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Pondless or pond? Why not have both! | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q&A

Posted on April 1, 2011 by thepondguy

Pondless or pond? Why not have both!

Pondless or pond? Why not have both!
Alvin – Boulder, CO

One of the greatest elements of decorative ponds and water features is that each can be as unique and distinguished as the person creating it. The shape, style and implementation of your water garden is limited only by your imagination. It is this freedom to inspire and create that keeps pond owners incessantly engaged in the hobby.

In previous blogs we have discussed the different types of ponds and water features available along with some of the perks and drawbacks of each type. While any of these water features, waterfalls, and ponds are great on their own, you can also incorporate the different feature types to create a truly breathtaking water feature.

A great example of combining feature types into one functional display is the combination of an elevated pond that cascades down into a pondless waterfall. Think of this feature as a pondless water fall type water feature with a pond half way through the waterfall. Combining these two features opens up possibilities that may have been impractical with a certain feature alone. Pond owners with children are often drawn to pondless features as there is no potentially hazardous standing water body for them to wander into. By elevating the pond to a height that is out of reach you can still enjoy the freedom to incorporate fish and plants into your water feature while the pondless waterfall safely returns water underground and out of reach. As you will have to purchase the major components for either a pond or water fall feature, adding the additional parts to incorporate the two features together is easier and more cost effective than having to buy items for two separate features. Both Pond Kits and Pondless Waterfall Kits are available for purchase to eliminate the guesswork of what items your need to construct either particular feature. To simplify the purchasing process you can purchase a Pondless Waterfall for the main components and some additional 45Mil Rubber EPDM Liner and Seam Tape to construct the elevated pond.

Laying out and combining advanced water features and ponds may require expert advice or guidance. You can Chat Live, eMail, or call and pond guy or gal to help you choose the products that will need for your water feature. When constructing any type of pond or water feature it is imperative that you take your time and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth and enjoyable pond building process.

Pond Talk: What types of pond types have you combined in your water feature? Share your photos and stories for inspiration.

Pond Kits

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Pond Kits, Pondless Waterfall, Water Gardens & Features | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Should I add gravel to my pond?… even if it is preformed? | Decorative Ponds & Watergardens Q&A

Posted on March 25, 2011 by thepondguy

I took my fish out for the winter…when it is best to put them back?

Should I add gravel to my pond?… even if it is preformed?
Kandy – Racine, WI

Adding gravel to the bottom of your water garden can help create a more natural appearance than the plain black plastic or rubber liner you are looking at now. The small stones create an excellent source of surface area for beneficial bacteria such as Pond Logic® Muck Defense™ to colonize and filter your pond water. Aquatic plants can also benefit from the gravel base by anchoring themselves within the gravel and establish a root system beneath the rocks, safe from curious or hungry decorative pond fish.

A common question customers ask is if added gravel will actually cause more maintenance. This is not really the case. Adding gravel in your pond actually hides muck so it is not always visible, creates additional surface area for bacteria to accumulate in order to keep your pond muck free and provides a more natural landscape look actually brightening your pond’s bottom and helping to make your fish more visible.

Addition of gravel to your pond is a quick and easy transition. Ideally you will want to add a layer of stones that is 1-2 inches deep. Making the gravel any deeper will allow muck and debris to settle between the stones and out of reach from the natural bacteria. Choose stones that are smooth and rounded so there are no added risks of sharp edges which could puncture the liner. Also make sure the stones you add are not too small such as pea gravel which would get packed together trapping in debris or be picked up by pond vacuums or other maintenance tools. Ideally you will be looking for stones around 1” in diameter. Proper planning and installation will the key to successfully having gravel in your pond, and following the guidelines above will ensure your success.

Pond Talk: Do you have gravel in your pond? Why or why not?

Pond Logic Muck Defense

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Oxygen Depletion, Season-Long Control, Seasonal Care, Spring Cleanout, Spring Start-Up, Water Gardens & Features | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments »

My fish are looking for food, can I feed them? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q&A

Posted on March 11, 2011 by thepondguy

My fish are looking for food, can I feed them?

My fish are looking for food, can I feed them?
Arlette, Arlington, VA

Now that the rain and warmer weather has melted the ice away from your water garden you can see your decorative pond fish moving about the pond. After a long winters rest you would think they are hungry and ready to eat but it may still be too soon to feed your fish.

