excelsiorfarm:
@vroom,if you choose,post your email & i will send you more than you requested totally free

v.vroom93@yahoo.com thanks boss

vroom:


v.vroom93@yahoo.com thanks boss

not your boss. Thank God. Sent it sir. Let me know when you have gone through & any other area i could advice. Remember poultry isn't fish that you could starve even for a day. So plan well what you will effectively cater for daily. All the best

Well done bro excelsiorfarm and other contributors on this thread.I have few questions:1.I want to start fish farm and piggery in ogbomoso but not sure if there is market for it? 2.Is plantain farming profitable?thank you

BECALMBECALM:
Well done bro excelsiorfarm and other contributors on this thread.I have few questions:1.I want to start fish farm and piggery in ogbomoso but not sure if there is market for it? 2.Is plantain farming profitable?thank you

GIVE GLORY TO GOD. plantain profitable,depending on variety,10-12 months.Not get rich quick,but profitable.From that town & you can do good when you do things well. You have some giants to beat,bestfarm,politicians,but even you be in a hole & you have good product with integrity, from far & near people will come.

@Elcelsiorfarm; I noticed you are experienced in catfish farming, I just started and within 3 days over 200 have died (2mm) size. My pond is a 500 litre GP tank (2 pieces); was asked to change the water every day which I did but the fish still died.

My question is: does catfish require a particular type of water or can any clean water source be OK for it.

What do i do to ensure it doesnt occur again?

excelsiorfarm:
long i left abuja,but i think Ttalk is in abuja & some of our people here. I will only ask that "IF YOU ARE A FISHFARMER IN ABUJA,PLEASE IDENTIFY." I believe you want a sincere one,hence keep us posted from the response you get

Present sir

thank you for the details. however i do not think i fully understand but i in am very much interested in this process. what is the cost of d solar?

hemebent:


I hope my suggestion helps. My farm is in an eastern part of Nigeria where we BUY WATER FROM TANKERS because boreholes are almost impossible. Due to the capacity of fishes I raise, I had to buy two tankers (one tank is 8000-10,000 liters) every five days at N10,000 per tanker so imagine what i suffered.

I used multiple layers of biological and non-biological filter materials.
Gravel
Carbonated charcoal
Rubber sponge (like the ones used for dishes in the kitchen)
Sharp sand
Polyester filling
Larva rocks (those rocks we use to wash the back and underneath our feet in the bathroom) break into pieces of about 2 inch diameter.
Window net (with the smallest holes possible)
Oyster shells (from the beach. Just go there and pack as many as you can. If possible is some sack-bags)

Wash all these one by one. YES!!! WASH SAND AND ALSO WASH CHARCOAL TOO! Wash and pour away the water, repeat it over and over till when you put water in the bowl you're washing the sand and it comes out sparkling clean. I mean you can see the sand through the water just as you see it in the beach. The same for the charcoal, gravel and larva rocks.

Get a plastic barrel and prepare a strong platform either made with thick wood or blocks or whatever you feel can hold the weight of the barrel and its contents to suspend it above your ponds so the outlet dives straight into the ponds. Put the bigger materials first at the bottom. You can break the charcoals too to about 2 inch diameter also.

Arrange them level by level. For example, polyester filling at the bottom of the barrel, gravel above the polyester, oyster shells above the gravel, charcoal above the oyster shells, sharp sand over the charcoal, the sponges over the sharp sand, window net over the sponges.
What you're trying to achieve is filter the dirt in the water according to the size of the dirt. the net works as a sieve for larger particles and so on to the bottom where the polyester filters the smallest particles. Your water changing color and not looking clear, after this, it might not look so pure but most of the dirt will be out of the water and the fishes can swim easily.

I purchased some small submersible pumps for aquariums from an aquarium shop in Lagos around Ikotun-Egbe axis. It's not hard to locate. The pumps use little energy. One of them pumps with a pressure high as 3 meters and was purchased sometime in October for N22,000 while dollar rate was still crazy but not as ridiculous as now. It might be cheaper now though. I power everything in my farm with Solar panels. I have 6 solar panels. Each with a capacity of 300Watts. Two inverters so if there's ever a fault on one whatsoever I can switch to the other one. The inverter is 4KVA with a few batteries They power all my aerators, pumps for all the ponds, etc. To save cost, I'll advice you look for very small solar panel with watts that can power that pump. Small capacity inverter and also a battery. You'll save more money compared to turning on your generator for the filtration to work a few hours daily.

