Don't Turn on your UV Sterilizer Just Yet!

I wanted to pass along a pond tip for those of you who use UV sterilizers in your pond. At Aquatic Connections, we would suggest waiting a few more weeks before you turn on your UV light. UV lights can not distinguish between the "Good Bacteria" in your pond that you want to grow right now and the algae you want to get rid of. Coming out of the winter season, all of your Good Bacteria has died off in the cold water. In order to help your pond's ecosystem re-establish itself for the Spring, you want to add bacteria, like Microbe-lift, and let it colonize in your filter system. Running your UV will make that process more difficult and possibly delay the process.

Also, did you know that you should replace your UV bulb EVERY year?

If you would like to read more about Spring Opening Pond Tips, you can visit our website, Aquaticconnections.com and click on the Pond News Tab for Seminar Notes or Click Here.

Here Come the Hummingbirds

On Sunday March 29th, I got together with a few customers at our store, Aquatic Connections, and we talked about attracting Hummingbirds to our backyards. I was honest with them and said that I had not actually tried this yet, and this was going to be my first season to put up hummingbird feeders. I had done a lot of research and looked at many different types of feeders at a wild bird trade show in February. One thing I learned was that male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds will migrate back to Pennsylvania, earlier than the females and younger birds, scouting for food sources and breeding grounds. It was suggested to me that the feeders should be put out by the end of March or beginning of April so these scouts would find them and hopefully the rest of the flock would follow. So, we all agreed we would put our Hummingbird feeders out that afternoon and stay in touch and let each other know when the Hummers show up. I put out two feeders and spilled nectar all over the place because I didn't screw the lids on properly! I finally got it right and I can't wait to start adding plants to my garden that will hopefully bring these tiny little birds to my yard. So, I'll let you know when they show up. If you have any tips for me or other readers, please feel free to comment. If you would like a copy of the Hummingbird Seminar notes, they're posted on Aquaticconnections.com under the Pond News Tab or Click Here.