Warm weather means longer days, warmer temperatures and more outdoor activity. Your backyard pond is the focal point of activity and enjoyment for you and your family. You'll want the pond to be clean, fresh smelling and attractive to look at. No one wants a pond with murky water, debris and the unpleasant odor that usually comes from the presence of organic matter..
The Benefits of Good Bacteria in Promoting Pond Water Quality
There are several things you can do, as the weather warms, to give your pond a good spring cleaning. Treating pond with good bacteria is crucial to maintaining the water quality. Over time, debris collects in water, leaves and other organic matter often sink to the bottom, creating sludge and giving the water a murky look. The water loses its sparkle and becomes less capable of sustaining aquatic and plant life.
pond plants
A good bacteria product like Pond Vive can be used to remove excess ammonia, nitrates and phosphorus. If not removed, these excess nutrients will cause problematic aquatic growth like algae which is unsightly and unhealthy. It attacks pond sludge build up and clarifies murky water from runoff, excess fish food or animal and plant wastes. Removing waste and ridding the pond of unwanted substances will help eliminate odors as well. The best time to apply a bacteria treatment in backyard ponds is when water temperatures rise to 55 degrees and above, depending on where you live temperatures are warm enough for treatment in late April or May. You can stock up on your product now and be prepared. Then as conditions are right for applying the good bacteria you can start with the original dose and then maintain a periodic treatment at regular intervals during the summer months.
Spring Cleaning Tips for Backyard Ponds
Other spring cleaning ideas can be implemented immediately. Test out all equipment, pumps, fountains and aerators to make sure they are in good working condition. Check hoses for leaks or cracks and replace as needed. See that you have the necessary tools, plant food and other pond treatment products in place.
You'll want to spend time in landscaping. Remove fallen branches and bits of debris floating on top of the pond or around the sides and trim unwanted plant growth. And, this would be the good time to consider investing in a pond vacuum. You can also look at water–hardy plants to be placed around the outer edges of the pond and maybe add figurines, benches or other ornamental designs.
The pond offers many opportunities for scenic views and recreation. A well tended pond invites people to appreciate the work you've put into your backyard. A good spring cleaning with the right bacterial treatment will bring your pond back to its original sparkling beauty. For more tips on spring cleaning for pond see The Pond Warehouse website and blog.
Related Article: Spring Cleanup…Done Right!
If you are building a waterfall or pond in your yard, it is important to carefully select a location. Although the pond will need shade, about four hours of sunshine is necessary too. Do not pick a place that rainwater will seep into. Remember to build the pond in a location where you and others enjoy being.
Once you have selected a location, you should measure out and mark the area where your stream and pond will be. You will need an outline of the pattern. Spray paint will work better for this than chalk, which can be rubbed away too easily. It is also possible for the area to be flagged. Checking with your gas and electric companies is a essential step before digging starts.
The pond's walls should step down a few times to prevent deterioration. Plants will flourish with this design, which is also more aesthetically pleasing. Do not throw away any of the dirt, instead add it to areas where you will need to build landscape for the waterfall. Make certain that the bottom of the pond is level. Dig out the location for the stream, and build up the ground where the falls will be.
Setting in the liner is the next step to be done once the digging is finished. Cover the pond's floor with sand, and make it level. Since it has to be spread-out and then carried to the pond, installing the liner is a two man job. Moving the liner along the ground is not an appropriate way of transporting it to the pond. A lower grade liner should never be used in and effort to save money. It would be very unpleasant to have to undo all of your work just to replace a bargain liner.
Putting in the equipment is the next thing you will have to do. This is where you will add the pumps, water filters and a skimmer. Employing a person who is trained to work with electricity is a good idea for this step, since they can install outlets which are safe for the outside.
water garden plants
Gravel and rocks should be added into the pond and waterfall area now. It is a good idea to place a protective overlay on top of the liner, and then add a couple large rocks to weigh it down. Including different sized and shaped rocks and gravel to the floor of the pond will not only make it look attractive, but will encourage wildlife as well. Spray the rocks clean of dirt, and then sump pump the muddy water out of your pond.
After you have the stream, waterfall, and pond lined and decorated with the rocks, be sure it is all clean. Pouring in fresh water is the next step. A product to take the chlorine out of the water is necessary at this point, except in cases where well water was utilized. Many chemicals will harm the plants and fish you may add.
