function oftheseason()
{
var m_names = new Array("January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December");

var d=new Date();
var x=d.getMonth();
var mon;
document.write(" for the month of&nbsp;<b>"+m_names[x]+"</b>");

if (x==0)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>If the pump is supplying water to a waterfall or a biological Filter system, this can continue throughout the winter times. However, it\'s best by lifting the pump and giving it a good service clean before relocating it in shallow depths of the pool where it only circulates the top layers of the pond water.  This will help prevent disrupting the deeper, warmer water at the bottom of the pond where the fish are over-wintering.<h4>Water Care</h4>Water quality quickly deteriorates if the pond freezes over and no provision is made to vent an area of the pond surface to avoid a build up of harmful gasses trapped under the ice. Consider investing in a pond heater to keep a small area of water from freezing and Tennis ball is ideal to float in the pond as this allows air to flow through to the pond. - footballs are not good for this - Do not break the ice with a hammer as this creates shock waves which is very harmful to fish and even kill fish!!<h4>Fish Care</h4>Resist the urge to feed fish should, a mild spell weather occur. If a Sudden return of a cold spell occurs, the food will remain undigested in the fish and decompose causing internal bacterial problems.")
}
if (x==1)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>February is likely to be the coldest month of the year. Precautions need to be taken to prevent the pond from any severe weather conditions.  Check the level of the pond and top up if necessary to make sure the depth of the pond is at a maximum. - Remember to use chlorine & chloramine removal additives - By pass any connections to waterfall & fountains if possible and just run water direct to the biological filter system.  If the pump has a variable control, then turn this down to its lowest setting.<h4>Water Care</h4>Keep the biological filter system, running even though it will act as a mechanical filter if water temperature drops below 4 degrees.  Little biological activity is likely to occur but running oxygenated water from the pond through the filter, remains alive and intact. Maybe test the pond water occasionally during the early spring for any deterioration caused by decomposing matter. Any anomalies can usually be resolved by performing a 10% water change  (Remember to use chlorine & chloramine removal additives)<h4>Fish Care</h4>Fish are termed ectothermic meaning they don't maintain a constant body temperature.  Their body temperature therefore coincides with the surrounding water.  As a result they will remain in a deep torpor hibernating at the bottom of the pond during the cold conditions.")
}

if (x==2)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>During mild periods, tidy up around the pond gathering up any leaves lodged in the pond netting and removing other debris which has blown into the pond.  This is often a good time to clear any silt debris which has accumulated at the bottom of the pond.<br>Using your pond vac, remove all types of pond dirt and debris.   - Remember to use chorine & Chloramine removal additives - <p>Lift all submersible pumps and carry out the following maintenance procedures.  Remove the strainer, remove and clean the impeller assembly and take off any build up of lime scale which can seriously affect your pump performance.  A pump Strainer can become clogged very quickly depending on pond conditions and is best checked at weekly intervals right through to autumn whilst the impeller assembly usually requires servicing on a monthly basis.<h4>Water Care</h4>Test the water quality.  There is sure to be a build up of decomposing matter in the pond and losses often occur with pond fish as any entering the winter period that are sickly and undernourished usually manage to survive the coldest winter months as the remain dormant.  They only fail to revive when the temperatures start to rise again.<br>If your pond is suffering with low ph levels and high levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate then there are decomposing matter remaining in the water.  Remove the waste from the pond and any fish that are dead, check around plant baskets for them. If necessary undertake a partial water change of up to 20% (Remember to use chlorine & chloramines removal additives)<h4>Fish Care</h4>Although fish may become active in mild spells it maybe still to early in the season for fish to be fed in temperatures do not remain stable over 8 degrees. Keep and eye on the thermometer readings till its safe to feed your fish with a low protein food such as wheat-germ food.")
}
if (x==3)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Tidying the pond can now take place in earnest.  Lift pond netting and clean and store or purchase a new one in looking worst for wear for the following winter so you don\'t get court out at the last minute. Marginal and bog plants can be tidied up and, where appropriate, lifted and divided and replanted using only the vigorous outer portions.  If the pond needs a thorough clean then do it now before plant growth starts.  Fish and plants can be found temporary accommodation whilst the pond is emptied and completely spring cleaned.  A substantial accumulation of silt and organic debris is likely to need removing and can be added to the compost heap or used to top dress the bog garden.  This is also a good time to feed your plants by inserting fertilizer spikes into the baskets to provide a balanced nutrition throughout the season.  No effect on water quality or fish using fertiliser spikes or liquids.<h4>Water Care</h4>Clean the biological filter bed media by flushing pond water through the filter and washing any mechanical sponge filters to clean away any trapped debris. Remember to use a biological filter booster additive to build up the strong colonies of beneficial bacteria in the filter and also dosing the pond with a bio-sludge buster to control the frequency at which complete pond overhauls will be required. (Remember to use chlorine & chloramines removal additives)<h4>Fish Care</h4>The seasons are changing quite significantly and mild winters followed by warm springs have brought water temperatures up.  Once temperatures increase to 8degrees or more fish can be fed sparingly using wheat-germ food. Remember not to leave un-eaten food in ponds for long periods of time as this will make water quality deteriate.")
}

