We specialize in Ponds and Water gardens, Pond construction, Pond maintenance and Landscape Design in Pinellas County, Florida
We create and maintain ponds and waterfalls for all of Tampa Bay!
Phone 727-430-1271
Email: WaterMatt@knology.net
WaterGardens by Matt
Ponds & Waterfalls for your home and garden
Your garden pond requires serious routine maintenance.
Seasonal cleanings are a very important aspect of owning a pond.
It is very important to do a good "cleanout" in the Spring and Fall.
If you are going it alone...
Be prepared for:
• Possible removal of fish and safe keeping of them for the duration of the cleaning.
• Carefully removing and hydrating the plants.
• Draining all the water.
• Removing excess organic debris, knows as sludge, muck, and slime. (Really dirty work!)
• Cleaning filter media
• Replacing and treating the water
• Acclimating the fish and plants to the new water conditions. (etc)
If you should choose to tackle your own maintenance, Keep up your routine!
Always keep in mind why you are doing this dirty work.
You have a very beautiful piece of nature to preserve and...
your fish are depending on your not forgetting to clean their filters!
You can have the satisfaction of saying "I did it myself"
and you'll be getting exercise in the process! :)
Pond Maintenance: Let us do it for you!
Water Changes
Partial water changes remove dissolved and solid waste and replace depleted trace elements.
Water changes provide fish with a healthy and more disease resistant environment.
Quarterly water changes will typically maintain healthy conditions in a pond.
Remove the solid wastes that collect on the bottom. There are several methods of doing this.
There are even pond vacuums available.
You can use a large sump pump on a pole to "vacuum" while doing your water changes.
Be sure to add a water conditioner to the new water that is added to the pond.
This will take the chlorine and chloramines out of the tap water.
In addition, Some additive reduces fish stress, helps neutralize harmful metals,
stimulates fish slime coat and adds beneficial electrolytes.
Filter Maintenance
The filter is your primary means of keeping the pond clean.
The filter and/or prefiltrers should be checked periodically to ensure that they are unclogged.
This is part of your monthly cleaning routine.
The filter may need to be checked more often if the fish and plants are at maximum capacity.
Filters trap waste, which is removed by replacing the filter media.
There are some filters that are designed so that you can rinse and reuse them.
Manufacturers' instructions for cleaning and maintaining the filter should always be followed.
Biological waterfall filters are the best!
Monitor fishfood intake closely while comparing the waste buildup in prefilters/filters.
It is very important that the food you are feeding is first being filtered by the fish, so to speak.
If your filter is picking up food that is not being consumed ...
...you are overloading the system's biological balance!
Water Quality
Water quality affects a fish's health and happiness. Creating proper water conditions
is the most important requirement for healthy fish.
Characteristics of Water Quality Include:
Water pH level (acidity)
Hardness (mineral content)
Temperature
Oxygen content
Nitrates and Ammonia content
pH Level
pH refers to the acidity of the water
pH is influenced by factors including amount of carbon dioxide and fish wastes in water
The scale ranges from 0 to 14. The scale is logarithmic, meaning each number is ten times stronger
than the preceding number.
For example, a pH of 2 is ten times more acidic than a pH of 3 and one hundred times more acidic than a pH of 4.
Alkaline water has a pH above 7.0
Neutral water has a pH of 7.0 or no acidity
Acid water is below 7.0
Slightly acidic is 6.8 to 6.9
Extremely acidic is 4.0 to 5.9 (not good for most fish)
Use a kit to check the pH level-in general, your pond's pH should be above 7.0
An abrupt drop in pH may indicate an increase in carbon dioxide
or fish wastes-an increase in aeration and a partial water change should help.
Oxygen Content
Fish need enough oxygen available for respiration.
Filters and waterfalls provide aeration to the pond.
Stagnant water kills.
Nitrates and Ammonia
If a water changes are not performed regularly, or if the filters are not working properly,
nitrates and ammonia produced by the excrement of the fish can pollute the water and kill the fish.
If nitrate or ammonia levels are too high, a 25% water change should be conducted
and the filter should be cleaned or replaced.
Live plants help to remove nitrates from the water and therefore keep the pond healthier.
Test kits are available for consumers to test the amount of nitrates and ammonia in the water.
Water Conditioners
Pond additives have many benefits:
Removing the chlorine and chloramine from tap water
Removing Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates
Reducing fish stress
Helps neutralize harmful metals
Stimulates necessary fish slime coat
Adds beneficial electrolytes
Adds beneficial bacteria that break down ammonia to nitrites and then nitrate.
There are many water conditioners. They come in several
different forms. We will be pleased to recommend the right water conditioners for your needs.
With a new pond set-up, testing the water is critical to the process.
Water chemistry changes!
Water tests:
pH (acidity of water)
Hardness of water
Nitrogen compounds: ammonia, nitrite and nitrate
WHEN SHOULD THE WATER BE TESTED?
First month: test every week
Second month: test bi-weekly
Third month and thereafter the pond should be well established
and a monthly water test should be sufficient.
In addition, water should be tested if these following warning signs are present:
Sudden changes in fish health or behavior
Excessive algae growth
Water with an odor
Cloudy water
Algae
Algae exist in every aquatic ecosystem
Most algae species are not harmful to fish. For many fish algae is an important part of their diet.
Algae can tell a lot about the condition of the water in the pond.
Excessive algae can be unsightly.
To control algae, there are a few facts you should know:
Algae can be caused by the following:
Too much sunlight
Overcrowding of fish
Overfeeding the fish
Over fertilization of plants
Excessive phosphates in your municipal water.
To reduce algae:
Live enzymes (bacteria) are very helpful in controlling algae.
Barley pellets or "pillows" are useful as well.
Add a phosphate remover
Remove any excess debris
Conduct a 25% water change
Add live plants
Add water treatment that is specifically designed to kill algae in a pond.
NOTE: If you choose to use an algaecide; carefully read the label.
Many algaecides also can potentially kill or weaken plants.
And yes, UV sterilizers are extremely helpful in keeping algae blooms in check.
They also help to prevent parasites.
And finally, It is paramount that you don't overfeed your pond! All those excess organics simply feed the algae.
Routine maintenance and proper feeding:
Pond Notes
Matt will take the time to help educate you....
A well aerated pond helps in maximum stocking capacity.
Koi are ALWAYS hungry!
Did you know that your koi love watermelon?
Remember, If you have any questions, please give us a call or drop us an e mail. We will be happy to help!
