Most gardens, however small, are improved with the addition of a pond. Including water in your garden will encourage beneficial wildlife, and will create a wonderful backdrop to summer entertaining. At Garden4less, we stock the full range of Hozelock pumps and pond equipment which will ensure your pool stays healthy and crystal clear. Our guide will enable you to build a simple water feature from scratch with the minimum of effort and expense.
Safety and situation
It is important to consider the layout and general feel of your garden when deciding to add water. Geometric shaped ponds look best gardens which have straight-edged landscaping, whereas an irregular shaped pool will suit an informal scheme. If your garden combines both a wilderness and some formal areas, try a circular pool which will suit almost any situation. It is advisable to site your water feature in a sunny part of the garden this ensures that aquatic plants will receive the light they need in order to thrive. Wherever you choose to build, the appearance of the pond will be greatly improved if you attempt to blend it into the environment with clever planting.
It goes without saying that children should always be supervised around water. In fact, it is inadvisable to add a pool to your garden if you have family members younger than four. Instead, try one of our stunning solar water features, such as the slate fountain, which will provide the relaxing sound of water without the danger. The lions head design will look superb when used in a formal garden, or try our sunjet fountain perfect for including in a water feature of your own design.
Getting started
Once you have decided where and what type of pond to build, begin by marking out your chosen area boundaries with a length of hosepipe or a line of sand, so you know where to dig.
1.Dig out your chosen shape to the required depth and check that it is level it is worth taking a time over this, as the pond will look better if the water comes exactly to the top of the liner all the way round.
2.Remove sharp stones (which might pierce the liner) from the bed of the pond before adding a pond underlay which is rot and root resistant. You can use heavy sand, but since it is penetrable by rocks and organic matter, underlay is a better long-term solution.
3.Now lay your liner into the hole, over the underlay. Work round the pond folding and tucking to achieve a neat finish; then add water.
4.When full, cut off excess liner with a sharp knife. Be sure to leave at least fifteen centimetres excess around the edge of the pond this can then be covered with soil and planted or disguised with attractive rocks.
1.To create varied habitats within your pond, create gently sloping shallows. Deep water is fine, but a number of different depths will attract a wider range of creatures.
Planting
A well-planted pond will blend into its environment. Once you have added aquatic and marginal plants, consider which varieties will help the outer area blend into your garden. For an informal pond, sow Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin. This attractive wild flower thrives in damp, pond-side conditions. Hesperis matronalis is another good choice which can be grown in full sun or part-shade. This wild flower has spikes of purple and lilac flowers which are loved by butterflies. This variety also boasts a delicious sweet and spicy scent which will fill the evening air with perfume. As well as naturalising your pond, surrounding it with wild flowers and tall plants also provides hiding places for frogs, toads and newts all of which will help to control pests in your garden. If you are aiming to create a wildlife haven, it may be best to avoid goldfish since they can dirty the water too much for other creatures. There will, however, be plenty to admire in the animals that automatically flock to your pool. Expect to see water boatmen, aquatic snails, whirligig beetles and dragonflies as well as frogs and toads.
Introducing animal life
Although fish may not be an ideal choice for wildlife, they will add a splash of vibrant orange to your formal, or semi-formal pond. If you have plenty of space, the classic Koi carp are arguably the most stunning species with which to stock your pool. For smaller amounts of water, Shubunkins and Golden Orfe will provide a beautiful display but always check how large your fish will grow to avoid overpopulation.
When keeping fish, good pond maintenance is essential. We stock a huge range of Hozelock filters (link) which will keep your water clear and your fish healthy. A combined pump and filter (link) will provide constant movement to avoid your water becoming stagnant. If your pond develops excessive algae, the Hozelock UV filter (link) represents a sophisticated solution and excellent value for money. Remove excessive amounts of weed by hand, and remember to feed your fish (link to fish food) and you will be enjoying your pond (and its inhabitants!) for years to come.
Showing posts with label POND. Show all posts
Showing posts with label POND. Show all posts
Lovely How Provide the Best Care for Your Koi Fish and Pond
As any serious Koi keeper knows, care for Koi is not as simple as purchasing goldfish from a pet store and dumping them in a fish tank.
First of all, that fish tank should be a pond with enough room for Koi to grow in. The minimum recommended stocking rate for any Koi pond is one Koi per 250 gallons of water. However, for those who wish to care for Koi, particularly to ensure their proper body formation and maximum size potential, twice the amount of water per Koi is recommended.
As mentioned in a previous article, it is better to care for more Koi than less as the fish are "happier" in a populous environment. This of course, would require increasing your pond volume.
Depending on where in the world one resides, it is good to keep in mind that Koi construction should keep out predators such as birds and mammals. Shaded trees are thus a good idea to block the view of aerial predators. To keep water clean of leaves and debris, stringing nets or wires above the surface is also important. This is because care for Koi begins with care for its pond water.
Koi can thrive in water temperatures of 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F). The optimal temperatures however are at 23-30 degrees C (73.4-86 degrees F).
Pond water should be cycled once an hour for filtration. It should maintain a pH level of 6.5-9 and measured to keep a 5% salinity at all times. It should be free of waste material and be non-chlorinated. Keeping low ammonia levels (due to fish waste) is also necessary for to care for Koi. An ammonia measurement of one part per million is considered harmful for the fish.
One of many environmental problems which arise in the care for Koi is that of green water caused by algal blooms. The nitrogen wastes and other chemicals in the pond nourish the growth of algae and cause the pond to darken or become green. This is not only toxic for the fish but for humans as well. Hence it is best to regularly test the water for chemicals and install proper mechanical and biological filtration and pump systems.
Care for Koi also includes a healthy Koi diet. Koi have evolved to be omnivorous fish with a high tendency towards the consumption of benthic organisms, such as water insects, worms, larvae and even Molluscs. Koi are also stimulated by the variety of eating fruit, shrimp or fish every so often.
Keeping this in mind, however, there are commercial Koi foods that come in pellets or rods for Koi to chew that make guesswork easy. Koi are known to eat more than necessary for their proper growth so feeding must be controlled. More food also means, more waste in the water. It is better to feed the Koi in short spurts several times a day than to give them one large feeding. For aesthetic purposes and in order to give Koi a physical check-up, it would be good to choose food that floats. When the fish come up to feed at the surface it is much easier to check them then for parasites and ulcers.
In countries where the weather above water drops below 10 degrees C (50 degrees F), it is advisable to slow down the feeding and eliminate protein from their diets. This is because their bodies cannot process food as much or as fast as in the warmth.
Care for Koi may initially seem a complicated task for first-time Koi owners. However, its rewards are found in nurturing the healthiest and happiest of these beautiful ornamental fish!
Lovely Little Pond
There are those of us that love garden ponds and love to keep fish, but don't necessarily have the garden to accommodate a pond. Imagination always presents us with the perfect image of a large pond with a waterfall and plenty of large fish swimming happily in their home.
So what can we do if we only have a small backyard or garden, we just won't have room for that big pond we always imagine. A pond doesn't have to be big, small things are just as beautiful and all though you won't be able to keep lots of fish in a little pond you can still comfortably fit around six fish in most little ponds.
There are some great designs these days for small ponds and some of them are self contained units that look great and come complete with pump and filter, some even have waterfalls built in, these ponds are free standing so there is no digging involved, they can even be installed indoors.
If a traditional pond is more your style then there are plenty of small preformed ponds in many interesting designs or as with a larger pond you can get a pond liner if you want to design your own shape and sometimes these are better for small gardens as the only area that you may be able to accommodate a pond might mean you have to make it an unusual shape and a liner can give you that freedom.
So whether you have a large or small garden there is always room for a pond and further more it will probably be the best feature you can add to any garden. It must be time to check out all those different pond designs and get on with installing a pond in your garden, it makes for a great hobby for the whole family. So don't let the size of your garden be an excuse not to get a pond.
New Treatment for Your Garden Pond Algae
There is little doubt that garden ponds bring a great deal of joy to those that own them. One of the biggest problems for pond owners is knowing which is the best pond algae treatments.
By understanding pond algae and how it manages to take hold of a water garden helps in knowing what steps to take to combat it and keep it under control. With all of the water pond products that are available on the market today, there is no reason why anyone has to put up with out of control algae when then are workable algae treatment solutions readily available.
The most common type of algae you will likely have to deal with in your pond is string algae. It gets its name because of its stringy hair like appearance.
If you are noticing the top of your pond water looking green then this is planktonic algae. It can rob the fish of much needed oxygen.
The type of algae that clings to rocks and logs is called filamentous algae. You will first notice this forming around the edges of your pond as well as the bottom.
These are just a few of the most common types of algae that you may have to deal with in your pond.
