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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

  • Autumn pond preparation for winter ... Remove fallen leaves. Net pond and stream. Remove tender aquatics. Clean pumps and raise them up to the marginal shelf level so they only circulate surface water. Only feed fish low protein food below water temperatures10C down to 7C. Stop feed altogether at 7C. Maintain a hole in any ice that forms on the surface for more than 3 days. Cleanout any filtration system once the temperature approaches freezing and close it down. Keep the pool topped up especially in areas where there is a high water table. Treat any fresh water with pool conditioning chemicals. all about water garden fountains

  • Pond pumps and "blocked pipes" ... If your pipe from the pond pump does become clogged with algae here's how to clear it out... dismantle the pipe from both ends and rapidly swing the pipe around as though it was a lasso .... just make sure nobody is the firing line because the "muck" will fly out of one end at quite a speed. Opaque rather than translucent pipe are best ... because light allows algae to grow faster, better, bigger .... solar pumps for ponds

  • Pond and garden lighting ... A very unique and effective garden light has been newly introduced into the UK and Europe. During the day this device is a highly realistic looking rock. At night the whole rock glows with diffused light creating a magic and enchanting effect. Japanese lanterns also create magical effects. Foggers used in conjunction with lights add magical and mystical properties to pond and plants. preformed garden ponds

  • Pond building materials ... Specially formulated flexible plastic non preformed pond liners are also suitable. Look for good guarantee. Do not use ordinary plain black sheeting such as that used by builders. Always source from reputable supplier. For larger ponds (above 600 litres or about 120 gallons) garden pond liners should be installed - preformed liner ponds become too expensive. Rubber (butyl or EPDM) is the material of choice. You can go as big as you like. Even small reservoirs use this type of material. Liner ponds are ideal for water lily ponds. For ponds below this size it would be very wise to choose from a range of preformed pond liners or preformed garden ponds as they are better known. A word of warning: Do not let your dogs swim in water where garden pond liners are used non preformed pond liners are easily damaged by their claws. If you do have dogs go for fibreglass preformed garden ponds. http://www.practical-water-gardens.com/pondliners.htm fiberglass water features

  • Do not buy fish food with more than 10% ash in it unless you know why. Read the label. If no label BE CAREFUL of quality. Gold fish food or koi food bought in stick form is normally money wasted and offers no real benefit to the fish. It is the analysis of the food that is important not the physical shape. Gold fish food or koi food in stick form was developed before pellets could float - this is the reason gold fish food or koi food sticks were invented. pond pump selection

  • Must the UV be placed before the biofilter? In theory it does not matter at all but in practice if you have a simple box type filter is must be before the filter. Reasons are: The UV works under small pressure - water must be forced through it while the biofilter drains under gravity. In sand filter systems (which I do NOT recommend) the UV light comes after the pond filter because the whole system is under pressure. Not applicable in many cases but you can also split the flow from your pond pump - part through UV light and part through biofilter. all about pond uv and algae

  • 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

  • Spring marginal plant favourites ... The Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris and all the species and varieties) are still at it. Brilliant. The Water Forgetmenot (Myosotis palustris) is also making waves of blue around the pond. Also there is the Golden Club (Oronitium aquaticum) and in the deep water The old South African stew ingredient, the Water Hawthorn, Aponogeton distachyos, is flowering its socks off. An amazing plants that comes up from unlimited stygian depths to perform at the most ludicrous times of the year. It still thinks its down in the Cape, nestled in the fynbos looking up at Table Mountain. where to buy pond plants

  • Pond pumps and "blocked pipes" ... If your pipe from the pond pump does become clogged with algae here's how to clear it out... dismantle the pipe from both ends and rapidly swing the pipe around as though it was a lasso .... just make sure nobody is the firing line because the "muck" will fly out of one end at quite a speed. Opaque rather than translucent pipe are best ... because light allows algae to grow faster, better, bigger .... solar pumps for ponds

 

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

 

 

 

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