Depending on the type of filter you have, it is generally recommended to clean the mechanical part, such as the skimmer or sponges, at least once a month. More may be needed if you’re in an area that has a lot of debris falling into the pond. If the type of biological filter you have includes pads, then they should be rinsed only once or twice a year. If the other media in the filter is of a plastic form, then it should never be rinsed unless it is clogged, and then it’s best if that can be done by using the pond water itself. This keeps the beneficial bacteria alive.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
Since plants are one of the most important parts of the ecosystem and play an important role in keeping a pond healthy and clear, it would be great to have 60 to 70 percent of water surface coverage. Then add a good mixture of marginals and deep-water plants of your choosing.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
Absolutely. This is the main cause of poor water quality and many fish deaths. The rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. Remember, fish grow! So calculate their length based on how big they will get and not necessarily on how big they are now.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
Yes, you should feed them any time the temperature is above 55° F. Feed them a spring and autumn blend when the temperatures are between 55° F and 65° F. Then switch to a summer food once it’s above 65° F. Only feed them once every 2 to 3 days. They should eat it up within the first 5 minutes.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
We recommend using a net over the pond. The leaves can be blown off the net or remove the net on one side and dump the leaves, then recover the pond. The net can be removed after the leaves have fallen. You use the same technique for a stream or waterfall.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
If there is too much food available, algae will thrive. Algae are airborne and will be seen more readily after rain. The best way to fight algae is to make an unsuitable environment in which to live.
- Add plants to eat the food source.
- Add plants to eat the food source.
- Add bacteria that will help fight the algae.
- The pond may be new and the ecosystem has not developed. It will take time. Be patient.
- Green string algae are “mother nature’s” own food. When this is seen, the ecosystem is usually good and water will be clear.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
You will need to do some maintenance from time to time, such as emptying the debris net in the skimmer. It is recommended to clean the pond entirely once a year.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
Depending on the area you live in and how deep your pond is, you have a few options. As long as your pond is around 2 feet deep, the fish can overwinter. Some people will leave their pumps running all year for decorative reasons and to keep the pond from freezing over solid. Others may turn their pumps off and store them in a bucket of water. This keeps the O-rings inside the pump from drying out. If you turn the system off, make sure to use some sort of de-icing heater to keep a small hole open in the ice. This will let the gases escape and the oxygen in. Either way works just fine.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
The location and size of your pond are important decisions to make regarding your water feature. Customers never say they wish they had built a smaller pond. It is more economical to get the size you want from the start. The pond should be located close to your house so you can enjoy it from many different vantage points. Typically this is an area close to your patio or sitting area with the waterfalls facing your kitchen or family room.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
Not necessarily. Two feet is perfect for most ponds. Ponds are built with shelves that are eight to ten inches deep. The shelves are covered in rocks and gravel creating a natural looking pond.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
A properly installed and planted pond will use less water than a bluegrass lawn. Ex: A 1000 square foot (20 x 50) lawn consumes approximately 27,000 gallons of water annually, while a 15 x 30 pond will use approximately 10,000 gallons through the year.
Category: Water Garden FAQ's | November 19th, 2007
More than anything else, being observant and learning from Mother Nature is what it takes to be a water gardener. Whatever she does naturally is what you should be doing in your pond. Whatever she doesn’t do is what you should be avoiding in your pond. If there is a golden rule of pondering, it is not to mess with Mother Nature because you’ll lose.
Category: Pond Myths | November 19th, 2007
Not true! You can raise Koi and have a beautiful water garden. There are Koi hobbyists who have perfectly balanced pond ecosystems with no chemicals, no sterilization, and a nice assortment of plants. The Koi can grow up to be just as beautiful and just as healthy as they are in traditional Koi ponds — and you’ll love them just as much!
Category: Pond Myths | November 19th, 2007
Believe it or not, you can over-filter a pond. That’s right. Tight filter pads in your skimmer pick up the smallest particles of debris, causing you to be cleaning the filtering mechanism out constantly. Now remember, we’re not talking about drinking water here.
What we are talking about is water clarity and water that’s healthy for your fish. Fish in the wild certainly don’t swim around in bottled water. If you can see a dime on the bottom of the pond, then the water clarity is just right for your fish, and filtering past that is overkill and will create headaches, not eliminate them.
Category: Pond Myths | November 19th, 2007
The claim by many Koi keepers is that the water will lack sufficient oxygen at the lower levels, and this insufficiency can be detrimental to your Koi. The real fact is that if you avoid making your pond any deeper than two feet, there is very little difference in the oxygen levels at the surface and at the bottom of the pond. the problem with bottom drains is that they have a tendency to promote leaks, possibly leaving your fish land-locked. now, that’s a problem to avoid at all costs!
Category: Pond Myths | November 19th, 2007