When it comes to algae you need to focus on control and if necessary algae treatment. There are times where you will simply have to treat the algae problem. You will find that you have a choice of chemicals as well as various pond equipment such as uv clarifiers and sterilizers, as well as manually removing it.
==>> Chemicals
Many people tend to want to avoid using chemicals as a means of algae control. There are some excellent ones that are now very effective as algae treatments, and are safe for both the fish and environment.
==>> Manual removal
Some algae is best controlled by simply raking it out. This is the best way to control string algae. It won't stop it from returning, but with a proper maintenance program in place this type of removal works well as a algae treatment for this strain.
==>> Proper filtration
This is an absolute must for the healthy pond. There are several types available and by utilizing these correctly it will mean that you will be taking more preventative measures as opposed to treatment requirements. It is important to maintain good bacteria in your garden pond. The good bacteria lives off the same food as the bad, and this means with an abundance of good bacteria feeding there is less for the bad so you are actually starving the bad.
==>> Cleaning and Maintenance
If you are at the point where you are implementing algae treatments, then you first need to reduce all the potential causes, then give your pond a thorough cleaning. It is important to have a proper maintenance and inspection regime to be sure that everything is in working order. A faulty pump is not going to keep the circulation and filtration system working properly, and the end result will be having to rely on the treatment for out of control algae.
By understanding pond algae and how it manages to take hold of a water garden helps in knowing what steps to take to combat it and keep it under control. With all of the water pond products that are available on the market today, there is no reason why anyone has to put up with out of control algae when then are workable algae treatment solutions readily available.
The most common type of algae you will likely have to deal with in your pond is string algae. It gets its name because of its stringy hair like appearance.
If you are noticing the top of your pond water looking green then this is planktonic algae. It can rob the fish of much needed oxygen.
The type of algae that clings to rocks and logs is called filamentous algae. You will first notice this forming around the edges of your pond as well as the bottom.
These are just a few of the most common types of algae that you may have to deal with in your pond.
When it comes to algae you need to focus on control and if necessary algae treatment. There are times where you will simply have to treat the algae problem. You will find that you have a choice of chemicals as well as various pond equipment such as uv clarifiers and sterilizers, as well as manually removing it.
==>> Chemicals
Many people tend to want to avoid using chemicals as a means of algae control. There are some excellent ones that are now very effective as algae treatments, and are safe for both the fish and environment.
==>> Manual removal
Some algae is best controlled by simply raking it out. This is the best way to control string algae. It won't stop it from returning, but with a proper maintenance program in place this type of removal works well as a algae treatment for this strain.
==>> Proper filtration
This is an absolute must for the healthy pond. There are several types available and by utilizing these correctly it will mean that you will be taking more preventative measures as opposed to treatment requirements. It is important to maintain good bacteria in your garden pond. The good bacteria lives off the same food as the bad, and this means with an abundance of good bacteria feeding there is less for the bad so you are actually starving the bad.
==>> Cleaning and Maintenance
If you are at the point where you are implementing algae treatments, then you first need to reduce all the potential causes, then give your pond a thorough cleaning. It is important to have a proper maintenance and inspection regime to be sure that everything is in working order. A faulty pump is not going to keep the circulation and filtration system working properly, and the end result will be having to rely on the treatment for out of control algae.
Awesome 10 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Build a Koi Fish Pond
Before approaching the task of constructing a Koi Pond, ask yourself the following questions:
Are you prepared to build the Koi Pond yourself or get an expert to build it for you?
There is no substitute for getting quality advice from a professional pond builder. After you have done your preliminary research and have started to gain some idea of what you want, you can really benefit from consulting with a professional. They can discuss your ideas with you and help spell out what is doable and what is not; what is realistic and what is not; and finally, what is affordable and what is not! Following such a discussion, you will be in a far better position to decide whether you want to build yourself or hire a professional builder do the work for you.
Just how much can you afford to spend?
This is the easiest but most critical question of all. Take a guess at what it might cost to build the Koi Pond you have in mind and then double it! Is this amount out of your reach? Well, guess what! This is exactly the scary question you ought to ask yourself! Now, get yourself an expenses book and list out all predicted itemized expenses as you do your research. You will need to determine a budget for absolutely EVERYTHING before you even think about grabbing that spade! As you finalize your preliminary budget, ask yourself once more if this is affordable or way beyond your means. If it is within range of what you expected, then you can look for ways to reduce spending if needed, along the way. For example, when it comes to stocking your completed pond, you may want to cut back by purchasing smaller or less mature Koi specimens as these are often less expensive. Likewise, you may be able to cut back on pond plant expenditure or ornamentation if necessary.
How much room do you have for a Koi Pond?
Now this is almost as important as the Money question! You really need to consider not only the size of the pond that you want but what your backyard can accommodate. Think in terms of what percentage of the yard would be needed for your ultimate pond - this can help put things in perspective. If your yard is big, then this normally wont be an issue, but, you do still need to think about the location within your yard. When considering how much space, think along the lines of bigger is better - meaning Koi can grow quite big and realistically require a lot of room to grow. You may also be tempted to buy one of every color when it comes to stocking your pond, so there is a risk of over-crowding! Set yourself a limit on the quantity of Koi you will have long-term (either by purchasing more Koi later on or from breeding) and ensure that your pond size will be sufficient to accommodate them.
How many Koi fish do you want to have? Its fairly well known that fish will only grow to a size that their environment can sustain. They will also grow faster where there is a smaller population of fish as a result of less competition for food and better water quality resulting from less waste. It is less well known however, that the growth of Koi can be promoted better by an increase in water surface area. In other words, if you think about 2 ponds of equivalent volume, lets say 10,000 gallons (just about 38,000 litres) but different depths, the deeper pond will not promote growth as well as the other as a consequence of a smaller water surface area. Consider also, that a pond can support a corresponding total weight or biomass of fish. For example, in a small pond, the biomass may support either 2 large fish or 20 smaller fish provided that the total weight is the same in either situation, and provided that it does not exceed the final biomass for that pond. A general guideline when determining how many fish your pond will take is, about 50 to 100 gallons per small koi (under 12), and 500 to 1000 gallons per large koi (over 24) in a properly filtered pond. Some experts say that those new to the Koi hobby are advised to build a pond between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons, however, others advise that the ideal pond is more around the 10,000 gallon mark. Ultimately, your pond size will be influenced by cost, location and space, but aim for the biggest you can manage - its very difficult to go back and make your pond larger afterward!
How much time are you happy to spend maintaining your Koi Pond?
This question needs to be answered with the same level of honesty and practicality that the question of Money was! Think about how much time you think you may have to spend upkeeping your Koi Pond and then double it! Is this more time than youre happy to put in or not? This is another area that should be discussed with your professional koi pond consultant.
Do you have the right location for a Koi Pond?
Just like Real Estate, its all about Location! Location! Location! Your Koi Pond needs to be where it can be admired and enjoyed BUT it also wants to be located with the following considerations in mind. To begin with, your pond needs indirect sunlight where possible so that the water temperature doesnt undergo huge daily variations. Also try not to place it under a tree where it will collect a lot of leaves and other debris - you dont want to spend any more time than necessary scooping out leaves. Finally, dont forget to consider building restrictions from your local council or authority and check for underground pipes and cables before you commence.
Are you prepared to learn about Koi and their needs?
Take the time to do your homework. This will minimize the mistakes that are easily made from guesswork, and could save you a great deal of time, money and effort. There are lots of resources available for you to take advantage of. Try talking to Koi enthusiasts or visit Koi fish club meetings.
Can you dig deep enough for a Koi Pond?
Depth is critical to the success of your Koi Pond. Too deep and it becomes impractical to clean, to catch Koi if necessary, and lets face it, it becomes too costly to build. Too shallow and your Koi might not have enough shelter from would be predators like cats and birds or shelter from the heat of a summers day. If you are excited about the prospect of hand feeding your new pets, then think about having a shallow area that you can stand in while feeding them. You will still need to have the remainder of the pond at a minimum depth of at least 3 or 4 feet, but ideally, if you can manage it, 5 or 6 feet is better. If creating a multi-level pond, be careful not to create static areas where the water does not circulate sufficiently, as this provides places for serious diseases to breed and for debris to collect. This can cause major problems with water quality.
What Extras do you want with your Koi Pond?
Would you like Fries with that? I mean, would you like Fry in your pond? If youre thinking about breeding Koi somewhere in the future, you will have to ask about this at the same time you are consulting with the professional pond builder. There are various extras that may need to be factored in for the purposes of spawning. Likewise, if you are looking at the aesthetics of the pond itself, you may want to investigate the cost of adding a Waterfall which can greatly aid in the oxygenation of the water and consequently affect the size of any filtration unit required. Pond plants can also add to the expense - be sure you do your research here as you cant put in any plants you like - thats an entire other subject. There are many other materials that need to be factored into the cost of your pond that come under the heading of necessities rather than extras. These may include but are not limited to such things as a biological filter, pipes, settlement chambers, a de-chlorinator, bird netting, drains, pumps, skimmers, heating, plus more. Again, these should all be discussed with your consultant at the planning stage.
