Pond Archives - Warehouse Aquatics

What size pond pump do I need?

Lottie — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 09:34:19 +0000

If you’re building a garden pond, choosing the right-sized pond pump is essential to your pond health. Choosing the wrong pump can lead to all sorts of problems and prevent fish from living in the water.

Not to worry, though. In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to choose the right-sized pump.

Why do I need a pond pump?

Most ponds need a pump to circulate the water. The only exception to this is naturally occurring wildlife ponds that have a natural stream of water flowing into them.

If you’re adding fish to your pond, a pump is essential to keep your water clean and safe for your pond inhabitants.

You can choose between submersible pond pumps, which sit at the bottom of the bond, and external pumps, which sit above the water line or outside of the pond.

How do I measure the water in my pond?

There are a few things to consider before you choose a pump. First, you need to measure the volume of water in your pond. You can use this Blagdon calculator to work out how much water there is in your pond.

How do I measure the head of water?

Once you’ve calculated the volume of water in your pond, you’ll need to do a second calculation. This one is to do with the head of water that your pump will need to handle. The head of water is the height of water at its highest point from the pump to the top of a waterfall, a stream, or your filter system.

To calculate the head of water, measure the height of the water from the pond pump to its highest point. So, if the highest point is a waterfall that stands 120 cm above the pump, the head would be 120 cm. As you don’t have a pump yet, measure from where the pump will sit.

How do I measure piping to calculate the head of water?

If you have a waterfall, stream, or filter system in your pond, you also need to know the length of pipe that the pump must move water through to get to the top of this feature.

For example, if you need 300 cm of pipe to reach the top of a waterfall in your pond, this will affect your head calculation.

For every 300 cm of pipe, you need to add 30 cm to your head calculation. So, if you had 120 cm of height and 300 cm of pipe, you would have a head of 150 cm.

As the pond pump pushes water upwards towards the head height, the pump’s flow rate may decrease. Therefore, if you don’t take head height into consideration, the pump that you think is the right size may be underpowered for the volume of water you need to circulate.

All pumps have a maximum flow rate, which is rated at a zero head height. This is because as you increase head height, the flow rate decreases, sometimes to half the original flow rate.

Most pumps have a flow chart that shows the flow at different levels of head height, which you can use to choose your pump.

All pumps also have a maximum head height, which refers to the height of water the pump can handle. Once the water reaches this level, the flow of water will slow and then stop.

How do I measure circulation per hour?

For your third calculation, you’ll need to work out your circulation per hour. This measurement refers to the volume of water that your pump can circulate in an hour. So, a pump that matches the volume of water in your pond (including the head) should circulate all the water in your pond every hour.

There are various schools of thought on how often you should circulate your pond water. Some people say once an hour. Others say once every half hour. We suggest that you measure the size of your pond to work out how often you need to circulate the water. More on that below.

You should also take the stock of your pond (fish and plants) into consideration here. If you have a higher-stocked pond, you might opt to circulate your water more frequently.

Pond pumps for small ponds

Much like bigger fish tanks are easier to maintain than smaller fish tanks, larger ponds are easier to maintain than small ponds. This is because of dilution. The smaller the volume of water in a pond, the more toxins from fish waste and debris build up. A small pond will struggle to dilute the waste in the limited volume of water available.

So, if your pond holds fewer than 4,500 litres, we suggest you circulate your water every half an hour. To do this, you’ll need a pond pump with a flow rate that can handle double the size of the volume of water, plus head.

For example, if you need a pump that can circulate 3,400 litres of water once an hour, you can double the size of the pump to 6,800 litres to circulate the water twice an hour.

Pond pumps for medium ponds

Typically, a medium pond of 4,500 to 9,000 litres needs to circulate its water once an hour. You can get away with circulating a medium-sized pond less frequently than a small pond because there is enough water to better dilute waste in the pond.

So, for example, if your pond needs a pump that can circulate 6,800 litres an hour, you can go ahead and buy this pump.