You'll need to clean the net at the top of the filter or change it frequently when it's filled with dirt by using another net while you wash the previous one and hang it to dry somewhere. As for the other stuff above the sharp sand, wash once a week or twice a week with just 20 liters of water. You won't need more than that.

Connect a hose to the outlet of the pump which you would direct to the top of the barrel. Make a hole in the cover of the barrel where the hose will go in. Make a much smaller outlet at the bottom of the barrel (like angle 90 in it) so small that the charcoal or gravel you placed over the polyester won't fall out of the barrel when water is going exiting the barrel after filtration.


I don't know if I was clear enough but i just typed as I remembered the things I did, maybe I didn't explain the steps well but if you have any questions whatsoever, feel free to ask me. We're going through recession, money doesn't have to come into everything. Helping each other get by is the way to save cost for one another. Whatever advice you need from me is free.


Heme.

Busayo1981:
thank you for the details. however i do not think i fully understand but i in am very much interested in this process. what is the cost of d solar?

Busayo1981 It depends on the capacity you wanna purchase. Mine cost me va little over N1m. You might wanna check jumia or some sites, source from your local solar dealer as price varies. I purchased mine from Trade Fair, Lagos.

I typed the procedure and details regarding the recirculating and filtration system in a hurry so I couldn't explain better but feel free to call me on 09083399949 and I'll try help out as much as mine

Thank you bro excelsiorfarm. You made mention of beating some giants, that got me laughing because i don't have the strength to compete with such people. I don't even have the kind of resources to compete with politicians. Are you saying that there is much competition there?

hemebent:


I hope my suggestion helps. My farm is in an eastern part of Nigeria where we BUY WATER FROM TANKERS because boreholes are almost impossible. Due to the capacity of fishes I raise, I had to buy two tankers (one tank is 8000-10,000 liters) every five days at N10,000 per tanker so imagine what i suffered.

I used multiple layers of biological and non-biological filter materials.
Gravel
Carbonated charcoal
Rubber sponge (like the ones used for dishes in the kitchen)
Sharp sand
Polyester filling
Larva rocks (those rocks we use to wash the back and underneath our feet in the bathroom) break into pieces of about 2 inch diameter.
Window net (with the smallest holes possible)
Oyster shells (from the beach. Just go there and pack as many as you can. If possible is some sack-bags)

Wash all these one by one. YES!!! WASH SAND AND ALSO WASH CHARCOAL TOO! Wash and pour away the water, repeat it over and over till when you put water in the bowl you're washing the sand and it comes out sparkling clean. I mean you can see the sand through the water just as you see it in the beach. The same for the charcoal, gravel and larva rocks.

Get a plastic barrel and prepare a strong platform either made with thick wood or blocks or whatever you feel can hold the weight of the barrel and its contents to suspend it above your ponds so the outlet dives straight into the ponds. Put the bigger materials first at the bottom. You can break the charcoals too to about 2 inch diameter also.

Arrange them level by level. For example, polyester filling at the bottom of the barrel, gravel above the polyester, oyster shells above the gravel, charcoal above the oyster shells, sharp sand over the charcoal, the sponges over the sharp sand, window net over the sponges.
What you're trying to achieve is filter the dirt in the water according to the size of the dirt. the net works as a sieve for larger particles and so on to the bottom where the polyester filters the smallest particles. Your water changing color and not looking clear, after this, it might not look so pure but most of the dirt will be out of the water and the fishes can swim easily.

I purchased some small submersible pumps for aquariums from an aquarium shop in Lagos around Ikotun-Egbe axis. It's not hard to locate. The pumps use little energy. One of them pumps with a pressure high as 3 meters and was purchased sometime in October for N22,000 while dollar rate was still crazy but not as ridiculous as now. It might be cheaper now though. I power everything in my farm with Solar panels. I have 6 solar panels. Each with a capacity of 300Watts. Two inverters so if there's ever a fault on one whatsoever I can switch to the other one. The inverter is 4KVA with a few batteries They power all my aerators, pumps for all the ponds, etc. To save cost, I'll advice you look for very small solar panel with watts that can power that pump. Small capacity inverter and also a battery. You'll save more money compared to turning on your generator for the filtration to work a few hours daily.

