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  • When a person builds a pond it is to achieve the vision of crystal clear water. The vision normally includes a pond full of colorful fish and attractive aquatic plants. Often the reality of a pond is something quite different ... a green smelly hole in the ground. This need not be the case. Before you dig the hole do understand that if you intend to keep fish then a biofilter must be installed. A biofilter can be a fairly simple box shaped container with a suitable biomedia inside it onto which bacteria can accumulate so that they can do the job of purifying the pond water day in and day out. all about water garden fountains

  • Koi will normally stop feeding around 8 degrees centigrade, 46 degrees Fahrenheit. They will lie motionless at the bottom of the pond when water gets down to about these levels. They must NOT be fed when water temperature is at these levels under any circumstances. Many serious koi keepers now heat their ponds in winter to keep their fish active and growing. water gardening and water features

  • The job of the biofilter is to purify the water first and foremost. Fish excrete ammonia which if allowed to build up results in the fish poisoning themselves ..... remember those goldfish in the bowl which lasted about a week ... they died because there was no biofilter to purify the water. The fish poisoned themselves to death in simple terms. It is easy to make a homemade biofilter for your pond. pond filters

  • Pond volume measurement ... Measure the depth using a tape or stick. Using the pond pump measure how long it takes to fill say a 5 gallons container. Now pump water out of the pond for say 5 minutes Record the depth after pumping out water The pond's volume is then calculated as follows: S = depth of pond in inches or any unit before pumping starts D = inches or any unit of water pumped out of pond when pumping stops T1 = time to fill the container T2 = time pump was run to pump out water V = volume of container ..... Volume of pond = (S x V x T2) DIVIDED BY (D x T1) waterfall pumps

  • Water has a maximum density at 4 degrees centigrade, about 39 degrees Fahrenheit so when a pond has a frozen surface the water at the bottom of the pond is normally at this temperature (higher density water sinks). Only in extremes of climate or in very shallow ponds therefore does a pond completely freeze solid. As the ice gets thicker form the top downwards then the water becomes even more insulated and will tend to stick at 4 degrees or 39 Fahrenheit. pond pump flow rates

  • Normal centrifugal pumps can operate against a closed valve with little effect upon the well-being of the pump. What you should not do however is restrict the suction side to control flow unless this is for a smallish fountain pump. You know when a pump suctions needs cleaning when the height of your fountain or flow down the waterfall reduces significantly. These days the best pumps do not have sponges inside the suction body. Such sponges are a source of major hassles especially in summer when they block up every couple of days and have to be removed. submersible pumps

  • In winter the filter will continue to operate mechanically at all temperatures above freezing but there is little point in using the U/V unless the temperature of the water rises well past 10C (45F). If this is likely then many U/V clarifier manufacturers advise you fit new a bulb. If it freezes, drain the filter and start again in the spring as though from scratch. This means it will take about 6 weeks for the pond filter to be effective so start up early. all about pond uv and algae

  • Algae Growth (Photosynthesis) ... koi ponds are usually closed recirculating aquatic systems, meaning that these systems, unlike natural ponds with streams flowing through them, lack a fresh-water flow-through source. Rather, closed recirculating aquatic systems rely on filtration to purify and re-oxygenate their water. Outdoor ponds that are closed systems are subject to seasonal algae blooms and attached filamentous algae growth due to nutrient and carbon dioxide buildup. The primary nutrients of concern are nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is a by-product of decomposed fish waste, uneaten fish food and accumulated sludge in the bottom of the pond. uv size required

  • Pond vegetable (veggie) filters ... Plants For Natural (Vegetable) Pond Filters. The Norfolk reed (Phragmites australis) is by far the best since it not only removes pollutants but is capable of adding oxygen to the water ... ie it is an oxygenator plant too. Oxygenators are generally those plants whose leaves are always submerged so that oxygen from the photosynthesis process has a chance to dissolve before being lost to the atmosphere. Other useful plants are generally in the fast growing class so that maximum biomass is created in the quickest possible time. Consider the following ... Sweet Galingale (Cyperus longus), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), True Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris), Flowering Rush (Butomus umbrellatus) http://www.pond-solutions.co.uk/pjmvegfilter.htm koi filters

  • Thinking about a pond? ... The pool must be in full sun especially in the UK. Away from trees and prevailing winds that could carry leaves into the pool. Avoid trees with poisonous leaves. In the UK these include Willow, Elder, Poplars, Laburnum, Yew and Oak. Avoid too much exposure to prevailing winds. Avoid boggy areas ii your landscaping ideas. Consider now whether you will have waterfalls, fountains, filters, lights and other accessories like Ultra Violet Clarifiers. You will need an adequate power supply and the connections to cope. Consider accessibility to a water supply. What are you going to do with the excavated soil? Keep the top soil, but what about the rest. fiberglass water features

 

Never switch off your pond pump for more than about 60 minutes

Make sure the delivery pipe from the pond pump is not kinked

Must the UV be placed before the biofilter?

A waterfall adds oxygen to a pond by creating a large surface area

Submersible pond pumps can operate against a closed valve

It is a good idea to pump out about 10% of your pond water

Lighting in and around ponds creates a brand new dimension

Sick and tired of looking at debris on the bottom of your pond?

Do not feed more food than what you fish can eat

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