Pond Fish Kill!

[@robertherzog2087]

Put a solar powered aerator in each of your ponds so the water doesn't stagnate and kill the fish. A fountain-type aerator will help keep the water cooler in the hot months and It will be much better for the bison. Don't let the bison drink the water with the dead fish and all the algae in it. The water is tainted.

[@Papaguena]

and check for alguea, some can be toxic.😏

[@willgaukler8979]

... agreed you likely need more air in that water ...

[@willgaukler8979]

... look into a solar powered pump ... just a small air into that pond will help ...

[@sstarkey1695]

Call your county agent to get info on what works best in your area and parameters regarding safeguarding the herd.

[@klhrunnin]

That was going to be my suggestion also. I don't know that I'd let the dogs in there. I hope you can get it figured out soon!

[@lindashehane9740]

Dusty if you have access to a trash pump and long hose you can spray the water through the pump into the air over the open water and add oxygen back to the water. My husband has done this for several people that have shallow ponds to help improve the water quality. He says when red algae appears you really have to aerate the water quickly.

[@kimmyers3389]

Agree that movement would seem beneficial, but the County should be able to offer some insight, hopefully?!

[@SallyGreimes]

Once red algae appears, it can be nasty and deadly. There may be additives you can add to the water. Check with your land agents🎉 for ideas. Solar fountains are your best options. You may need to add chlorine to purify the water now and then use the organic products after.

[@tsettles887]

Hey Dusty and Marisa!Have you ever thought about contacting Greg The Pond Guy? Both your ethics would match, and he could possibly restructure your pond and get some movement in it. 😊

[@borisbadenov8613]

Bamabass had something similar happen and he added an aerator to his pond

[@tsettles887]

@@borisbadenov8613 I watch them at times as well! Such a great start of a pond. I love seeing it grow. They got Greg to add another pond next to the big one. It's more for beauty, but of course it's functional as well.

[@leohasfaith71]

Is there a way you could run pipes and get some fresh water from your creek into the ponds?

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Solar powered aerator hopefully will stop that in the future. I do remember as a kid my uncle throwing some stuff in our ranch ponds that killed algae blooms like that, we got it from the farm bureau, I think it was copper sulfate. What is troubling with your fish kill is I am seeing even dead little fish that often survive those fish kills. Now may be a good time to get a backhoe and clean out muck on the bottom and deepen it a bit. The blue green algae is actually cyanobacteria and its deadly to dogs even at levels that do not phase fish so keep the dogs away.

[@dieseldawg9144]

Red algae consumes the oxygen. It’s known as red tide in the ocean, need to cool the pond to keep the red algae down. A fountain will help keep it cool and oxygenate it too.

[@lindafreeman1687]

Sorry about the pond problem. I hope it was safe for your dogs since they were both drinking from it and wading in it. Hope you can find out how to fix it soon. Also, too bad that it's killing the fish.

[@MeVsTheWorld01]

Prayers being prayed and sent for you, your family, your dogs, and the rest of your livestock....🙏🔥❤

[@judykinsman3258]

Think science will help more than your prayers

[@christiroseify]

Hey Dusty, I saw Jackie behind you drinking from the pond. I pray you find some answers for your pond...

[@clairestudley3116]

Good to see Dumbar just love her and Ellanor love seeing your videos stay safe ❤

[@kayburgess8536]

Dunbar is a male

[@borisbadenov8613]

@clairestudley3116 obviously failed biology in highschool

[@carriegrosenick6426]

So happy to see Dunbar and love seeing Eleanor. ❤🦬

[@GraceCook-g1l]

So sorry to see your pond. You are receiving good advice. Unfortunately the cure won't be cheap. Keep your animals away from that mess. This Summer has been horrendous to a lot of areas. Hang in there. Love from CT.

[@reginaharris9775]

It was nice to see Jackie getting to go bye bye I bet she enjoyed that tremendously. Sorry about the pond. Im praying you'll be able to get in contact with someone and do something to find out if it's okay for the Bison to drink it. Gods blessings to y'all take care and look to God for answers.

