by Darrell Rhoades on March 20, 2010
Taking a look at blue pond-dye , What is it? What does it do?
Over time your new pond will turn into a green looking water hole and that’s a bummer. I know because I’ve been there done that. One thing I will not do is just start trying things out until I have a good understanding of what it is, what it does and is it harmful to fish or plants in the pond. I mean we took the time and care to build the pond, add fish and plants and keeping an eye on our little Eco system to be sure all is well for everyone.
With each passing year the pond catch’s leaves that are blown in from the windy days and the grass clippings when you mow around the water’s surface. But that’s not all that helps to create algae. There are the fish that go to the bath room, plants that have died off and even geese leave little presents to be washed into the water. Lots of nutrients are now in the water.
Then add sunlight and the magic of photosynthesis starts to happen and that’s why the pond water turns green, and the reason to use a pond colorant to help keep the sun’s rays from penetrating the water. Kind of like putting sunglasses on the pond creating shade.
Take a look at the video below you’ll see what the pond dye does to water, when to add the dye and what types of ponds to put it in. There is another video about the Pond Dye that shows putting it in the pond and at the end shows how well the dye has worked in just a few months. Stay tuned as we are researching another pond-dye this year and will keep you posted on the results.
PS. Did you get the new version of the Definitive Guide? Check your email or sign up to receive the guide. There is a new surprise in it along with more resources, pic’s and updates.
by Darrell Rhoades on January 26, 2010
Winter Wonder
Wow so far so good only one winter storm this season with significant snow fall that dropped close to 3 feet of snow. Now that we have the deck on the pond my concern was ice building up and maybe lifting the deck then being all twisted up in the spring. To prevent this from happening I moved the aerator from 10 feet of water under the deck in three feet of water and have left it run 24-7.
This will keep a hole in the ice around the deck and being in 3 feet of water we don’t run the risk of super cooling the entire pond and endangering the health of the fish. Having the aerator at the different depths, heating or cooling the pond will be a whole different post in more a lot more detail.
Since winter is here the ice and snow has covered the pond, No I am not one to be out on the ice! When I was a lot younger I went thru and it was not very much fun at all, scary to say the least. Anyways with the cover of snow and ice the sun can’t enter the pond. Kind of a plus and minus, the plus is algae won’t be growing but the plants you want to grow or stay alive can’t grow do to the lack of sunlight.
Let’s say you have an area where you want to keep the vegetation alive. You could do two things,
1) Keep the snow off the ice so that the sun’s rays can penetrate thru the ice.
2) Move your aerator to that location to keep a hole in the ice.
As you will see in the video there is still life happening in the pond and always a jolt of inspiration that spring will come and the pond will be back to its liquid state which also mean’s warmer weather.
Take a few minutes and watch the video below. Comments are always welcome.
PS. The previous post video has had some major technical problems and working to resolve it. I’ll shoot you an email when the glitch is solved.
by Darrell Rhoades on January 10, 2010
WhatPond meet’s the PondBoss
Whether you own a pond or planning to build one be sure to read this post and watch the movie at the end of the post. Learning once we start the pond building project, it will be around for many years. And when planning be sure to have long term goals for the pond or lake as this will be your legacy for generations to come. Providing fishing, recreation and a kick back and relax atmosphere for years to come.
In the video you’ll find ponds aren’t something you rush into, they are a way of life, a passion and an attraction for Mother Nature’s creatures and our friends and families. What better than to have your own oasis were you can fish, swim, enjoy wildlife and basically chill out whenever you wish. Having picnics’, parties, kayaking, ice skating, ice fishing and whatever you can imagine and now sharing the family atmosphere with your loved ones. It’s not just a pond it’s an experience that can be treasured.
There is a community growing on our “3rd rock from the sun” and that is pond and lake owners seeking out answers to their questions and sharing the knowledge with the proud new owners just getting started.
A while back I went to a pond conference and got the chance to speak with the man who set it all up. Raised in Ft Worth Texas, has his website, forum and editor and chief of his bi-monthly pond magazine which is extremely inexpensive for a years subscription and well worth it for the quality information. Be sure to watch and learn from the video below.
You’ll hear at the end that the pond folks are family and it is so true… everyone I have met or have done an interview with is very helpful and wanting your pond or lake experience to be the best it can be.