Are you really, really enthusiastic about having your own Koi Pond?
The answer to this one, even after all of the above, should be a resounding YES, otherwise, go and buy yourself a goldfish bowl - it will be a lot less expensive with a lot less work, but ultimately, will be a lot less rewarding (no disrespect to goldfish intended!). If the answer is in fact YES then great! You have many years ahead to look forward to as your pets grow in size, personality and beauty!
Are you prepared to build the Koi Pond yourself or get an expert to build it for you?
There is no substitute for getting quality advice from a professional pond builder. After you have done your preliminary research and have started to gain some idea of what you want, you can really benefit from consulting with a professional. They can discuss your ideas with you and help spell out what is doable and what is not; what is realistic and what is not; and finally, what is affordable and what is not! Following such a discussion, you will be in a far better position to decide whether you want to build yourself or hire a professional builder do the work for you.
Just how much can you afford to spend?
This is the easiest but most critical question of all. Take a guess at what it might cost to build the Koi Pond you have in mind and then double it! Is this amount out of your reach? Well, guess what! This is exactly the scary question you ought to ask yourself! Now, get yourself an expenses book and list out all predicted itemized expenses as you do your research. You will need to determine a budget for absolutely EVERYTHING before you even think about grabbing that spade! As you finalize your preliminary budget, ask yourself once more if this is affordable or way beyond your means. If it is within range of what you expected, then you can look for ways to reduce spending if needed, along the way. For example, when it comes to stocking your completed pond, you may want to cut back by purchasing smaller or less mature Koi specimens as these are often less expensive. Likewise, you may be able to cut back on pond plant expenditure or ornamentation if necessary.
How much room do you have for a Koi Pond?
Now this is almost as important as the Money question! You really need to consider not only the size of the pond that you want but what your backyard can accommodate. Think in terms of what percentage of the yard would be needed for your ultimate pond - this can help put things in perspective. If your yard is big, then this normally wont be an issue, but, you do still need to think about the location within your yard. When considering how much space, think along the lines of bigger is better - meaning Koi can grow quite big and realistically require a lot of room to grow. You may also be tempted to buy one of every color when it comes to stocking your pond, so there is a risk of over-crowding! Set yourself a limit on the quantity of Koi you will have long-term (either by purchasing more Koi later on or from breeding) and ensure that your pond size will be sufficient to accommodate them.
How many Koi fish do you want to have? Its fairly well known that fish will only grow to a size that their environment can sustain. They will also grow faster where there is a smaller population of fish as a result of less competition for food and better water quality resulting from less waste. It is less well known however, that the growth of Koi can be promoted better by an increase in water surface area. In other words, if you think about 2 ponds of equivalent volume, lets say 10,000 gallons (just about 38,000 litres) but different depths, the deeper pond will not promote growth as well as the other as a consequence of a smaller water surface area. Consider also, that a pond can support a corresponding total weight or biomass of fish. For example, in a small pond, the biomass may support either 2 large fish or 20 smaller fish provided that the total weight is the same in either situation, and provided that it does not exceed the final biomass for that pond. A general guideline when determining how many fish your pond will take is, about 50 to 100 gallons per small koi (under 12), and 500 to 1000 gallons per large koi (over 24) in a properly filtered pond. Some experts say that those new to the Koi hobby are advised to build a pond between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons, however, others advise that the ideal pond is more around the 10,000 gallon mark. Ultimately, your pond size will be influenced by cost, location and space, but aim for the biggest you can manage - its very difficult to go back and make your pond larger afterward!
How much time are you happy to spend maintaining your Koi Pond?
This question needs to be answered with the same level of honesty and practicality that the question of Money was! Think about how much time you think you may have to spend upkeeping your Koi Pond and then double it! Is this more time than youre happy to put in or not? This is another area that should be discussed with your professional koi pond consultant.
Do you have the right location for a Koi Pond?
Just like Real Estate, its all about Location! Location! Location! Your Koi Pond needs to be where it can be admired and enjoyed BUT it also wants to be located with the following considerations in mind. To begin with, your pond needs indirect sunlight where possible so that the water temperature doesnt undergo huge daily variations. Also try not to place it under a tree where it will collect a lot of leaves and other debris - you dont want to spend any more time than necessary scooping out leaves. Finally, dont forget to consider building restrictions from your local council or authority and check for underground pipes and cables before you commence.
Are you prepared to learn about Koi and their needs?
Take the time to do your homework. This will minimize the mistakes that are easily made from guesswork, and could save you a great deal of time, money and effort. There are lots of resources available for you to take advantage of. Try talking to Koi enthusiasts or visit Koi fish club meetings.
Can you dig deep enough for a Koi Pond?
Depth is critical to the success of your Koi Pond. Too deep and it becomes impractical to clean, to catch Koi if necessary, and lets face it, it becomes too costly to build. Too shallow and your Koi might not have enough shelter from would be predators like cats and birds or shelter from the heat of a summers day. If you are excited about the prospect of hand feeding your new pets, then think about having a shallow area that you can stand in while feeding them. You will still need to have the remainder of the pond at a minimum depth of at least 3 or 4 feet, but ideally, if you can manage it, 5 or 6 feet is better. If creating a multi-level pond, be careful not to create static areas where the water does not circulate sufficiently, as this provides places for serious diseases to breed and for debris to collect. This can cause major problems with water quality.
What Extras do you want with your Koi Pond?
Would you like Fries with that? I mean, would you like Fry in your pond? If youre thinking about breeding Koi somewhere in the future, you will have to ask about this at the same time you are consulting with the professional pond builder. There are various extras that may need to be factored in for the purposes of spawning. Likewise, if you are looking at the aesthetics of the pond itself, you may want to investigate the cost of adding a Waterfall which can greatly aid in the oxygenation of the water and consequently affect the size of any filtration unit required. Pond plants can also add to the expense - be sure you do your research here as you cant put in any plants you like - thats an entire other subject. There are many other materials that need to be factored into the cost of your pond that come under the heading of necessities rather than extras. These may include but are not limited to such things as a biological filter, pipes, settlement chambers, a de-chlorinator, bird netting, drains, pumps, skimmers, heating, plus more. Again, these should all be discussed with your consultant at the planning stage.
Are you really, really enthusiastic about having your own Koi Pond?
The answer to this one, even after all of the above, should be a resounding YES, otherwise, go and buy yourself a goldfish bowl - it will be a lot less expensive with a lot less work, but ultimately, will be a lot less rewarding (no disrespect to goldfish intended!). If the answer is in fact YES then great! You have many years ahead to look forward to as your pets grow in size, personality and beauty!
Inspirational 10 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Build a Koi Fish Pond
Before approaching the task of constructing a Koi Pond, ask yourself the following questions:
Are you prepared to build the Koi Pond yourself or get an expert to build it for you?
There is no substitute for getting quality advice from a professional pond builder. After you have done your preliminary research and have started to gain some idea of what you want, you can really benefit from consulting with a professional. They can discuss your ideas with you and help spell out what is doable and what is not; what is realistic and what is not; and finally, what is affordable and what is not! Following such a discussion, you will be in a far better position to decide whether you want to build yourself or hire a professional builder do the work for you.
Just how much can you afford to spend?
This is the easiest but most critical question of all. Take a guess at what it “might” cost to build the Koi Pond you have in mind and then double it! Is this amount out of your reach? Well, guess what! This is exactly the “scary” question you ought to ask yourself! Now, get yourself an expenses book and list out all predicted itemized expenses as you do your research. You will need to determine a budget for absolutely EVERYTHING before you even think about grabbing that spade! As you finalize your preliminary budget, ask yourself once more if this is affordable or way beyond your means. If it is within range of what you expected, then you can look for ways to reduce spending if needed, along the way. For example, when it comes to stocking your completed pond, you may want to cut back by purchasing smaller or less mature Koi specimens as these are often less expensive. Likewise, you may be able to cut back on pond plant expenditure or ornamentation if necessary.
How much room do you have for a Koi Pond?
Now this is almost as important as the “Money” question! You really need to consider not only the size of the pond that you “want” but what your backyard can “accommodate”. Think in terms of what percentage of the yard would be needed for your ultimate pond - this can help put things in perspective. If your yard is big, then this normally won’t be an issue, but, you do still need to think about the “location” within your yard. When considering how much space, think along the lines of “bigger is better” - meaning Koi can grow quite big and realistically require a lot of room to grow. You may also be tempted to buy “one of every color” when it comes to stocking your pond, so there is a risk of over-crowding! Set yourself a limit on the quantity of Koi you will have long-term (either by purchasing more Koi later on or from breeding) and ensure that your pond size will be sufficient to accommodate them.
