The Frogger - March 2009

You may wonder why we ask that question in March. We aren't wondering if it is cold or not. We are wondering if your water supply is being treated with Chloramine. With increased chloramine use in city water supplies pond owners to compensate.
What is Chloramine? Chloramine is a valuable disinfectant for public drinking water. A simplified explanation is it is a combination of Chlorine and Ammonia. Chloramines take weeks to dissipate unlike chlorine which can dissipate in about 24 hours and this is the main reason why many municipal water authorities are switching from chlorine use to chloramines in our drinking water.
Does chlormine affect your beautiful pet fish in your pond? Yes it does. When chloraminated water is added to a pond the chloramines pass through the gills and enter the bloodstream, binding to iron in blood cells and preventing them from carrying oxygen, causing suffocation.
How can you remove the chloramines from the water you are adding to your pond? Make sure the product you are using specifically states that it removes both chlorine and chloramines. Many products that remove chlorine leave the ammonia behind in the water. Any time water is added to a pond, the water should be treated.
We recommend using EcoStarter™ Plus Liquid. EcoStarter™ turns tap water into pond water.
EcoStarter™ eliminates chlorine and unbinds chloramines and chelates heavy metals, making them safe and allowing for metals like iron to be used by pond plants as fertilizer. It also detoxifies and chelates copper as well as detoxifying ammonia and chloramines. This water conditioner has the added benefit of protecting and repairing the slime coat of your fish. A healthy slime coat on fish means a healthy fish.

How do you use a water conditioner? Follow the instructions on the bottle to calculate how much you will need to use based on how many gallons your pond is. Use a full dose after completing a clean-out or large water change (more than 50%). Use a half-dose when adding water to the pond. Ecostarter works instantly so you can use it as soon as you start adding water. If you will be adding or netting fish it is also a good ideal to add a half-dose to protect the slime coat on your fish.

Clearwater Ponds always uses water conditioners when we come for your spring start up. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians have a great reputation for caring for and protecting your fish.
Don't forget to ask us to add EcoStarter Plus Liquid to your Product Package in the spring.