Pond pumps for large ponds

As there is so much more water in a large pond, it’s much easier to dilute waste in these than it is in smaller ponds. Therefore, if your pond holds more than 9,000 litres of water, you may only need to circulate it every two hours.

In this case, if you calculate that you need a pond pump of 13,600 litres, you can half this and buy a pump that can only handle 6,800.

So, you might find that you end up using the same-sized pump for your small or medium pond as a fishkeeper who has a large pond.

Bonus Tip

If you haven’t yet built your pond, keep in mind that a large pond can be just as cheap and easier to manage than a small pond.

That said, you will need to invest in a pond filter that can handle the volume of water that the pump sends through. Your filtration system needs to match the pump’s flow rate.

Lots of filter systems also come with a UV clarifier, which destroys single-cell algae that turns pond water green. However, if you buy a separate UV clarifier, make sure you buy one that matches the pump’s flow rate.

Accommodating waterfalls

If you have a waterfall, the amount of flow from your pump dictates how much water cascades down your waterfall. If you want to increase the volume of water that cascades down your waterfall, you can add an additional pump alongside your filter pump.

Alternatively, you can run one pump for your filter system and another for your waterfall. This way, you can turn your waterfall pump off when you don’t need it, leaving only the main filter pump running to maintain water quality.

Choosing a pond pump

When you’ve measured the volume of water in your pond, the head of water, and the number of times you need to circulate your water per hour, you can choose a pond pump that meets your needs.

The charts that come with most pumps should help you decide which is most suitable. If in doubt, opt for the larger pump.

Remember that you can never have too much filtration (but you can have too little), and you’ll rely on your pump to supply the water to the filtration system.

About Warehouse Aquatics

The Warehouse Aquatics mission is to offer the most choice at the best prices when it comes to your fishes’ wellbeing. We use the products on our website ourselves and are well-versed in all things fish, so we can give you all the advice you need. We’re not just here to sell aquatic supplies. We’re also here to guide you through your journey as a fish owner and enthusiast.

As a small team, we love to hear from our customers, so please do join the Warehouse Aquatics social media community. We’re always up for a chat, and we’d love to share your aquarium photos with our followers.

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Heating a pond in winter

Lottie — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 07:47:24 +0000

If you’re thinking about installing a pond in your garden, you’ll need to decide whether you’ll heat the water and, if so, how you’ll do this.

When deciding whether to heat your pond, think about the kinds of fish you’d like to keep and how warm they need the water to be. While koi and goldfish are hardy and can usually survive cooler temperatures, this isn’t the case for other pond life.

Most pond fish can handle summer temperatures. But, when the temperature drops over the winter months, heating your pond can help your fish survive the season.

So, what preparation steps can you take ahead of winter? How can you heat your pond during these cooler months?

1. Buy a pond heater

When it comes to heating a pond in winter, purchasing a pond heating system is the main way to keep your water warm.

Different pond heaters have different capacities for raising the temperature of a pond. So, research is important when deciding which heater to invest in for your fish.

2. Buy a pond cover

Using a pond cover is a great way to keep cold air off your pond and maintain warmer water. Pond covers work like greenhouses, trapping warm air and keeping chilly winds out.

3. Buy a pond ice preventer

When temperatures get really low, your pond might freeze over, which can prevent fish from surviving the season. However, you can hang a pond ice preventer in your pond to heat the water and prevent freezing.

We recommend the Eheim Thermo 200, a thermal device that uses modern technologies to create an effective heat shield. This pond ice preventer comes with a three-year warranty.

We also recommend Blagdon’s Affinity Living Feature Pools Ice Vent Heater, which is ideal for ponds up to 5,000 litres. This heater prevents the water surface from freezing over and allows the pond to breathe. You can also use more than one of these heaters if your pond is larger than 5,000 litres.

4. Buy a pond thermometer

One of the best ways to keep an eye on your fish during colder months is simply to keep an eye on them. This way, you can decide to make changes to your pond ecosystem if and when necessary.

A pond thermometer is an essential piece of equipment for monitoring fish health. We recommend the Velda Pond Thermometer, part of which floats underwater to give an accurate reading.