Temperature is a major determining factor in whether or not it is time to feed your fish and what type of food you should feed them. Install a floating pond thermometer within reach of the pond’s edge so you can readily check water temperatures throughout the day. Once the weather warms up enough to keep the pond water continually over 40°F you can start feeding your fish a wheat-germ based food like Pond Logic® Spring & Fall Fish Food. As your fish are still a bit chilly their digestive tracks are working at a decreased rate. Foods designed for cooler weather consist of easy-to-digest ingredients that can be broken down faster so they don’t sit inside your fish and cause problems.

Once water temperatures rise above 50°F you can switch over to your growth and color enhancing foods like Pond Logic® Growth & Color or Pond Logic® Professional fish foods. As your fish will be warm and fully active, they will have no trouble breaking down these denser high-protein foods.

Your decorative pond fish will naturally want to eat at any chance they get whether they are hungry or not. They commonly fool their owners into thinking they are starving as they splash around at the surface of the pond and fight for every last pellet you throw to them. Be sure to wait for the temperatures to rise before you give them food and rest assured that a small handful of food each day is all they need to maintain healthy diet.

Pond Talk: Is your pond free and clear of ice yet? Are you fish actively swimming around your pond?

Pond Logic Spring and Fall Fish Food

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Feeding Fish, Fish Diseases, Fish Population, Koi & Goldfish, Season-Long Control, Water Gardens & Features | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

What are the differences between a true Koi pond and a water garden? | Decorative Ponds & Watergardens Q&A

Posted on March 3, 2011 by thepondguy

What are the differences between a true Koi pond and a water garden?

What are the differences between a true Koi pond and a water garden?
Natalie _ San Francisco, CA

When it comes to backyard ponds you may hear multiple names thrown out like water garden, Koi pond, decorative pond or other, more creative, titles. While these names are used loosely and interchangeably by many-a-pond owner there are considerable differences between a water garden and a Koi pond used for spawning and raising Koi.

So what draws the line in the sand between Koi ponds and water gardens? Water gardens are geared more towards the every-day pond owner as they are tailored to be easier to construct and maintain while having a higher aesthetic appeal and yard friendly design. Decorated with spitters, plants, lighting and other outdoor décor, water gardens can contain can contain all types of fish with goldfish and Koi being the most popular. Koi ponds tend to be sought after by pond owners that plan raising an abundance of Koi for selling or showing in fish clubs or competitions. With this goal in mind these ponds discourage the presence of species like goldfish as they breed prolifically and take up valuable space for their prize winning koi.

Another distinguishing factor is the design of the pond itself. Water gardens are typically less than 2 ft. in depth and contain plant shelves around the outside perimeter to hold a wide variety of aquatic habitat and visual stimulation. While a koi pond may also include plants for filtration or aesthetic appeal the design of this type of pond is all about the koi. These ponds do not contain plant shelves and are usually 4 ft. in depth or more. One reason for this is to discourage predators and increase useable area for their fish to roam and grow. Koi ponds also utilize bottom drains and large amounts of water flow to create ideal breeding conditions. As Koi breeders want to fit as many fish as they can into their ponds they rely on complex heavy duty filtration systems, and UV sterilizers to keep pond water clean. These systems are much more complex then the pond skimmers, pressurized filters and waterfall boxes water gardeners use.

Have the pond already but need help getting it established? Check out our fish and plant packages. Also, for more information on koi breeding click over to our blog on Fish Reproduction. Need help deciding? There are also a wide array of informational books and videos for those of you who are just looking to get started in the watergarden or koi pond hobby.

Pond Talk: What type of pond do you have?

Live Fish

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Feeding Fish, Koi & Goldfish, Spring Cleanout, Water Gardens & Features | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

I’ve heard a lot about barley, some good and some bad. What do you think? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q&A

Posted on February 25, 2011 by thepondguy

I’ve heard a lot about barley, some good and some bad. What do you think?

I’ve heard a lot about barley, some good and some bad. What do you think?
Jessica – Jackson, MI

Pond owners are intrigued by the prospect of being able to ditch chemical treatments for a natural means of algae control. While it is true that barley straw is capable of helping your pond fend off algae it still comes with advantages and disadvantages.