How many Koi fish do you want to have? It’s fairly well known that fish will only grow to a size that their environment can sustain. They will also grow faster where there is a smaller population of fish as a result of less competition for food and better water quality resulting from less waste. It is less well known however, that the growth of Koi can be promoted better by an increase in water surface area. In other words, if you think about 2 ponds of equivalent volume, let’s say 10,000 gallons (just about 38,000 litres) but different depths, the deeper pond will not promote growth as well as the other as a consequence of a smaller water surface area. Consider also, that a pond can support a corresponding total weight or “biomass” of fish. For example, in a small pond, the biomass may support either 2 large fish or 20 smaller fish provided that the total weight is the same in either situation, and provided that it does not exceed the final biomass for that pond. A general guideline when determining how many fish your pond will take is, about 50 to 100 gallons per small koi (under 12”), and 500 to 1000 gallons per large koi (over 24”) in a properly filtered pond. Some experts say that those new to the Koi hobby are advised to build a pond between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons, however, others advise that the ideal pond is more around the 10,000 gallon mark. Ultimately, your pond size will be influenced by cost, location and space, but aim for the biggest you can manage - it’s very difficult to go back and make your pond larger afterward!
How much time are you happy to spend maintaining your Koi Pond?
This question needs to be answered with the same level of honesty and practicality that the question of “Money” was! Think about how much time you “think” you may have to spend upkeeping your Koi Pond and then double it! Is this more time than you’re happy to put in or not? This is another area that should be discussed with your professional koi pond consultant.
Do you have the right location for a Koi Pond?
Just like Real Estate, it’s all about Location! Location! Location! Your Koi Pond needs to be where it can be admired and enjoyed BUT it also wants to be located with the following considerations in mind. To begin with, your pond needs indirect sunlight where possible so that the water temperature doesn’t undergo huge daily variations. Also try not to place it under a tree where it will collect a lot of leaves and other debris - you don’t want to spend any more time than necessary scooping out leaves. Finally, don’t forget to consider building restrictions from your local council or authority and check for underground pipes and cables before you commence.
Are you prepared to learn about Koi and their needs?
Take the time to do your homework. This will minimize the mistakes that are easily made from guesswork, and could save you a great deal of time, money and effort. There are lots of resources available for you to take advantage of. Try talking to Koi enthusiasts or visit Koi fish club meetings.
Can you dig deep enough for a Koi Pond?
Depth is critical to the success of your Koi Pond. Too deep and it becomes impractical to clean, to catch Koi if necessary, and let’s face it, it becomes too costly to build. Too shallow and your Koi might not have enough shelter from would be predators like cats and birds or shelter from the heat of a summer’s day. If you are excited about the prospect of hand feeding your new pets, then think about having a shallow area that you can stand in while feeding them. You will still need to have the remainder of the pond at a minimum depth of at least 3 or 4 feet, but ideally, if you can manage it, 5 or 6 feet is better. If creating a multi-level pond, be careful not to create static areas where the water does not circulate sufficiently, as this provides places for serious diseases to breed and for debris to collect. This can cause major problems with water quality.
What “Extras” do you want with your Koi Pond?
Would you like “Fries” with that? I mean, would you like Fry in your pond? If you’re thinking about breeding Koi somewhere in the future, you will have to ask about this at the same time you are consulting with the professional pond builder. There are various “extras” that may need to be factored in for the purposes of spawning. Likewise, if you are looking at the aesthetics of the pond itself, you may want to investigate the cost of adding a “Waterfall” which can greatly aid in the oxygenation of the water and consequently affect the size of any filtration unit required. Pond plants can also add to the expense - be sure you do your research here as you can’t put in any plants you like - that’s an entire other subject. There are many other materials that need to be factored into the cost of your pond that come under the heading of “necessities” rather than “extras”. These may include but are not limited to such things as a biological filter, pipes, settlement chambers, a de-chlorinator, bird netting, drains, pumps, skimmers, heating, plus more. Again, these should all be discussed with your consultant at the planning stage.
Are you really, really enthusiastic about having your own Koi Pond?
The answer to this one, even after all of the above, should be a resounding “YES”, otherwise, go and buy yourself a goldfish bowl - it will be a lot less expensive with a lot less work, but ultimately, will be a lot less rewarding (no disrespect to goldfish intended!). If the answer is in fact “YES” then great! You have many years ahead to look forward to as your pets grow in size, personality and beauty!
Lovely a Backyard Fish Pond
Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies,
frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These
ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. These may be built in patio
containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your
backyard may be done by adding water gardens and
ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and
interest but also a natural and relaxing environment
as well.
A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal
point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up
with this tips and techniques.
Where You Should Put Up a New Backyard Fish Pond
Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.
Landscaping
It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.
Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.
Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.
Using Pond Liners
Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.
Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.
Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.
However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.
Pond Installation
Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.
Then sit back and enjoy your new awesome backyard fish pond!
To learn more about Evony Medals check out Evony 2 for more great information
Elegant Koi Pond Design - Tips for Successful Pond Piping
With all the things you have to decide on when designing your Koi pond, it is little wonder many owners don't pay much attention to those ugly pipes and valves. Just remember that nothing will work without them and things might not work as you expect if you don't make the right choice when selecting the plumbing components. Plan ahead. Lay out a schematic of all the piping and valves that will be required for the project. This will allow you to see the whole thing at once so you can make critical decisions on the size of various pieces of pipe, the types of valves to be used, whether there will be any sections underground and whether there will be any places under pressure.
With that planning done, what types of piping and valves should you use? Flexible hose is one choice. It is very versatile and available in long lengths. It easily handles curves and corners that your layout will require. The major problem with it is that it won't allow the variety of valves and accessories that most koi ponds require. As a result it is normally only used where rigid piping won't work.
Rigid plastic pipe is the best type to use for Koi pond installations. This will create a durable, efficient and professional looking system. Whatever pipework you choose ,follow these simple tips. Ensure you use the right type and size pipe for the job to be done. For example, make sure you use at least a 4 in. pipe for the pond drain on a gravity-fed system to handle the large waste particles flowing through it.
Next, before gluing solvent-weld connections (always use solvent-weld piping) place the valves and piping in place for a "dry run." Once they're glued they will never come apart. Mark all pieces so you'll know later which pieces go where.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper pipe dimensions. Usually the greater the pipe dimension, the less resistance resulting in a lower flow loss. Finally, use plenty of valves so that you can isolate pumps and other devices for easy removal, repair or replacement. The alternative is to cut the piping to remove them - a very expensive and time consuming approach. Always use a slide or ball valve before the filtration system so it can be isolated from the pond for maintenance and cleaning.
These simple steps should make your Koi pond project go a lot faster with better results and less money out of your pocket.
Awesome the Best and Easiest Koi Pond Plants and How to Plant Them
What is the best Koi pond plant? In my opinion, the number one plant for fast growth and powerful water filtration is the water hyacinth. It is a very beautiful plant that will enhance any water garden as well.
The jumbo's are probably the best ones to get. Many cities in the United States use them to prefilter the waste water in their water treatment plants.
Floating pond plants are the "backbone" of what Koi pond plants are intended for. They filter contaminants out of the water and produce oxygen.
Be careful with them when you first bring them home If you put them in direct sun the first day the leaves have no fluids and the sun will burn the leaves. Once they are acclimated you can place them anywhere you choose.
All of the floating plants are especially good as Koi pond plants but none have quite as high powered cleansing properties as the water hyacinth.
However, Koi love to nibble on hyacinth root tips. Always keep some in the top of your waterfall box to replace the ones the koi tear up!
Also, occasionally the hyacinth will get their root masses entangled and it is suggested that you pull the root masses apart to encourage new growth.
Floating plants such as water lettuce, water hyacinths, frog bit, azolla and duckweed do not actually need to be planted. Simply place them in your pond to float.
As with water hyacinth, when you first remove your water lettuce from the bag it is wise to float it in a container of pond water in the shade to rehydrate its leaves before putting out in the hot sun. It has used the moisture stored in its leaves on it's trip home. If it is simple tossed into the pond in the hot sun, the sun will fry the leaves, turning them brown and crispy.
Floating plants are the easiest to plant. Just lay them in the pond! Then shade them for a few days before exposing them to full sun.
If you want to contain them so they don't float into your skimmer you will need to make a floating fence for them. Just take a few sticks and form them into the shape you want and tie the ends together with fishing line. Lay the stick fence into the pond and lay the floaters inside of it. If you anchor the fence it will keep them safely in one place.
You can anchor the fence with a big fish sinker. An old Hula Hoop spray painted flat black, with a large fishing weight anchoring it in place, works very well too.
