Ponds & Aquatic Life
People often ask about other websites they have found and whether they are connected to Orchard Fisheries or other web sites in the Sturgeon Web group. If they are not listed here they are not ours.
Our web sites are:
Please be aware that any other web sites with similar sounding names or content are not connected to us in any way.
If you can't find what you're looking for why not join our forum for a chat with us and other fish keepers.
Latest from the Pond Life Forums
| February 6th, 2012 12:18 AM |
| Sturgeon • Re: Sterlet behaviour in winter. |
|
Yes I would say that is pretty normal for them, my sterlets are pretty slow and hug the bottom all year round, being cold blooded they still do slow down in winter just not as much as carp can do, sterlets are the most bottom hugging of the sturgeons we normally keep and I would say he's waiting for insects to be flushed out of the filter return that is from the bottom drain. I'm sure it's nothing as your water test are fine but if your still worried about him do skin scrape.  - Posted by stellatus — Today, 12:18 am |
| February 5th, 2012 11:49 PM |
| Water Quality • Re: Nitrate Reduction Discussion |
Hi mate I,ve only read on aquarium forums and on here about nitrate over 60 ppm possibly stunting fish growth , high nitrate will deffo encourage algae . Also tropicals "tolerate "high nitrate level if it goes up slowly in there enviroment but introduce a delicate species from 10 ppm to say 60 ppm and "apparantly" its a shock to them from what i,ve read over the years ? I,m guessing yours is next to nil from the tap like mine  You won,t read much on some koi forums about Nitrate as they are usually to busy argueing about sturgeon , rudd , tench , Erics, k1 , jap matt , ball valves and Ford mondeos to talk about Nitrate  . I would be interested to see what you guys get from the tap nitrate wise and how the veg filter works , i will update mine when the season kicks off  - Posted by mel — Yesterday, 11:49 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 11:50 PM |
| Water Quality • Re: Nitrate Reduction Discussion |
|
A bakki shower will reduce nitrates all year round as long as the bacteria is still functioning , and so will the anoxic method of filtration (if i have understud it right) . Whats considered high nitrate ? ..... a guy on another forum i keep in contact with has 80 ppm from his tap , but a shower sorted his out but i,m not sure if he run it in winter (i,d guess not) as he is not heated as such . He had no trouble with his koi at 100 ppm nitrate in his pond , not possible to dilute with water changes either  .If mine is 40 ppm or lower i,m happy (mines more or less nil from the tap) so water changes keep mine down anyway . I made a veg filter last but late on , so i,m hopeing it will keep my nitrate near zero this sumer ?? Brent ....whats your Nitrate from the tap mate ? - Posted by mel — Yesterday, 11:36 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 11:29 PM |
| Sturgeon • Sterlet behaviour in winter. |
|
This is the first winter I have had my Sterlet, he is around 12-14" long. He seems to spend a lot of time lying on the bottom next to the bottom drain (filter runs in reverse, so bottom drain is the filter return) occasionally swimming around, I am unsure if he is feeding, if he is he's not feeding as vigorously as he was a few weeks ago. All the other fish seem to be far more active, I assumed the Sterlet would be far more active? Is this normal behaviour? The water temperature is 4c, ammonia & nitrite is zero. - Posted by Rampage — Yesterday, 11:29 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 11:03 PM |
| Sturgeon • Re: Has anyone been to the Chinese Sturgeon at Ocean Park HK? |
|
Yes, it was good thanks. It took a bit of getting used to, but I enjoyed it! I would have liked to look around Hong Kong Island though, we spent most of the time on the mainland and Macau. I tried to post the Sturgeon pictures on Thursday but PictureGarage wasn't working for the hosting! I'll try again next week. - Posted by Rampage — Yesterday, 11:03 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 10:46 PM |
| Water Quality • Re: Nitrate Reduction Discussion |
|
I read somewhere that Yellow Flag Iris carry using Nitrate through the Winter as well as the Summer. - Posted by Cooperman — Yesterday, 10:46 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 09:18 PM |
| Water Quality • Re: Nitrate Reduction Discussion |
|
To add also, what is considered to be a high Nitrate and what are the negative effects of it? - Posted by Casey — Yesterday, 9:18 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 08:58 PM |
| Water Quality • Nitrate Reduction Discussion |
|
Hi everyone I was wondering if anyone has thoughts on the reduction of nitrates in a pond, more specifically during the winter months. Last year saw the start of my veggie filter along side some water cress around the water return and some barley straw for good measure. This seemed to have a positive effect on the reduction of blanket weed and a decent effect on the nitrate levels. The previous year I was thinking of re-labelling my pond as a blanket weed farm, which is why I took such action! :-) Clearly as a fledgling Sturgeon/Sterlet keeper I am still feeding them at the moment. However..... As the plants have died back the nitrate levels have risen twice, first initially and then following a 50% water change. I'm assuming the rise in nitrates is because of a combination of the fish still being fed and the lack of plants, or maybe the filter doesn't work so well in the winter. So..... I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on sorting out nitrates during the winter months. I have done some initial digging and come across the following; http://www.pond-life.me.uk/ponds/filtra ... filter.php I'm particularly interested in the resin approach. Although I cannot find any more information as to how to go about this and get some resin etc. http://www.ntlabs.co.uk/products/Pond-B ... phate.html This also seems to be an option, however is it safe for Sturgeon/Sterlets and is it the only thing out there? Does anyone have any views/opinions/ideas on this as I'm sure I can't be the only one experiencing nitrate levels rising in winter. Or then again, perhaps I am and I'm doing something stupid that's causing this, do feel free to point out the obvious to me and gently slap me with a kipper if required. Best wishes Brent - Posted by Brent — Yesterday, 8:58 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 07:36 PM |
| Sturgeon • Re: Sterlet wasteing away.. |
|
Hi Mel I've been busy with work recently and only just caught up with the thread. I'm really pleased that things have worked out for you :-) well done for keeping the faith and putting the time and effort in. Best wishes Brent - Posted by Brent — Yesterday, 7:36 pm |
| February 5th, 2012 05:59 PM |
| Equipment • Re: elecro heater |
|
yes very quiet with the snow not much work either . - Posted by huso huso — Yesterday, 5:59 pm |
Latest from Practical Fishkeeping
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| 39 top tips for fishkeepers |
|
Here are some of our favourite fishkeeping tips. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned fishkeeper, there's something here for you!
