Product Review

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Saturday 24 January, 2009
Product Reviewed: Laguna Pond Netting
Product Rating:

Review:
I just recently got one of these for my pond and am very pleased with it. These nets are well made and should hold up very well for many pond seasons, and are well worth the price. They even include stakes with mine. Much better than the old bird/Deer netting.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Saturday 24 January, 2009
Product Reviewed: Argent Potassium Promangante
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Review:
I use this in low doses to clean my pond occassionally and to clean filter media, but as others have stated it must be used with extreme care. And it can be very harmful if proper care is not taken. Safety both personal and for your fish is a must.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Wednesday 03 December, 2008
Product Reviewed: Filter Media Bag
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Review:
My bags are actually laundry bags. And they hold up very well in my application. I stuff them full of pvc strapping, netting and pvc shavings for use in my biofilter. These hold up very well. I'm still using bags I bought 6 or 7 years ago. However, I would not put lava rock or other abrasive materials in these. If they are not over stuffed, they clean easily by diping and shaking in pond filled barrels. The only down side is this is a dirty job. It works well and makes a dood diy bio filter containment for loose media. However, I would not try the poor quality or cheap bags. Great for beginers and as I stated for diy.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Wednesday 03 December, 2008
Product Reviewed: Filter Brushes
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Review:
I've been using the B.K. 4 inch brushes in my prefilter for 4 years and I believe they are worth the price. they seem to hold up better and are easier to clean than fiber pads. I started loosing a few strands of brush material after 3 years, but not much. Also, the rings are starting to break due to weathering. I hope I can get replacements cause the brushes are still in good shape. Cleaning is the only bad part of this item, if you don't want to get dirty. This is a dirty job, and if many are attached together they can get heavy if there is much algae on them.They do clean fairly well by dipping and shaking in a large coontainer and then pulling any algae off if needed and smacking the brushes against the rince container. would I buy them again-- yes. Because they hold up for several years even when left out in my zone 5 location all year and they do a excellent job as a prefilter or first stage mechanical filter.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Dolphin AV-50 Pond Air Pump
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Review:
I love mine and highly recommend them to my friends as a great pump for the cost. Mine have run for ove 4 years w/o replacing a diaphram so far. Mine feeds a 11 air manifold on my bottom drain @ 5 f.5 feet depth, and really helps with keeping the pond floor clean.Not too noisy, but the filter cover rattles a bit. Replacement diaphrams are also readily available, and low priced which is another plus. I'll buy another one if it's ever necessary.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Koi USA Magazine
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Review:
I highly recommend and look forward to every issue. One of my favorites. Great articles and well written. I especially enjoy the article on koi judging. Very informative.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Koi World And Water Gardens
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Review:
Good as a introduction to the hobby, but not one of my favorites. I got mine from the local pet shop here.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: KOI Nations Magazine
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Review:
An excellent magazine, and one I highly recommend. I miss getting it now, but it's on my xmas list. I looked forward to every issue. Well written, great articles, and pictures, and no damage in shipping too. One of my two favorites.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: ProForm C
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Review:
I highly recommend this and will always keep it on hand. It did the job for me last year and I was glad I had it ready when it was needed. This is one product that I believe should be on hand for every koi hobbiest. It's safe when used as directed, and instructions are easy to understand and follow. The only problem with it is that it requires too much water waste in larger ponds. But that's still a better choice than loosing your wet pets to parasites.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Allied Floating Pond De-icer
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Review:
I use these and have for many years. I highly recommend them, buy they do require daily safety checks to insure that they are working. They require a safe method to insure that heavy wet snow or freezing rain don't cover them. I've had a couple crack and quit working in this situation. I usually try to keep them covered to protect against this possibility. Also make sure the plug-in is kept out of wet weather to prevent dangerous situations or damage. I keep mine under a greenhouse cover and only plug in and use when needed.But they are great insurance against total freeze over of my pond.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Thermo - Pond Floating Pond Heater
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Review:
My experiences have been very unsatisfactory for this product. They never made it thru one complete winter here in my zone 5 ponds. I do not recommend this product and will not use them again. They pop up out of the pond ice or freeze in place and the plastic inside melted on one of mine. And two of them half sank in the pond. I believe they are a danger to your wet pets.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Tetrapond Lily Grow Tablets
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Review:
They worked well for tropical water lilies that needed bi-monthly feedings. Also for hardy water lilies. And I highly recomend them to water gardeners.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Laguna Aquatic Plant Baskets
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Review:
I use these plant baskets and highly recomend them. There is no associated hydrogen sulfide associated with submerged plantings using these pots. Especially useful for anoxic filter pots. I currently have 54 of these in my filter pond.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Firestone EPDM Pond Liner
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Review:
Fish safe is just one more factor for piece of mind, and worth every penny. I highly recommend and use this product for my ponds. It's available quickly and it costs no more than the other stuff! With proper installation, it will give many years of service.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Leaf Baskets
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Review:
I highly recommend these to anyone using external pumps, and I would never run my pumps with out one. They are a great pre-filter and keep algae and other unwanted stuff out of your expensive pumps intake, and are great insurance against repairs. Leaf baskets are easy to clean with a stiff brush.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Pondmaster Mag-Drive Models 9.5 - 36
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Review:
I love these pumps. They are economical, have low power consumption, and are easy to repair and parts are readily available. I currently use 2. a 1800 gph and a 2400 gph model. The only weak part on these pumps is the plastic impeller cover where the water exits. This seems a bit brittle to me. I will buy another if needed and I highly recommend them to my friends.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Friday 03 October, 2008
Product Reviewed: Sequence Power Pumps
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Review:
I've been using Sequence pumps for over 16 years.Currently, a 1/4 hp model for 7 years w/o any problems,and it has been maintenance free. If I have one complaint, it is that it does not and never has pumped at rated flow. However, most of the people I know who have these are very satisfied with the rate of flow. Maybe I just got the one that was miss-marked. I was very satisfied with my first Sequence pump and probably will buy again when required.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Monday 29 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Tetra 3-inch Bottom Drain
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Review:
I've had and used this bottom drain for 8 years and it works great on smaller ponds and on drains that go to waste pits. i love mine and highly recommend it for smaller ponds