[@brendahogue5487]

Dusty love and enjoy your videos. May the lord bless and protect you and your family and the bison and other animals. ❤

[@hapnewsom9217]

take samples of the pond water and get them tested to see if it's safe to have the bison near that water source

[@pattitucker8435]

Call your county extension office.

[@cassac103]

yes I saw Jackie drinking the water, is she ok?

[@Blacktopcharities]

Testing can be expensive!!! Just know that water is full of toxins right now…. Call in some professionals!!!

[@carlapoorman8137]

​@cassac103 me too! Hope she does not have issue from drinking it! If it's not goid for bison I'd reckon it wouldn't be good for any animal!!

[@GrdmaKat2000]

Dusty, watched Daniel’s video last evening and he caught 3 small bass and Houston caught 7. They moved them to the spring. Lots of posts here about aireation is needed….prayers…

[@terrystarr2617]

Praying for the whole family, including you Mom and Kevin. That includes the 4 legged family too. Hopefully the water tests as OK for bison, although I'm sure they will use the tank if you set it up. That grass looks really good, so it would be a shame to have to skip grazing them there for now.

[@vickibird8007]

I am so sorry you guys are dealing with this. If you saw red algae, I wouldn't let anything drink from the pond until some type of corrective measure is done. Red algae is deadly to humans and animals. Good luck!

[@ChrisMalfaIIX-k9b]

Red Algae = Red Tide.

[@carolynbanks4982]

Don’t let any animals drink from the pond. Call your county extension agent asap!

[@alanatolstad4824]

Lots of great suggestions coming your way, I'm looking forward to hearing your solutions.

[@stevendavid5370]

I would get the dead fish out of the pond and dispose. Arriation the pond is important since it is closed water source. Consult your brother. I would keep the bison out.

[@BadHorsie2]

Solar powered pond aerator will help tremendously.

[@valeaton4538]

You may have to put arriation on the pond to keep circulation of water.

[@williamgahman5028]

Hi Dusty, Marissa and Brooks. Love watching your videos. Nice hay. So sorry about the pond. Loss of oxygen do to heat is killing the fish. Have a great date night. God bless and love yall ❤❤

[@margesteinmetz863]

Praying that the extension will give you some answers. Blessings 🙏🫶🙏🫶

[@teresadenny9748]

Oh no! Now Jackie knows what to do to get to go!😂❤

[@BinfordMJ]

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear about your pond! Bigger issue for you than Daniel because of the bison. I sure hope and pray it will not be an issue for them.

[@DonnaLeech]

Jackie is drinking the water 😮

[@kimruff7133]

That is what me and my husband was just talking about my husband said get those dogs out of that water it is tainted asp ⁉️

[@spiercephotography]

Oh man, so stressful! I am so sorry that you're having to deal with this. I've not had to do pond stuff so no answers on that, but I see that others are offering advice, so fingers crossed!

[@candybarr4262]

Prayers for you and your family and bisons

[@jansmall72]

Prayers for Dusty and family Bison and dogs

[@peacockgrandma]

Ive seen that happen in South Africa during the hot season. More algae grows, less O2. The fish die. Made a nice sushi dinner for some of the wild animals. Ever see a leopard catch 8 fish abs scarf them down in 1 bite.

[@dmorgan28]

Praying you guys get your pond problem resolved. We are watching our pond as well. Take care👍❤️🙏

[@lorileeolmsted3869]

Dusty, it’s been 10 days since you posted this video, so I’m wondering what progress you’ve made, if any, at this point? As with many of your other commenters; aeration, aeration, aeration is key in any pond, water movement, shade from the HOT Oklahoma sun. Bass prefer cold water, tall water grass & Lily pads. That appears to be a pretty shallow pond, so it’s going to heat up fast. At this point, you might want to call your University’s Horticulture Department. They can advise you on how best to rectify this situation, and start over.