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Win an Affinity Pool Pillar or Pool Heater |
|
The chance to win one of two great prizes from Interpet in our competition.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Your tanks: Volker Jochum |
|
Nathan Hill talks to aquascaper Volker Jochum about his winning set-up in the Hanover 2012 Aquascaping Contest.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Get closer to marine life in the 'sharkchute' |
|
A water slide that takes swimmers through the middle of a tank full of tropical sharks and rays is the star attraction at a US hotel.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Swim deep for the King of the Amphipods |
|
Nathan Hill on the discovery of a supergiant amphipod - check this monster out on video!
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Blue Planet Aquarium seeks volunteer aquarist |
|
Have you ever fancied finding out what it's like to work at a public aquarium? Well the Blue Planet Aquarium is currently seeking a volunteer aquarist or herpetologist to assist in their zoological department.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Countries join forces to combat shark finning |
|
Colombia and Costa Rica are to create a joint taskforce to combat illegal fishing and shark finning.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| What do Killer whales eat in the Arctic? |
|
Scientifically very little is known of the feeding habits of the Arctic Killer whale. To find out more a recent study has branched away from conventional scientific techniques by using traditional Canadian Inuit knowledge instead to establish feeding and behaviour patterns.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| PFK opens free marketplace for fish and equipment |
|
Want to buy or sell fish, plants or equipment? If so, why not place a free ad on the PFK forum?
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Unwanted Christmas trees become a fish refuge |
|
Ever wondered what happens to the Christmas trees that aren't sold? In some areas of the US they have become unlikely refuges for fish.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| 21 plants to avoid in the aquarium |
|
Many new hobbyists have problems keeping plants in their tanks because they’ve been sold non-aquatic ones. Jeremy Gay explains more.
|
| 02/06/2012 05:33 AM |
| Seven new species of Sundadanio described |
|
Seven new species of the miniature cyprinid Sundadanio have been described in a review of the genus published in a recent issue of the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
|
Latest from BBC Earth News
| 02/02/2012 12:31 PM |
| Seagrass age surprises scientists |
|
Meadows of seagrass, a keystone species in marine ecosystems, found in the Mediterranean Sea are likely to be tens of thousands of years old, a study shows.
|
| 02/03/2012 12:06 AM |
| VIDEO: Art by animals goes on show |
|
A work of abstract expressionism by a chimp and a still life of a flower by an elephant are part of a new exhibition in London of artworks created by animals.
|
| 02/01/2012 06:01 PM |
| Spider web's strength explained |
|
Spider silk's adaptability and the "clever design" of webs are key to the remarkable strength of these structures, experiments reveal.
|
| 02/02/2012 09:52 AM |
| Humble moss 'brought on ice ages' |
|
Research shows that primitive moss-like plants could have helped cool the Earth 470 million years ago, bringing on mini ice ages.
|
| 02/02/2012 08:54 AM |
| 'Supergiant' found in deepest sea |
|
A huge crustacean called a supergiant - more than 30cm long - has been discovered 7km down in the waters north of New Zealand.
|
| 02/02/2012 12:37 PM |
| 'Big cat' theory ruled out by DNA |
|
Scientists fail to find any evidence that "big cats" killed two roe deer found dead in Gloucestershire.
|
| 02/01/2012 11:20 AM |
| Rhino poachers in SA get 25 years |
|
Three Mozambicans are sentenced to 25 years each in a South African court for rhino poaching, according to the South African national parks body.
|
| 02/01/2012 10:35 AM |
| Spider sex trick boosts paternity |
|
Some male spiders voluntarily "castrate" themselves during sex in order to increase their chances of fathering offspring, according to a new study.
|
| 01/31/2012 02:22 AM |
| Gorillas grin 'to reassure pals' |
|
Gorillas bare their teeth in a playful "grin" to reassure one another as they play, scientists discover.
|
| 01/31/2012 02:15 AM |
| Pythons link to mammals decline |
|
Non-native Burmese pythons are the likely cause of a severe decline in mammals living in Florida's Everglades region, a study suggests.
|
| 01/30/2012 04:53 PM |
| Search for black squirrels begins |
|
Scientists want the UK public to report their sightings of black squirrels, in order to estimate the rate at which they are spreading.
|
| 01/24/2012 12:39 AM |
| In pictures: How elephants cool off |
|
Thermal images reveal how Asian elephants cool off by directing heat to their trunks overnight.
|
