Ponds

Farm Ponds in Florida Irrigation Systems

G. A. Clark, C. D. Stanley, F. Z. Zazueta, and E. E. Albregts

Dissolved Oxygen for Fish Production

Ruth Francis-Floyd

This document is about dissolved oxygen (DO). DO refers to oxygen gas that is dissolved in water. Fish "breathe" oxygen just as land animals do. However, fish are able to absorb oxygen directly from the water into their bloodstream using gills, whereas land animals use lungs to absorb oxygen from the atmosphere. First published in 1992.

Fertilization of Fresh Water Fish Ponds

Craig Watson and Charles E. Cichra

This document outlines the principles and practices of fertilizing freshwater fish ponds to enhance their productivity. Fertilization, akin to its use in land-based agriculture, can significantly boost the production of small natural food-consuming fish species such as bluegill and golden shiner by increasing the availability of algae and zooplankton. This process not only supports small fish but also benefits larger predatory fish, like largemouth bass, by improving their food supply. Phosphorus is identified as the most critical nutrient, often supplemented with nitrogen for better results. The document discusses the forms and application methods of fertilizers, emphasizing liquid fertilizers for their rapid effectiveness. Practical guidelines for determining the timing and frequency of fertilization based on water temperature and clarity are provided, alongside techniques for applying both liquid and granular fertilizers efficiently. The document also addresses common challenges suc

Florida-Friendly Plants for Stormwater Pond Shorelines

Gail Hansen and Shangchun Hu

Use of Copper in Freshwater Aquaculture and Farm Ponds

Craig Watson and Roy P.E. Yanong

Copper has been used for many years as a chemical tool in freshwater farm ponds and aquaculture operations. It is both an effective algicide and a parasite treatment. The problem with the use of copper is that there is a thin line that separates effective treatment levels from overdoses, which can kill fish. This fact sheet is designed to explain when copper is used, how it is used, and some precautions to take before using it. First published in 1989. 

The Role of Aeration in Pond Management

Michael McGee and Charles Cichra

The goal of most fish farmers is to maximize production and profits while holding labor and management efforts to the minimum. Risk of fish kills, disease outbreaks, poor water quality, and reduced feed conversion often result when efforts to increase production are unsupported by improved management strategies. This document is about aeration. This is a process that offers the most immediate and practical solution to water quality problems encountered at higher stocking and feeding rates. Aeration may be broadly classified into two different applications, emergency aeration and maintenance aeration. First published June, 1991.

A New Database on Trait-Based Selection of Stormwater Pond Plants

Gisele P. Nighswander, Mary E. Szoka, Kayla M. Hess, Eban Z. Bean, Gail Hansen de Chapman, and Basil V. Iannone III

The Use of Lime in Fish Ponds

Andy M. Lazur, Charles E. Cichra, and Craig Watson

Liming is an effective tool in fish production and pond management. However, lime is casually used to describe two different types of materials, used for very different purposes. Agricultural limestone refers to calcite (calcium carbonate) and dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate). The calcium and magnesium components raise the total hardness of water, essential to the health of many aquatic species. The carbonate component raises the total alkalinity and the pH, buffering daily fluctuations in pH, increasing microbial activity in the pond soil, and increasing the availability of phosphorous to phytoplankton. Pond water with total alkalinity less than 20 ppm can benefit from liming. Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) is an inexpensive and effective pond sterilizer, raising the pH quickly and dramatically above tolerable levels for most aquatic organisms. It should be used carefully, avoiding contact to the applicator, and never used in ponds containing desirable fish. This document w

Selecting a Method for Sealing Ponds in Florida

Dorota Z. Haman, Fedro S. Zazueta, Gary A. Clark, Sandra Guzman, and Haimanote Bayabil

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Stormwater Pond Management: What You Need to Know about Aeration

Samantha T. Howley, Steven P. Hohman, and Alexander J. Reisinger

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Water==

Managing Pestiferous Freshwater Aquatic Midge Emergences from Storm Water Retention Ponds

Kenneth T. Gioeli, R. Leroy Creswell, Jeffrey P. Gellermann, Edward A. Skvarch, and Philip G. Koehler

A UF/IFAS numbered publication.

Water Talk: Plants For Your Pond

Michael D'Imperio

Adding plants in and around a community stormwater pond is a great way to boost the ecosystem services provided by your water feature. Emergent plants in a pond’s littoral zone (the shallow shelf-like area between a pond’s bank and deep water) help improve water quality by aiding the pond’s ability to remove nutrients from incoming […]

What’s Lurking in Florida’s Freshwater?

Jackie Lebouitz

In this blog… Introduction Macroinvertebrates Field guide Water quality Experiment   Introduction What’s lurking in Florida’s freshwater? Well, many things, to be quite frank. From fish to birds to the occasional river otter, people can expect to find several wonders in the freshwater ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers that Florida has to offer. Now, a […]

Resources for Hiring a Landscape and Pond Professional

Maggie Gaughan

It is no secret that it can be difficult hiring a landscape and/or pond professional that meets all of your community’s needs. Luckily, there is a website full of presentations and resources for hiring a landscape and pond professional. This site is intended to provide resources to maintenance professionals, pond committees, HOA members, realtors, or […]