FAQ & Information
If you are unsure about what products to use, or to calculate the quantity of required product, click here.
​POND PRO CANADA is your solution to any water quality needs. We offer a diverse variety of aeration systems that are unique to fit all aquatic industries. A family run company, Pond Pro Canada is based out of Hay Lakes, Alberta and offers products to fit all your pond & lake needs and can ship across Canada and the United States. We only offer quality, reliable products that we use ourselves. Pond Pro Canada is a sister company of Ackenberry Trout Farms and we use the products we sell on our farm. With 20 years experience and the guaranteed lowest prices in Canada, we look forward to helping you find solutions for all your water quality and aquatic design needs.
Click Links Below to Jump to Your Question!
​General and Shipping
How do I stay on top of promotions and sales?
What do I do if my credit card payment is not working?
Can you ship products across Canada?
Which couriers do you ship with?
Why am I not getting free shipping if my order is over $150?
Product Questions
How do I know how much product to use?
How large of a pump do I need for my waterfall?
Why use fountains and waterfalls?
Are pond treatments safe for people and animals?
What is the difference between the H unit and normal kasco unit?
What is the difference between windmill aeration and electric aeration?
What time in the season should I start using water treatment products?
What is the expiration date on my fish food?
Installation
How do I properly set up a fan shelf and or cabinet?
What is the proper storage of my circulator/ fountain for winter time?
What style of dock mount do I use with my new oscillator?
How high off the ground do I put my oscillator mounted on the bottom frame mount?
When do I need to use an insulated line in my aeration system and why?
Can I get a custom mounting bracket for my dock to mount my oscillator to?
Where do I tie off my fountain after it is in the middle of my pond?
How do I set up my brand new oscillator as far as programming goes?
Troubleshooting
Why is my pressure release popping?
Why is my de-icer or circulator stopping after a few minutes of running?
Why is my compressor not running and only humming?
What happens if I skip doing the rebuild kit in the compressor?
What do I do if my compressor, circulator, de-icer or any of my pumps quit on me?
My sinking line burst and now has a big hole in it. What should I do?
Fish
My fish are floating and gasping at the surface, what is the problem?
What food size do I get for my fish in my pond?
Do I need a license for buying trout?
How do I know my pond is good for fish?
Do I need to feed my trout in the winter?
My fish seem to be disappearing?
How do I prevent predators (birds) from eating my fish?
Water Treatment
What color of dye should I use in my pond and how much is needed?
Why is aeration important for my pond?
How do I control algae in my pond?
How do I maintain a healthy pond?
How do I keep muck and weeds away from my dock area?
My pond/lake water is smelly. How do I get rid of odours?
Water Testing
How do I know if I need water testing?
What are the benefits of water testing?
Which water testing package should I choose?
What parameters are tested in our pond diagnostic package?
Will a report be included with my water testing package?
General & Shipping
>How do I stay on top of promotions and sales?
Make sure you sign up for our weekly newsletter to be the first to know about our newest sales and promotions.
>What do I do if my credit card payment is not working?
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with your online order feel free to call us at 1-855-414-7663 and we can help you troubleshoot! You can also submit your order and select the “pay in store” as payment method we can call you and get your credit card information over the phone. Please also make sure that your billing address matches the same address that is on your credit card statement every month, as an error in this will result in a rejected payment.
>Can you ship products across Canada?
Yes, we can ship products across Canada! Although our physical store is in Alberta, if you place an order online, we can ship your products to you.
>Which couriers do you ship with?
We mostly ship with Purolator, UPS, Canada Post, Canpar and Loomis Express. If you have a preference or want express shipping, you can select it while placing your order. However, if no preference is chosen, couriers will be chosen depending on delivery time, location of delivery and type of product being shipped.
>Why am I not getting free shipping if my order is over $150?
Enjoy Free Shipping Across Canada on most Online Orders Over $150! Please note that some exceptions may apply, and certain products may incur a flat rate shipping fee.
Product Questions
> How do I know how much product to use?
If you are unsure about what products to use, or to calculate the quantity of required product, click here.
>How large of a pump do I need for my waterfall?
Waterfalls require about 100 gpm of water flow for every 1 - 2 feet of waterfall width to look like a natural water feature
>Why use fountains and waterfalls?