Download a sample of the magazine and find the link to subscribe and start receiving your own copies.
PS. With 30 years experience Bob knows the waters of ponds and lakes. If you have a large project and unsure of how to tackle it be sure to look up Bob at the Pond Boss. Let him know you Darrell Rhoades from WhatPond sent you and you saw the video interview. Have a GREAT day and take care.
by Darrell Rhoades on December 21, 2009
Happy Holidays
Wow what a GREAT year! I hope you had a GREAT year as well and that we all have learned a thing or two.
The weather was, well in Erie, PA. We are hoping next year Summer will visit us for more than 3 days. Seemed Spring held on tight and Fall couldn’t wait to get here. But that’s the weather and we cannot change it so we need to be grateful for what we do have. The cool summer temperatures helped keep the cost of Air conditioning down. Plenty of rain in the spring and most of summer kept the ponds full and will help in later years to replenish wells that have gone dry just a few years ago.
I’ve learned a few things such as doing the recorded conference calls, then editing and uploading to the website. And for the big one was actually getting in front of the video camera and talking, along with the editing and uploading to the site as well. There are a few conferences I attended throughout the year and have learned a lot from each. Get Motivated Conference, The Pond Conference and recently an Internet Marketing conference.
2010 has more pond experts coming your way starting with the host of the Pond conference, and more detailed aspect of ponds, pond building and pond maintenance. I have a page live at the moment called pond expert, eventually the pictures will be click and lead you to those experts and even more surprises along the way.
From My Family to Yours here is a video to share, Wishing You a Happy and Safe Holiday Season 
PS. Caution! This video could cause you to become hungry. New years is coming, are you ready to make a change?
New Years Resolution
by Darrell Rhoades on December 13, 2009
Fish Habitat
Building a pond for water storage to water the garden, crops or even the house is great and don’t forget the countless recreation activities.
When WhatPond was built its main purpose was for water storage, swimming and adding fish to one day go fishing for the big one. As you have seen the pictures during the construction it is basically a bowl (see earlier posts). With all the sides being smooth and nothing else but wide open spaces.
After some thought we decided to put in a few large apple tree branches for the little fry and bait fish to hang out and not be eaten by the bigger fish until they have matured enough.
Why do we need structures for fish habitat?
Imagine taking a walk in the woods, your being quite so you can hear and see some of 
nature’s wildlife. Looking up in the trees after hearing squirrel, you see it only for a brief second as he jumps to another branch and disappears behind the tree. Then as soon as the squirrel came about there is a deer out in front of you, again a split second later the deer has vanished. But if you take this wildlife out to the desert … where can they hide? They can’t blend into their natural habitat and stick out like a sore thumb.
So back to the fish habitat in the pond, can you see the likeness now under the water’s surface? Having no habitat or structures is the same as the deer and squirrel being out in the desert. By adding habitat and structures for the fish to hide from predators and for the predators to ambush their prey we’ve created a little eco system of the food chain.
Habitat structures can be just about anything, like a Christmas tree weighted down by a cement block, milk crates, pipes bundled together, a pile of rocks and stack up 4 or 5 pallets and tie them together, float them out to your desired area and start adding cement blocks until the skids sink. During the pond building stage leave a mound of fill dirt then cut a trench thru it with the backhoe, picture an upside down bowl cut in two pieces and separate them leaving a trench or ditch between the 2 halves of the bowl.
There are pre-made structures where they just need dropped in the desired location and other than that require a little work to assemble.
Keep in mind different species of fish use different ares of the pond from shallow to deep water. Be sure to have structures in various depth’s of the pond.
