Spring is coming, the sun is out and its time to start thinking about those big garden projects again. If you haven’t already got one, a pond should be one of those projects as it transforms a garden, bringing life and movement, encouraging wildlife and bringing us closer to nature. They don’t have to be big or expensive either, and a small pond can be dug, lined and filled within a day. ...
The ultimate aim for any fish pond owner is to be able to view and enjoy their fish. Here’s the Swell UK guide to getting gin-clear pond water.Fit a UV ClarifierUltra Violet Clarifiers are purpose-built to destroy the unicellular algae that cause green water in ponds. You cannot overdo the amount of UV you have on a pond but you can underdo it, and have too high a flowrate for it to be ...
Summer is now in full swing and in the midst of the summer solstice, UK ponds are receiving 18 hours of daylight. Here are some common pond problems around this time.Mystery pond fish deathsVery common before a storm, the air pressure changes and the pond water is stripped of oxygen. Fish gasp, rollover or worse still die. The largest fish are always the worst affected. Ensure your pond i...
Pond pump selection is a vital part of setting up a pond. Pumps can oxygenate the water, power filters or produce decorative fountains and waterfalls. But there is so much choice so which one is right for you? To start off with there are three main types of pond pump - solids handling filter pumps, fountain pumps, and feature pumps.Solids handling pumps have large cages and large inlet holes...
Knowing the volume of your pond is critical to stocking with fish, adding filtration, and treating the water. Pond volume is measured in gallons or litres, and pond product manufacturers will reference one or both on their packaging. But there are a few things to consider when working it out.Gallons can be either Imperial gallons, used in the UK, or US liquid gallons, used in America. Confusi...
A wildlife pond doesn’t have to be large or complicated - it’s just the fact that you have one that’s important. Ponds are oases for birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates, and as soon as you build one, they will come. Having water in the garden is relaxing, adds to its beauty and you're doing your part for wildlife conservation at the same time.SizeWildlife will use...
Do you need a pond filter, and if so, which one? We show you your options in this easy to follow guide.You need a pond filter in order to achieve one or both of the following things: Clean, clear water, or a healthy environment for fish. Pond water often goes green, and the combination of a pond pump, pond filter and an ultraviolet clarifier can prevent this. Pond fish also produce waste but...
Leading online retailer Swell UK has launched two new premium Koi foods, just in time for summer 2021.Named Swell Pro All-Season and Swell Pro Koi Growth pellets, the two diets are aimed at either year-round nutrition or summer growth spurts and are manufactured in small batches for optimum freshness. Pellets are the food of choice for koi keepers and discerning fish pond owners and ...
Botanicals are a real buzzword right now and they’re used in everything from herbal remedies to Gin. In short a botanical is a plant or part of a plant that is used for its therapeutic properties, scent or flavour. With herbs being the most famous botanicals.But in the last few years, the botanical properties of some plant leaves and seed pods have given rise to their use in freshwater aqua...
Every electrical item comes with a fitted plug these days, right? Not if it’s a pond pump, as the rules are different for outdoor sockets and permanent outdoor electrical installations.Part P of the government’s building regulations state that any permanent electrical socket fitted outside and connected to the house mains must only be installed by a qualified electrical contractor. ...
Automatic feeders are the best solution for feeding your fish for you if you go away. They can deliver a set amount of food at the same time each day, or even several times a day, keeping your fish just as well-fed as when you’re there to feed them yourself. A must-have for fishkeeping holiday-makers automatic feeders are even useful for extra feeds when you’re at work, helping to ke...
Airpumps provide vital oxygen to ponds and aquariums, helping to keep fish and even filter bacteria alive. But lots of things can negatively affect airpump performance and the number of bubbles they produce, and sometimes air flow can stop altogether. Check for kinksThe most common cause of reduced or lack of airflow is a kink in the airline. Check the whole length of the airline to make...
Ultra Violet Clarifiers are designed to work with filtration to clear green pond water. They do this by emitting ultraviolet light, which damages the tiny green algae cells that flow past it. Get the right sized UVC for your pond and they work brilliantly well, clearing green water and keeping it at bay throughout the season. But UV bulbs have a relatively short life and should be change...
In a previous guide we went through the pros and cons of each main type of pond filter. With your choice made, here’s how to install them. How to install a box filterBox filters work via gravity so they need to be placed above the pond. For ground-level ponds, the box should be placed at the edge of the pond, with the outlet projecting over so the filtered water drops back into the...
If you want to power a waterfall or connect your pump to a filter or UVC, you’ll need some pond hose. Pond hose comes in different types and sizes to do different jobs and handle different flow rates in the pond. The hose must be wide enough not to restrict water flow from the pump, flexible so that it doesn’t kink, and it needs to fit onto your pump and filter at each end without leaking.&nb...
Solar is a great way to get water moving in the garden without having to use mains electricity. You can create a fountain in a pond or water feature powered solely by the sun, resulting in a low voltage, safe feature with eco credentials to boot. How they workSolar-powered pond pumps consist of a solar panel, a cable, and a small fountain pump. The panel is placed in an area of full ...
Marginal plants are great for encouraging wildlife to the pond and helping to clear. Here's how to set up a marginal pond plant kit in minutes.1. Your Complete Kit contains the basket, pond safe aquatic compost, plants and gravel.2. Take the basket out first.3. Fill it with the aquatic compost.4. Remove the pond plants from the packaging.5. Push them into the soil, le...