Water Gardening Direct Blog

Although the winter has been very mild (yet very wet for many). Spring time is still a little way off, but hopefully the temperatures will continue to allow you to get out and start preparing for the warmer weather.

Before we go any further lets just clarify the question of fish feeding. It is very important not to start feeding your fish until the pond water reaches a consistent average temperature of at least 6 Deg C and at this level you should only use Wheatgerm based foods. Below this temperature, your fishes metabolism will slow to the point where undigested food can rot inside the gut. Additionally, bacteria in your filter will not be sufficiently active to process any waste that is produced by feeding fish, resulting in water pollution.

To keep you busy, it’s a great time to inspect and service your pond equipment. Your UV may need a new UV bulb as it requires replacement approximately every 6-12 months (dependant upon type). If replaced in the spring you will ensure it is working at its full potential as the green water starts to develop. The UV quartz should also be checked and cleaned to ensure maximum UV output. We suggest the use of a UV cleaning treatment which will clean your quartz without having to strip down you UV.

If you forgot to clean your filter before the shutdown in the autumn, thoroughly clean your foam and media with pond water. If your foams are more than 3 years old and feel soft and floppy they may be due for a change. Your can purchase replacement foams for your filter in singles or sets and gradually swap them over a period of a few weeks, but remember that most manufacturers will only honour their performance guarantees if genuine replacement foams are used.

See our full range of :

Wheatgerm Foods – UV Bulbs – UV Cleaning treatment – Replacement Foams – All Spare Parts

Despite the small amount of sunshine and the slightly warmer days, we are still getting lots of customers telling us that the fish have only just started feeding.  Just like many creatures who fast during the winter, a fish’s body has evolved to take certain nutrients from the food it eats and ignore other nutrients.  When they start feeding in the Spring the fish needs to regain the weight lost and they will not take on Protein. As such feeding foods high in protein will be a waste and can also lead to foaming (Protein Froth), which can be very unsightly.  As such we recommend initially feeding them Wheatgerm, which has a low protein content but is high in fat, and is ideal for cooler weather.  It produces fewer pollutants and gives the fish the nutrients they require after the winter. As the temperature rises to 10-12 °C (50-56°F) you can start feeding the fish on Staple Food.  These contain everything needed to keep the fish healthy through out the summer months.   As the temperature drops again in the Autumn/Winter you should again move back to the Wheatgerm food to give the fish the nutrients they require.

Please follow the link below to see what foods should be fed at what temperatures.

https://www.watergardeningdirect.com/acatalog/How-and-When-To-Feed-Your-Fish.html

If you would like to see what Wheatgerms foods we offer please follow the link below.

https://www.watergardeningdirect.com/acatalog/Wheatgerm_Foods.html