You can see that the floating water plants are very efficient at creating a healthier pond environment and are extremely easy to plant and care for! That's why I find them to be the best and easiest Koi pond plants.
Awesome Fish in a Smaller Pond; Fewer Customers Means More Sales
What is the number one goal of any salesperson? The quick answer is simply: to maximize the amount of sales revenue for the company or business you represent. Yes, that is THE single biggest objective of any salesperson, and rightfully so. Obviously, sales reps need to bring in the sales to justify their jobs, firstly, and maximize their income.
But HOW do most salespeople go about doing this? Sadly enough, the answer most would give is this: maximizing sales revenue means maximizing the number of customers you have. The more customers, the higher your sales revenue. True? Not exactly. Have you ever considered REDUCING your customer base to bring in sales results that would give you jaw dropping sales figures? Yes, I am saying it here. To maximize your sales potential, look at decreasing your customer base.
Here's how to do it:
1) Review your sales figures at year end. If your sales reports are accurate and provide enough information, it will reveal something to you that will reflect a very old rule, called "Pareto's Principle". You may know it under another term, the 80/20 rule. This means that, in sales terms, 80% of your sales revenue comes from 20% of your customer base. Review your list of customers and contacts to determine who falls into the top 20%. Regarding the rest of them, do what you can to drop them or give them to another member of your sales team. Trust me, before long, you will not need them nor want them.
2) Work at maximizing your relationships with your top customers. You may need to re-think your whole way of doing business with them. Ask yourself these questions: Do I know what my customers value? Do I try to sell before I understand what it is they want or need from me? Have I developed a deep enough relationship with my clients to warrant their trust? Before you ever try selling anything to your clients, make sure you instill a high sense of trust in the relationship first. That will keep your customers FOR LIFE!!
3) With your new customer base in place, you now have the time and energy to focus on bringing the maximum effort to your sales business. The customers will quickly see how you have placed a high priority on their needs, first and foremost. They will see that you have placed them ahead of you and will reward you in ways that you may have thought were not possible. One of my favorite speakers in the field of selling and success, Zig Ziglar, said this about reaching your peak performance. "You can get anything you want in life, if you just help enough other people get what they want."
I realize this may not be what most sales managers want to hear from their salespeople, but I believe that we need to look at our careers and determine that we, as salespeople, try to be everything to all in the never ending quest for the biggest piece of the pie. If we focus on the quality rather than the quantity, we may find that the pie tastes so much sweeter.
Awesome Types of Pond Filters
It's really nice to have the nature close to your home. It creates a very relaxing ambiance. Unfortunately, if your pond is dirty and produces an unpleasant odor, I think it can also be stressful too. So to avoid turning your pond into a stress pit, you should make sure that you know a lot about pond care and maintenance.
One of the most crucial parts in any garden pond is the pond water filter. There are many types of pond filters. They differ in configurations, price and their complexity. Choosing a pond filter depends on what kind of pond do you have.
Basket filter is the most basic kind of a pond filter. You can just put these filters at the surface of the pond water or underwater. It actually depends on the design of the basket filter that you have. The mechanics of the function of this type of filter works by forcing the water through a net which captures larger debris and then returning the water back into the pond again. This type of filter is a basic necessity for any kind of pond. There are numerous of basket filters available in the market now. From those which can filter big sizes of debris to those which can filter smaller sizes of debris. You just have to remember that the basket should be cleaned diligently to avoid clogging. You can check the instructions on how many times you should clean your basket.
Another type of pond filter is known as UV filter. This type of filter can be considered as one of the advanced types of pond filters available in the market. It just proves us that sunlight can really do a lot of wonders. As the name suggest, this filter uses UV radiation in sunlight to exterminate algae and microorganisms effectively. UV filters can emit strong UV rays that can eliminate the unwanted microorganisms and algae in our pond. Even if they are emitting rays that are not visible to our naked eyes, these type of filters need to be cleaned too. As much as possible, remove the slime or grime on the UV bulb housing so you can maximize the amount of UV light that they can emit in the water. The radiated light travels to the pump, and the downside part of this, these pumps can only take small amount of water at a time. It may take a while before they can evenly distribute the UV light exposed water all throughout the pond.
Another popular kind of filter is the bacterial garden pond filter. These kinds of filter use living organisms to cleanse and purify the water. If you will use this kind of filter, you should fill or prime your pump with bacteria. Re-priming are needed frequently during the first few weeks of use, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Bacterial filters are effective against algae and most of the pond-scum type of pollutants. The thing about this type of filter is that it takes quite a long time before you can see the effects. So it's recommended to install this kind of pond filter before any manifestation of algae problems show up. It's more of like prevention, than a cure.
One of the most crucial parts in any garden pond is the pond water filter. There are many types of pond filters. They differ in configurations, price and their complexity. Choosing a pond filter depends on what kind of pond do you have.
Basket filter is the most basic kind of a pond filter. You can just put these filters at the surface of the pond water or underwater. It actually depends on the design of the basket filter that you have. The mechanics of the function of this type of filter works by forcing the water through a net which captures larger debris and then returning the water back into the pond again. This type of filter is a basic necessity for any kind of pond. There are numerous of basket filters available in the market now. From those which can filter big sizes of debris to those which can filter smaller sizes of debris. You just have to remember that the basket should be cleaned diligently to avoid clogging. You can check the instructions on how many times you should clean your basket.
Another type of pond filter is known as UV filter. This type of filter can be considered as one of the advanced types of pond filters available in the market. It just proves us that sunlight can really do a lot of wonders. As the name suggest, this filter uses UV radiation in sunlight to exterminate algae and microorganisms effectively. UV filters can emit strong UV rays that can eliminate the unwanted microorganisms and algae in our pond. Even if they are emitting rays that are not visible to our naked eyes, these type of filters need to be cleaned too. As much as possible, remove the slime or grime on the UV bulb housing so you can maximize the amount of UV light that they can emit in the water. The radiated light travels to the pump, and the downside part of this, these pumps can only take small amount of water at a time. It may take a while before they can evenly distribute the UV light exposed water all throughout the pond.
Another popular kind of filter is the bacterial garden pond filter. These kinds of filter use living organisms to cleanse and purify the water. If you will use this kind of filter, you should fill or prime your pump with bacteria. Re-priming are needed frequently during the first few weeks of use, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Bacterial filters are effective against algae and most of the pond-scum type of pollutants. The thing about this type of filter is that it takes quite a long time before you can see the effects. So it's recommended to install this kind of pond filter before any manifestation of algae problems show up. It's more of like prevention, than a cure.
Lovely Little Pond
There are those of us that love garden ponds and love to keep fish, but don't necessarily have the garden to accommodate a pond. Imagination always presents us with the perfect image of a large pond with a waterfall and plenty of large fish swimming happily in their home.
So what can we do if we only have a small backyard or garden, we just won't have room for that big pond we always imagine. A pond doesn't have to be big, small things are just as beautiful and all though you won't be able to keep lots of fish in a little pond you can still comfortably fit around six fish in most little ponds.
There are some great designs these days for small ponds and some of them are self contained units that look great and come complete with pump and filter, some even have waterfalls built in, these ponds are free standing so there is no digging involved, they can even be installed indoors.
If a traditional pond is more your style then there are plenty of small preformed ponds in many interesting designs or as with a larger pond you can get a pond liner if you want to design your own shape and sometimes these are better for small gardens as the only area that you may be able to accommodate a pond might mean you have to make it an unusual shape and a liner can give you that freedom.
So whether you have a large or small garden there is always room for a pond and further more it will probably be the best feature you can add to any garden. It must be time to check out all those different pond designs and get on with installing a pond in your garden, it makes for a great hobby for the whole family. So don't let the size of your garden be an excuse not to get a pond.
Luxury Top Suggestions to Maintain a Fish Pond
When talking about maintenance of fish pond, a lot of people fail to care for it the right way. However, it is no ordeal if you start the process on the right note from the very beginning i.e. from the stage of digging the pond in the right place and right manner. Digging it at the perfect place may immediately cut down on maintenance issues and the frequent headache that it gives. Don't make the mistake of digging a pond below a tree as you will end up spending your time and energy in keeping the pond clean of all the dirt and fallen leaves from the tree. Here are a handful of easy upkeep suggestions for the same.
One straightforward technique to maintain a pond is to use a plastic lining. This plastic lining could be of great help in separating the pond and the adjoining ground. Additionally, having this plastic lining around could prevent the unwanted entry of the soil, debris and other substances in the pond. However, make it a point to use only high quality lining as it doesn't wear off easily.
Another thing to make note of when using plastic lining, is to use only the proper kind of plastic. Avoid the plastic types which are toxic in nature as they're a potential threat to the life of the fishes. So, it is highly advisable to go for plastics which are safe for the fishes.