You'll need to clean the net at the top of the filter or change it frequently when it's filled with dirt by using another net while you wash the previous one and hang it to dry somewhere. As for the other stuff above the sharp sand, wash once a week or twice a week with just 20 liters of water. You won't need more than that.

Connect a hose to the outlet of the pump which you would direct to the top of the barrel. Make a hole in the cover of the barrel where the hose will go in. Make a much smaller outlet at the bottom of the barrel (like angle 90 in it) so small that the charcoal or gravel you placed over the polyester won't fall out of the barrel when water is going exiting the barrel after filtration.


I don't know if I was clear enough but i just typed as I remembered the things I did, maybe I didn't explain the steps well but if you have any questions whatsoever, feel free to ask me. We're going through recession, money doesn't have to come into everything. Helping each other get by is the way to save cost for one another. Whatever advice you need from me is free.


Heme.

How many horse power of pumping machine did u use.
Also the size of your pond, and how much per each solar panel.

BECALMBECALM:
Thank you bro excelsiorfarm. You made mention of beating some giants, that got me laughing because i don't have the strength to compete with such people. I don't even have the kind of resources to compete with politicians. Are you saying that there is much competition there?

not that,even those on ground haven't successfully meet the needs of All. My advice is as you look at immediate,you look outside i.e. that is called balance forecast. so no fear,some of the giants are just giant by name.

Ttalk:

Present sir

sir someone asked for fishfarmer in abuja & i mentioned you.

grandjury:
@Elcelsiorfarm; I noticed you are experienced in catfish farming, I just started and within 3 days over 200 have died (2mm) size. My pond is a 500 litre GP tank (2 pieces); was asked to change the water every day which I did but the fish still died.

My question is: does catfish require a particular type of water or can any clean water source be OK for it.

What do i do to ensure it doesnt occur again?

WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF EXPERIENCE FISHFARMERS HERE & SOME JUST COME TO READ.

Let me start this way,was the fishes newly bought & u notice this death?if yes,many things could be the cause,from environment change,sick or stress from how u transported your fishes etc.The one breeders dont love to hear,bought or supply of sick fish seeds.I could have written poor water mgt,but some said/wrote u change water daily. Even at that,u could pollute your water within 1 hour from overfeeding.Chlorine h2o is bad,iron in h2o is also bad.Well or borehole ok.Tap not ok always

please who knows how much a bag of vital feed is.

Good day all
I have for a while followed this thread and its been quite educational and inspirational. I am so grateful robonski15 for starting up this thread. I am grateful to all the professionals who shared there experiences as well. I am impressed by how much you shared your experience to all. This thread must have helped a number of fish farmers to rectify errors and improve yield.

That been said, it seems like the enthusiasm with which this thread was started isnt much there any longer. There hasn't been much post in the past few days.

As such, I implore the experts in the house to consider organizing training workshop. I am sure that myself and a number of newbies who go through this post on a daily basis will be interested in attending.

House, it will be nice to hear you thoughts on this.

Regards

Johnsonadeolu:



How many horse power of pumping machine did u use.
Also the size of your pond, and how much per each solar panel.

The solar panels cost me N105,000 each.

My pumping machines are measured in watts. I've got different types.
170W × 1
35W × 1
25W × 2
18W × 2

I've got different ponds.

Two concrete ponds attached together
8×10
8×10

Four small concrete ponds attached
4×3
4×3
4×3
4×3

Two concrete ponds attached
11×12
11×12

Two foreign tarpaulin ponds framed with galvanized pipes.
20×10
17x7

4000L GeePee tank.

Let me also add this and hope it helps.