You can use this thermometer to alert you to water temperatures all year round. So, if the temperature drops low enough, you may change your fish food from Growth to Staple or Wheatgerm. And if the temperature rises and causes a reduction in oxygen, you might install a pond air pump.

Heating a pond in winter – protecting your pond

Whether you invest in a pond heater or not, there are many ways to protect your pond and keep your fish healthy, both in summer and in winter. Our blog offers tips on how to clean your pond and pond filter, how to get rid of algae, and how to decide whether you should invest in a pond UV light.

We also stock a wide variety of supplies to keep your pond in its best condition when heating a pond in winter.

About Warehouse Aquatics

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What are pond UV lights and do you need one?

Lottie — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:18:41 +0000

Ponds need constant upkeep to keep fish and other pond life healthy. One way to maintain your pond is to invest in a pond UV light (also known as a UV filter or a UVC clarifier). A UV filter can help you control algae and green water, which is ideal for pond keepers who are hoping to achieve crystal clear water.

What are pond UV filters?

UV filters aren’t like other filters as they don’t directly remove debris. Instead, these UV lights work when pond water pumps through their light path, exposing algae to high levels of ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light destroys algae DNA, killing the algae. The light also causes the algae to clump together, which makes it easier for you to remove it from the pond.

Although UV filters are effective, they do only work on single-celled alga. This means they won’t combat blanketweed. You can use a separate blanketweed treatment for this.

All-in-one pond filters

You need a pond filter as well as a pond UV light to keep your pond water clear and healthy. That said, when it’s time to replace your pond filter, you can opt for a filter that comes with a UV light and additional filter media. These all-in-one pond filters are ideal for both filtering and clarifying your water.

Remember to replace your UV bulb every 12 months (or as advised in the bulb manual) before they lose their effectiveness.

More pond care advice

You might also find the following pond care blog posts helpful:

About Warehouse Aquatics

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Six tips for summer pond care

Lottie — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 10:11:16 +0000

Summer is the season for beautiful ponds to flourish. But a pond doesn’t thrive on its own. A pond that stays healthy throughout the summer months needs proper maintenance. So, here you go, the follow-up to our winter-care pond tips blog post: six pond care tips to help you keep your pond healthy throughout summer.

1. Aerate your pond

Aeration is important to maintaining oxygen levels in your pond. If you have a waterfall in your pond, aeration might not be a problem. But, if not, a good-quality pond pump or aeration system is a must-have.

Aeration is particularly important during the hotter months of the year. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water, so fish need more oxygen in warm water. If your fish are gasping near the surface of the water during summer, they likely need more oxygen.

2. Use a bacterial treatment

Virtually all ponds will benefit from a bacterial treatment. During the summer, apply a treatment to prevent cloudy water and assist the breakdown of plant and fish waste. Bacteria treatments like Evolution Aqua’s Pure Pond Biodegradable Bacteria Balls optimise the capability of your pond filter, allowing you to keep your pond healthier for longer.

3. Clean your pond filter

Your filter is the workhouse of your pond, so keeping on top of cleaning is an essential pond care tip. Here’s a link to our blog post on how to clean your pond filter.

Bonus Tip

It’s also important to make sure your filter is adequate for your pond. This blog post should help you decide whether you have the right filter for your pond: ultraviolet, all in one, pressurised, box, low stock, or high stock.

4. Top up your pond water

Pond water can evaporate during warm weather. A loss of water makes for a smaller ecosystem, and fish may become stressed or even die if they end up overcrowded. Top up your pond with dechlorinated water to maintain a higher volume of water. You can dechlorinate tap water with a pond tap water treatment, like The Pond Doctor Dechlorinator or Tetra Pond Aquasafe Dechlorinator.

5. Add aquatic plants

Aquatic plants are an important part of a healthy pond. Plants provide shade, shelter, and oxygen for pond fish and other inhabitants. You can choose from a huge variety of plants to pretty up your pond, from submerged plants like water lilies to marginal plants like irises.