With high flow rates and low amp draw, fountains add beauty and illumination to your pond all while aerating and circulating the water. Interchangeable nozzles are included with our decorative fountains to create unique spray patterns to make a stunning center display. Cascading waterfalls are also an attractive way to aerate your pond as well improve water quality and add oxygen. Check your pond with an oxygen test kit to check for safe oxygen levels. Aeration is the key ingredient for both healthy fish and clean, attractive ponds.
>Are pond treatments safe for people and animals?
Yes, our products are safe for people and animals. Proclear Algaecide is also NSF Certified for use in drinking water reservoirs. However, when fish are present it is recommended to not exceed 3L/million gallons (if you are using Algecide make sure to carefully read and follow the instructions). There are also guidelines when using QuikClear and Pond Oxygen Cleaner (Slime Away) when fish are present since fish are sensitive to pH changes.
>What is the difference between the H unit and normal kasco unit?
The Normal Kasco Units are all 115V and the H Units are all High Voltage Units that are 230V which also requires an electrician to hard wire in to the power source.
>What is the difference between windmill aeration and electric aeration?
We always recommend electric aeration rather than wind driven aeration as it is more efficient and more reliable (1 electric aerator is equivalent to 6 windmills) and costs are a fraction of windmill prices. Here is a link to an article regarding more information on Windmill vs. Electric Aeration:https://www.pondpro.ca/information/windmill-versus-electric-aeration/
>What time in the season should I start using water treatment products?
We recommend putting in Bacteria as soon as the ice comes off the pond in the spring and keep maintaining it every couple of weeks according to our dosage charts. Pond Dye can also be applied in the Spring, the darker the better, especially when stocking fish to help with predator control. If it is a very rainy season, more pond dye may have to be added as needed. We recommend only using the Algaecide WHEN the Algae Blooms are present.
>What is the expiration date on my fish food?
When properly scealed and kept in a cool dry environment, koi and trout food can have a three year and more shelf life. Although for maximum nutrients we recommend to use the food within a year of opening.
Installation
>How do I properly set up a fan shelf and or cabinet?
Both the shelf and the cabinet need to be elevated and away from direct grass, snow and water contact to ensure proper function. A fan is needed for air cooling purposes to ensure the compressor does not overheat. If these steps are taken your compressor should work correctly and qualify for warranty. When installing the compressor on the fan shelf, make sure that the compressor is standing upright on the flat part of the fan shelf. The four compressor feet should fit into the holes of the fan shelf. If you aren’t sure about the orientation of the shelf, safely plug the fan in and determine the direction of airflow. The air should be blowing towards the compressor. Maintenance is also needed on the compressor every 18 months to ensure the internals stay up to par.
>If I need to extend my diffusers out further in the pond and i’m maxed with my â…œ” line, what do I do?
It’s best to extend your line from the â…œ” sinking line to a piece of ½” sinking line and then attach that to the diffuser. This allows for constant unrestrained air flow. If the sinking line is not brought up in size it will create backpressure on the compressor this would cause it to overheat and reduce the efficiency of your airflow.
>What is the proper storage of my circulator/ fountain for winter time?
Pull the circulator/ fountain out of the water and drain the water out completely so there is no chance of ice expansion in or around the product. Next, store it elevated in a dry environment and in a vertical position (upright). If these steps are taken you should be able to grab it come spring and throw it straight into the pond.
>What style of dock mount do I use with my new oscillator?
As far as mounts go you have 3 options:
-
Dock plate mount that is mounted to any 3 sides of the dock near the end of the dock, depending on if you have a boat to worry about. It is mounted with 6 lag bolts that are not supplied.
-
Truss mounts are mounted underneath the dock along the structural framework near the end of the dock on any 3 sides. It is used only if you have an aluminum or steel dock.
-
Post mount is used to mount to a post on the dock that is around 1 ½” to 2” in diameter. *Post is not provided
>How high off the ground do I put my oscillator mounted on the bottom frame mount?
It is recommended that the oscillator is mounted no less than 24” off the base of the lake/ pond to ensure that the weeds do not bind in the propeller of the de- icer/ circulator.
>What angle am I allowed to mount the de- icer/ circulator on the oscillator or free standing frame, is up or down allowed?