by Darrell Rhoades on November 26, 2009
Thankful
Wow it’s that time again already… Thanksgiving that is and I have a special video that may help jog some memories of being thankful. Wait till you see it, I think a little different from most folks. Anyways it’s been one heck of a year. I started doing videos interviewing experts for more in depth information about ponds. Oh ya then moved the website which should only take 48 hours and was down for almost two months. But hey I came back and have not stopped doing what I love to do, that is bringing you information about ponds finding awesome folks that have their expertise in different aspect of ponds. Then recently the website wouldn’t load up on the internet??? Crazy I know but was able to get it all worked out and with an even better look… What do you think? Then there was the pond conference that was absolutely amazing made a bunch of new friends and soon hope to track them down for their interview and input about pond building and their area of expertise about ponds. I am finding these folks are just like us… crazy busy. Which is good for them and I’m glad they are, it means more and more folks are looking into ponds which not only help out nature but help out our families. There is no better way than to have a vacation at home, cut the phone cord or press the little button on the cell that says “end” kick back relax and enjoy your private oasis. So for the past 3 – 12 months I’m thankful for: YOU letting me know you’ve learned so much from the emails I’ve sent you and the thank you you’ve returned. Learning how to build a website, setting up a way to do recorded interviews over the phone, edit them and provide them to you. Thankful for the websites problems as each time it came back better and better. Actually getting in front of the video camera …and speaking, man that was really nerve racking for me but getting better. That was another big accomplishment, overcoming fear of doing the recorded calls and doing the videos. Working on ways to provide easier access to the expert’s interviews by the new page, Pond Experts. I’ll load it up when I get a few more audios and videos. What do you think of that page? Feel free to leave a comment. What’s to come for the next 3-12 months? There are still a lot of experts out there that need to have their turn to share the wealth of information pertaining to ponds. This is their livelihood and you need to know as many details as you can in order to make that right decisions on the type and size of pond. They may not all be directly related so what about compact tractors, heavy equipment, pond management and pond builder’s. Not only do I want to provide awesome information to you but also to help the experts in building their online presents. So if you should call or email them let them know you found them on WhatPond and Darrell Rhoades says hello. There you have it, the past to be thankful for and for what is coming up. Please share what are you thankful for? Please leave a comment and let me know. You can even use a fake name if you want. Go for it you can do it.
Once you click play give it a couple minute to load, thank you
PS. It is also the cazy shopping season again, feel free to check the soponsor’s to save time, gas and the headaces of fighting the crowds. Have a GREAT Thanksgiving! And continued Holiday excitement
by Darrell Rhoades on November 9, 2009
Fall Pond
Now that summer has gone fall is here and the threat of snow is right around the corner what do we do to get the farm 
pond ready for winter?
Wait a minute, what summer, how was your summer? Ours lasted about 3 days in a row with 80 plus degrees, dodging rain storms and cold fronts. It seemed spring did not want to let go and held on as long as it could. Then before you know it we saw the leaves changing, so fall wanted to get an early start. Summer just got beat up and wasn’t able to prosper as it should. But hey saved on air conditioning, the need to water the garden and plants, the farm pond stayed full of water and there was a couple weekends with no rain that gave us a chance to build another small farm pond. So let’s get ready for winter, there nothing we can do now to change the weather. And look on the positive side that next year can only be better.
Getting the farm pond ready for winter is mostly bringing in all the bench’s, fountains and ornaments that accent the pond throughout the nicer months. Last year winter jumped in too soon and the floating dock ended up frozen in the pond so I thought it’s too early for winter I’ll just wait till it thaws and then pull it out. Yeah right… We got a lake effect snow storm and ended up with 2 feet of heavy wet snow it did melt off and got the dock out and put away.
Along with the dock there are other features that get moved in, like the wooden bench, wood light house, fountains to keep from freezing, and most important to move the aerator to shallow water. We moved ours to under the new deck we built over the pond this year.
Take the time to walk around the pond with a rake and find deposits of leaves, hopefully at one side or end of the pond and rake them out, cut down the cattails and remove dead leaves from other aquatic plants. All of the dead decaying materials will remove oxygen from the water and turn into food for next spring’s string algae growth.
Be sure to check on the overflow pipe’s trash screen to be clear of any debris and check out the emergency spill way for any erosion or being plugged by leaves and branches. Never screen the spill way, it is better to lose a few fish than to lose the dam.
When the water starts to cool below 60 degrees stop feeding the Koi fish, actually they should sort of stop themselves as ours do but they are getting ready for their winter slowdown and should not have any food in their tummies. In the state of their slow down they are in sort of a hibernation mode and any food in their tummies can become toxic and seriously harm or kill the Koi fish.
by Darrell Rhoades on October 4, 2009
I took the opportunity to attend a pond conference / expo in Ridgedale MO. Only 10 miles south of Branson and had a safe and enjoyable road trip. Be sure to watch both video’s at the bottom.
The conference was held at Big Cedar lodge and wow what an amazing place. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains that flow down to Table Rock lake made for some breathe taking scenery.