A very effective thing that you can do to maintain a fish pond is try to incorporate a range of plants within the pond. Different plants may serve different purposes, which can aid in the upkeep of the pond. For example, there are plants that are good for controlling algae growth. On the other hand, there are specific plants that work well as decorative elements. It's also significant to include plants that are good at absorbing and retaining nutrients. These plants help in keeping up the nutrient quotient of the pond. It's recommended that you place these plants around the edges for increased nutrient absorption.
Securing the edges of the pond may also ease out upkeep concerns. You could place small rocks along the edges of the pond. This will prevent soil and other debris from entering the pond. Nevertheless, you need to be cautious about the rocks that you use. There are particular rocks that may release toxic substances on being soaked up in water. This can cause death of plants and animals in the pond.
Sustaining a pond is not as hard as it might appear to be. You just have to put in a bit of effort and be be guaranteed that your pond will stay on for a long time period.
One straightforward technique to maintain a pond is to use a plastic lining. This plastic lining could be of great help in separating the pond and the adjoining ground. Additionally, having this plastic lining around could prevent the unwanted entry of the soil, debris and other substances in the pond. However, make it a point to use only high quality lining as it doesn't wear off easily.
Another thing to make note of when using plastic lining, is to use only the proper kind of plastic. Avoid the plastic types which are toxic in nature as they're a potential threat to the life of the fishes. So, it is highly advisable to go for plastics which are safe for the fishes.
A very effective thing that you can do to maintain a fish pond is try to incorporate a range of plants within the pond. Different plants may serve different purposes, which can aid in the upkeep of the pond. For example, there are plants that are good for controlling algae growth. On the other hand, there are specific plants that work well as decorative elements. It's also significant to include plants that are good at absorbing and retaining nutrients. These plants help in keeping up the nutrient quotient of the pond. It's recommended that you place these plants around the edges for increased nutrient absorption.
Securing the edges of the pond may also ease out upkeep concerns. You could place small rocks along the edges of the pond. This will prevent soil and other debris from entering the pond. Nevertheless, you need to be cautious about the rocks that you use. There are particular rocks that may release toxic substances on being soaked up in water. This can cause death of plants and animals in the pond.
Sustaining a pond is not as hard as it might appear to be. You just have to put in a bit of effort and be be guaranteed that your pond will stay on for a long time period.
Luxury the Role of Plants in a Koi Pond
For those who are new to this concept, a Koi Pond is basically an enclosed type of freshwater system that recirculates for keeping Koi Fish, a variety of Japanese fancy carp. Hence, it is unlike other forms of garden or fish ponds to provide for the specific needs of the Koi fish that ordinary types of garden or ponds are unable to deliver.
Hence, there are two major factors you should be looking at when developing a Koi pond. It must first and foremost provide a healthy home for your Koi fishes to live and grow. And second, it must contain a clear water to keep your fish healthy.
As more and more new landscaping designs are available for pet owners who want to build a Koi pond for their fishes, there is a growing question with the possible advantage or disadvantages of adding plants into your pond. Is it better or not for your fishes?
There are several known advantages of adding plants to your Koi pond, which are the same benefits that you can expect with adding up plants to a traditional garden. It will then serve as an aquatic basket that will enhance the overall living condition for your pet fishes. These plants will serve as submerged oxygenators that supply enough oxygen into the water in daytime. Meanwhile, they also double as a spawning mat for your Koi fishes.
For optimum protection to your pets, opt for deep water type of plants like such as floaters and lilies. Choose also those that provide shade and cover that will help prevent algal growth. But the biggest benefit that can be derived with adding plants to your Koi pond is basically the fact that it provides nitrates and other compounds for your pond to use in case biological filters fail to do their job.
You can also add up marginal plants to your Koi pond, which helps to soften the edges and create an aesthetic balance into the water system or entire pond. Hence, you never really have to compromise the look of your background just to provide an efficient habitat for your pet Koi fishes.
However, you do have to take note of a few disadvantages to adding flower to your pond. Koi carps often like to wreck these plant materials by gnawing on them, which is a natural tendency for fishes and other animals. It also can cause the water to appear murky with the constant stir-up by the activity produced by the fishes. Hence, pay close attention to where you situate the plants you add into your Koi pond to avoid direct contact with the Koi carp. Make sure that your fishes are below 2 inches from the pond's surface area to keep enough distance away from the plants. Besides that, plants provide an active biological filter system beneficial for your fish and the entire pond.
Luxury Keeping Pond Healthy with Pond Salt
Aside from the fact that salt is one of the most common condiments used around the world, it is also important in the pond keeping industry since it has been proven that sodium chloride can make the pond better and make the fish in it a little happier.
It is not widely known for salt or sodium chloride to be a good supply used in pond maintenance. Well it is actually capable of promoting better pond health and making the fish happier. The sodium element in salt is needed in the pond in order to supply electrolytes in the water which are necessary for the health of pond fish. The salt aids the process of osmoregulation which is needed by the fish in the pond so that they can absorb the right amount of water they need in their body. Apart from this, the sodium in pond salt also help recompense for the ions that the fish normally lose.
It is unavoidable for a pond to have a slime build-up right at the bottom. This is due to the excessive food droppings and other debris that accumulate in the pond which form muck at the bottom. The slime can lead to bad bacteria amass and other virus types influx in the pond water. Because of these occurrences, the defence mechanism of the fish may go down thus making them prone to certain infections and sicknesses. It is but a requirement to have the pond regularly checked and make sure that the fish are getting the ample electrolytes needed by the fish to survive.
For a pond that houses freshwater fish, it is necessary to increase the amount of pond salt in the water to meet the required levels of electrolytes needed by the fish. These electrolytes are needed to help fluids to move with ease on the fishs bodies bringing about the natural body mucous coating of the fish. This coating is needed to repel parasite, viruses and bacteria that may cause the fish to be ill. Another type of mucous body coating can be increased with the help of pond salt and that type of mucous is necessary for the fish to survive the temperature brought about by the winter season.
Pond salt is also capable of aiding other beneficial processes in the pond. One of which is the mucostimulation. This process is needed in the pond in order to fight the fish irritation caused by ammonia and nitrite present in the pond most especially if the pond filters do not work properly. The chloride anion present in pond salt will compete with the nitrite anion that enters the fish gills thus decreasing the irritation. Mucostimulation, as the name implies, is responsible for the increase of protective slime coating on fish skins. For overcrowded pond, pond salt is indeed necessary to calm the fish in the water. Overpopulated ponds are usually caused by nitrite toxicity. Therefore, if the nitrites in the pond are dealt with through pond salt, the stress that the fish will have will be lessened.
It is not widely known for salt or sodium chloride to be a good supply used in pond maintenance. Well it is actually capable of promoting better pond health and making the fish happier. The sodium element in salt is needed in the pond in order to supply electrolytes in the water which are necessary for the health of pond fish. The salt aids the process of osmoregulation which is needed by the fish in the pond so that they can absorb the right amount of water they need in their body. Apart from this, the sodium in pond salt also help recompense for the ions that the fish normally lose.
It is unavoidable for a pond to have a slime build-up right at the bottom. This is due to the excessive food droppings and other debris that accumulate in the pond which form muck at the bottom. The slime can lead to bad bacteria amass and other virus types influx in the pond water. Because of these occurrences, the defence mechanism of the fish may go down thus making them prone to certain infections and sicknesses. It is but a requirement to have the pond regularly checked and make sure that the fish are getting the ample electrolytes needed by the fish to survive.
For a pond that houses freshwater fish, it is necessary to increase the amount of pond salt in the water to meet the required levels of electrolytes needed by the fish. These electrolytes are needed to help fluids to move with ease on the fishs bodies bringing about the natural body mucous coating of the fish. This coating is needed to repel parasite, viruses and bacteria that may cause the fish to be ill. Another type of mucous body coating can be increased with the help of pond salt and that type of mucous is necessary for the fish to survive the temperature brought about by the winter season.
Pond salt is also capable of aiding other beneficial processes in the pond. One of which is the mucostimulation. This process is needed in the pond in order to fight the fish irritation caused by ammonia and nitrite present in the pond most especially if the pond filters do not work properly. The chloride anion present in pond salt will compete with the nitrite anion that enters the fish gills thus decreasing the irritation. Mucostimulation, as the name implies, is responsible for the increase of protective slime coating on fish skins. For overcrowded pond, pond salt is indeed necessary to calm the fish in the water. Overpopulated ponds are usually caused by nitrite toxicity. Therefore, if the nitrites in the pond are dealt with through pond salt, the stress that the fish will have will be lessened.
Lovely a Pond - is for Life
Deciding to introduce a pond to our garden is an important decision. We should think carefully about what we want from one before we jump in and dig a hole. What are our reasons for wanting one and are those reasons enough to change our garden dramatically to install one.
