I have developed a pond maintenance regimen for healthy fish based on the same principles that govern canine, feline, equine, and bovine health. Animal husbandry is best left to the trained professional. I do what the veterinarian recommends. From the knowledge I gained, separating pond fact from pond fiction is easy for me. There is no such thing as a "maintenance free" pond. There is no such thing as filters that need cleaning "once a year". Most chemical additives are not necessary, period. A chemically dependent pond is much like a chemically dependent person, the habit is expensive and neither is healthy during the dependency. Most owners do not know the true volume of water in their pond. They dose with what they think is the correct amount, and wind up killing the fish.

It is my experience that you should beware of pond advice or sick fish advice from someone who has not "been there, done that". Listening to their nonsense will cost you, time, money, and perhaps the lives of your fish. If a "pond associate" takes you to the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals display and urges you to buy Pond Care’s PimaFix, MelaFix, AlgaeFix, or EcoFix… walk away. This person has no idea of what they are talking about. They are doing what they have been instructed to do and that is "sell product". When you use these products and your fish die, this same "associate" (read college kid) will say, "I’m sorry to hear that". The suburbs of Chicago abound with places that retail pond fish and pond supplies. It is my opinion that there are very few knowledgeable retailers.