As a bonus pond care tip, make sure you remove dead foliage so this doesn’t break down and consume oxygen or turn your pond water green.

6. Remove algae

Speaking of green water, you can apply an algae treatment to get rid of blanket weed and other types of algae, which spread quickly and can choke your pond. Here’s a link to our blog post on how to get rid of green algae and blanketweed.

To finish, make sure you stay on top of cleaning your pond throughout summer. Your pond and its inhabitants will thank you.

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How to clean your pond

Lottie — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:05:53 +0000

A pond makes a beautiful addition to any garden, especially when it’s home to wildlife. But if you don’t clean your pond, it’ll soon become an eyesore. Dead plants. Stringy weeds. And dirty, contaminated water. Don’t worry though, regular water changes, a bit of maintenance, and an occasional clean out are all you need. Here, we’ll share the five steps you need to follow to clean your pond.

How to know whether you need to clean your pond

Not sure whether your pond’s ready for a complete clean-out? Look out for these signs.

Your pond:

Has a thick layer of sludge over its base
Is dark and discoloured
Has fallen into a state of disrepair.

In these cases, make sure you clean your pond filter as well as the pond itself.

The best time to clean your pond is usually autumn. This is usually the least active time for fish and other pond wildlife. Aside from this, make sure you keep on top of regular water changes.

Follow these five steps to clean your pond.

1. Prepare a holding tank for your fish and plants

Prepare a holding tank(s) for your fish and any deep water plants. Fill the tank(s) with pond water and store it in a shady place. Marginal (water’s edge) plants should survive out of the pond as long as you keep them in moist, shady conditions.

2. Drain up to half of your pond water

Drain up to half of your pond water using a pond pump. Your fish and plants will become visible as the water drains. Place your fish and plants in the holding tank. You may need to divide and/or repot your plants. You might also find some unexpected larger pond creatures in your pond. Put these in your holding tank(s) too.

Bonus Tip

Don’t get rid of any decaying plant matter straight away. Small creatures could be hiding in this foliage. Instead, place the plant matter at the edge of your pond so these creatures can return to the water. You can get rid of it later.

3. Vacuum the bottom of your pond

Use a pond vacuum to clean the bottom of your pond without having to drain it. If you have a deep pond, you may need a vacuum with a telescopic handle. There are lots of types of pond vacuums available. While basic models are usually ideal for small ponds, you may need a vacuum with better suction for a bigger pond.

When vacuuming, make sure you keep the majority of the sludge at the bottom of the pond. This sludge contains billions of bacteria and microorganisms that tackle harmful chemicals like nitrogen and ammonia. You can also apply a bacteria treatment to keep your pond water healthy for your fish.

4. Refill your pond

Return your saved pond water to your pond. Then, refill with water (rainwater is best), and reposition your plants as you go. If you have to use tap water, use a pond tap water treatment like Tetra Pond Aquasafe to get rid of chlorine and metals.

5. Make your fish at home

Finally, return your fish and any other creatures to your pond.

Keep in mind that it can take several months or even years for your pond to return to its balanced ecosystem. So, remember to regularly test your pond water quality using a pond test kit and apply treatments when necessary.

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Six tips for your garden pond winter care

Lottie — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 18:14:16 +0000

Winter is getting ever closer. But there are a few hints you can follow to keep your pond in good condition over the coldest months. So, here you go: six tips for your garden pond winter care.

Winter care tip 1. Get rid of dead plants

Dead plants and autumn leaves can choke your pond and give off toxic chemicals when they decay. So, it’s important to get rid of these as part of your garden pond winter care routine. Remember to remove algae and blanketweed too.

Clearing dead foliage and rotting leaves will also improve the amount of natural sunlight that your pond gets. This will help your pond plants keep up photosynthesis and maintain oxygen levels in the water.

Winter care tip 2. Melt the ice if your pond freezes

Temperatures can drop pretty low over the winter. This means your pond will probably freeze over at some point. When this happens, it’s important not to leave your pond frozen over for longer than a day. Ice can trap toxic gases in the water, which may leave more than just dead plants floating on the surface of your pond when the ice eventually melts.