[@79CHEVETTE]

I know up here in the summer farmers use fountains to keep the water healthy during the summer. Clean those dead fish out the best you can and get a sump pump set up and drop it in the deepest part of the pond. use a piece of grey schedule 80 PVC to shoot the water up. Run it off that solar panel system you got and just let it run.

[@amandamason6699]

Great to see Jackie in the truck for ride out,a pleasant surprise 😀. Dunbar 🥰. I’m sure you’ll get the pond issue resolved it’s just a shame about all those fish

[@heidivose5832]

I have no clue, but it sounds like you’ve got a lot of good advice coming to you. It’s the same thing that happened to Daniel. His dogs were drinking in the pond too. I don’t know if they got sick. He never said but I would keep your dogs out of that pond. I’m sure you got that figured out by now. I will figure it out and do what’s all around. You always do. God bless you all my prayers are with you.

[@AnnemarieOG]

so sorry about the pond situation. I hope you'll be able to find a solution and it'll be safe for the bisons. a sample of the water would be a good idea, to get tested, and advice from other pond people. probably also to take out the dead fish

[@RobbieRoberson-d1h]

I had a pond 30 years, many fish kills due to heat and algae bloom each year. The guarantee fix was grass carp. Order 4-6 soon in early fall or spring. Good luck grass carp will keep grass out and help with less fish loss. I lost 35 channel cats average 18 pounds. Dip net out with long pool pole and let scavengers eat them. They will smell bad but won’t last long.

[@CrossTimbersBison]

This is great info! Thank you very much!

[@IngridQuitslund-sw1rh]

I immediately thought of either the water got too warm due to hot weather or was lacking oxygen. There are various aquaric plants you can add to control algae both plants that live on top of water and those that live beneath the surface. Not sure is all are ones bison might not eat. Didn't research it but there are ways to increase aeration of the water too. Good luck as know you need the pasture for rotation. A shame about the fish loss.

[@CindyNewlin-u9k]

My dad always used copper solphate in our pond . It didn't hurt the fish or our dogs or horses. It turned the water a beautifully blue.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

KEEP THE DOGS AWAY FROM THAT WATER. Dogs are super sensitive to certain types of algae/cyanobacteria, at levels that will not phase fish or other animals, they can start to die in as little as fifteen minutes.

[@Carolynfoodforest355]

Get a solar fountain or something in that pond as soon as possible. You may have some small dish that survived. That will help the water too.

[@dolliemaesone]

I bet that pond is full today ,Sunday !Dusty you will be a pond expert soon 😊 you get the problem figured out and deal with it .

[@donnaelkins186]

❤😊❤! So sorry about your pond. Daniel's pond was horrible! Thanks for sharing.

[@conniefreeman3334]

So happy to see Jackie with y’all in the truck. That water can make The dogs deathly ill, best keep them away from there.

[@Pambo101]

Jacki’s in the pond!!!!

[@BRITTANYSRGR8]

I know that up here in Maine during summer small ponds that get certain types of algae that is deadly to dogs if they get in it and drink the water. You might want to have your state biologists give you answers if OK. can get bad type of algae. Good luck.

[@barbaralong3693]

I'm so sorry Dusty! I pray that you find a solution to your red algae problem. Keep us updated!

[@TNDRIVER]

There's hope that some of the smaller fish might be alive. I think it would be safe for the bison but I would check with your extension office. My recommendation would be to increase the size and depth of the pond and maybe put an aeration fountain in the pond to improve the oxygen levels and generate more oxygen in general. It would also have benefits for the amount of freshwater the bison need. Just my thoughts.

[@tracyfulayter961]

So sorry about your pond 😊

[@garlandfraley734]

Sad...like you say it's Always something...hay season, fun times for especially Dunbar ❤

[@KunesRGr8]

Hello Dusty, I was told about 20 years ago that there is a product that’s safe for people and animals/fish that turns the water blue and it limits the sunlight into the water that prevents the pond from flipping. Basically it’s when the plant growth dies and comes to the surface taking all of the oxygen out of the water. Please do the research, but when I saw Daniel’s pond do this I didn’t remember it until now. I used it when I lived in Florida and we stopped losing fish in the heat of the summer. I hope this helps and please share this information with Daniel. 40 Shades of Green Farm, Jackson Tennessee, Bill and Cate

[@taras5562]

My dad puts the blue stuff in our lake works great! We’ve used it for a few years now our neighbors use it in their ponds an lakes!

