulnerable period and state. The product does not cure bacterial infection ... it prevents it taking place by reducing the concentrations of offending Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacteria. By the way I do not sell the product and have no commercial interest in it either.

The product in the USA is called KoiZyme and in the UK is called GENESYZ.

What is important to realize about the product is that it works by a process called "Competitive Exclusion" so addition to the pond has to be done over a period of time in order to reduce the Aeromonas and Pseudomonas bacteria levels to almost zero levels ..... so the sooner you start the better.

Here is a short extract from an article by Tom Holder. You can read the complete article at http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/pyjamas/article003.htm

Extract from Tom Holder's article ...

One of the most important things in keeping your pond and your fish healthy is understanding pathogenic bacteria. There are a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria that can infect your pond. By far the most common are Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. These two bacteria kill more koi each year than all the other pathogens combined. Understanding how these pathogens live, eat and attack your koi is vital to controlling them.

Aeromonas and Pseudomonas cause ulcers (also known as hole in the side disease), fin rot, mouth rot and tail rot. If left untreated the damage they inflict will eventually kill the fish. Many hobbyists believe that their ponds do not have either of these bacteria when their fish are not currently experiencing any of the above symptoms. This simply is not true. Aeromonas and/or Pseudomonas exist in almost every koi pond the world. You must understand that it is possible for koi to be around these bacteria and NOT be infected. Koi have a defense mechanism that helps protect them against these bacteria. This defense is made up of primarily their slime coat and their immune system. It is important not to have a false sense of security because all your fish appear healthy. This can change quickly. The big question is: How much Aeromonas and Pseudomonas can koi be exposed to without getting sick?