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New IonGen Instructions Just Released!

The original revolutionary IonGen was released on September 1st of 2009 and had a system that was manually calibrated. A few months later, Aquascape switched to an automatically recalibrated model.  Serial #’s 0005774 and BELOW are the manually calibrated generation 1 units, 0005775 and above are new generation 2 units automatically recalibrating units.

The Instruction Manual was never changed to reflect the change until now. The new Instruction Manual which should answer many of your questions concerning the newer IonGens is now out FINALLY.

Please click on New IonGen Instruction Manual for the PDF File

Winterizing the BioFalls and Skimmer Question

Winterizing BioFalls and Skimmer Question and great answer from Tom Smith of Garden State Koi:

Question:Need help to winterize an Aquascape skimmer. Have two ponds, 3K gallons each connected by a stream and waterfall. Gets down to minus 10 or more each winter. We use bubblers and heaters in pond. We turn off skimmers in winter and put heater in each one to prevent freezing of skimmer and pump. Our bottom pond skimmer pump feeds our top pond to create the water falls and stream. That is turned off in winter. When I turn off bottom pump, the check valve in skimmer leaks just a little bit but causes top pond to drain half way down until it reaches the outlet of the water pipe coming from the bottom skimmer. I want to remove the bottom skimmer check valve and insert a plug…but cannot find one. What do you suggest? 

Tom’s Answer:I don’t suggest just plugging the pipe. This will allow water to remain,freeze and damage the pipe. He needs to put a stand pipe in the inlet on the top pond. This way when he disconnects the pump/check valve. The top pond DOES NOT DRAIN. We don’t want any water to remain in the pipe-but we want the top pond to stay full.This can be done with a 90 degree fitting and a length of pipe to get above the top pond water level.

Aquascape Tech Answer: I would take the pump and check valve out altogether and store it in a bucket of water like we would normally suggest especially if he shuts his system down for the winter. In doing so should allow all the water drain from the top. Then if he wants to cap it I would only cap the top at the Biofalls (if he has a Biofall). You can pick up pipe plugs at Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards. Here is a website I found that shows a similar one that I use: http://webstore.petersenresources.com/hand.aspx

New Tsurumi 9PL Waterfall Pump in action!

One of our good customers – Greg Swedo – just installed the new Tsurumi 9PL which mimics the Aquascape Pro 7500 with a couple advantages. It only takes 987 watts vs 1200 for the Aquascape Pro 7500 and its “Sweet Spot” or Maximum Suggested Operating Zone is from 5′ to 35″ where the Aquascape Pro 7500 should not be used under 15′ of head height. Check out his Water Feature!

Sustainable Water Feature for Green Home

Join Greg Wittstock (CEO of Aquascape) “The Pond Guy” in Columbus, Ohio as he makes good on a 6 year promise to build a sustainable water feature for Rosemarie Rosetti at her new “green” home.

Beautiful Pond Video from Aquascape

 
Here is a nice ‘Teaser Video” from Aquascape showing some of their features. Sign me up!

Pond Remodeling Anyone?

Thinking of updating your pond? Join Aquascape’s CEO Greg Wittstock AKA The Pond Guy – and his henchman as they update a 5 year old pond. You won’t believe the difference!

New "The Pond Owner's Handbook" from Aquascape

Aquascape has just released the brand new 2010 version of  the popular 24 page  “The Pond Owners Handbook”  which provides sections on:

1. Pond Ecology and Ecosystem
2. Pond Fish
3. Aquatic Plants
4. Year-round Maintenance

Enjoy!

Secret Formula - Clearing up Green Water Pond in conjunction with IonGen Instructions

We have experienced some green water ponds that the IonGen has not been able to clear up. According to the Aquascape Tech’s IonGen experts, there appear to be some forms of Planktonic algae that the IonGen is unable to totally conquer. Apparently the levels of copper which would be required to kill this algae would be too high to be safe for the fish. 

It appears that if the pond were to start from scratch, the IonGen would be able to keep this algae from forming but in an existing pond with certain forms of green water algae, the IonGen may be unable to clear it up.  

Fear not though, the IonGen gurus at Aquascape have experienced great results with the following “recipe” for clearing up your ponds. All of the “ingredients” are available on our site:  

 Products Required:   

1.  Party-Pack Filter Mat  2. Rapid Clear by Aquascape  3. SAB Stream and Pond Clean 4. Pond Detoxifier   

1. On the first day place the Party-Pack filter pad in the basket or net of your skimmer and add the recommended dose of SAB stream and pond clean and wait a good 24 hours.
2. After 24 hours turn off your pump, walk around the perimeter of your pond slowly pouring in the rapid clear double the recommended dosage; if possible try to get some towards the middle too.  You should start to see little cloudy balls start forming in the water. Wait about 20-30 minutes before turning the pump back on.
3. After 48 hours you should be seeing some improvement in your water.  If anything, you should see the fine filter pad getting “gunked” up and green, then you know it is working even if you can’t tell as much in the overall pond.  It may take awhile to filter everything out.
4. Repeat after 48 hours if necessary.
5. You can add the Pond Detoxifier in about 2-3 times a week as recommended.  This will help chelate the copper making it more readily available for the algae to ingest.

Snakes in your Pond?

We have had several questions recently about snakes in the pond such as this one below. Since we have never had any snakes in our Southern California pond, here are some suggestions that we have received. Would love to hear more.

Question: I am plagued with water snakes in my pond. Aside from the fact that I hate them, they eat my baby fish. Any suggestions?