Pond Owners-Now is a good time to lime.

Lime is used to increase alkalinity. Common liming material is calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) or agricultural limestone. Other liming materials include calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)--hydrated lime, slaked lime, builder's lime--and calcium oxide (CaO)--burnt lime, unslaked lime, quick lime. Calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide are not recommended unless you are applying to an empty fish pond because they can drastically change pH. They are also highly caustic which makes them dangerous to handle. You can purchase lime either in bulk which is cheaper or bagged which is easier to handle especially for small ponds.

Alkalinity can be checked with the water test kit, but a soil sample must be taken to determine the amount of lime to be added to your pond to increase the alkalinity. Approximately 10 samples should be taken from around, the pond. To collect soil from the deep areas, use a long pole with a can attached. Mix the samples in a 5-gallon bucket. Allow the sample to dry. Soil samples are sent to NCDA Soil Testing Lab for analysis. Make sure you identify the sample as a pond sample. You can get packing and shipping materials from your local NC Cooperative Extension office. Make sure that you follow the directions for packing, or your sample may not be analyzed.

You can also determine the lime requirement by using the same application rate that people are using for crops in your area. If the rate is correct, the total alkalinity should be above 20 mg/l after 3 to 4 weeks. If not, apply more and check again in 3 to 4 weeks. For a general recommendation, ponds seldom need less than 2 tons/acre and it is not uncommon to apply 5 tons/acre. Check alkalinity in 3 to 4 weeks. If low, apply again.

Typically, lime can be added any time of year, but it is usually added in the late fall and winter to allow the lime time to react with the soil and water before spring. You need to remember that you are treating the pond bottom as well as the water so when applying the lime should be applied over the whole pond as much as possible. Lime can be applied from a boat or a platform attached to a boat, for large applications.

Discussion about NC Wildlife Resources Regulation Changes

I have invited two North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologists for a meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 from 6-9pm in Statesville at the Iredell County Cooperative Extension Service office (444 Bristol Drive). This will give carp pond owners the opportunity to discuss your needs and desires with them. This will also provide us with the proper procedures for requesting a regulation change.

In addition to this important discussion, a carp pond owner will give his personal experience on water quality highlighting salting and liming your carp pond. Hope to see you there!

North Carolina Drought Information

I just became aware of a website with North Carolina drought information.

http://www.ncdrought.org

It is filled with information about current drought conditions. But more importantly, it contains information about water conservation tips:

http://www.p2pays.org/water/TopTen.asp

We all need to do our part in order to save this economically and environmentally important resource.

Some tips that I follow:

Tip #1: Use indoor water wisely...Turn off water while lathering, shampooing, shaving and brushing your teeth. (I have started practicing this. Not as much an inconvenience as you might think).

Tip #2: Use dry cleanup methods...Use a broom instead of a hose to wash away debris on your sidewalks and driveways. (I have always done this. Much easier to grab a broom than a hose).

Stocking Best Management Practices

It’s that time of year when many carp ponds are stocked with new fish. As of now, there are no new restrictions involving carp harvest and transport in the Great Lakes region. Even so, fish haulers and pond owners need to exercise caution when transporting and stocking fish from any region. Here are a few best management practices when stocking fish.

Transporting Fish

Ensure fish supply is disease free. No known disease problems in water source. Especially exotic diseases.

Disinfect the transport vehicle before loading stock.

Handle fish with care. Fish can be scraped and bruised. Fish can lose scales. Rough handling can cause fish to lose protective slime coat (their defense against disease). Loss of scales and open wounds is also an opening for infection.

Move fish during cooler parts of the day.

Avoid delays.

Have all required permits or licenses in order. Carry in truck in case of inspection.

Check with proper regulatory authorities for current information on laws and regulations on transporting live fish before doing interstate business.

Disinfect the transport vehicle after unloading stock.

The goal is to provide healthy fish that survive after stocking. Another goal is to stop the spread of exotic diseases.

Stocking Fish

Know your supplier.

Know where your supplier is getting your fish stock. Is it known to have disease problems? It is best to avoid disease introductions.

Handle fish with care. Do not overload dip nets. Fish can be scraped and bruised. Fish can lose scales. Rough handling can cause fish to lose protective slime coat (their defense against disease). Loss of scales and open wounds is also an opening for infection.

Handle fish during cooler parts of the day.

Temper/acclimate fish to receiving pond water temperature. For every 10 F change in temperature, temper fish for 20 minutes.

Minimize the amount of time fish spend out of water.

If possible, isolate the new stock from existing stock. Many pond owners will be unable to do this. However this would be the ideal situation. After observing fish for a period of time, stock new fish with existing fish.

If isolating new stock is not possible, it is best to avoid disease introductions.

Where was the hauler before it came to your pond? Are you the first, second, or third stop?

Good Fish Husbandry

Maintain good water quality. Maintain adequate oxygen. Lime, and salt when needed.

Avoid overstocking.