As far as the mounting goes it is dependent on the results you want. Aimed upward will move duckweeds and de- ice the surface more. Straight outward will allow for better de-icing of a bigger area. Downward will aim toward more removal of muck in the bottom of the lake/ pond but can result in a mound built up underwater. Click here to view Kasco’s de-icing sizing chart.
>When do I need to use an insulated line in my aeration system and why?
You need to use an insulated line between your compressor setup and toward the water so the insulated line is underneath the water to your lowest level point, or where your pond is driest. This ensures that the condensation created by the compressor won't be able to ice up inside the insulated line in the winter. If insulated line is not used it is likely your sinking line will freeze up and the aeration will stop running (40psi pressure release valve will start popping). This is the first sign of frozen lines.
>Can I get a custom mounting bracket for my dock to mount my oscillator to?
Yes, we can make you a custom bracket. However, there will be a custom fabrication fee depending on what you are looking for and the size of the piece to be built. The price will vary but it will be more expensive than our mounts sold on site and in store.
>Where do I tie off my fountain after it is in the middle of my pond?
After the fountain is installed you need to take the 2-3 taglines and drag them to the shore and stake it into the ground or put a heavy 30 pound object (like a stone) on it. You can always tie it off to a tree or stable object (be cautious if it causes a tripping hazard).
>How do I set up my brand new oscillator as far as programming goes?
Once you have pulled your oscillator out of the box and you have cut the bubble wrapping off, there will be a small laminated tag on the oscillator head. That will explain how to program the oscillator for rotation back and forth and how fast you want it to be rotated.
Troubleshooting
>Why is my pressure release popping?
First use a de-icing agent to thaw out the line,around a tbsp is needed, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then restart the compressor and see if any more is needed. After a few attempts you should be up and running again, the main cause is that the condensation from the compressor has crystallized inside the sinking line and that you have shut off/restart your system.
>Why is my de-icer or circulator stopping after a few minutes of running?
If you are connected to the GFCI and it keeps tripping the breaker, then it is probably that you have water in the de-icer and you need to get seals replaced for it. This more than likely happens from faulty seals.
>Why is my compressor not running and only humming?
It could be that a new capacitor is required or that it was installed incorrectly. If installed incorrectly it could overheat and seize up and will need to be replaced (it is recommended to elevate the cabinet and make sure that there is sufficient air flow so the compressor does not overheat)
>What happens if I skip doing the rebuild kit in the compressor?
If the compressor is not maintained and you skip doing rebuilds, it may result in the following:
1) Parts start to rub internally
2) Compressor having a tendency to knock
3) Overheating and/ or seizing
Incorrect installation and maintenance can result in void warranty.
>What do I do if my compressor, circulator, de-icer or any of my pumps quit on me?
It is recommended to call us at 1-855-414-7663 or send us an email at sales@pondpro.ca so that we can help you troubleshoot. After consulting with us, it is possible that you would need to send it/bring it into our shop for repairs. Our repair tech can inspect/fix it and send it back to you (if it is covered under warranty, which is usually within a year of the purchase date). If you are unsure of the warranty on your pump, contact us and we can look into it for you. If your installation was not done properly, your warranty will be VOID. This is why we recommend taking pictures of your installation. If the item needing to be repaired is not under warranty our repair tech will inspect the product and see if it is repairable, if it is fixable, a parts list will be figured out as well as pricing. You as the customer will be contacted to make sure that the price of repairing your item is a feasible option. If the item is not FIXABLE, you will have to purchase a new product.
>Why is my de-icer/ circulator only humming and not spinning? Or spins after I manually start the rotation?
The cause of this is that the capacitor is more than likely the issue and will need to be replaced or at least tested. The second issue could be that the unit has got water inside of it, but this usually results in tripping the breaker.
>My sinking line burst and now has a big hole in it. What should I do?
You can either replace the whole line or you could order the barb and hose clamps necessary for the patch job. You just need to cut around half an inch on both sides of where the line burst. If you have â…œ” line you would need 1 (â…œ”x â…œ”) barb and 2 hose clamps. With ½” line you need 1 (½”x ½”) barb and 2 hose clamps. And so on so forth for sizes going up.
Fish
>My fish are floating and gasping at the surface, what is the problem?
