Pond water depth is critical to what you want to put in it. Wildlife, goldfish, koi and pond plants all have different depth requirements which you should match if you want them to thrive. FishIn the UK, pond fish need a minimum water depth of 18”/45cm. This is so that when the water gets cold in winter, they can hibernate at the bottom in a 4 degree Celsius thermal layer, and far ...
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...
Pond cleaning is an unenviable task, but it needs doing. If you don’t clean a pond it will fill up with leaves and debris, and plants and algae may overgrow. Sediment filled ponds suffer from low oxygen levels and if dirt gets disturbed nuisance algae will be fuelled. The temptation is to strip the pond completely, but stripping it will do more harm than good. Use the right tools and you’ll b...
What is green water?Green water is made up of millions of tiny algae cells all floating around in the water. They are green because of the chloroplasts inside them which photosynthesize and turn sunlight into energy. Just like plants.What causes green water?Spores are probably airborne, but any body of water can turn green if there are sufficient light and nutrients. In the garden pon...
Wildlife ponds are one of the most important additions to any garden. Here’s how to build one.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, animals and insects, and as soon as you build one, they will come. Having water in the garden is relaxing, adds to its beauty and is doing your part for ...
1. Lower the water levelIt rains much more in autumn and winter, but with cooler temperatures your pond will evaporate less. You’ll perform fewer filter cleans, and water changes too. The result is that your pond can overfill with all that rainwater, and overflow.If you have a backwash facility on your filter, use that to pump some of the water out of the pond. At this time of year pum...
An aquarium or pond is a thing of beauty, and fish, plants and corals, a miracle of nature. But without testing the water that our aquatic creatures live in, it can all go horribly wrong…The basicsAll fish produce invisible waste products that they release into water, 24 hours per day. The key one that we test for is ammonia, emitted by fish via their gills, and when they go to the toil...
Catching fish can be really tricky. Here’s a few pointersEvery pond and aquarium owner should have a net, as you never know when you might need to catch your fish. If fish are sick or injured, and need to be moved to a hospital tank, you’ll need a net. If fish are fighting and you need to separate them, you’ll need a net. If you’re moving fish, stripping down a tank, or even ...
Surface skimmers are a very worthwhile addition to any pond filtration system. Whereas a typical pond pump only removes debris that sinks down to the bottom, a surface skimmer will remove any surface debris that won’t sink, aiding water quality, and improving viewing.Surface skimmed water is healthier because any oils or residues are removed, meaning better gaseous exchange. Pollen, petals,...
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 filter and an ultra violet clarifier can prevent this. Pond fish also produce waste, but are not e...