A pond enhances the curb appeal of the house and looks beautiful with the colorful fishes and green plants. The swimming of goldfish and koi fish in clear water is a sight to behold. You easily feel the quietness of the water running in the pond in the early hours of the day or the evening. Homeowners make the pond attractive by adding a waterfall, a water fountain, and even underwater lighting to make the pond glow in the night.
There are several types of the pond, but the most common in homes include a fish pond, koi pond, plant pond, and wildlife pond. A fish pond requires constant maintenance as there are no plants to filter the water. A heavy-duty filter system is required to clear the fish waste that can contaminate the water. A pond increases the exterior looks and feels of the house, but there are certain steps to follow to ensure the health of the pond. Keeping the pond water clean is the basis of ensuring the health of the fishes and plants in the pond.
If you have a good-sized pond beside your garden space or in the backyard with features such as fountains, waterfalls, and lights, then you would require regular pond maintenance from expert pond contractors and maintenance crews. The regular upkeep of the pond is necessary to ensure
- Clarity of the pond water
- The health of the fish and plants
- Proper removal of fallen leaves, fish waste, and leftover food crumbs
- Removal of algae growth
The pond cleaning and maintenance experts take care of different types of ponds regularly. The pond experts are not knowledgeable about different pond problems but have access to all the essential repair and cleaning equipment that ordinary homeowners do not have.
The maintenance of the pond is mostly depended on the season and time of the year. Most of the maintenance is required in the spring and summer months by taking care of the fishes and plants. In the winter months, steps must be taken to not only prevent the water from freezing but also removing the fallen leaves from the bottom of the pond.
There are pond installation and maintenance companies with whom you could schedule regular checking of the pond once every couple of months. A skillful pond contractor follows a detailed plan to ensure the balance of your pond and the surrounding environment. The different aspects that a pond contractor manages to maintain a pond are
- Filtration
The most important aspect of pond construction and maintenance is to install an efficient filtration system that can ensure the flow of clean water and the health of the fishes and plants. The two elements of the filtration system are a mechanical skimmer, and a biofilter. The skimmer consists of a pump that drives the water from the basket and filter mats. The skimmer is useful to remove large debris and sediment before it reaches the bottom of the pond. A bio-filter provides an environment for beneficial bacteria that breaks down and remove pond waste, which includes ammonia, nitrogen, decomposed plant debris, and algae.
- Rocks and gravel
Ponds are constructed in different ways, many require a pond liner, while some are made with concrete. The common strategy used by a contractor is to use rocks, and gravel after installing liner and underlayment. The gravel is key to allow the beneficial bacteria to grow. The gravel will also not prove to be a breeding ground for debris and muck. Many homeowners may be apprehensive of putting gravel and rocks as it would make cleaning difficult, but a balanced pond environment would not let the muck layer to form.
- Water circulation
The water circulation is another vital aspect of the maintenance of the pond. A correct size pump is required according to the size of the pond and waterfall. The pump is essential for the proper aeration system within the pond. The pump performs two functions simultaneously, which are to filter the water and also provide oxygen within the pond.
- Fish
The essential part of the pond is the fishes along with plants. Fishes need clean water and a source of food to survive. The fishes feed on plants, algae, and small insects present in the water. The popular types of fishes that people keep in their pond are goldfishes, koi fishes, sturgeon, algae eater, rosette, and sunfishes.
- Plants
The presence of aquatic plants is necessary to achieve the right balance of the ecosystem in the pond. The plants remove the nutrients from the water and naturally detoxify the pond. In summer months, nearly 40% of the pond should contain plants such as water lilies, water hyacinth, and water lettuce.
- Water Testing
A proper functioning pond also requires regular testing of the water, and there are several steps to ensure that the pond remains free from algae. Beneficial bacteria can play a part in removing the algae.