I linked the attached ponds with a tube so I can assign one pump to two ponds but it's easier to use PVC pipes to link them. No matter the size but I'll suggest half inch pipes, elbows and caps. Cut the pipes 40 inches (×2) 14 inches (×1). Link the pipes to make a U-shape using the the two elbows to create the arc of the U. Don't seal the ends of the pipe with the end caps yet. The distance between the two ends of the pipe should be a little more than whatever demarcation both ponds have side by side. When you've created that U-shape, soak the entire set underwater so water flows into the pipes pushing out all air bubbles. When the bubbles are all out, underwater seal the ends of the pipes with the end caps without gum so all that's inside the pipes is water without bubbles in them. Turn the "u" to become an "n" so the two ends will be submerged into the two ponds with the end caps inside the ponds. Underwater, remove the end caps.
What you've just achieved is a flow of water between two ponds. You'll notice that both ponds water levels will be the same. Let's tag them pond A and pond B.
Pond A will have the pump in it taking water from there to the filtration barrels over the GeePee tank using the smaller pumps maybe the one that's 25W while pond B with the mechanical flow of water occurring in the U pipe sends water to pond A to balance the volume so it levels up with the volume of water in pond B. The 170W pump submerged inside the GeePee tank with a distribution piping system constructed over it and attached to it to send water back to the ponds it came from will send water back to pond B through one of its pipes. The U pipe will mechanically transfer the new water to pond A. Goes on and on.

Please what is the use of the aerators been mentioned here and how is a pond with a flow through system constructed?

Heard that catfish is a rugged fish and should not die the way i've experienced @Excelsiorfarm, how can I tell if the water I'm using has chlorine or too much iron in it...I am using well water.

@Excelsiorfarm the fish was newly bought; 25 died on the way while transporting due to shock as I was told. Within 24hrs 170 died as well and then within another 24hrs another 50 died.

Then I changed the water about 4 times within 24hrs and noticed about 6 died. I feel it could be related to the water but my question is how often I'm I expected to change water since its not actually flowing continuously but in a tank.

H

Sirdik:
Hello peepz.am a failed fishfarmer. I want to try again. I av 2 ponds n want to try again.could some 1 help me with cost analysis for raising 1000 juveniles to table size pls.

You are not a failed farmer your approach in the past made your previous attempt failed.

And you must have learnt your lesson. You can share with us your previous experience so we can suggest what to do.

300naira feed per fish to table size

hemebent:


The solar panels cost me N105,000 each.

My pumping machines are measured in watts. I've got different types.
170W × 1
35W × 1
25W × 2
18W × 2

I've got different ponds.

Two concrete ponds attached together
8×10
8×10

Four small concrete ponds attached
4×3
4×3
4×3
4×3

Two concrete ponds attached
11×12
11×12

Two foreign tarpaulin ponds framed with galvanized pipes.
20×10
17x7

4000L GeePee tank.

Let me also add this and hope it helps.

I linked the attached ponds with a tube so I can assign one pump to two ponds but it's easier to use PVC pipes to link them. No matter the size but I'll suggest half inch pipes, elbows and caps. Cut the pipes 40 inches (×2) 14 inches (×1). Link the pipes to make a U-shape using the the two elbows to create the arc of the U. Don't seal the ends of the pipe with the end caps yet. The distance between the two ends of the pipe should be a little more than whatever demarcation both ponds have side by side. When you've created that U-shape, soak the entire set underwater so water flows into the pipes pushing out all air bubbles. When the bubbles are all out, underwater seal the ends of the pipes with the end caps without gum so all that's inside the pipes is water without bubbles in them. Turn the "u" to become an "n" so the two ends will be submerged into the two ponds with the end caps inside the ponds. Underwater, remove the end caps.
What you've just achieved is a flow of water between two ponds. You'll notice that both ponds water levels will be the same. Let's tag them pond A and pond B.
Pond A will have the pump in it taking water from there to the filtration barrels over the GeePee tank using the smaller pumps maybe the one that's 25W while pond B with the mechanical flow of water occurring in the U pipe sends water to pond A to balance the volume so it levels up with the volume of water in pond B. The 170W pump submerged inside the GeePee tank with a distribution piping system constructed over it and attached to it to send water back to the ponds it came from will send water back to pond B through one of its pipes. The U pipe will mechanically transfer the new water to pond A. Goes on and on.

Thank.
On Aeration, did u use a surface aeration or under water bottom, from what have study over the years, bottom aeration enhance rapid growth in fish farming than using a paddle wheels.

chiventoline:
please who knows how much a bag of vital feed is.

You didn't mention size. Beside it might deffer by location.

grandjury:
@Excelsiorfarm the fish was newly bought; 25 died on the way while transporting due to shock as I was told. Within 24hrs 170 died as well and then within another 24hrs another 50 died.

Then I changed the water about 4 times within 24hrs and noticed about 6 died. I feel it could be related to the water but my question is how often I'm I expected to change water since its not actually flowing continuously but in a tank.