When you add one to your garden then yes you are adding a thing of beauty that you should be proud of and enjoy for many years to come. There is great enjoyment in planning and building one and the achievement is great. Once one has been added then it should stay even if you move home, it needs to stay behind.
The whole aspect of a gardens wildlife changes over time when we add a pond to it, a lot of this wildlife you may never see, but it is there and your fish are not the only residents. There is a whole array of wildlife that will move in and take up residence, so to remove one would have a big impact on your gardens wildlife and many creatures if they survive would have to try and find a new home.
This is important if you move to a property that has a pond because it will more than likely be established and have many creatures who live in or around it or visit it regularly. To get rid of it would destroy an important part of that gardens wildlife. It is far better to enjoy it than get rid of it, once in place a pond should be for life.
I have had one in most of the houses I have lived in and when I have moved I have always tried to ensure the new owner like ponds, that way I knew that what I had created was going to be left to thrive and be maintained. I have even gone back to visit a few.
Support the many creatures that live in this world with us by giving them a little haven in your own backyard.
New a Backyard Fish Pond
Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies,
frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These
ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. These may be built in patio
containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your
backyard may be done by adding water gardens and
ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and
interest but also a natural and relaxing environment
as well.
A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal
point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up
with this tips and techniques.
Where You Should Put Up a New Backyard Fish Pond
Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.
Landscaping
It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.
Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.
Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.
Using Pond Liners
Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.
Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.
Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.
However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.
Pond Installation
Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.
Then sit back and enjoy your new awesome backyard fish pond!
To learn more about Evony Medals check out Evony 2 for more great information
Lovely Creating a Pond
Most gardens, however small, are improved with the addition of a pond. Including water in your garden will encourage beneficial wildlife, and will create a wonderful backdrop to summer entertaining. At Garden4less, we stock the full range of Hozelock pumps and pond equipment which will ensure your pool stays healthy and crystal clear. Our guide will enable you to build a simple water feature from scratch with the minimum of effort and expense.
Safety and situation
It is important to consider the layout and general feel of your garden when deciding to add water. Geometric shaped ponds look best gardens which have straight-edged landscaping, whereas an irregular shaped pool will suit an informal scheme. If your garden combines both a wilderness and some formal areas, try a circular pool which will suit almost any situation. It is advisable to site your water feature in a sunny part of the garden this ensures that aquatic plants will receive the light they need in order to thrive. Wherever you choose to build, the appearance of the pond will be greatly improved if you attempt to blend it into the environment with clever planting.
It goes without saying that children should always be supervised around water. In fact, it is inadvisable to add a pool to your garden if you have family members younger than four. Instead, try one of our stunning solar water features, such as the slate fountain, which will provide the relaxing sound of water without the danger. The lions head design will look superb when used in a formal garden, or try our sunjet fountain perfect for including in a water feature of your own design.
Getting started
Once you have decided where and what type of pond to build, begin by marking out your chosen area boundaries with a length of hosepipe or a line of sand, so you know where to dig.
1.Dig out your chosen shape to the required depth and check that it is level it is worth taking a time over this, as the pond will look better if the water comes exactly to the top of the liner all the way round.
2.Remove sharp stones (which might pierce the liner) from the bed of the pond before adding a pond underlay which is rot and root resistant. You can use heavy sand, but since it is penetrable by rocks and organic matter, underlay is a better long-term solution.
3.Now lay your liner into the hole, over the underlay. Work round the pond folding and tucking to achieve a neat finish; then add water.
4.When full, cut off excess liner with a sharp knife. Be sure to leave at least fifteen centimetres excess around the edge of the pond this can then be covered with soil and planted or disguised with attractive rocks.
1.To create varied habitats within your pond, create gently sloping shallows. Deep water is fine, but a number of different depths will attract a wider range of creatures.
Planting
A well-planted pond will blend into its environment. Once you have added aquatic and marginal plants, consider which varieties will help the outer area blend into your garden. For an informal pond, sow Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin. This attractive wild flower thrives in damp, pond-side conditions. Hesperis matronalis is another good choice which can be grown in full sun or part-shade. This wild flower has spikes of purple and lilac flowers which are loved by butterflies. This variety also boasts a delicious sweet and spicy scent which will fill the evening air with perfume. As well as naturalising your pond, surrounding it with wild flowers and tall plants also provides hiding places for frogs, toads and newts all of which will help to control pests in your garden. If you are aiming to create a wildlife haven, it may be best to avoid goldfish since they can dirty the water too much for other creatures. There will, however, be plenty to admire in the animals that automatically flock to your pool. Expect to see water boatmen, aquatic snails, whirligig beetles and dragonflies as well as frogs and toads.
Introducing animal life
Although fish may not be an ideal choice for wildlife, they will add a splash of vibrant orange to your formal, or semi-formal pond. If you have plenty of space, the classic Koi carp are arguably the most stunning species with which to stock your pool. For smaller amounts of water, Shubunkins and Golden Orfe will provide a beautiful display but always check how large your fish will grow to avoid overpopulation.
When keeping fish, good pond maintenance is essential. We stock a huge range of Hozelock filters (link) which will keep your water clear and your fish healthy. A combined pump and filter (link) will provide constant movement to avoid your water becoming stagnant. If your pond develops excessive algae, the Hozelock UV filter (link) represents a sophisticated solution and excellent value for money. Remove excessive amounts of weed by hand, and remember to feed your fish (link to fish food) and you will be enjoying your pond (and its inhabitants!) for years to come.
Safety and situation
It is important to consider the layout and general feel of your garden when deciding to add water. Geometric shaped ponds look best gardens which have straight-edged landscaping, whereas an irregular shaped pool will suit an informal scheme. If your garden combines both a wilderness and some formal areas, try a circular pool which will suit almost any situation. It is advisable to site your water feature in a sunny part of the garden this ensures that aquatic plants will receive the light they need in order to thrive. Wherever you choose to build, the appearance of the pond will be greatly improved if you attempt to blend it into the environment with clever planting.
It goes without saying that children should always be supervised around water. In fact, it is inadvisable to add a pool to your garden if you have family members younger than four. Instead, try one of our stunning solar water features, such as the slate fountain, which will provide the relaxing sound of water without the danger. The lions head design will look superb when used in a formal garden, or try our sunjet fountain perfect for including in a water feature of your own design.
Getting started
Once you have decided where and what type of pond to build, begin by marking out your chosen area boundaries with a length of hosepipe or a line of sand, so you know where to dig.
1.Dig out your chosen shape to the required depth and check that it is level it is worth taking a time over this, as the pond will look better if the water comes exactly to the top of the liner all the way round.
2.Remove sharp stones (which might pierce the liner) from the bed of the pond before adding a pond underlay which is rot and root resistant. You can use heavy sand, but since it is penetrable by rocks and organic matter, underlay is a better long-term solution.
3.Now lay your liner into the hole, over the underlay. Work round the pond folding and tucking to achieve a neat finish; then add water.
4.When full, cut off excess liner with a sharp knife. Be sure to leave at least fifteen centimetres excess around the edge of the pond this can then be covered with soil and planted or disguised with attractive rocks.
1.To create varied habitats within your pond, create gently sloping shallows. Deep water is fine, but a number of different depths will attract a wider range of creatures.
Planting
A well-planted pond will blend into its environment. Once you have added aquatic and marginal plants, consider which varieties will help the outer area blend into your garden. For an informal pond, sow Lychnis flos-cuculi Ragged Robin. This attractive wild flower thrives in damp, pond-side conditions. Hesperis matronalis is another good choice which can be grown in full sun or part-shade. This wild flower has spikes of purple and lilac flowers which are loved by butterflies. This variety also boasts a delicious sweet and spicy scent which will fill the evening air with perfume. As well as naturalising your pond, surrounding it with wild flowers and tall plants also provides hiding places for frogs, toads and newts all of which will help to control pests in your garden. If you are aiming to create a wildlife haven, it may be best to avoid goldfish since they can dirty the water too much for other creatures. There will, however, be plenty to admire in the animals that automatically flock to your pool. Expect to see water boatmen, aquatic snails, whirligig beetles and dragonflies as well as frogs and toads.
Introducing animal life
Although fish may not be an ideal choice for wildlife, they will add a splash of vibrant orange to your formal, or semi-formal pond. If you have plenty of space, the classic Koi carp are arguably the most stunning species with which to stock your pool. For smaller amounts of water, Shubunkins and Golden Orfe will provide a beautiful display but always check how large your fish will grow to avoid overpopulation.
When keeping fish, good pond maintenance is essential. We stock a huge range of Hozelock filters (link) which will keep your water clear and your fish healthy. A combined pump and filter (link) will provide constant movement to avoid your water becoming stagnant. If your pond develops excessive algae, the Hozelock UV filter (link) represents a sophisticated solution and excellent value for money. Remove excessive amounts of weed by hand, and remember to feed your fish (link to fish food) and you will be enjoying your pond (and its inhabitants!) for years to come.