Studies have shown that as barley straw decomposes it releases agents that inhibit algae growth with no adverse effects on your water garden plants or decorative pond fish. Originally customers would place bales of Barley Straw in their waterfall filter boxes, skimmers or waterfall areas where they would decompose over time. As barley straw treatments continue to grow in popularity new types of barley products have been made available. Barley Straw Pellets are available for a cleaner and easier way to implement barley treatments into your pond or for even faster results, Barley Straw Extract. Barley Straw Extract is basically barley straw already broken down into its beneficial byproducts.

While barley straw can help keep your pond less green this season it is not 100% effective on all algae that may form in your pond. One of the biggest issues with using barley straw and pellets is that you have to put them in your pond early in the season as they will need time to start decomposing before providing any benefits. Some may also argue that you are also adding muck and nutrients to your pond in the process. You will gain some speed by using barley straw extract but it then becomes less convenient because you will have to continuously add it to the pond. Barley also does not directly kill algae so chemical treatments may still eventually be required.

Your best defense against algae has always been a good offense. Keeping your pond clean and balanced with adequate filtration, bacteria treatments, minimal fish loads and sun exposure you will reduce your dependence and need for algae treatments in general. It is when your pond is balanced and just needs a little extra kick to keep algae at bay that your barley treatments really begin to shine as their gradual release of anti-algae agents will help maintain clear water throughout the season with minimal or no additional chemical treatment.

Pond Talk: Do you use barley straw as a part of your pond maintenance? Have you noticed a cleaner pond while using barley straw?

All the benefits of barley straw without the mess!

Filed under: Algae Control, Barley Straw, Benefits of Owning, Oxygen Depletion, Seasonal Care, Spring Cleanout, Spring Start-Up, Water Gardens & Features, Water Quality Issues | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

What benefits are there to having a water feature and what types of features are there? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q & A

Posted on February 18, 2011 by thepondguy

What benefits are there to having a water feature and what types of features are there?

What benefits are there to having a water feature and what types of features are there?
Peter, Savannah, GA

There are as many reasons to create a water feature, as there are people to create them. Whether you enjoy design and creation, are intrigued by Koi, or just love the sounds and sights of flowing water, there is a water feature available for you. Just as the saying goes for snowflakes, your uniqueness and the plethora of available options ensures that no two water features are alike.

Understanding the options that are available to you is the first step to falling in love with the type of feature that best fits your location and lifestyle. Water features can be as simple as a small fountain or as complex as a multi-level water garden with fish, waterfalls and plants. The three biggest factors that come into play when you choose the type of water feature you would like to install are: 1) how quickly you would like the feature constructed, 2) how much space do you have to accommodate your water feature, 3) how much you are willing to invest to construct your water feature.

Small water features like Aquascape Mini Fountain Kits or container type water features are great for people who are on the go, don’t have much time to invest in construction and pond maintenance but are looking to get their feet wet in the ponding field. These types of water features take up a very small area while providing the sights and sounds of flowing water. Container type water features can be created with any type of water-holding basin and can contain plants, water spitters and even a small fish or two. Creative pond owners have used old wash basins, sealed wood barrels and other materials for their container type feature.

If you have ever walked through the garden center of a DIY home or builder’s supply store you have surely come across those big plastic molds we call preformed ponds. These preformed basins provide the layout of your pond allowing you to simply dig a hole in your yard accordingly and landscape around the installed basin. These types of ponds require a little more homework on your part as you will have to install a filtration system like the All-In-One. These are a great starting point for people who are interested in starting their first in ground pond but aren’t ready to invest in large-scale construction.

For those of you who are looking to upgrade to a bigger pond or would like a more creative design, installing a pond using 45 mil rubber pond liner allows you the freedom to create virtually any size and shape pond you can imagine. Waterfalls and streams can also be created using rubber liner adding even more character to your water feature. Along with designing an entire pond from scratch comes the knowledge required to select and properly locate skimmer boxes, waterfall boxes, rocks and pumps necessary to sustain a balanced pond. Pond kits are available to save you the time of having to select the proper parts for your project. Your pond will also require natural water treatments to keep it healthy and clean. If you want to enjoy a large scale stream or waterfall but are concerned about pond maintenance or have small kids, consider a pondless waterfall kit which retains pond water underground.

When constructed properly a water feature will blend perfectly into both your lifestyle and your home, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty these ponds provide, while boosting the value and appeal of your home. Take your time when looking at the different types of water features and choose what’s best for you, it will be well worth your investment.

Pond Talk: Share some of your feature construction experiences and reasons why you love your back yard retreats.

Everything you need to build the perfect pond!

