How to Shock a Pond Quick How-To Guide
If fish are dying in your pond or if you see lots of algae, it may be time to shock the pond to clean it up. Algae needs oxygen to grow, just as fish and aquatic vegetation do. However, too much algae can rob fish and plants of the oxygen they need. Shocking your pond and getting rid of the harmful algae can restore the clean, clear look to you pond. Because desirable plants and animals live in ponds, owners look for natural enzymes and organic compounds to clear the water. Chlorine should only be used as a last resort.
Remove all dead or decaying plant and animal life from the pond. Algae feeds on the decay process.
Place the correct amount of algaecide in your pond according to manufacturer’s directions. For example, if you have a 120-gallon pond, you would need to use 2 teaspoons of general Algaecide. Each algaecide is different, so read the directions closely.
Let the pond pump aerate and spread the algaecide. If algae is still present after a week, shock the pond again.
Best way to Maintain Water Features in Garden
Having water features in your garden, whether small or large, gives an utmost sense of calm and tranquillity. To keep these water features as smooth as possible for a long time, it’s essential to regularly maintain water features in garden like pond, waterfall, fountain.
Water Filters:
Water filters are an essential component of a healthy pond ecosystem. Filters help to process fish waste, uneaten fish food, leaves, and runoff from lawns. It is recommended to choose the right filter right before you start building the water features. If the water features are already built, it is difficult to add a skimmer or bio falls. In such a case, a submersible pond filter can be used. You can check some of our filter products here.
Water cleansing:
If the water is dark in colour, there is a chance that there is a crud at the pond’s bottom. In such a scenario, it is better to do a full-scale cleaning of the pond water. Empty the pond water into the surrounding landscape. With the help of a garden hose, rinse the rocks and gravel. Once the pond is cleaned, you can remove the water pump and fill the pond again.
Plants trimming
Skim and trim the leaves and plants in the garden every week. This helps to keep debris to a minimum. Control the spread of algae. Floating plants limit sunlight allowing to check the growth of algae. Additives can also be used to reduce algae growth.
Regular checks
Conducting regular checks on equipment like pumps and filters to ensure they are free of clogs and debris helps them operate properly. Test the water regularly, especially if you have fish, as excessive amounts of chemicals like ammonia and chlorine can affect their health.
Keep the water moving.
Circulating the water with a pump, waterfall, or fountain will help avoid mosquito larvae from hatching to maintain water hygiene. Moving water also helps to distribute and support the oxygen levels throughout the pond for fish. Install features like small waterfalls or streams which help to keep the circulation of water. For proper circulation, choose the right kind of pump for your pond. We have different collections of water pumps which you can choose from with the help of our experts.
Seasonal pond care
Fluctuations in seasons require different maintenance of ponds. What you do with your pond during this seasonal transition depends mostly on where you live. If your area experiences long periods of freezing weather, you may consider shutting down the water flow or adding a floating de-icer. You can choose to keep water running, but do ensure that an ice dam does not form. Here are a few products to consider, as you plan for seasonal pond care going into the fall and winter months.
Following the above recommendations can easily help you maintain water features in your garden.
Types of fish for garden pond
When you build a garden pond, there are numerous varieties of fish that you can choose from for your pond. You can bring different types of fish together in a garden pond. However, care should be taken to avoid predatory and rival species, as this can easily disturb the balance of your pond culture.
We have compiled a list of some of the top fish species you can use in your pond.
Gobi
The Gobi is also sold as an algae eater. However, this fish species feeds on insects and small snails. The maximum length these fish grow is up to 5 to 6 inches and can easily survive up to 5 years. These fish species prefer clean and freshwater. Hence regular cleaning of the pond would be necessary. This fish lives near the bottom of the pond, often between stones.
Rosette
A Rosette is also called as Golden Rudd. This fish can grow up to lengths of 8 to 14 inches. It has a silver-colored body with red fins. It is a healthy fish and does not require much care. However, the oxygen levels of water and freshness need to be optimum. You may require a filter and oxygen pump to maintain the health level of this fish. Rosette makes for an attractive viewing in the pond and can easily mix with other fish species of its size.
Goldfish
This fish species is the most popular of all the pond fishes. They come in a variety of colours like red, yellow, orange, and white. The maximum size of this fish can reach up to 14 inches. However, fish sizes in one pond can vary a lot. This fish feeds on vegetable food and small aquatic fishes and animals. The best-known goldfish are Sarsa and comet tail. They make for a fantastic viewing experience because of colours and vibrancy.
Koi Carps
In the last few years, keeping Koi Carps in ponds has been a trend. These fishes are native to Japan and hence are also called Japanese Koi. Koi comes in different vibrant colours and may grow up to quite a large size of 28 to 32 inches. These fishes require constant temperature in water and need water to be fresh. They can live a long life by pond fish standards, with some living up to 40 years old. If you are going to keep koi, you need to have a larger pond with 50 to 60 inches in depth.
These are just some of the varieties of pond fish, and there are many more still. Whatever pond fish you choose as part of your garden pond, always remember, taking proper care of fish and ensuring adequate living conditions and diet is most important.
Tips for building a great Garden Pond
A garden pond could be a part of a larger waterfall mechanism in a garden or a simple fish pond. There are certain things to be considered while building a garden pond. A nicely build garden pond will add liveliness and beauty to a garden. Below are some tips for building that perfect garden pond.
Keep the pond size suitable
It makes sense to build a pond of a size which will ultimately suit the garden. A pond of very small size or one which is too big won’t be suitable. Also, the location of the pond in garden with respect to house should be considered. Take the opinions of some friends or neighbors to see what would be a suitable location and size for the pond. Planning the size of the pond is extremely important before starting the building work.
Protect the bottom of the pond
It’s essential to protect the bottom surface of the pond against burrowing animals. To protect your pond, make sure to lay down a metal sheet on the surface and then lay dirt and mud on it. Then place the underlayment and liner on top of the dirt. Make sure to protect the sides with pond lining as well to prevent the water from getting out.
Plan the drainage carefully
It’s a high chance that your pond will overflow, especially in a rainy climate. To avoid water spilling out and damaging the plants or area of lawn outside, identify a spillover area in your garden and implement it. Then channel the water towards the spillover area.
Filling the pond
Be creative and fill the pond with great care. You can use a garden hose to fill in the water only up to a certain level. Add in different types of rocks and rounded stones. You can also add different fishes and plants, and amphibians like small turtles to the pond. While adding fishes and other animals and plants, care should be taken to not add species that are invasive or predatory on each other.
Cleaning the Pond
Garden ponds will collect leaves, dust, debris, and you will have to eventually clean it. Create a pond with a smoother surface and lesser rocks, which will be easier to clean. The cleaning process takes a lot of time and planning should be done while building the pond about how much time one would like to spend on cleaning and pond maintenance going ahead.
