Measuring the surface acreage of your pond is going to differ depending on the shape. Use the following formulas to help you.

Rectangular or Square Pond - Length x Width / 43,560

Example: for a pond that is 100 feet long by 50 feet wide - 100 x 50 = 5000 sq. ft. 5000/43,560=.115 surface acres

Circular pond - Circumference Squared / 547,390

Example: for a pond with a 300' circumference (shoreline in feet around the entire pond) - 300 squared = 90,000; 90,000/547,390= 0.16 surface acres

Irregular Shaped Ponds - There are many methods to calculate irregularly shaped ponds. A common method is using the formula to calculate the area of a trapezoid.

Example: a pond is 500 feet long but 200 feet wide at one end and 400 feet wide at the other. This shape can be calculated like a trapezoid using the average width to find the area

(Width 1 + Width 2)/2 * Length/43,560

(200+400)/2*500=75,000 sq. ft. 75,000/43560=1.72 surface acres

For ponds that are very irregular in shape you may need to divide into sections, or multiple trapezoids, then add the totals together

If you are still unsure, AQUA DOC can assist, in most cases, by mapping the pond. Please feel free to contact us!

In harsher, colder climates where ice and snow may build up on your pond, it is important to remove floating fountains for the winter. The ice and snow build-up may damage your float and/or motor and may void your warranty. AQUA DOC offers a fountain winterization program where we will remove your unit for in the fall, store it over the winter, wash and test it, and return it to your pond in the spring (limited area). However, have fish in your pond, it is good to keep some open water to ensure exchange of gasses and help mitigate the chance of winter fish loss. With the fountain removed for winter, AQUA DOC suggests using a bottom diffused-air aeration system to maintain some open water. The boil over each diffuser will keep up to a 16′ diameter circle of open water in the ice. For more information please contact us for a consultation.

Cattails are best treated in the late summer and early fall with glyphosate, a systemic herbicide.  Glyphosate, when applied correctly, will travel from the leaves to the root system of the plant decreasing the amount of regrowth the following year.  AQUA DOC offers cattail treatment as well as cut and removal services.  If you prefer to do-it-yourself, we recommend Shoreline Defense or Aqua Neat in combination with Cide-Kick II or Cygnet Plus. If you have questions about managing your cattails our experts are ready to help, contact us for a free consultation (800)689-5253.

When a fountain is clogged, the spray may appear weak, uneven, or go up and down. Unfortunately, occasional clogging of a fountain is unavoidable. Even when managed well, a body of water will likely have some amount of algae growth and/or vegetation which can get sucked up against the screen causing the fountain to clog. Debris from the surrounding area, both man-made and natural, such as plastic trash bags, grass clippings and leaves from surrounding trees can also contribute to clogging.

Invasive aquatic plants are generally defined as nonnative plant species that cause ecological and/or economic harm to natural or managed ecosystem. Invasive plants can greatly reduce the desired native plant growth. They can form dense canopies on the surface of the water which will result in a dramatic change in the quality of habitat for fish as well as interfering with desired use of the water (ex; boating, swimming, fishing, irrigation, fire suppression systems which are tied to the body of water).

Any restrictions such as swimming, fishing and irrigation, that my be associated with an algaecide or aquatic herbicide, can be found on the product label.  All products should be used only as directed.  The algaecides and aquatic herbicides featured on our website have a link to the product label and safety data sheet embedded in the product description for your convenience.

A good rule of thumb for floating fountain size is 1-2 horsepower per surface acre.  For example, if you have a half acre pond, the minimum fountain size would be a 1/2 horsepower, but 1 horsepower is recommended.

It is important to know the volume of water in your pond or waterfeature for many reasons including properly sizing pumps and calculating application rates.

Here is the formula for calculating the volume, in gallons, of your pond or watergarden: Length X Width X Average Depth in Feet X 7.5 = Gallons

For example, your watergarden is 10’x20′ and has a depth of 3′: 10x20x3x7.5=4,500 gallons.

If your watergarden or pond has different depths use the average depth or section off the waterbody.  For example, if your feature is 30’x20′ with 10’x10′ section with 1′ depth and a 20’x10′ section with 3′ depth, calculate the gallons in each section and add together.  (10×10’x1x7.5) + (20x10x3x7.5)= 750+4500=5,250 total gallons.  If you have a larger body of water with several depths, use the average.  For example your 50’x50′ pond has depths of 2′, 4′, 6′, and 8′, the average is 2+4+6+8=20/4=5′ so your volume in gallons would be 50x50x5x7.5=93,750 gallons.