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.
Different Water Features for Your Garden
Having water features in the garden adds an entirely different dimension of calm and serenity. Moving or still, water is peaceful to look at. It makes you and your guests feel good over a gathering in the garden. A garden water feature could be as simple as a water pool or a complex mechanism like a waterfall with a fish pond. Here are some of the water features that you can install in your garden.
These are small to medium-sized ponds build to fit in your garden. Various varieties of fish can be added to such ponds like goldfish and koi. The critical thing to keep in mind while selecting fishes for a pond is to avoid rival and predatory species. Fish added the colours of nature to your pond. Fish will require life-sustaining mechanisms in your pond, like the supply and circulation of oxygen by installing pumps and filters.
These water features come in different sizes, shapes, and styles. Regardless to say, a fountain adds an extra charm and beauty to your garden. The beautiful sound of water splashing along with its stunning architectural looks makes water fountains a very appealing water feature for the garden. Fountains do come with an increase in the cost of installing mechanisms like pumps for creating a sustainable water flow.
Waterfalls are a prevalent water feature for gardens. Waterfalls can be added to an existing pond or fish pond to make it more appealing. Like fountains, it adds the splashing sound of water to your garden. Waterfall gives a very relaxing and soothing effect on the mind. One can easily relax beside a garden waterfall after a hard day of work and get revitalized. It usually is creating by adding stones and boulders and adding a water flow. Like a fountain, a waterfall requires mechanisms to maintain constant water flow like pumps and filters. Adding a waterfall to a garden pond can also help to keep the water clean as it’s continuously flowing.
Garden Streams
Streams can be easily created in the garden along pathways or around pools. Water streams are normally created as a part of the overall garden water feature and a waterfall and a garden pond. The water from streams is made to flow in a waterfall, which then gets flowed into a garden pond. Different plants can be grown along a stream and garden pond to provide a small natural aquatic habitat for visual aesthetic purposes.
With years of experience, our experts can help you create any water features in your garden customized to your needs.
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.
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.