[@martintijdgat6269]

It helps if there are 1 or 2 diep holes on 5 -10% off your pond acres they must be at least be 4-5 foot dieper than the pond floor. And trees shading your pond's Southside do also help.

[@gsbealer]

You know Dusty……if it isn’t one thing it’s another!!! The aerators sounds like the best bet. Happy Trails y’all!!!

[@davidpoole8667]

We have areation in our pond in Florida. It helps with Oxygen levels. "Red algae" I'm not familure with. Blue green algae is green or gray and bacteria.... It uses sun to generate carbohydrates which more dense cause it to sink. In the morning it floats to generate more. You need a pond guy.

[@jacquelineraines2074]

Red Algae in Florida affects breathing in humans so keep that in mind. Yes, ask for help and maybe consider an aerator? Maybe solar powered? Just a thought. know nothing but just thinking. I would not put any critters in there, myself.

[@jeanettekocken5823]

I had two ponds, both 20’ deep. Never a problem for years. Seems I was lucky as it had a gravel vein with served as a inlet. N.E. Wisconsin. I’m sure you need to aerate it. Maybe a windmill and a drilled well? Bullheads, as we call them, maybe your catfish?….can liv3 with very little oxygen in the water, where perch, bass, crappies need cooler fresh water. Call your agricultural department in your county. They may be able to help you. Good luck!

[@MsSilkeen]

I got solar " fountains" for my dogs pools, as our weather probably no different than yours in CA desert...what a time for algae, OI even put chlorine in their pools, still it did this!

[@Jules1280]

Hi Dusty! I agree with tsettles887 about contacting Greg the Pond Guy. You may need to add aerator to your ponds to keep them healthy. Good luck!!

[@DonnaLeech]

Fountain up 😊

[@deborahgilliland1804]

Excessive heat and lack of oxygen will do it. Maybe put an airator in the middle to help when it super hot. Lester puts some blue stuff in the pondat Ima Survivor and Longhorn Lester's. It deals with algea and stuff not wanted but doesn't harm the fish or animals plus he will turn on the air pumps

[@3959tasha]

Well, just reading this vlog, you got a lot of info in your messages, praying for you 🙏

[@butchbinion1560]

Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼

[@joyames9236]

I was going to say maybe the pond turned over, But you know your plants amazingly well so I guess that’s it. I suggested to Daniel to get his water checked for algae, I had thought his just flipped. How Sad!😢

[@janiesoito4494]

Been on a date to take my husband's dozer to the Caterpillar dealer for repairs right in the middle of corn silage harvest. ❤ 😊

[@patriciafleischer8866]

Algae blooms

[@julielefler9747]

You have got to aerate the pond. You guys go to meny days with hot humid temps there is no air in these smaller ponds at that point grass carp can be ordered on line that stops the algae growth they are sterile so you need to order per pond size and buy again in about 15 years if they die. Good luck get some air it also stops algae.

[@bettymunguia2136]

Hi Dusty and Marisa. 😊😊

[@brerbear2858]

Get a floating aerator, there's tons of options available and for pretty reasonable cost

[@maryrussell979]

Sending prayers your way you’ll make the right decision. God bless

[@hubertwebb9869]

When you have large animals deficating and urinating in a pond it can cause algae growth especially in a drought hot year. Put a fence around the pond and only allow a small amount of access on the outlet side of the pond.

[@paulaadams9546]

That's so cool! 😊❤

[@lynngarvie2065]

You need a way to infuse air into your ponds. Get some aireaters to put air back into your ponds it will also help cool them a little

[@reneareynolds5751]

OH NO! Jackie is in the pond!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@srqlisa7881]

Well I hope you didn’t get too much rain today. Stay safe

[@SallyTuckey]

Whilst you were talking to us, I saw your darling doggies behind you; they were ‘investigating’ the water in the pond! I do hope they are alright. I live in Devon, UK - we’ve just found about 7-8 dead fish in our garden pond ☹ I really do sympathise with you.

