A pond's ability to hold koi should not merely be regarded as a

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A pond's ability to hold koi should not merely be regarded as a function of its physical ability to hold koi, (ie, like storing groceries in a cupboard). A koi pond's stocking rate is determined by the filter's ability to process and breakdown the waste that koi produce. To be more precise, we need to be sure we do not overstock our filter, rather than our pond. This does not merely focus on the biological activity of a filter, but also it's ability to remove solids at the required turnover rate. A pond's water quality management system would also need to provide sufficient aeration for a given stocking rate. http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/benoverstock.htm pond pump selection
Plants and algae in a pond compete for the available nutrients in the form of phosphorous and nitrogen containing chemicals. It follows that the more pond plants there are then the greater the probability of reducing algae blooms (green or brown murky water). Old well-planted and chemically stable ponds as a result tend to suffer less from algae problems than newly created young ponds. Yes algae are plants and blanket weed is algae. Ponds with lots of blanket weed tend to have crystal clear water. Blanket weed thrives best in alkaline (higher pH) ponds. pond algae and uv
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
Pond pumps operate most efficiently with no pipe attached. This is obviously impractical so make sure the delivery pipe from the pond pump is not kinked or is being restricted by a build up of algae inside the pipe. This happens quickly in transparent tubing exposed to sunlight. Make sure that the pipe diamter is as wide as possibel and that the pipe length is as short as possible ... ie try to get as close as possible to "no pipe at all" so you get maximum efficiency pond filter pumps
Testing pond water. This is straight forward and is done by using special kits. Look out for expiry dates since chemicals used for testing are sensitive to time. Do not get carried away with the test results. After all they are indications only. The good reason for testing is to check stability or consistency and not absolute values. When you see a definite change then start testing. If you do test make sure you do the tests at same time every day and record the results on a graph so you can notice any significant changes. One-off results should always be treated with great circumspection. all about ponds and waterfalls
If you pond is losing water then do a quick check by shutting down the pump. If the level stops falling then the leak is outside the pond itself. If the level continues to fall then obviously the leak is inside the pond itself. When a constant level is reached then you know the leak is at that point where the surface remains level. Leaks from concrete ponds are notoriously difficult to repair and many sealants claim to do the job. In my experience fiberglass resins with glass fiber are best suited and it is worthwhile doing complete resurfacing job. sump pumps
Winter and garden ponds. Tender marginals need to be removed wholesale. Canna lilies can be potted up and plunged into a bed in cold frames, otherwise keep them cool but frost free and dry along with all the other exotics you have been tempted buy over the last few months. Once upon a time Arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica Crowborough ) and Lobelia cardinalis were treated with the same respect, but now our winters seem quite bearable to them. The more exotic looking yellow and spotty leafed Zantedeschia elliotiana , Z. pentlandii ... Store them under greenhouse staging. oxygenator pond plants
If you would like to test how much water looks best for your waterfall do the following. i) Place a hosepipe into the waterfall inlet ii) Adjust the flow until you are happy with the effect iii) Without closing the hose fill a known volume container from the hose iv) Calculate the flow rate by dividing the volume of the container by the time taken to fill it. v) You can weigh the container as an alternative to knowing its volume because 1 US gallon weighs 8.83 lbs, 1 Imperial gallon weighs 10 lbs, 1 litre weighs 2.2 lbs. vi) If one hose does not deliver sufficient water then use 2 hose pipes. fiberglass water features
How to select the right pond pump .. You only need this information to select right pump ... 1. Vertical height of waterfall inlet above water surface of pond (NOT bottom of pond) ... measure this in feet 2. Width of water overflow point for waterfall ... if overflow is series of smaller overflows add all together to get width in inches. If you have no waterfall choice is easier ... Waterfall Pump Selection Table ... check where height meets width in the table. This is the flow your pump model must deliver. For a wide range of guaranteed. http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/pumpselect.htm pond filter pumps
Once upon a time all ponds were concrete. Today unless you wish to have a very large or special pond concrete is NOT the material to use. It is simpler, cheaper, better and quicker to use pre-formed ponds ideally made from fibreglass in natural rock finishes with matching waterfalls or streams. If you want a pond whose volume is larger than about 500 litres then it is best and most economical to use a black plastic liner designed specifically for pond building all about ponds and waterfalls

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

Pond Links and Tips