Current Water Garden and Pond News Articles

Pond Information for the Pond Professional

The latest articles, pond news, editorial and pond information for POND Trade Magazine

Jayne Southard

Retailers and pond maintenance professionals can provide water quality testing to their customers and both benefit. A water testing service increases customer loyalty and promotes return visits. Here is how one company in the UK performs this service. Included here are suggestions on what services you can provide, tips about how to get the water to your store safely, and what to test for. Also included is information about the nitrogen cycle to share with your customers.

Water Tech – Care and Feeding of Nitrifying Bacteria

Article submitted by CassCo Products, Inc.

First in a series of articles on the technology of water management is an in-depth discussion of the role of Nitrifying Bacteria in a pond–oxidizing toxic ammonia and nitrite. All bacteria species have limited tolerance ranges and are individually sensitive to water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, salt, micronutrients, light, and inhibitory chemicals. We will touch briefly on each of these to give you a solid understanding of the variables that lead to healthy water for fish.

Language of Koi – Origin of Butterfly Koi

Randy LeFever

Ever wonder where the name “Butterfly” koi came from? Randy tells us about the history and development of Butterfly koi at Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery. Learn how they have developed their brand of long fin koi called Butterfly koi. Have you noticed Butterfly koi are beautiful to view not only from the top, but also from the side? Take a look.

Advertising Do’s and Don’ts

Pam Greiner

Marketing expert Pam Greiner shares with you several important Do’s and Don’ts of Advertising–like not using the font papyrus or going overboard with content. When you are ready to start designing your ad, follow these eight critical points. And the old rule “KISS” (Keep it Simple Stupid) may be the best rule of all.

Pagel’s Pots

Tom Graham

Walter Pagel’s is well known in the water gardening industry. Tom was fortunate last year to visit him at his home. Walter has dozens of pots in his backyard that have their own microcosm. Take a look at the tiny aquatic plants in these pots.

Why New Ponds “Pop” – Turning the Tide from Green to Clean

Paul Scholz

We are going to de-mystify the “pop” and explain the mechanisms behind it. In nature, there are three general roles microorganisms play: beneficial, harmful and neutral. What are “Follow-on” bacteria? Learn how to persuade them to help get your pond in balance.

POND Trade Magazine’s Product of the Year Challenge Winners

And the winners are. See who won the 2009 Product of the Year Challenge. There were two categories-Pond Equipment and Pond Products. First, second, third and honorable mention were selected from each category, with one product selected as Product of the Year. You voted, now see who won.

What to Expect: Owning a Retail Koi Store

Joe Pawlak

Is your retail store successful? How do you measure success; it’s not always just whether or not you made a profit. Learn from a long-time retail expert some of the common things to expect – what can go right and some things that could go wrong. Special focus is placed on the details of managing fish, from ordering to selling.