[@johnsellers6403]

Wow, the ARMS had the same thing happen in their pond not to long ago.

[@greghamann2099]

I am certain he knows he is related, and they live close too. You didn't know that I bet.

[@johnsellers6403]

@@greghamann2099 yes I did know that. It was just a statement. I bet you didn't know that. Duh.

[@greghamann2099]

@@johnsellers6403 If you knew Why would you say that? Duh

[@deanfirnatine7814]

@@johnsellers6403 Dont be a jerk

[@mullinslj2844]

@@greghamann2099I was thinking the same exact thing. Not sure if he watched this video being he would’ve heard Dusty say that

[@Status_Quo]

Only suggestion is driving Copper ground rods into bank around perimeter of pond ~ the Copper Sulphate leaching from them makes red algae growth almost impossible over time

[@leohasfaith71]

Possibly a solar powered pump to get the fresh water you need from the creek to your ponds running the pipes to the ponds that need it?

[@donnareynolds9017]

So sorry Dusty. This is so heartbreaking. You can't let the Bison into that pasture because the water will hurt them. Praying and believing for an accelerated solution for this. Big Hugs.

[@shirleyjcastiglia3676]

Sorry about your pond. 😫On a positive note I see your herd of Bison are increasing! ❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

[@tinaparrish6930]

Call your brother in law about the pound.😟

[@andynicoll8566]

I just Googled dead fish in pond. late July early August. algae blooms hot weather equals lack of oxygen. Herbicides early in summer. Aeration through spring and summer. Check it out, lots of info.

[@ThinkAboutIt-2x]

Would consider doing a two stage pond where one is wallow & other is electric fenced off except for a section kind of like Greg Judy & polyface farms do with their ponds. Though your too flat to do pond above pond. Keeping pond fresh & clean is best done at stream or river to wash out what wallowing does.

[@lindahipp8329]

Good luck with your pond problem. Hopefully you can figure out what to do to correct it. GOD bless y'all.

[@eddief3326]

in the commeral fish pond in Ark. abd Ms. thay use AIRATERS . steel bar or chanel iron welded to a pipe with bearing on both ends on a trailer or 3 point hooket to the pto of a tractor and backed into the water with at least half out of water and run thay are made for tractor pto's or ele.

[@kimberlyk418]

Lester and Jami put something in their ponds that treats top and bottom. It makes their ponds look really pretty and blue. It is safe for 5heir animals to drink. Maybe ask them about it. Good luck.

[@CindyNewlin-u9k]

Copper solphate

[@susanneal3780]

No arriation so fish died to lack of oxygen

[@susanneal3780]

Go to a pool store

[@susanneal3780]

Lester Morrow of Longhorn Lester’s uses a windmill in his pond to keep the water circulating. Texas is hot too.

[@Darisiabgal7573]