However, it’s important not to solve this problem by smashing the ice. Shockwaves from smashing ice can harm and even kill pond life. Instead, heat a pan on your hob for a few minutes and place this over the ice on your pond until it starts to melt. Alternatively, you can install a pond heater to stop your pond from freezing over.

Winter care tip 3. Reduce fish food portions

Many pond owners aren’t sure about the ‘rules’ that surround feeding pond fish in winter. But switching up fish food portions should be an important part of your garden pond winter care.

From autumn, you can reduce the amount of food you give your pond fish. Fish metabolisms slow down when it’s cold, which means fish don’t tend to eat as much as they do during the summer months. When temperatures drop below 5℃, you can stop feeding them altogether. Fish usually go into hibernation at this point.

If you don’t reduce food portions, uneaten food will sink to the bottom of your pond and decompose. This can affect the quality of your pond water.

Bonus Tip

When the temperature is between 5 and 10℃, it can be a good idea to give your fish wheat germ-based food.

Winter care tip 4. Protect your pond

Pond life is at its most vulnerable during winter. Slow fish metabolisms make them easier targets for predators like herons and seagulls. However, you can protect your pond with a pond cover for winter to keep them safe. (In fact, it’s well worth investing in this kind of protection all year round.)

Winter care tip 5. Keep your pond pump and pond filter on

Although some fishkeepers turn their pond filters and pond pumps off over the winter, it’s actually important to keep these on. Active pond filters and pond pumps keep the water circulating and extract debris over the winter months. You should only turn your pump and filter off if the temperature drops below 4℃ and will stay at or below this temperature for a few days.

Winter care tip 6. Stick to your water change cycle

Regular water changes are just as important to your garden pond winter care routine as they are during the warmer months. Whenever you change your pond water, you’ll help reduce nitrates, chemicals, and pollutants and improve water quality. Change 10–20% of your water volume at regular intervals to keep your fish happy all year round.

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How to get rid of green algae and blanket weed

Lottie — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:57:59 +0000

At the basic level, there are two main types of pond algae: green algae and blanket weed. Lots of pond keepers struggle to keep algae under control, especially as it grows rapidly and can reduce visibility in your pond. As algae spreads quickly, it’s important to treat your pond as soon as you see algae start to grow.

So, what are the two main types of pond algae?

What’s the difference between green algae and blanket weed?

The two main types of pond algae are green algae and blanket weed.

Green algae (also known as floating algae or suspended algae) discolours pond water, giving it a green tinge. Green algae can become so thick you can’t see your pond fish. It’s essential to get rid of green algae to keep your fish healthy.

Meanwhile, blanket weed (also known as blanket algae) forms in long strands that bind together as they grow. This is what creates that green blanket look over your pond. It’s just as important to treat blanket weed as it is green algae.

Why do you need to get rid of pond algae?

At the simplest level, it’s important to get rid of algae because it uses the oxygen your pond fish need to live.

Both green algae and blanket algae need oxygen to live. During the day, sunlight allows algae to produce oxygen. When the sun goes down, algae pulls oxygen from your pond water instead. This reduces the oxygen in your pond, which your fish need to live. If you don’t treat the algae, your fish and plants in your pond could die.

When is pond algae most troublesome?

Algae is particularly problematic when there are too many fish for the number of plants in a pond. All fish fill pond water with nutrients, which plants absorb. Unless there aren’t enough plants in the pond. A plant-lacking pond tends to fill with nutrients that fuel algae growth.

Bonus Tip

It’s a good idea to add floating and/or submerged plants to your pond. While floating plants can offer shade that reduces the amount of sunlight reaching your pond and increasing algae growth, submerged plants directly add oxygen to the pond for your fish.

How to get rid of pond algae

We sell lots of algae treatments, and we’ve shared some tips on getting rid of pond algae in this blog post.