if (x==4)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Throughout this month, water temperatures rise and combined with the high light levels encourage strong bursts of growth both in submerged aquatics and in moisture loving plants in the marginal and bog garden.  Water lilies are really heavy feeders and it's particularly important that they receive proper nutrition without raising the nutrient level generally in the pond. Fertilizer spikes are best for this as they are designed to release fertilizer gradually to the plant and inserted directly into plant basket for easy use, no measuring!!<br>Floating plants like water lettuce (pistia stratioes) and the water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes) are ready to put into the pond nearer to the end on this month.<br>Water features like bubble and tub fountains can now be safely assembled for the new season.It's now worth starting to make early preparations to control green water & blanket-weed problems. Using natural methods is growing rapidly such as barley straw and barley straw extract liquids and powders.<h4>Water Care</h4>Water parameters need to be monitored on a regular basis using a pond test kit that has the basic tests such as Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH, GH and KH. You can also test for chlorine levels to make sure when you have carried out a partial water change you will now if you have measured the correct amount of de-chlorinated additives.<br>Try to avoid a return of poor water quality conditions by removing decomposing organic material from the pond and try not to over feed the fish.<h4>Fish Care</h4>The fish will be fully active now due to temperate rises and benefit now from being fed on a higher protein food than wheat-germ.  Feeding your fish with a higher protein ensures your fish have a fully balanced and nutritious diet. Feeds can range from 2 - 4 times per day but little amounts and often is the key.  Floating food is ideal as any surplus can be removed easily with a net.  Pellet and stick food size is also important for the fish to eat. There are 3 sizes, small, medium and large and arrange of different blends of food for their diet. It is also the right time to start introducing new fish to your pond.")
}