So sorry about your experience.

How do you normally change your water?

If you allow the force of the water on them, as they are still small they will die. Pressure could be the cause.

Secondly, how did you treat your pond before stocking the fishs?

Thirdly, from the source you got your seed. How good are they with hatchling?

I guess you are just starting?

Johnsonadeolu:



Thank.
On Aeration, did u use a surface aeration or under water bottom, from what have study over the years, bottom aeration enhance rapid growth in fish farming than using a paddle wheels.

I used surface with tube and air stones.

robonski15:


Thank you very much sir.. Have u started your fish farm or still gathering momentum..

Big thanks to you for the love.. Yes, I've started my farm (Thanks for the concern). In fact, I'm looking forward to my first harvest in February.. Started up with 5500 Post/Juve. Didnt have to ask any questions. I follow the thread closely and learn from the mistakes many have made.. Plus the Grace of God..
I read sometime ago that there was a WhatsApp group. Is it still active?

hemebent:


I used surface with tube and air stones.

Thanks for taken your time to answer, wish u happy harvest.

kennysympathy:


So sorry about your experience.

How do you normally change your water?

If you allow the force of the water on them, as they are still small they will die. Pressure could be the cause.

Secondly, how did you treat your pond before stocking the fishs?

Thirdly, from the source you got your seed. How good are they with hatchling?

I guess you are just starting?

When changing the water I use a rubber hose so there's no pressure on the fish; I just washed the tank; didn't use any form of treatment for the pond (please can you recommend what I can use and times when I need to treat my pond).

Not sure of how good they are with hatching; I'm just about 5 days into the business. If there are people here with farms in Lagos please can you please drop your contact I will like to visit to see how your operations are and make subsequent purchase from you.

This is a trial of fish farming I'm doing using (2)500 Litre GP tanks before I move to my site for expansion. I will like further clarifications on aeration of the pond and flow through system...thanks

excelsiorfarm:
WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF EXPERIENCE FISHFARMERS HERE & SOME JUST COME TO READ.

Let me start this way,was the fishes newly bought & u notice this death?if yes,many things could be the cause,from environment change,sick or stress from how u transported your fishes etc.The one breeders dont love to hear,bought or supply of sick fish seeds.I could have written poor water mgt,but some said/wrote u change water daily. Even at that,u could pollute your water within 1 hour from overfeeding.Chlorine h2o is bad,iron in h2o is also bad.Well or borehole ok.Tap not ok always

pls I need your professional advice. I always have plenty of dust in my feed.I read in an article that one can use the cassava starch use in laundry as a binder. Pls is it ok? better still what can one use to make it bind very. I use dough, molasses, but I don't get desire result. Pls help

Pls wats d current price of vital feed 1.5mm in lagos.

Sirdik:
Hello peepz.am a failed fishfarmer. I want to try again. I av 2 ponds n want to try again.could some 1 help me with cost analysis for raising 1000 juveniles to table size pls.

I have been following this thread since ..Find a good hatcher in ur location and ask him when he can select shooters get like 1500 shooters some sell at 20naira some 30naora depending on the person hatching the amont u spend on feeding shooters to a particular size can't be compared to the same amount u use in feeding normal post juvi...Like let's say u stock a pond with 1500 shooters first I will advice u to buy 2.5mm direct of skretting feeding since the shooters are bigger than Thier normal size 2 bag of skretting will last them for a 2 weeks after that blast them with vitamins mix with vitamins feed and I swear after 3 weeks people will feel ur fishes are two months old after they finish the two bags of skretting make sure u switch to top feed immediately ...What I have notice from experience is that skretting helps in fish growth of u have good fishes..Make sure the hatcher is honest some will use small hetro in hatching that will give u bad result so what matters is that u get a good fish .. for those starters never u buy fingerling even if it is 5naira for 10 fishes don't try it because it will waste ur time and money start with shooters and don't be lazy be there when the hatcher is counting some will give u 500 fishes and tell u it is 1000 ..So count with them ...And those of u asking for the cost estimate fish business u need to eat well before u go into it ..Me I don't really believe in local feed I use top feed for 3-4 no the then I get average size of 2kg when ur shotters get to 2 months they will eat one bag a day so be prepared and one bag of feed is over 6k when they get to 4 months it will increase to 2 bag a day for better growth use earth pond because of spacing u can sort the big one to one pond and leave the smaller one in another because the smaller one are oppressed during feeding ..So the price estimate to train 1500 jumpers for 4 to 5 months is about 500k to 600 when the fish get to 5 months u can switch to local feed to cut down cost ..But me I don't do that when I sold my last pond I had fishes of over 4kg I was really impressed with my result ..So if u are a new farmer please don't be stingy because one thing is this when u starve ur fish you reduce Thier growth and u will be the one to loss