Though green algae and blanket algae are the two main types of pond algae, there are lots of rarer algae subtypes too. One example is BGA algae, which can be dangerous. If you’re dealing with a complicated or rare algae problem, get in touch with us for advice.

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How to keep your pond clear and healthy

Lottie — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:18:26 +0000

We often hear from pond keepers who want to know how to keep a pond clear.

First thing’s first, when you fill your pond, it’s important to use tap water, not rainwater. This is because rainwater is too acidic for fish and many aquatic plants.

However, tap water contains chlorine that can irritate fishes’ mucous membranes. That’s why you should leave your pond to stand for a few days before adding fish. During this time, the chlorine gases will escape. The warmer the weather, the quicker this will happen.

How to dechlorinate tap water for pond use

You can help the dechlorinating process by using a pond tap water treatment like this Tetra Pond Aquasafe. This treatment removes the harmful chlorine compounds and metals from your pond water, keeping your pond clear. It also contains powerful colloids and vitamin B1, which protect fish against infections.

How to test pond water quality

Keeping your pond clear doesn’t guarantee that the nutrient levels will be right. So, once you’ve filled your pond, it’s important to test the quality of the water.

Testing water quality allows you to check whether your pond is safe for fish. A kit like this pack of TetraPond Quick 6-in-1 Pond Water Test Strips will test the levels of different nutrients in your pond, like chlorine, ammonia, carbonate, oxygen, and pH.

Bonus Tip

We talk all about how you can adjust the levels of these nutrients in our blog post on how to check pond water quality.

How to get rid of algae in your pond

Algae growth comes up a lot when we talk about pond maintenance and keeping your pond clear. Algae builds up when you have lots of dead plants, animal tissue, and leftover fish food in your pond. This matter can use so much oxygen that pond fish suffer. Therefore, it’s essential that you prevent – and get rid of – algae.

You can reduce algae buildup and clear pond water by:

Adding soil that is poor in nutrients to the pond bed
Keeping water lime-free
Planting underwater vegetation
Adding critters that graze on algae (think Ramshorn snails, Daphnia water fleas, and swan mussels)
Introducing more plants around your pond to increase shade (and reduce sunlight)
Feeding fish sparingly to avoid uneaten food falling to the bottom of the pond and attracting bacterial growth – use high-quality food too
Removing algae and dead vegetation – our treatments are really handy for this.

Remember, a buildup of algae growth isn’t uncommon. In fact, it’s the number one complaint from pond keepers. However, our range of algae removers, blanketweed treatments, and water purifiers makes it easy to get rid of algae and green water.

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How to improve pond water quality

Lottie — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:35:27 +0000

Improving pond water quality is key to fish health, and testing should be a regular part of your pond maintenance routine. After all, poor-quality water is the biggest cause of fish stress and illness.

So, how can you improve pond water quality?

How to check pond water quality

We can’t overemphasise how important it is to test your pond water and reveal any abnormalities. The good news is that testing pond water is easy. All you need is a pond test kit, like this pack of TetraPond Quick 6-in-1 Pond Water Test Strips. These strips measure the levels of different nutrients in your pond, like pH, chlorine, ammonia, carbonate, and oxygen.

pH

Testing water quality for pH (the density potential of hydrogen in water) shows you how acidic or alkaline your pond water is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14: anything under 7 is acidic, and anything over 7 is alkaline. The ideal range for fish ponds is usually between pH 7 and 8, but this can vary a little depending on what type of fish you have.

Keep in mind that pH fluctuates, so you don’t need to worry if your pond’s pH level changes a little over a few days. However, if your pH is consistently too high or too low, your fish could suffer from acidosis or alkalosis, which could kill them.

Bonus Tip

If your pH is too high, try this Blagdon Alkaline pH Pond Adjuster. And if your pH is too low, try this Blagdon Acid pH Pond Adjuster.

Chlorine

Tap water contains chlorine, which can be fatal for fish. If your pond test shows that there’s too much chlorine in your pond, a Fresh Start treatment should regulate the chlorine levels.

