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Knowledgeable Staff - Quality Products |
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Knowledgeable Staff - Quality Products |
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We will try to dismiss the myth that maintaining a healthy and crystal
clear water garden is hard to do. It isn't. The main factor
that you must keep in your mind is "ecosystem". As long as
you are able to keep the "ecosystem" of your water garden intact and well
balanced; your water garden should give you years of pleasure without much
maintenance.
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Floating plants provide shade, cool and filter the water and control algae. Submerged plants are also filters, and they feed fish as well as create shelter and spawning areas for them. Fish control mosquitoes (they consume the larvae) and will control the algae, too. Snails, also have voracious appetites for algae. Snails may be tiny but they make a big contribution to your pond. Most likely, snails will show up in your pond on their own. They know where to find their food!
Ponds should be in a sunny location (with a minimum of six hours of sunlight
a day) and away from trees and bushes, if possible. You may want
to place the pond within easy view from your most frequently used outdoor
location. Your pond should be accessible to a garden hose and electrical
line.
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A good rule of thumb is to feed your fish only what they can devour in a 10 minute time period. If your fish do not seem to be eating as much in the summer, don't worry. They are probably eating from other sources such as insects and plants.
Keep your pond stocked accordingly: A good rule of thumb is: each inch of fish should have 6 square inches to 1 square foot of water. (Koi need much more space - about 25 square foot for every fish.
2 inch fish: 1 square foot
4 inch fish: 2 square foot
6 inch fish: 3 square feet
8 inch fish: 4 square feet
12
inch fish: 6 square feet
16
inch fish: 12 square feet
Note:
If you provide aeration in the form of a fountain, you can add a few
more fish. If you have a waterfall, which aerates the water
substantially, you may be able to double the number of fish. The
most popular fish for ponds and water gardens are: calicoes, comets, black
moors and fantails. Remember if your pool is large and deep enough,
you can add Koi.
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Keep your pond filled. Don't let too much water evaporate before filling. This can lead to unhealthy levels of salt and minerals, plus expose the pond liner to deteriorating UV rays.
When adding water, add a little at a time with a hose (keeping the hose at the bottom of the pond). This lets the fish and other pond life to get use to the new water temperature and pH levels at a slow rate of time.
Oxygenated water stays fresh, warding off foul smelling bacteria that thrive in a low oxygen environment. Your pond should have a pump or fountain to keep the water moving and the fish and plant life healthy.
IMPORTANT: Be sure when you are fertilizing your lawn that run-off does not trickle into the pond water. This can be toxic to fish and plant life..
Test the ammonia and nitrite levels of the water on a regular basis.
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Some kinds of algae are good for ponds. Smooth algae on the liner is a sign of a healthy pond. It also feeds on other types of algae that can be bad for the pond plants and fish. However, long, stringy algae called blanket weed or string algae and phytoplankton algae are not desirable.
All ponds, right after being constructed or cleaned will have quite a lot of algae. But don't worry, after your plants begin to grow and cover the pond, the algae will subside and the water will clear. Your fish will help with the algae problem also. They feed off of some types of algae. So do pond snails. Also remember to keep your pond filled as algae grows in stagnant and more shallow ponds. If your algae problem continues; you may want to invest in a filter.
As always, if you have any questions, problems or concerns - feel free to e-mail us and we will do everything we can to assist you.
Information: Ortho
Garden Ponds 1999
L.W. Ramsey Co. 1994
update 11/2002
