Garden Pond Maintenance
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Winterizing Your Pond |
Maintaining Water Quality
One of the first steps in garden pond maintenance is keeping good water quality by making sure that the pond is placed in such a way that surface water run off will not enter the pond.
Though the use of proper drainage or a raised liner lip around the edge will deter water from entering the your pond.Surface run off will contain dirt or fertilizers used in the lawn. This type of material, if allowed to enter the pond water will cause algae bloom, because surface water will change the ph factor and add nutrients to the pond, feeding the algae bloom.
Ph factor is very important in keeping string algae in check, thus reducing garden pond maintenance. Recommended ph levels range between 6.8 and 7.8, too much below 6.8 will create an acid environment, too high, an alkaline environment. Frequent partial water changing, and vacuuming the gravel are two of the most important things you can do to keep water pH within the acceptable ranges.
Partial water changes also will not introduce too much chlorine into your pond at any given time. If possible, non-chlorinated well water is the best for this task.
In the absence of well water, you can somewhat de-chlorinate your town, suburban or city water by drawing off several gallons into a holding tank and let the sun, and air naturally de-chlorinate the water prior to adding to your pond.
Filtering Your Pond
Sizing a pond filter system for the needs of your pond will depend largely on what you will be doing with the pond. If it will be strictly a water garden, or goldfish pond, the water should be filtered at the rate of one half of the volume of the pond each hour.
If you decide to keep Koi fish, not only will the pond need to be sized appropriately but also the filter will need to be of a generous size to handle the load.
A bio-filter uses beneficial bacteria to filter the water, in keeping with nature at its best.
Skimmer filters removes the leaves and other debris from the surface of your pond. Given enough time, this matter will sink to the bottom of the pond, creating muck on the bottom, both unsightly and unhealthy for your pond.
There are several other filter types from which to choose, but no matter what, the pond will be a better place for you and your fish.
Removing Debris From Garden Ponds
A simple tool for removing string algae is a toilet bowl brush mounted on a long handle. Simply reach into the depths of your pond and wind up the algae.
A long handled net will remove surface debris that has sunk to the bottom or that remains on the surface.
For heavy bottom matter, nothing beats a garden pond vacuum system that is a self-contained unit. The debris is brought into the container of the vacuum for easy disposal,thus making garden pond maintenance a breeze.
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