Ammonia

Decomposing organic matter and sludge at the bottom of your pond can create ammonia, which converts into nitrite and then into nitrate. This process is the nitrogen cycle. Your pond bacteria should control these chemicals, but this ammonia remover water treatment can offer bonus help if needed.

Carbonate

Your pond needs high carbonate (hardness) levels to aid the nitrogen cycle and biological filtration. If your carbonate levels are low, try adding rocks around the sides of your pond, a waterfall, or 1 cup of baking powder per 4,500 litres.

Oxygen

Put simply, fish need oxygen to live. But fish waste, decaying organic matter, warm temperatures, and excessive algae can all reduce the oxygen in your pond. In this case, a good-quality air pump can solve the problem.

Other ways to improve pond water quality

Aside from regular testing, there are a few additional steps you can take to improve pond water quality and avoid pond water quality problems:

The larger the volume of water in your pond, the more stable the water parameters are likely to be. This is because the concentration of pollutants should distribute more evenly in a larger body of water. So, if you can, it’s often a good idea to add more water to your pond.
Clean your pond filter to make sure it can get rid of dirt and other contaminants effectively.
Introduce more plants to your pond. Plants act as natural filters, digesting toxins left by fishes and naturally occurring bacteria. It can take months for plants to balance your pond, though, so this is a long-term strategy.
Aerate the pond to increase the amount of oxygen and sunlight that your pond gets. Aeration also helps remove chlorine from the water and stabilise the pH.
Add beneficial pond bacteria to the water.
Clean your pond water regularly and trim dead plant matter to encourage new growth. To clean your pond water, you’ll need a good net and sludge treatment.
Try to keep under 10 inches of fish for every 100 gallons of water. Many pond retailers will accept fish if your pond is overpopulated.
Don’t overfeed the pond. Leftover food will only rot and reduce the quality of your pond water.

Most importantly, though, test your pond water at regular intervals.

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Yes, your fish need pond bacteria

Lottie — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:33:47 +0000

It might come as a surprise to know that pond bacteria is essential to your fishes’ health. While you don’t want bacteria growing in most places, it keeps your water levels in the right condition for your fish to live their best lives.

Here’s why beneficial bacteria for ponds is so important and how often you should top up the bacteria in your pond.

Why do pond fish need bacteria?

Pond bacteria is key to your pond’s nitrification cycle (the process of fish waste turning into ammonia). Too much ammonia in your pond can cause fish diseases and even death. Luckily, beneficial bacteria balance the nitrogen cycle in your pond by reducing ammonia and nitrates.

Beneficial bacteria also break down organic waste, including fish waste, excess food, and dead plants. Each of these can affect water quality and cause algae build-up, so introducing bacteria is an essential part of caring for pond fish.

Bacteria is important in aquariums as well as ponds, but ponds are subject to heavy rain that can wash lots of debris into the water and push the pond’s ecosystem out of balance. Other factors that can affect the ecosystem include having too many pond fish and overfeeding.

Bonus Tip

Contrary to common misconception, pond bacteria will not get rid of all the algae in your pond, especially if you have a lot of algae buildup. Our algae and greenwater treatment range is your go-to for this problem.

What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria?

The two primary types of beneficial bacteria for ponds are aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria use oxygen to break down organic compounds, which is quite a rapid process. Meanwhile, anaerobic bacteria break down organic compounds using natural enzymes. This is a much slower process.

In an ideal world, it’s great to have a fountain or aerator in your pond. A feature like this will emit lots of oxygen, which aerobic bacteria need to thrive.

How often should I add beneficial bacteria to my pond?

There’s no way of knowing whether your pond is out of balance for sure, so it’s best to add pond bacteria to the water regularly. Aim for once a week to once a month.

When you top up your pond with beneficial bacteria regularly, you’ll:

Improve water quality
Reduce nutrient overload
Reduce ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates
Get rid of bad smells
Keep your pond safe for pond life

You can buy cost-effective pond bacteria in both water-soluble packets and liquids to keep your pond life healthy.

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