When you have a stock tank they fertilize the water. The fertilizer causes phytoplankton to bloom. So this is what happens. Photoplankton make O2 in the day, but they use O2 at night. If they don’t get O2 at night they die, thus they don’t make O2 in the day. Thus the fish don’t have O2. Many fish go to the surface and can get O2 by breathing water drawn from the surface. But the phytoplankton death releases a ton of DOCs into the water which cause a bloom of facultative anaerobes, which don’t need O2 but a high levels are toxic to the fish, thus either way, once the bloom dies the fish die. This is further driven by the fact that heat drives O2 out of solution and DOCs pull O2 out of the solution even worse they rapidly absorb oxide free radicals that push redox up. Vibrio and other facultative anaerobes are not good for mammals either, Vibrio has pathogenic strains like cholera. Bovids are pretty tolerant poor water but there is a limit to anything and we have to remember that there are calves in the herd. What to do. 1. Get Redox potential up, right now it’s probably below 50mV, it needs to be over 150. This can be done by adding an oxidant. You can oxygenate the hell out of the water and it won’t raise redox, only photosynthesis can do that, and right now it’s fighting decaying fish and invertebrates that are driving redox down. Facultative anaerobes cannot survive at high redox. Remove any dead animals in and around the pond. Remove any feces, leaf litter, from around the pond. Yes get some air in the pond, it’s still a giant bacteria flask. You can hit the water with an oxidant, the most benign is hydrogen peroxide but the cheapest is chlorine, chlorine will essentially sterilize the pond, then reintroduce the phytoplankton. Phytoplankton need a herbevore, like Chad, and they need a predator like sunfish or bass. But for the Chad to have a stable populations you need some fine coverage which the buffalo essentially stomp out. So Chad will eventually not proliferate and the algae bloom occurs. Solution. I have mentioned this before, fence your herd out of your water ponds. You don’t want herd animals fertilizing a stable pond, this drives the pond to bloom and die. Feed the water from the stock tank to watering and wallering stations. There is no way to have a stable pond when bovid are bioturbutaing every inch of shore line, the ecosystem will collapse (unless you a bacteria, then it’s heaven). I have also mentioned this, with the prospect of climate change you need bigger tanks capable of capturing and holding storm water for longer periods. Bigger stock tanks means better tank management.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

@@susanneal3780 Lot of aerators run on a little solar panel

[@Rumkitty2000]

There is a stream that flows in and out of the pond, so there is aeration. This happened to Daniel Arms of the @Arns Family Homestead channel, too!

[@kathleenbabcock9009]

Get a specialist in to test the pond. Lester put in a windmill for aireation and blue stuff to force shade so algae was kept at bay. Safe for animals and it is drinkable. But get it tested for the bison sake.

[@raecrowe9514]

Look into oxygen generating water plants. Certain snails eat algae, too.

[@kh7794]

Bama Bass on YT is great on explaining things about algae blooms and aeration and the whole cycle. What may be good for the fish could be horribly bad for your bison though. Highly recommend him and his resources.

[@jenniejohnston6961]

The same thing happened to Daniel on Arms Family homestead. But it came back. They're catching fish now.

[@doloresmoreno1307]

Put a big windmill like Lester put out in his pond with tubbing for bubbles he even put algae stuff in it

[@stevecarson8677]

You may want to looking into windmill pond Aeration

[@martna1]

Praying you can solve the issue.

[@sharonm3677]

Can you call someone like a land and conservation office and get their advise on what to do next to clean that up? Does this pond have underground water sources coming or going from it, you wouldn’t want that darn algae spreading to any other watering area on your land. Hope you can get this dealt with so you can open this pasture up again. Darn weather with heat brings these algae blooms on. Wishing you all the best and hope there’s an easy fix for this. ❤❤

[@barbaraharrold5361]

Oh bummer I hope you can find an answer soon. I have no idea, but I would assume that if it’s hot then the water is just cooking, which would be too hot for the fish which would cause algae. Best of luck. Tfs and God bless:)

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Dusty for sharing this with me ! I hope that you are able to figure out what happened to your pond !

[@denault3985]

Jackie is actually in a moving vehice, she usually chases it. Glad you're dog doesn't get car sick like my Rough Collie. Maybe you should hot-wire the pond area, keeping the Bison away.

[@DixieKing-d4h]

Happy to see Jackie,in the truck , riding along.😊

[@KBAILEYinMS]

Farmers around here will back their brushhog off into the pond to aeriate.

[@charlottecrookham]

Davis OK is approximately 50 miles north of Lake Texoma as a crow flies. My family's ranch is approximately 20 miles south from Lake Texoma. Topography is not 100% match, so I'm talking the Texas Black Land Prairie, which has a habit of filling ponds with sediment. Ponds here are like a funnel: deep, not so wide. To wade out into one, is to find yourself calf deep in grey-black slime with a bit of suck. Depending on the sediment fill rate, over Dad's life time, he pulled dams down and dug out again.