Last Updated: 10/2/25

1. I started pond work at 11:42 am on 9/7/25. The air temperature was 70 degrees F. The 1800 gallon pond was at 68 degrees F, and the 153 gallon pond was at 70 degrees F. I squirted all the filter materials, added additives to the 153 and 1800 gallon ponds, and added water to all the ponds.

2. Pond work was started at 10:41 am on 9/14/25. The air temperature was a toasty 75 degrees F already. The 1800 gallon pond was at 67 degrees F, and the 153 gallon pond was at 68 degrees F. I changed the PondMaster filters. I squirted out the Biosteps Matala. I squirted all the other filter flosses around the three pumps. I put in additives and water.

I removed as many weeds as I could around the edges of the pond. I moved the partial net from the 1800 to the 153 gallon pond. I put the full net on the 1800 gallon pond, supported above the marginal area on two stakes covered in my father's old socks. It's been dry so a lot of leaves are falling, and the red beech tree is dropping nuts on the big pond.

3. On 9/21/25 at 10:57 am, it was 68 degrees F and cloudy. Both ponds were also at 68 degrees F. I already had a ton of leaves and beech nuts on the pond net so I am glad that I put the pond nets on a week early. I squirted all the filter materials, added water and additives. I found two rips in the two nets but I had to go visit relatives so I didn't fix them yet.

4. Every Saturday, as on 9/27/25, I climb the stairs to the deck above Chickentopia where my chickens live. The deck allows me to get things off the top of the pen. I bring an old fireplace scoop with me because the raccoons think it's the perfect place to unload their number twos. This time though, I smelled something dead. Then, I saw a carrion beetle which was a sure sign. I couldn't find it at first until I stepped on it! It was what was left of a ~6" goldfish! They had hauled it maybe 300 feet from the pond and up the stairs. Poor fishy.

5. I did pond work on 9/28/25 at 1:38 pm. It was a toasty 80 degrees F outside. The 1800 gallon pond was at 70 degrees F, and the 153 gallon pond was at 71 degrees F. I squirted all the filter materials and the bags of lava rock and bioballs. There were a few green frogs in the biofilter who were difficult to catch and move so I could clean it out. Otherwise, the frog population has been very low. I added additives and water to the ponds.

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