Farm pond disaster

[JamieB]

So I don’t know what was sprayed, by who, how far away, but something is causing a massive die off in my big pond. Due to it getting full sun most of the day, it was very green. Next day, it looked like tea, all the algae died off and fish were struggling. I removed as many as I could, put them in my smaller pond, tried airriating the water, adding new water, but kept loosing fish. Today is rainy, cloudy. I went out, and while netting dead floaters, noted avery fine film like oil. So something got into my water, presumably from farmers spraying their fields. The smaller pond under the tree is fine, if rather overstocked now, so I’m trying to figure out how to get enough pumps and airiation for my spare tanks to divide them up and space them out.
For those who don’t know, or are new and hunting for a solution to your problem, I live out in the country and am on well water. I don’t add stuff to my water, except fish, food, and plants! I hadn’t had any issues this year other than the algae bloom, due to direct sun and heat wave.
So now I’ve pulled my plants, I’m draining the pond, I’ll have to do a full water change, wash the pond well, then refill it and add fish back, hopefully before cold weather hits. I’m contemplating how to insulate my little pond for winter so I can keep a select few in there in order to try and breed them come spring.
So, if any of the pond folk have ponds, live out in the country where fields get sprayed, you’ll need to find out what is sprayed that can get in your pond, and cover it if so.

 

[bagsmom]

So sorry to hear this!

 

[mrsclem]

Wow, you are having major problems with you animals! You need to check with your neighbors to see what they have sprayed!

 

[addy1]

They spray fields here but far enough away the spraying has never bothered my pond.

So sorry you are having all these issues.

 

[Tula]

How upsetting! I'm really sorry this happened to you and I hope you get some answers.

 

[BarbO]

Sorry to read this Jamie. I hope you can save some fish. How are the kittens?

 

[j.w]

So sad for you and the fish

 

[GBBUDD]

have you checked the temps jammie ? I know even with the deep pond and the underground bog I have still seen high temps. it's been so hot this year it just won't give us a break

 

[Tara]

That's too bad, hope things work out, and the remaining fish do well. Sounds awful, but things can all ways get better.

 

[Stephen Noble]

So I don’t know what was sprayed, by who, how far away, but something is causing a massive die off in my big pond. Due to it getting full sun most of the day, it was very green. Next day, it looked like tea, all the algae died off and fish were struggling. I removed as many as I could, put them in my smaller pond, tried airriating the water, adding new water, but kept loosing fish. Today is rainy, cloudy. I went out, and while netting dead floaters, noted avery fine film like oil. So something got into my water, presumably from farmers spraying their fields. The smaller pond under the tree is fine, if rather overstocked now, so I’m trying to figure out how to get enough pumps and airiation for my spare tanks to divide them up and space them out.
For those who don’t know, or are new and hunting for a solution to your problem, I live out in the country and am on well water. I don’t add stuff to my water, except fish, food, and plants! I hadn’t had any issues this year other than the algae bloom, due to direct sun and heat wave.
So now I’ve pulled my plants, I’m draining the pond, I’ll have to do a full water change, wash the pond well, then refill it and add fish back, hopefully before cold weather hits. I’m contemplating how to insulate my little pond for winter so I can keep a select few in there in order to try and breed them come spring.
So, if any of the pond folk have ponds, live out in the country where fields get sprayed, you’ll need to find out what is sprayed that can get in your pond, and cover it if so.

Sorry to hear about your dilemma, JamieB. I would look at the pond to see if there is an internal problem ie. oil leaking from a pump or decaying vegetation (which causes an oily looking film). Are large or groups of migrating birds visiting the pond? Sometimes a huge influx of bird waste leaves a film. It seems late in the season for crop dusting but you might call the farm coop in Alva, OK and see if they can give you a lead. Could a neighbor be spraying something? Do you live on a dirt or gravel road where the county sprays oil to cut dust? Just thinking for possibilities here.
Stephen

 

[sissy]

Here before they spray a field they have to contact the EPA ,but yet the power tower sprayers don't ,does not make since .Sad to here this still goes on these days

 

[JamieB]

There are two different sprays used, D3, a weed killer thing, I forgot what the full name was, and an insect killer, both are not marine safe. But with strong winds, it can carry. And this is Oklahoma, we get strong winds all the time. I’ve drained the pond as low as I can, saved the last three fish in it, and will split them between a kiddy pool, and tanks and my little pond. I’m trying to get the folks who want the bait fish to come get them, so I can space out the pond quality ones better.
Temps were ok, they’d been up to 80s the week prior, and they just hid in the deep, but an influx of well water brought it down. We’ve got cooler temps this week, and into next week. So I’ll have to get my tanks moved around after that to sheltered locations where I can monitor better. Since it’s a fair chance my big pond won’t be clean, filled, and back in working order by first frost, I’m contemplating if I could set up the mini pond in the back room or side room. Doubt the guys will go for that. But I’m thinking on it! ( those rooms have concrete floor) so my next thought is my gazebo, but no electricity there yet. I’ve got some thinking to do to get things ready for winter.
As for the cats, cooler weather seems to be helping, I set an appointment up with the vet for the 14th, and I’ll be buying 6 way vaccines then.

 

[Gemma]

Sorry this is happening to you!