If fish appear to be gasping for air and flailing, that is a clear indication that your pond is under-aerated/ oxygen deprived. If fish do not get oxygen they will die. You can also look into doing more aeration in your pond if the population is high compared to the amount of air supply to the pond.Surface aerators can provide temporary emergency aeration. If this occurs to you, call our office at 780-878-3839 and our team can advise.
>What food size do I get for my fish in my pond?
Our 3 mm koi and trout food is intended for fish under the 6” size and our 5 mm koi and trout food is intended for fish above the 6” size.
The easiest way to order fish is to fill out our fish order form online! Otherwise, you can place your order over the phone by calling us at (780) 878-3839. Fish orders must be placed as soon as possible to ensure that we can fulfill your order. All orders MUST be placed before March 31, 2022. We do require proof of a valid fish culture license, a legal land description of the stocked pond, and a 50% non-refundable deposit when you place your order.
>Do I need a license for buying trout?
Yes, a valid Alberta Fish Culture License is required to purchase trout from Alberta agriculture. Please note, the Alberta Fish Culture License is NOT the same as a fishing license. To obtain an Alberta Fish Culture License, apply onlineHERE or phone 780-427-7959.
To schedule a pickup for fish you must book an appointment. The easiest way to book an appointment for pick up is to book online on our website under Our trout > Book online pick up. You may also call us at 780-878-3839 to book your appointment. You NEED an appointment to pick up your fish. Opening day for fish pick up is usually May 1st (or 2 weeks after ponds are ice free). Fish MUST be picked up by June 15th at the latest.
Please bring 1 empty container (storage tote, barrel, garbage bin etc) per 50 fish (6-8" or smaller) you are transporting for a maximum 2 hour drive. If you are transporting larger fish (8-10"), or are transporting them for more than 2 hours, please call our office for advice on what to bring. No lids are needed for containers.
Ackenberry Trout Farm will get you set up with oxygen, liners, and water for transport. Each container will require oxygen and a heavy-duty liner which has a charge of $10/container.
Ensure that you go straight home after picking up your fish and dump them into the pond asap (no water acclimation needed). For large quantities of fish and long distances, please call our office for recommendations on how to get them home.
>How do I know my pond is good for fish?
For stocking trout, the general rule is you can stock 100 fish per 100 x 100 ft area. Minimum water depth for trout is 12 ft. A good number of trout to get is about 100 trout per 100' x 100' area, with a minimum water depth of 12'. Aside from sizing, ensure that your pond has sufficient levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) to sustain fish (having a good aeration system is essential for fish health). To do this, test DO levels, in the morning, all the way to the bottom. DO readings must be done on a regular basis if under-aerating. You can purchase an oxygen meterHERE
> Do I need to feed my trout in the winter?
No, you should stop feeding your trout when the pond begins to ice over. Trout can start to be fed again in the spring when the pond is ice free.
>My fish seem to be disappearing?
If you think your fish may be disappearing, herons or cormorants may be the cause.
Blue Heron:
Cormorant:
If birds are not the cause, fish kills may be responsible. If fish kills is the cause you would see dead fish floating at the surface. Fish kills are most common in late winter/early spring, and late summer/fall. This is due to very low oxygen levels in your pond caused by turn over.
Rainbow trout require oxygen. Aerationis the most reliable, and efficient way to prevent fish kills by ensuring constant oxygenation of water.
>How do I prevent predators (birds) from eating my fish?
There are a few ways to stop birds such as blue herons and cormorants from eating your fish.
-
Applyblue or black pond dye in your pond making it harder for birds to see fish. Must be dark and works best if applied before birds come in the spring.
-
Fake bird decoys can also be used to deter birds. These work great for smaller ponds but work less and less as ponds get over 200 feet in diameter.Click here for more information.
-
Make sure your fish have hiding spots such as tree cover, logs, crevices and caves. Click here for some hiding spot options.
-
If the problem continues to persist contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife for more information.
Rainbow trout are easy to catch at times and impossible to catch the next time. Rainbow trout do not like changing water conditions such as sudden drops or rises in water temperature. They also quit biting after heavy rain activities. The best months to catch rainbow trout are May to June, and December. The worst months to catch rainbow trout are April to May, and Sept to Nov. Some fish lures that work for us are small single hooks with fish eggs, brown power bait, pink power bait, or pink worms hung below a bobber. Mepp spinners can work well when fish are more aggressive. In June, flies work great including little mayfly patterns and little black flies with trout oil scent applied.