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Monday 29 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Aladdin No-Niche Skimmer
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Review:
This is a great skimmer for any size pond that I've had. I've used these skimmers on all my ponds for over 14 years. Currently pond has 186 sq feet surface area. The only fault is the leaf baskets' volume. And it may need to be emptied several times per day in the fall. It is one of the safest available and won't harm koi wether they are spawning, or just over excited about feeding. And only fry could get caught in the basket. I highly recomend this unit.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Aqua Ultraviolet Classic Series
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Review:
I've been using the 80 watt unit with wipers for over 8 years and am over all satisfied. It works well and is fairly easy to maintain. however the quarts sleeves are too expensive, and too brittle. And the bulbs need to be replaced yearly. Also expensive. If I had to do this over, I think I'd do some serious shopping. I must say in defence of this unit, that replacement parts are readily available and that's very important to me.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: AquaChek Pond Test Strips
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Review:
i've used these and they do give you an idea of some water quality conditions, but i prefer my drop tests and ph and salt gages. I'd use again but only as a quick check to see if anything needed more accurate testing. And it is not comlpete enough to eliminating other required testing.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Jungle Chlorine Test Strips
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Review:
Another highly valuable tool and I highly recomend it as well.It's quick and easy to use. Free chlorine kills and we need to keep it out of our ponds.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Liquid Ammonia Test Kit
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Review:
This is probably the most important test you need to perform. this one is easy to use and you will have accurate results in 5 minutes. I love mine and highly recomend it.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Liquid GH & KH Test Kit
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Review:
This is a quick and easy to use kit. actually 2 in one box. I love mine and recomend it.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Liquid KH Test Kit
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Review:
Another important test kit I use weekly and recomend it highly. Economical, accurate, and easy to use.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Liquid Nitrate Test Kit
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Review:
A very good test kit that's easy to use and read. However,the instructions must be followed. Make sure you properly shake to mix ingredients as they settle and can give false results if this is not properly done.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Liquid Nitrite Test Kit
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Review:
This is a economical,quick, and easy test kit to use, and I wouldn't be without mine. This is one of the more important tests you can use and need to aware of.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Salt Level Test Kit
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Review:
This works but requires too much time and salt to get the readings. I suggest a gage for anyone with a pond period.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: PondCare Wide Range pH Test Kit
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Review:
I've used this test kit, but don't like the color comparison method and only use it as a comparison occasionally. For my money, Gages are faster and easier to use.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Digital Salinity Tester
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Review:
This is a very accurate,simple,fast, and economical meter that anyone can use and I would not be without mine. I've used mine for 4 years now and it's still going strong.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: ECO PAL pH Meter
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Review:
I love mine. I have problems reading colors so a digital instrument is best for me. This one is accurate and economical, but must be kept calibrated as previously explained. And I can get fast accurate results quickly with it.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Summit Barley Straw Pond Treatment
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Review:
I've used this product several times and it does a good job if started early enough in the spring and before the string algae gets started. My problem with it is that as it breaks down, small bits of straw get in the pondsadding more waste. And produces hydrogen peroxide which is what actually kills the algae. I think you should just use the hydrogen peroxide instead, if needed. However,we need to fix the cause of string algae rather than apply a bandage (barley straw) in this case.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Sunday 28 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Sodium Thiosulfate Dechlor
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Review:
A great product and the most economical one I am aware of.I use it for all my partial water changes after my bio-filters have cycled. At least those of 25% or less. I have never had a problem with it although our water supply does have chloramines in it. I also agree that it should not be used alone for large water changes with chloramines present. With only chlorine in the water supply, I would use it for 100% of the water changes. It also makes a cheap reversal of potassium permanganate treatments.

Darrell Goeken (Hobbyist) on Wednesday 24 September, 2008
Product Reviewed: Ultimate Koi Clay
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Review:
I've been using Ultimate Koi Clay for over 6 years now and love it.It really has improved my koi skin quality, and color. It seems to polish the pond water in appearance.I use it every week and recomend it to all of my friends as well. It is also a excellent addition for my pond plants. I also use it to stop string algae with great success. I will never be without it.

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