There are around a dozen species of fish which suit the UK climate year-round and are legal to be kept in our ponds. Of all of them, goldfish and goldfish varieties like shubunkins and Sarasa comets are the best for most ponds because they are cheap, hardy, colourful and don’t grow too large. If you have a large pond then Koi Carp and Golden Orfe are suitable too and will reward you with rapid ...
All tropical, coldwater and marine aquariums should be tested for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. We use these test kits to tell us if there are beneficial bacteria present in the system, if it’s converting fish waste into less harmful substances, and if the water is safe for our fish. We test the pH too, but its often less life-critical to fish than ammonia.The four most important tests can...
Autumn is upon us so its time to start thinking about preparing the pond for the colder months. Use a pond thermometer to monitor the water temperature as it will be different from the air temperature because it warms and cools more slowly. Stop feeding high protein growth feeds when the water temperature hits 15℃ and below, and from 15 -10℃ switch back to a staple diet. When the water t...
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 a too high a flowrate for it to b...
Sterlet and Sturgeon are very popular because of their prehistoric, shark-like looks and the way they stick their noses out of the water, but there are a few things you need to know about them before you add one to your pond. How big do they grow?Most Sterlet grow to 36”/90cm in length, but Sturgeon can grow a lot bigger and pond owners have achieved lengths of five feet or more. S...
Have your pond fish being chasing each other and splashing around lately? They’re probably spawning. Most of the fish species available to pond owners in the UK can be bred, and most breed in the same way. Goldfish (including shubunkins and Sarasa comets,) Koi, Tench, Orfe and Rudd are all egg scatterers.Summer temperatures warm pond water and the female’s bellies start to swell up with ...
There are three main types of filter media - mechanical, biological and chemical. All are designed to do a specific job and they can be used in isolation or in combination. Mechanical filtrationMechanical filtration traps particles that pass through it and clears the water. It’s the most basic form of filtration and the one that most people can actually see working as it can turn d...
Here are some tips and pointers to look out for with your pond this August:Thin your oxygenatorsOxygenating plants like Elodea and Hornwort have been growing rampantly throughout summer and will need thinning out. Reduce the clump to no more than ⅓ of the pond’s surface area by removing the old, darker stems and retaining the fresh green ones. Lay the foliage at the edge of the pond f...
Check that it is plugged in and switched on. If it is, go to the fusebox and check that your outdoor electricals circuit is switched on and hasn’t tripped. Next check the filter. Is the filter clogged up with dirt and algae, blocking the pump? If it is clean the filter and replace sponges if necessary. Check the sponge What type of pump is it? Does it have a prefilter sponge insid...
Ponds are great on so many levels, providing a feature in the garden, somewhere for wildlife or even a hobby. They can be big, small, deep or shallow, but they don’t have to be expensive and can be quick and easy to install. Here are a few ideas…Re-use somethingPonds can literally cost nothing if you have something waterproof lying around that you can re-use. An old bathtub makes a gr...