Unless your pond is very large and you can confirm ice thickness to be safe, it is usually recommended that you do not. Aeration can cause the ice to be less thick than usual. Since fish require constant, 24/7 aeration to survive in the winter you risk your fish dying if you turn off aeration to allow thick ice formation.
Water Treatment
>What color of dye should I use in my pond and how much is needed?
As far as dye is concerned there is turquoise, blue and jet black dye. The color is based on preference or how much you are trying to make it so predator birds do not eat fish from your pond. The darker that you make the pond the more likely your fish will not be eaten by birds. When putting dye in the water start with a packet or two and let it dissipate and then if more color is required, add more accordingly, 1 packet at a time.
>Why is aeration important for my pond?
A pond or dugout that is aerated properly has many benefits.
-
First, any extra nutrients that enter your pond can be broken down by bacteria up to 80 times faster in the presence of oxygen on the bottom. Without oxygen at the bottom of your pond much of the decayed plant material will remain as a thick layer of black mud slowly releasing nutrients and deadly gasses into the water.
-
Second, you increase your chances of raising fish successfully. During certain times of the year oxygen levels can approach lethal limits. Aeration can help your pond get through these brief but deadly times. This is especially true for smaller and shallower ponds that have an abundance of weeds or algae. The two times of the year when oxygen levels are low are late winter/early spring, and late summer/fall.
-
Anelectric aerator is the most popular and works best if turned on during the night when oxygen levels are lowest. This also aids in keeping the entire pond cooler by exposing more pond water to the cool air at the pond surface at night. Floating Fountains add beauty while aerating the pond as well.
Algae control is required when blue green algae or hair algae becomes the dominant species of algae in the pond. The first line of defense is prevention by usingpond aeration and pond bacteria treatments.This is normally all that is required to turn your eutrophic pond back into a mesotrophic pond.
If hair algae grows around the shore it can be raked out with a weed raker, or sprayed withProClear algaecide.
>How do I control algae in my pond?
In Alberta and most of Canada we experience long days during the summer. This is one of the reasons algae grows wild as soon as phosphates are available in the water.
Fighting algae requires multiple techniques and approaches.
Algae and vegetation is the result of excess nutrients in your pond. A key way to reduce the nutrients is to add good bacteria to your pond that digest some of the same nutrients that algae require to grow and multiply.
Pond Pro'sNaturalClear Pond Bacteria Treatment contains 4 species of bacillus bacteria that eat up organic nutrients in the water column and from the bottom of the pond.
The other element algae needs to grow is sunlight. Blue or black pond dye's such astrueblue or Pond Pro lake dyeblock out much of the sunlight entering the pond.Aerationgoes a long way in reducing algae growth. Blue-green algae require phosphates to flourish.
Continuous pond aeration reduces internal nutrient recycling by up to 98%. I have not seen blue-green algae or cyanobacteria come back on a pond that has an electric aeration system installed by us.ProClear, Pond Pro's own algaecide that is certified to be used in drinking water, can also be used to spot treat for blue-green algae, or hair algae along the shore.
>How do I maintain a healthy pond?
Maintaining good water quality and controlling weed and algae growth can be easy as following a few simple steps.
Bacteria treatments effectively help reduce odors, muck and sludge by breaking down organic matter and nutirents in your pond responsible for algae, weeds, muck and sludge.NaturalClear Pond Bacteria Treatments are incredibly effective, safe and easy to use! Ackenberry carries a line up of NaturalClear bacteria products and we personally use them to keep our ponds healthy. Regular bacteria applications maintains the health of your pond.
If excess nutrients are already present resulting in algae growth, sludge, muck, and odours you can treat your pond with algaecide. Ackenberry trusts and stocks ProClear algaecide which is NSF 60 drinking water certified.ProCleareffectively treats blug-green algae (cyanobacteria), filamentous algae, bacteria, planktonics, and more! Maintenance with ProClear ensure algae free ponds.
Pond and lake dye are also effective products to help maintain a healthy pond. Dyes not only make your pond look more beautiful by giving them a blue or darkened appearance but it also functions to limit algae and vegetation growht. Darkening the water limits the suns ability to penetrate the water and provide sunlight for unwanted aquatic vegetation.