// June
if (x==5)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Serious algae problems can occur now that water temperatures are high and the days are getting longer.  Green water and blanket weed occurs in most ponds and persist throughout the summer if proper controls are not in placed. A UV sterilizer can effectively clarify green water and does have some control over filamentous algae by king the spores and floating material. UV systems should also be regularly cleaned to be fully effective and bulbs replaced at recommended intervals.<p>Tip: Replace UV bulbs between 10-12 months of use.<br>Water Treatments are very effective against green water and blanket weed.<h4>Water Care</h4>Due to weather, constant topping up of pond water can mean adding not only chemicals unsafe to fish like chlorine and chloramines but also nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. Remember to treat tap water with de-chlorinators to remove these chemicals and also test for phosphate levels as this can help algae growth.<h4>Fish Care</h4>Fish are actively feed at this time of the year but remember to try to keep to a little and often rule to avoid excessive feeding which can cause pollution and then poor water quality.")
}
// July
if (x==6)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Filters are fulfilling an important function at this time of year and should be checked and cleaned on a regular basis.  Thoroughly wash mechanical filter material and flush the biological filter bed of box and pressure filters with pond water only. Remember to dose the filter with a bio filter booster additive.Strong excessive growths of marginal and submerged plants can lead to unruly top growths and extensive root systems leaving little or no open areas below or on the water surface.  Cut back these growths below or on the water surface.<h4>Water Care</h4>Chemical can soon occur in the close confines of a pond and regular testing of the water parameters often reveals anomalies.  If you use fertilizers on your lawn or garden borders, the run off into your pond during sudden rain storms can considerably raise nutrient levels and cause ph levels to dramatically change.  High levels of nutrients with in the pond water can be reversed by doing partial water changes to keep the parameters in check.  If you struggle with this then there is ph additives that can be used to stabilise the water very quickly without any harm to fish plants or wild life.<h4>Fish Care</h4>Remember to use a range of different food such as multi stick/pellets.   These contain high performance colour enhancing formula to ensure your fish will show off their true colours to the full.")
}
// August
if (x==7)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>This can be the busiest time of the year the pond will need to be regularly topped up to allow for evaporation. Marginal Planting will need attending to with dead-heading of spent flowers and cutting back or staking long growths.  Try to control carpet forming floating plants such as Duckweed and Azolla by netting off and discarding excess amounts.  Use a pruning tool and net to remove rampant growing oxygenating plants and spent lily leaves & flowers.<h4>Water Care</h4>Water quality can easily deteriorate during these hot spells as fish will be feeding heavily and can bring further nutrient pollutants into the pond system.  Keep a close eye on your water parameters and if anomalies are occurring and may indicate that a water change is necessary.  Make sure that the filter pump is working very effectively.  Filter systems may also need to service by washing clogged material from the sponges with pond water.<h4>Fish Care</h4>This time of year, if fish slow down, stop feeding or may appear listless and gasping at the surface of the pond, it could be that high water temperatures have reduced the oxygen levels within the pond water.  This often occurs through the night as greenery in the pond ceases to produce oxygen through photosynthesis and oxygen levels are at their lowest.  The surface of the water is where the greatest gaseous exchanges occur and adding extra water movement by installing a fountain or waterfall will increase pond water contact plus with atmosphere will reduce this problem.  Adding a pond aerator will also help resolve this problem quickly.")
}
if (x==8)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Remove debris and dead plant material from the surface of the pond with a fine pond skimmer net. Use a pond vac to suck out the sludge and dead plant material on the bottom of the pond and give the pond a dose of sludge buster booster to help break down any additional organic solids and sludge in the pond.<h4>Water Care</h4>As autumn approaches some submerged and marginal plants start to die back and water quality can suffer due to increased decaying organic material in the pond.  Its important to keep up water tests and not to neglect partial water changes if deterioration in water quality occurs.<h4>Fish Care</h4>High temperatures over the past few months may have encouraged infections and parasites as they develop faster in warm water.  Fungus and fin rot are common diseases and parasites like anchor worm and the fish louse can appear.  If fish show any evidence of either infections or parasites or just appear to show signs of irritation like scratching themselves or jumping, seek advice and treat fish quickly.")
}
if (x==9)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Weather conditions at this time of year can be quite unpredictable so keep an eye on water temperature to decide when its best to change from a high protein food to an autumn base food that has lower protein for easy digest.  It is also important to try and gauge when the first leaf fall is likely to occur and prepare by installing a pond net to avoid a serious influx of dead leaves fouling the pond.  This will help in the future from decomposing waste in the pond and also keep herons, cats and other potential predators away.<h4>Water Care</h4>No matter what precautions are taken to avoid organic pollution due to die back of aquatic plants and fallen leaves it is likely to increase.  It's very important to ensure that the filter system and pump remain effective by flushing away accumulated debris using pond water and give the pond a further dose of sludge buster boost to make sure there are ample of beneficial bacteria to handle the ever increasing organic load.<h4>Fish Care</h4>As long as water temperature remain above 10degrees then remain feeding fish with a autumn base food and wheat-germ food. If temperature does fall below level fish can still be fed but only use wheat-germ formulae.")
}
if (x==10)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Air temperature can fall dramatically but the water in the pond remains warmer longer than air and cools more slowly.  Now is the time to place a pond heater in the bottom of the pond and switch on now.  Floating water plants are ready to be removed and over-wintered indoors but marginal plants will resist several degrees of frost.  Dismantle and store the pumps for water features. Take indoors any water features that are not frost resistant.<h4>Water Care</h4>Continue to remove any dead foliage and leaves that accumulate in the water of on the pond netting.  This is essential because some tree leaves contain strong toxins to prevent browsing predators and can be very harmful to fish.<h4>Fish Care</h4>Feeding fish can continue as long as the temperature remains constant and above 8degress and you are using a wheat-germ food.  If temperature does drown below then stop feeding fish.  Fish will be able to depend on their body reserves through to the next spring.  Its worth investing in a pond thermometer which can be left in the pond and allow you to monitor the water at these crucial times of temperature changes.")
}

if (x==11)
{
document.write("<h4>Pond & Equipment Care</h4>Although in recent years, this month appear to be more characteristic of autumn conditions than deep winter.  Water temperatures are slowly dropping and its quiet this time of the year in the pond.  If you have installed a pond heater you will be aiming to keep temperatures in the bottom of the pond above 4 degrees.  Most pond heaters are not designed to heat the whole pond just merely maintain a hole if ice forms releasing any harmful gases which otherwise would be trapped below the ice.<h4>Water Care</h4>Decomposing of any organic material in the pond will be slowing down and water quality should remain stable provided there are no, unexpected fish loss.  A daily inspection is worth doing and will reveal any such problems.<h4>Fish Care</h4>Whilst warm water normally rises to the surface, at water temperature below 4 degrees, the reverse of this principle occurs and cold water rises to the surface and warm water settles down in the lower part of the pond.")
}

}