The conference building is outstanding in decor and size as you will see parts of it in the video. The place is huge and finished in a rustic setting, having two floors there is room for the biggest banquet or conference. Not to mention the floor to ceiling windows to view all of nature.
What I like most was the impressive waterfalls, you actually drive over them so keep it slow. These waterfalls gave me more ideas how to tie my second pond to the first. The whole idea to build a second pond was for the water fall effect but now I’m looking at building it bigger. The pool area was connected to the stone accented hot tubs giving you the appearance and feelings of a natural hot spring. And every building or point of interest was connected with paved walk ways or road so you’re not getting your feet wet.
I’m putting Big Cedar on my list of vacation spots and just up the road is Branson were you can take in a show or two. Take a minute to check out their sites.
The exhibitors put on a great show and there were a lot of them. Creating more friendships and featured guests to bring straight to you. So hang on sit back and relax as we explore the products and services for your existing pond or your new pond.
by Darrell Rhoades on September 12, 2009
TM Consulting
Tim Matson consulting, Earth Ponds
Once again we have the honor and privilege to speak to an author and consultant, better yet you’ll learn what he does and asks during his consultation. We’ve selected a subscriber who sent in pictures and questions and asked our special guest these questions. Be sure to go to the bottom of the post and click the blue button to hear the interview. You’ll also learn that renovating ponds can be much harder at times than building new.
More and more pond aeration is the way to go for water quality and to help the fish breathe. Not to mention keeping a hole in the ice to release the toxic gasses that builds up under the ice along with allowing sunlight into the water.
A pond located where electricity can reach it, use an electric aerator. But if the pond is built out where electricity is not available wind powered aeration will be the way to go. Caution about the windmill is you can’t put one up in the middle of the woods and expect to function properly. Wind needs to get to the windmill, pass thru the blades and have a clear area behind for the wind exit to make the windmill blades turn.
If you missed the posts related to pond liners and pond permits, be sure have a look and listen to the recording.
Be sure and take the time to check out Tim’s books and video.
Tim Matson can be contacted here. If you are unsure of what you may be getting into, remeber Tim Matson has over 25 years experience, take the time to look him up. A great guy with a mountain of knowledge. When you contact Tim, be sure to tell him you heard the interview on Darrell Rhoades website WhatPond.
PS. If you have not received your free definitive guide to ponds, get it at, Building a Farm Pond.
by Darrell Rhoades on September 6, 2009
OBX Realty
Our featured guest this week really does not have much to do with pond building, but rather building a way of life and making your dreams come true in purchasing a vacation or an investment home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The short video in the last post was just a little glimpse of what the Outer Banks has to offer.
I am very pleased to introduce Stephanie Walker an OBX Realty expert on the outer banks of North Carolina. Stephanie has over 22 years experience and loves her job. Even greater is her attitude, in emails, phone calls and meeting in person Stephanie is always happy, energetic and willing to go the extra mile . Watch the interview, get to know Stephanie and listen for the most important secret when dealing with a realty agent.
We’ve met with Stephanie twice in the past few years and is now a scheduled stop to visit wh
en we are on the Outer Banks for our annual 2year vacation. By creating a working relationship we now under stand each other. Myself now knowing what type of property I should be looking for and in a relationship it works both ways. It’s my turn to give back in introducing Stephanie Walker who has gained my respect, trust and future business.
I know you may be asking, did I buy? No not yet. Will I ? Yes! This is a dream and one of the goals I have set to achieve in my life. I mean hey I always wanted to learn how build a website.
Now you see if you can’t have water front property, you can bring the water to you by building a pond that you can enjoy every day. And yes it’s always good to come home and see how the fish have grown while away on vacation.
Stephanie can be reached at:
http://www.stephaniewalkerobx.com Your soon to be OBX Realty expert.
Simply click the link above, and click on “Contact” link for phone and email information where you can get her information..
PS. Please do me a huge favor when you call or email, tell Stephanie “Darrell Rhoades said hey”
PPS. Be sure to watch the short video clip below, and if you have not received your “Definitive Guide to Ponds”, you can get it here, Building a Farm Pond.
Watch your email for the next blog post, we have an interview an author and consultant. You don’t want to miss it
Taking a look at blue pond-dye , What is it? What does it do?