Most Importantly -AERATE THE POND - Ponds naturally accumulate more and more nutrients in the bottom and can be seen as black muck. In nature this happens fastest in small ponds and bodies of water exposed to less wind and more nutrients. These nutrients are released in the water every spring and often result in massive algae blooms. Long term aeration programs can reduce murky water and algae by encouraging continuous water mixing, and incorporating oxygen into the water.
The best way to treat duckweed is to prevent it! With ongoing pond maintenance, duckweed growth can be limited and controlled.
Duckweed is a flowering aquatic plant that consists of small oval leaves. It is unique among other Canadian aquatic plants & algae in that it can only be killed by the pesticide Reward. While this can seem like a solution, it is a band-aid solution as the duckweed will be back. Our experts have over 20 years experience dealing with duckweed and are happy to share their expertise.
Prevention:
Aeration is the key to preventing duckweed as it keeps water moving. It also reduces the phosphates available that duckweed thrives on.
Pond maintenance plans including a good bacteria such asNaturalClear Pond Bacteria is the most important supplement as this good bacteria eats up dead duckweed and vegetation, while also reducing the nutrients available for duckweed to grow.
Darkening the water with pond dye is another way to limit duckweed as it blocks the sunlight the duckweed requires to grow. Pond Propond dyes are extremely safe and can be added to your pond at any quantity – the darker the better to prevent duckweed and other growth
Treatment:
If you already have duckweed, it can be treated. Ideally, it should be removed from the pond.Weed Rakers are a great tool to make this tedious task easy! Weed Rakers can be modified with a pool noodle as seen in this video, making duck weed removal simple! If possible, wait until a windy day as all duckweed will get pushed to one edge of the pond, making removal even easier. Once duckweed is removed, prevention maintenance as discussed above should be started. Duckweed can seem overwhelming, however it can be tackled. Even if your pond is covered in duckweed, once it is removed, prevention and pond management can ensure it does not take over your pond again.
>How do I keep muck and weeds away from my dock area?
Good Aeration is KEY to a healthy pond and regular maintenance of the pond. If just trying to keep an area such as a Dock clear, then a circulator with oscillator is recommended. NaturalClear bacteria, also helps to reduce the nutrients in a pond that weeds/algae live off of (this makes a good preventative treatment. Muck Pellets work best if you are only trying to keep the bottom of the around the dock clear of muck and sludge. If weeds are already bad it is recommended using a weed razer/rake to cut and remove them before going onto the preventative measured discussed above.
>My pond/lake water is smelly. How do I get rid of odours?
Proper aeration of your pond is key for maintaining a healthy and smell-free pond! Naturalclear bacteria and muck pellets are also good at reducing odors in your pond by decomposing organic matter and reducing the nutrients needed for algae growth. These treatments, including aeration, provide long-term and gradual solutions that keep your pond healthy and smell-free.
Water Testing
>How do I know if I need water testing?
If you are having issues with murky water, algae, weeds, sludge, odours, eutrophic water, meeting discharge requirements, etc. you may need to consider water testing. At Pond Pro, we understand that water treatments are an investment and it is important to find the best match for your pond. Our water testing services can help give you a better idea of which product will work best for your pond.
>What are the benefits of water testing?
Water testing allows our biologists to determine what is causing issues in your pond and which products would work best. Each water body is unique and may react to certain treatments differently than others. Our testing program allows us to provide more confident product recommendations and provide the best solution for your pond.
>Which water testing package should I choose?
The water testing packages are designed based on applications but you can select any package you think works best for you. Most of the packages are customizable and our biologists are more than happy to help determine the best testing approach for your water. Feel free to contact us for custom water testing quotes.
>What parameters are tested in our pond diagnostic package?
-
Turbidity
-
Phosphates
-
Ammonia
-
pH
- Testing Pond Pro products such as QuikClear Flocculant, ProClear Algaecide etc...
-
Etc..
>Will a report be included with my water testing package?
Yes, every water testing package included a report with the water parameters, our biologist's observations, treatment recommendations and plan, custom treatment rates, as well as additional resources (if necessary). A coupon code will also be provided in your report to save 10% off the recommended water treatment products.