Putting the fish and plants in will be your last job. Plants are a great way to filter the pond water. After adding the plants, wait two weeks before putting in the fish. This allows the plants time to clean the pond, and add nutrition to give the fish a healthy start.
The Benefits of Good Bacteria in Promoting Pond Water Quality
There are several things you can do, as the weather warms, to give your pond a good spring cleaning. Treating pond with good bacteria is crucial to maintaining the water quality. Over time, debris collects in water, leaves and other organic matter often sink to the bottom, creating sludge and giving the water a murky look. The water loses its sparkle and becomes less capable of sustaining aquatic and plant life.
pond plants
A good bacteria product like Pond Vive can be used to remove excess ammonia, nitrates and phosphorus. If not removed, these excess nutrients will cause problematic aquatic growth like algae which is unsightly and unhealthy. It attacks pond sludge build up and clarifies murky water from runoff, excess fish food or animal and plant wastes. Removing waste and ridding the pond of unwanted substances will help eliminate odors as well. The best time to apply a bacteria treatment in backyard ponds is when water temperatures rise to 55 degrees and above, depending on where you live temperatures are warm enough for treatment in late April or May. You can stock up on your product now and be prepared. Then as conditions are right for applying the good bacteria you can start with the original dose and then maintain a periodic treatment at regular intervals during the summer months.
Spring Cleaning Tips for Backyard Ponds
Other spring cleaning ideas can be implemented immediately. Test out all equipment, pumps, fountains and aerators to make sure they are in good working condition. Check hoses for leaks or cracks and replace as needed. See that you have the necessary tools, plant food and other pond treatment products in place.
You'll want to spend time in landscaping. Remove fallen branches and bits of debris floating on top of the pond or around the sides and trim unwanted plant growth. And, this would be the good time to consider investing in a pond vacuum. You can also look at water–hardy plants to be placed around the outer edges of the pond and maybe add figurines, benches or other ornamental designs.
The pond offers many opportunities for scenic views and recreation. A well tended pond invites people to appreciate the work you've put into your backyard. A good spring cleaning with the right bacterial treatment will bring your pond back to its original sparkling beauty. For more tips on spring cleaning for pond see The Pond Warehouse website and blog.
Related Article: Spring Cleanup…Done Right!
If you are building a waterfall or pond in your yard, it is important to carefully select a location. Although the pond will need shade, about four hours of sunshine is necessary too. Do not pick a place that rainwater will seep into. Remember to build the pond in a location where you and others enjoy being.
Once you have selected a location, you should measure out and mark the area where your stream and pond will be. You will need an outline of the pattern. Spray paint will work better for this than chalk, which can be rubbed away too easily. It is also possible for the area to be flagged. Checking with your gas and electric companies is a essential step before digging starts.
The pond's walls should step down a few times to prevent deterioration. Plants will flourish with this design, which is also more aesthetically pleasing. Do not throw away any of the dirt, instead add it to areas where you will need to build landscape for the waterfall. Make certain that the bottom of the pond is level. Dig out the location for the stream, and build up the ground where the falls will be.
Setting in the liner is the next step to be done once the digging is finished. Cover the pond's floor with sand, and make it level. Since it has to be spread-out and then carried to the pond, installing the liner is a two man job. Moving the liner along the ground is not an appropriate way of transporting it to the pond. A lower grade liner should never be used in and effort to save money. It would be very unpleasant to have to undo all of your work just to replace a bargain liner.
Putting in the equipment is the next thing you will have to do. This is where you will add the pumps, water filters and a skimmer. Employing a person who is trained to work with electricity is a good idea for this step, since they can install outlets which are safe for the outside.
water garden plants
Gravel and rocks should be added into the pond and waterfall area now. It is a good idea to place a protective overlay on top of the liner, and then add a couple large rocks to weigh it down. Including different sized and shaped rocks and gravel to the floor of the pond will not only make it look attractive, but will encourage wildlife as well. Spray the rocks clean of dirt, and then sump pump the muddy water out of your pond.
After you have the stream, waterfall, and pond lined and decorated with the rocks, be sure it is all clean. Pouring in fresh water is the next step. A product to take the chlorine out of the water is necessary at this point, except in cases where well water was utilized. Many chemicals will harm the plants and fish you may add.
Putting the fish and plants in will be your last job. Plants are a great way to filter the pond water. After adding the plants, wait two weeks before putting in the fish. This allows the plants time to clean the pond, and add nutrition to give the fish a healthy start.