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Pond Kits, Water Gardens & Features | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Do I need to replace my filter media? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q & A

Posted on February 12, 2011 by thepondguy

If I Order My Plants Now Can I Keep Them Inside Until It’s Warm Enough To Move Them Outside?
Do I need to replace my filter media?
Alvin – Canton, OH

The filters in your water garden are one the best lines of defense against dirty pond water, algae blooms and poor fish health. Since they play such a big role in keeping your pond healthy, you will want to make sure your filter media is up to snuff for the season.

If you’ve stored your existing pond filters over the winter and want to reuse them this season, you will want to start by cleaning and inspecting the filtration media. Check the filter media pads in your waterfall box, skimmer and pressurized filters for frayed edges, deposits of solid debris, holes and other signs of damage. Replace pads that are a bit worse for wear with a new filter media pad. A wide array of filter media pads are available starting with the cost effective “cut your own” rolls to special coated Matala Filter Pads for extended life and performance. The foam media that comes in your pressurized or in-pond filter is usually unique to your particular make and model and can be purchased specifically for your unit. Regardless of whether your filter media pads are new or old you should seed them with PL Gel beneficial bacteria so that your filters are ready and able to biologically filter your pond from the moment you install them.

Secondary filtration media such as filter media blocks or bio-ribbon should be inspected and replaced as necessary as well. An advantage to using bio-balls is that they only require a thorough rinse before you reuse them for the season, as they virtually do not wear or degrade. Don’t forget to also inspect or replace filter media bags for your secondary filtration media if needed.

Keeping your filter media in working order can save you time, hassle and money by getting your pond off to a good start, so you can avoid dealing with insufficient filtration later in the season. Inspect your filter media with this in mind and purchase replacement media accordingly.

Pond Talk: What types of filtration media do you use in your water garden? Which types perform the best for you?

keep your pond clean with matala filer pads

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Oxygen Depletion, Pea-Green Algae, Pond Cleanouts, Season-Long Control, Seasonal Care, Spring Cleanout, Spring Start-Up, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

How does ice form on a pond?

Posted on December 2, 2010 by thepondguy

How does ice form on a pond?

How does ice form on a pond?
Jonathan – Denver, CO

You look forward to and enjoy the ice formations that appear on your pond each winter but have you ever wondered how it begins? Why is it that the ice in your pond expands when it freezes instead of shrinking and why does ice float?

Unlike those horror flashbacks of falling asleep in science class we’ll keep this as simple and interesting as possible. As the air cools off outside your water looses heat and becomes heavier. This cool and heavy water sinks to the bottom of the pond as the lighter warmer water rises to the top to cool. This process continues until the pond water reaches about 4 degrees Celsius or 39 degrees Fahrenheit and the water cools enough to freeze. Water is unique in the fact that as is it freezes its molecules form crystals that are spaced farther apart causing ice to expand and take up more space. Once the water in your pond begins to form these crystals and expand it actually becomes lighter than warmer unfrozen water and once again begins to rise to the surface of your pond where it begins to form a sheet of ice. If this all seems a bit too wordy or confusing to you visualize a glass of water with ice cubes in it. The spaced out, crystallized, water molecules of the ice cubes make them lighter than the water in the glass and cause them to float at the surface of the water. The water in the glass that is cooled by the ice cube (but not cold enough to freeze) becomes more dense and sinks to the bottom of the glass and the warmest water rises to the top where it is cooled by the floating ice cubes.

The layer of ice formed by this crystallized frozen water can become fairly strong as it becomes thicker. An inch of ice can be strong enough to hold a small animal without cracking. 3 inches of ice typically is enough to bear the weight of the average person and once a pond freezes to 6 to 8 inches thick it is ready to play host to a hockey game or hold up a snowmobile. Some have even taken their cars out on the ice! While we don’t recommend you give it a try, 8 to 12 inches of ice can support a slowly moving vehicle.

Pond Talk: What do you use your pond for in the winter? Do you skate? Ice fish?

Filed under: Benefits of Owning, Benefits of Owning, Pond & Lake, Uncategorized, Water Gardens & Features, WG-Winterizing, Winterizing | Tagged: , , | 4 Comments »

Can my snails stay in my pond for the winter? | Decorative Ponds & Water Gardens Q & A

Posted on November 19, 2010 by thepondguy

When should I remove the fountain from my pond?