jksxxxx:
I have been following this thread since ..Find a good hatcher in ur location and ask him when he can select shooters get like 1500 shooters some sell at 20naira some 30naora depending on the person hatching the amont u spend on feeding shooters to a particular size can't be compared to the same amount u use in feeding normal post juvi...Like let's say u stock a pond with 1500 shooters first I will advice u to buy 2.5mm direct of skretting feeding since the shooters are bigger than Thier normal size 2 bag of skretting will last them for a 2 weeks after that blast them with vitamins mix with vitamins feed and I swear after 3 weeks people will feel ur fishes are two months old after they finish the two bags of skretting make sure u switch to top feed immediately ...What I have notice from experience is that skretting helps in fish growth of u have good fishes..Make sure the hatcher is honest some will use small hetro in hatching that will give u bad result so what matters is that u get a good fish .. for those starters never u buy fingerling even if it is 5naira for 10 fishes don't try it because it will waste ur time and money start with shooters and don't be lazy be there when the hatcher is counting some will give u 500 fishes and tell u it is 1000 ..So count with them ...And those of u asking for the cost estimate fish business u need to eat well before u go into it ..Me I don't really believe in local feed I use top feed for 3-4 no the then I get average size of 2kg when ur shotters get to 2 months they will eat one bag a day so be prepared and one bag of feed is over 6k when they get to 4 months it will increase to 2 bag a day for better growth use earth pond because of spacing u can sort the big one to one pond and leave the smaller one in another because the smaller one are oppressed during feeding ..So the price estimate to train 1500 jumpers for 4 to 5 months is about 500k to 600 when the fish get to 5 months u can switch to local feed to cut down cost ..But me I don't do that when I sold my last pond I had fishes of over 4kg I was really impressed with my result ..So if u are a new farmer please don't be stingy because one thing is this when u starve ur fish you reduce Thier growth and u will be the one to loss

I think the idea of stocking first shooters is becoming obsolete. It is like looking for a first class gradute when lower credit can perform the same task.
Firstly it is difficult to see 1500 shooters in 10,000 hatched fries. And the moment the shooters are isolated the competition begins leading to disparities in sizes.
You can turned an average fingerlings into monster wthing aaceptable time with the following method provided the brood are of good quality
1. Buy young fingerlings that is between 3weeks to 6week after hatching
2. Feed with stater feed regardless what they are picking before you bought them 0.8mm to 1.5mm correct so many deficiency in fingerlings.
4. Feed more than twice daily to bootst their eating habit
5. Ensure you buy similar size and sort to ensure even sizes
6. Rear them for at least 2weeks in nursery pond before transfer to growing pond

This simple strategy would transform average fish to perform like shooters.

Similarly, local feed with good frmula will give you what top feed would give with less cost. And rearing shooters for 6month ....that seem to be too long period

grandjury:


When changing the water I use a rubber hose so there's no pressure on the fish; I just washed the tank; didn't use any form of treatment for the pond (please can you recommend what I can use and times when I need to treat my pond).

Not sure of how good they are with hatching; I'm just about 5 days into the business. If there are people here with farms in Lagos please can you please drop your contact I will like to visit to see how your operations are and make subsequent purchase from you.

This is a trial of fish farming I'm doing using (2)500 Litre GP tanks before I move to my site for expansion. I will like further clarifications on aeration of the pond and flow through system...thanks

On the case of treating your pond. Concrete pond is what I use.

Get 30pics of lime cut them and put in the pond. Fill the pond with water before doing so. Watch out for mosquito larva. Once you notice the presence of the larvae, wash your pond n allow to dry. Then fill it water, not to the brim o.

You can also make you of plantain suckers. Just cut them and put in the pond. The same process as the one of lime.

Where do you get your water? Make sure there is no presence of chlorine.