Keeping the Balance of Nature: Pond Water Maintenance

You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to your backyard pond, and who could blame you? After all, she does a pretty good job of taking care of really big ponds, so why would your backyard ecosystem pose much of a challenge to her?

Unfortunately, the fact is your backyard pond is only going to get some cursory attention from Mom; the rest of the work is going to be left up to you.

In the "real world" chlorinated water doesn't find its way into ponds very often. "Big" pond water passes through a great many natural filtration and oxygenation systems, and the various fish and flora work together to keep the pond clean and fresh. Our backyard ponds don't have quite that much help, so here's where you need to step in:

If you are going to keep fish then you absolutely must remove all traces of chlorine from your pond before your favorite Koi set up housekeeping. Pond fish cannot live in chlorinated water so don't even try. There are many products available to remove chlorine quickly, or you can opt for the old-fashioned, natural way if you have the time to spend.

If you opt for 'a la natural' then expect to wait about 8 to 10 days for the chlorine to dissipate. You will need to make sure that your pump and filter are running and that you have set up an aerating method such as a waterfall or "splasher" to bring oxygen into the water. Make sure that the pond is exposed to plenty of sunlight (the natural enemy of chlorine), and use a chlorine testing kit to check the water daily.

Me? I just drop some de-chlorinating product into the pond and check back the next day.

Even if chlorine is totally removed, you still have nitrite and ammonia to worry about. These two toxic buddies are byproducts of fish waste and can wreak havoc with your Koi's health. After a while Mother Nature will kick in some help by allowing beneficial bacteria colonies to develop that enjoy eating nitrite and ammonia for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They won't be present in new ponds, however, unless you buy some bacteria starter kits to kick start the process.

Your garden pond could become overtaxed, ecologically, if you add too many fish too quickly. Start out adding no more than two per week so that the newly introduced bacteria do not get overwhelmed by the waste that will be produced.

Just when you think you've got it all under control that ugly thing called "pH" raises its head. Testing for pH levels is also very important since neither plants nor fish will survive very long if the pond's pH is out of whack. Your pH test kit should show a reading of between 6.8 and 7.4. You can add the proper chemicals to raise or lower if as neccessary.

Speaking of test kits, get one that will allow you to test the pond's salt levels as well. Unless you're raising baby Sea bass, too much salt is not a good thing.

After your pond is fully established, Mother Nature will lend a bigger hand and you can settle into a routine of testing every three of four weeks unless something serious, such as flooding, has occurred in between.

Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several
other pond-related websites including MacArthurWatergardens.com
and Pond-Filters-Online.com. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over 9,000. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive our FREE 'New Pond Owners Guide' visit MacArthur Water Gardens today!

---

Tuscan Garden Design

If you're looking for a beautiful, old world garden style,... Read More

Science Cant Explain Everything!

You will know that if you have spent at least... Read More

The Basics of Growing Roses

So you want to grow roses? They are a beautiful... Read More

Teak Umbrella : Add the Final Touch to Your Patio

Okay, so you have agonized for weeks and finally went... Read More

How to Grow Strawberries

In addition to the traditional strawberry patch, there are as... Read More

The Flower Garden in August

Our flower garden in August can be brimming with activities... Read More

Organic Gardening

"Organic gardening is not just the avoidance of chemicals, in... Read More

Funniest Pond Stories-Part 1, May 2004

Get ready for some gut-wrenching, laugh out loud hilarious pond... Read More

Backyard Bird--The Catbird

It's quiet now.Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing... Read More

How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100

Like many Americans, you may find bird watching to be... Read More

Easy Care Of Phalaenopsis

Do you have a knack for being with moths? Most... Read More

Catch a Leprechaun in Your Garden

There is no mention to be found of female leprechauns... Read More

Landscaping of Hindu Religious Places

Traditionally Hindu tepmples were located either on hills or forests... Read More

9-11 Changed Everything for the Garden Tractor Business

While traveling the US and occasionally taking the back highways... Read More

Create a Hummingbird Garden Habitat

It's not difficult to create a garden that will attract... Read More

To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond

The important question of whether or not to add salt... Read More

Thyme: The Herb of Courage

Garden thyme, fresh or dried, alone or combined with parsley... Read More

How to Install a Liner Pond

Liner ponds are ideal for the experienced water gardener because... Read More

Basil: The King of Herbs

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly... Read More

Wild Flower Garden - Recreate the Splendor of Nature in Your Own Backyard

A few years ago I made the decision to create... Read More

22 Fun Things To Do With Your Dozen Rose Gift

Your dozen rose gift doesn't only have to decorate your... Read More

Growing Tomatoes Organically

Tomato Seeds Vs. Tomato Seedlings?Whether you start your own tomato... Read More

Are You Being Taken Advantage of when Ordering Flowers Online?

Did you know that you can send flowers many different... Read More

Want a Garden, But Don?t have Enough Dirt Or Space? Hydroponics Gardening Is The Answer!

Hydroponics gardening is the perfect solution for anybody who wants... Read More

A Couple of Good Places to Buy Lawnmowers

After much searching and deliberation, I finally bought a lawnmower... Read More

Moss on Lawns

Just about right now, we start to see moss on... Read More

Black Walnut Trees Produce A Natural Insecticide

The black walnut tree manufactures a substance that is a... Read More

How To Brighten Up Your Home With These Flower Arrangement Ideas

A beautiful flower arrangement piece can become the focal point... Read More

Planting Roses In Your Garden

Roses are an old standby for any garden and one... Read More

5 Simple Steps To Dividing Your Hardy Water Lilies

If you missed the springtime window of opportunity to divide... Read More

Winter Gardening

As the end of summer approaches, unfortunately far too quickly,... Read More

How to Build a Shed

The easiest way to build a shed in the backyard... Read More

How to Grow Sweet Corn

Purchased corn, whether on the cob or in a can... Read More