Inspirational Helpful Hints for Garden Pond Filters
Many people that are installing a garden pond often wonder if they really do need to install garden pond filters and what will happen if they don't.
There are some cases if you have a very small pond with no fish and very few plants, that you may be able to get away without having a pond filter. These are however not overly expensive items, and are well worth the investment based on all the benefits they provide to even the small simple pond.
Understanding how garden pond filters work and their purpose, gives a clearer picture as to why making a decision to add one to your pond is the right one.
Most people are not satisfied with just a simple empty pond and end up adding aquatic plants and most often fish to it. This is when it is a necessity to have a garden pond filtering system. The pond will be exposed to the fish waste, food they don't eat, and debris that land in the pond from the atmosphere. Over time these begin to rot and contaminate the pond. Simply put, your filtration system is your garden pond sewage system.
There are a variety of filtering systems that have their own way of fulfilling the necessary requirements. These can be biological filtering systems, or mechanical, and the best being the combination of both,
These filtering systems possess a filter that the pond water passes through. As it does, the good bacteria that is in the pond breaks down the harmful materials. There are times where the larger particles become trapped in the filter, and this is the reason why filters must be manually cleaned during the pond maintenance regime.
Two common types of garden pond filtration:
Gravity operated
The water is returned to the pond after going through the filtering system by gravity. This means the filter must be higher than the pump to achieve this. These types of systems are not expensive.
Pressure operated
The water is returned by means of force or pressure therefore they can don't have to be higher than the pump. Many individuals are beginning to favor this type of pond filtration system because it easy to maintain, and it has backwashing capabilities making it easy to clean.
Aside from these there are many other types of garden pond filters but they all work on the same premise. It may be a little overwhelming trying to determine which is best suited for your pond. Taking into account the number and type of fish you have housed in your pond for example, will help you decide on how complex of a pond filter system you require. In addition to this, you will also have to consider pond clarifiers or sterilizers to help keep your algae in control.
With the proper pond filtration system combined with the other garden pond supply requirements you should have many hours of enjoyment of a clean healthy pond.
There are some cases if you have a very small pond with no fish and very few plants, that you may be able to get away without having a pond filter. These are however not overly expensive items, and are well worth the investment based on all the benefits they provide to even the small simple pond.
Understanding how garden pond filters work and their purpose, gives a clearer picture as to why making a decision to add one to your pond is the right one.
Most people are not satisfied with just a simple empty pond and end up adding aquatic plants and most often fish to it. This is when it is a necessity to have a garden pond filtering system. The pond will be exposed to the fish waste, food they don't eat, and debris that land in the pond from the atmosphere. Over time these begin to rot and contaminate the pond. Simply put, your filtration system is your garden pond sewage system.
There are a variety of filtering systems that have their own way of fulfilling the necessary requirements. These can be biological filtering systems, or mechanical, and the best being the combination of both,
These filtering systems possess a filter that the pond water passes through. As it does, the good bacteria that is in the pond breaks down the harmful materials. There are times where the larger particles become trapped in the filter, and this is the reason why filters must be manually cleaned during the pond maintenance regime.
Two common types of garden pond filtration:
Gravity operated
The water is returned to the pond after going through the filtering system by gravity. This means the filter must be higher than the pump to achieve this. These types of systems are not expensive.
Pressure operated
The water is returned by means of force or pressure therefore they can don't have to be higher than the pump. Many individuals are beginning to favor this type of pond filtration system because it easy to maintain, and it has backwashing capabilities making it easy to clean.
Aside from these there are many other types of garden pond filters but they all work on the same premise. It may be a little overwhelming trying to determine which is best suited for your pond. Taking into account the number and type of fish you have housed in your pond for example, will help you decide on how complex of a pond filter system you require. In addition to this, you will also have to consider pond clarifiers or sterilizers to help keep your algae in control.
With the proper pond filtration system combined with the other garden pond supply requirements you should have many hours of enjoyment of a clean healthy pond.
Unique the Fun of Choosing Garden Pond Accessories
Every garden pond owner will soon discover that besides the necessary garden pond products, there will be a variety of garden pond accessories that they will want to purchase as well. Some of these are so valuable that they are considered by many to be a necessity.
The have to have items for the garden pond are the liner, pump, and filtering system. Along with these though, the following items are often added to the garden pond inventory.
Pond heaters
If you are going to house fish chances are you are going to want to make use of a pond heater especially if you experience fluctuations in temperatures. They are usually submersed totally within the pond. There are many makes, models and sizes and vary in price.
Garden pond thermometers
Whether you use a pond heater or not you are still going to want to monitor the temperature of the pond water. Even without having fish, many of the garden ponds provide a home to aquatic plants. These plants all have temperature ranges that the water must be kept at in order to keep the plants healthy. The pond thermometers take the guess work out assuming what the water temperature is. They are one of many garden inexpensive garden pond accessories. They are easy to use, and are immersed below the water level to the about the half way mark of the depth of the water.
Pond Nets
These are a real time saver when it comes to garden pond maintenance. They are a fine mesh that fit over the top of the pond. They are easy to install and when fitted properly are hardly noticeable. They serve some great purposes. They prevent the boisterous larger fish from jumping out of the pond. They are great at holding water garden predators at bay. Most importantly they prevent a lot of debris like leaves, and debris from landing in the pond which means less cleaning and less risk of pond contamination.
Pond timers
These are another one of the garden pond accessories that pond lovers enjoy. They are a small inexpensive item, but another pond item that most garden pond owners simply will not do without. These can be used to control the operation of the pump or the pond lighting or even the waterfall or fountain. It makes it most convenient to have these items cut on and off at a predetermined time automatically.
UV Clarifiers
These are an excellent resource for helping to control the algae and bad bacteria that often forms in a garden pond. They are designed so they do not harm the good bacteria which are crucial to a healthy pond.
Garden pond dcor
Some of the most exciting garden pond accessories that a garden pond owner can invest in, is the dcor that goes with a garden pond. Here one really gets to utilize their creativity. This can start with choosing to install one of the many waterfalls or fountains that are available for garden ponds. These can even be something simple such as a spitter for example. These are those beautiful items that allow water to trickle or flow from them such as a whimsical frog or Grecian statue.
There are numerous types to choose from. Then there is the garden pond lighting. Here there are many choices where they can be submersible or even something simple like floating lights.
These are just some of the common garden pond accessories that are readily available for the garden pond lover.
The have to have items for the garden pond are the liner, pump, and filtering system. Along with these though, the following items are often added to the garden pond inventory.
Pond heaters
If you are going to house fish chances are you are going to want to make use of a pond heater especially if you experience fluctuations in temperatures. They are usually submersed totally within the pond. There are many makes, models and sizes and vary in price.
Garden pond thermometers
Whether you use a pond heater or not you are still going to want to monitor the temperature of the pond water. Even without having fish, many of the garden ponds provide a home to aquatic plants. These plants all have temperature ranges that the water must be kept at in order to keep the plants healthy. The pond thermometers take the guess work out assuming what the water temperature is. They are one of many garden inexpensive garden pond accessories. They are easy to use, and are immersed below the water level to the about the half way mark of the depth of the water.
Pond Nets
These are a real time saver when it comes to garden pond maintenance. They are a fine mesh that fit over the top of the pond. They are easy to install and when fitted properly are hardly noticeable. They serve some great purposes. They prevent the boisterous larger fish from jumping out of the pond. They are great at holding water garden predators at bay. Most importantly they prevent a lot of debris like leaves, and debris from landing in the pond which means less cleaning and less risk of pond contamination.
Pond timers
These are another one of the garden pond accessories that pond lovers enjoy. They are a small inexpensive item, but another pond item that most garden pond owners simply will not do without. These can be used to control the operation of the pump or the pond lighting or even the waterfall or fountain. It makes it most convenient to have these items cut on and off at a predetermined time automatically.
UV Clarifiers
These are an excellent resource for helping to control the algae and bad bacteria that often forms in a garden pond. They are designed so they do not harm the good bacteria which are crucial to a healthy pond.
Garden pond dcor
Some of the most exciting garden pond accessories that a garden pond owner can invest in, is the dcor that goes with a garden pond. Here one really gets to utilize their creativity. This can start with choosing to install one of the many waterfalls or fountains that are available for garden ponds. These can even be something simple such as a spitter for example. These are those beautiful items that allow water to trickle or flow from them such as a whimsical frog or Grecian statue.
There are numerous types to choose from. Then there is the garden pond lighting. Here there are many choices where they can be submersible or even something simple like floating lights.
These are just some of the common garden pond accessories that are readily available for the garden pond lover.
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