Can my snails stay in my pond for the winter?
Cody – Falling Spring, VA

While your fish and some of your aquatic plants remain safe and sound during their winter dormancy you may wonder if your snails will be as successful. Your pond snails are amazingly resilient in cold weather and will do just fine given their habitat is suitable.

Your pond depth will play a major role in the success of all of the living creatures in your pond. Your plants, fish and snails can survive in cold water but they won’t fair too well if frozen into a solid block of ice. The ice that forms on the top of your pond varies in thickness depending on where you live but the general rule of thumb is to build your pond to be around 20”-30” in depth. This ensures there is an ample layer of water at the bottom of the pond that is left unexposed to the elements which will provide a safe haven for all of your pets and plants.

You won’t have to worry too much about your snails finding a safe place to hide over the winter as they come equipped with a strong shell which provides adequate shelter. They can hide amongst the rocks and plant remains in the pond as well during the winter but as your fish are in dormancy there is not an overwhelming need for additional habitat. As water temperatures drop and bacteria begin to dwindle a lot of pond owners tend to rely on algaecides to keep their ponds free from algae. If you are using an algaecide in your water garden review the product label thoroughly to ensure it is safe to use with your snails. When your pond comes back to life in the spring your snails will flourish amongst the new plant growth.

Pond Talk: Do you do anything special to provide safety for your snails in the winter?

Filed under: Algae Control, Aquatic Plants, Benefits of Owning, Koi & Goldfish, Water Gardens & Features, WG-Winterizing | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

If I have a spring running into my pond do I still need aeration? – Ponds & Lakes Q & A

Posted on November 12, 2010 by thepondguy

If I have a spring running into my pond do I still need aeration?

If I have a spring running into my pond do I still need aeration?
Scott – Ripon, WI

Natural springs are an excellent source of water to fill and maintain a farm pond or lake. The volume of water and the rate at which it flows into your pond varies depending on the magnitude of the spring. While a higher magnitude spring can provide a great deal of water exchange they do not do much to help boost the oxygen level in your pond.

Great deals of pond owners believe their water body is spring-fed because the pond water is cold in the deeper areas of the pond. Pockets of cold water are more often caused by a lack of adequate water circulation which leads to water stratification in the water body. This allows a top layer of water which is heated and oxygenated by the surrounding atmosphere to stay at the top of the pond while the water at the bottom of the pond stays trapped, cold and devoid of oxygen. A couple great indicators that your pond is spring fed are that the water level tends to stay the same regardless of rainfall or lack thereof in your area, or if your pond has an outlet and is constantly flowing. Since spring water tends to be colder you will notice that spring fed ponds are cooler even when properly aerated but the entire water body will be cool, not just random pockets of water.

Properly aerating a water body requires not only circulation but the addition of oxygen that can be absorbed into the water column. For this reason, a spring fed pond is not a direct substitute for a proper aeration system. Aeration systems are designed to not only move water around your pond but to boost the dissolved oxygen content of the water column. Bottom plate systems like the Airmax Aeration Systems utilize air compressors and membranes to pump oxygen to the bottom of your pond and then break it down in to small enough bubbles that are absorbed into the water column. This process also forces the water above the plate towards the surface of the pond causing a mushrooming effect that circulates the water body. These type of systems can be used year round. Fountains can also be used to aerate water bodies. Since they draw from the surface of the pond, fountains are usually better suited for ponds 6’ deep and shallower while bottom plates systems work well in deeper ponds. Fountains pump water from the pond and spray it into the air in fine droplets that absorb oxygen and then crash back into the pond. With this principle in mind you might be able to guess that a fountain that sprays a thicker or solid stream of water adds less oxygen to the pond than one that has a finer spray pattern. While effective in shallow water bodies, these systems are best used only for summer aeration.

Almost every pond can benefit from aeration as it not only provides oxygen for fish but also promotes faster muck digestion and an overall cleaner pond. If you have an aeration system in your pond but are unsure if it is properly aerated you can take temperature readings in multiple depths and areas of your pond and record any extreme variations which indicate a lack of circulation from your aeration system.

Pond Talk: Pond owners implement natural springs to create interesting water features in their ponds in the form of artesian wells and water leveling features which you can find online. Have you found a unique way to take advantage of your spring fed pond?

Keep your pond healthy all winter long!

Filed under: Aeration, Benefits of Owning, Benefits of Owning, Fish, Fish Kill, Fish Population, Fountain, Winterizing | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

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