craig, Author at The Backyard Pond Blog

How To Keep Your Water Quality High in Water Gardens & Garden Ponds

How To Keep Your Water Quality High in Water Gardens & Garden Ponds

If you are searching for information on “How To Keep Your Water Quality High in Water Gardens & Garden Ponds” you probably have a backyard pond that could use some attention. Poor water quality can ruin the look, cause an odor, and even dramatically affect the health of your Koi or Goldfish. For the best pond equipment available in the Phoenix area call The Backyard Pond at 623-878-6695.

Water Quality Contents:

Garden Pond Waste Removal
Ultra Violet Water Sterilization
Types Of Algae
Balancing pH In Your Pond
How you can balance your pond water

Whenever you think of water quality in garden ponds and water gardens, you think about two things: clarity and the ability to support aquatic life. Lack of clarity isn’t an issue for aquatic life, but it does limit the ability to enjoy and see our goldfish and koi. As a pond owner you should be concerned with both of these things.

Although it is true that you can keep koi and goldfish in ponds without filtration, it does limit the number of fish that you can have. When in the wild, fish have a lot of water that help keep toxins from their waste from building up to a dangerous level. Most hobbyists will want to have more fish than what their pond will support. Koi and goldfish will put waste into the water as ammonia, mainly through their gills. Adding the issues of organic compounds from plant matter, soil and fish feces that may be in the pond.

Garden Pond Waste Removal

To be able to get good water quality there needs to be a form of waste removal. There are two methods that are used in garden ponds and water gardens which are biological and mechanical filtration.

Mechanical Water Filtration

Mechanical filters will physically remove solids in the water by trapping the debris in some sort of sponge, mat, or brush. Mechanical filters are quite effective but often need to be frequently cleaned to remove the debris. Many biological filters are also considered a mechanical filter, depending on how they are used. For instance, the Signal in-pond filter 800 is both a biological and mechanical filter when used in a pond where this is the only filter. But, it is mainly used as a mechanical filter when you use it with another type of biological filter in larger water gardens or garden ponds. The mechanical filtration in many ponds comes in the form of a pond skimmer.

Biological Water Filtration

Biological filters are a very effective way of removing toxins from the water by breaking down ammonia into nitrates and nitrites. This is done by using naturally occurring bacteria that is called nitrobacter or nitrosomonas. Ammonia is broken down into the natural body of water, but because of the limited space around and in the pond, you will have to watch this. There needs to be an efficient place for bacteria to thrive and live. Inside of the biological filter is the place where there will be a material that the bacteria can be exposed to large quantities of oxygen and food. The best material for doing this is a fiber matting media that allows there to be a large surface area for the bacteria to colonize and also a void area that allows large amounts of water to go through carrying food for the bacteria.

Filter materials that are that are considered too dense will clog up the filter and not allow the water to go through. You are also able to increase the efficiency by adding concentrated solutions of enzymes and bacteria like Micro Lift NiteOut and Microbe Lift PL. Being able to provide plenty of oxygen to the bacteria by using air stones or towers in the filter help to increase the efficiency. There are other types of organisms like Blood Worms that will colonize in biological filters and break down organic compounds.

Biological filters in ponds need to run continuously during the seasons. If they have been down for more 3 hours, then the good bacteria will start to die. Biological filters need to be cleaned by using only chlorine free water to help avoid killing or removing the bacteria. Also the filter should not be over cleaned, rinse only the media that will let allow good water flow through the filter. The brown stain on the filter is actually the living bacteria.

Water Changes

The nitrates will be a result after the break down of ammonia and nitrites are food for the plants or food for algae if there aren’t plants available. If you plan to keep koi or goldfish and no plants, then you will need to do partial water changes to remove the nitrates and other types of compounds from the water. If you are able to keep plenty of aquatic plants, the large water changes aren’t really necessary, although the small water changes around every 5 weeks and about 20% of the water should be fine.

Ultra Violet Water Sterilization

There are certain times of the year or if the balance of biological filters, plants, or fish is off you could end up with green water due to single cell algae.

The best method of being able to guarantee clear water against this issue is using UV sterilizer. This device will use a germicidal UV lamp that will be placed in a pipe that allows water to pass around and will reduce algae by 99% when it is fitted in the right sized pond. Although, using a UV sterilizer doesn’t need to be used without the right type of biological filtration because the dead algae need to be broken down by the filter. UV sterilization doesn’t help with string algae. For that you should use OxyPond Cleaner, AlgaeFix, or Algaway and strive to have a well-balanced system that uses the methods below to keep the string algae lowered.

Types Of Algae

There are various types of algae. There are different textures and colors. The green velvet type that is found on the sides of ponds is beneficial that provides food and oxygen for koi and goldfish. This type of algae will help to give natural appearances to ponds. If you can’t tolerate this type of algae, you will have to get rid of your fish and use Fountec. This will remove this algae and is safe for all animals except fish and is safe for plants.

If you sometimes have issues with algae and other types of particles that interfere with the clarity of the water, then you may need to consider flocculants like AccuClear. This product works by causing particles to clump together and then fall to the bottom of the pond, where it can be removed by vacuuming or siphoning the bottom or having your mechanical filter remove the debris.

Another good product to use is packaged enzyme and bacteria combinations that will help to break down the sludge as well as other types of organic compounds.

Balancing pH In Your Pond

For your fish to be healthy and to help control the algae, the pH of your pond needs to be monitored by using a pH testing kit. The pH needs to be between 6.8-8.0 and the ideal being 7.0-7.8. If the pH is above 8.4 and below 6.6 then it is best to not try and adjust it.

If you have to adjust the pH of your water, then you will need a pH UP or pH down liquid that will raise or lower the pH.

How you can balance your pond water

A major concern for pond water is being able to maintain and achieving clear water. When a garden pond or water garden is first put in, there is normally a rush to fill them full of aquatic plants and fish, but it is vital that you consider the natural processes of the ecosystems. In nature, ponds will have a certain time for everything to adjust and interact while the pond evolves. Even though the suspended algae in water is to be expected many people want to keep it to a minimum. Constructed ponds will require a bit of help to avoid the issue of excess algae. One of these methods is to stock and then arrange the pond in this method:

Remove the dead organic stuff from your pond.
Add biological filtration and UV sterilizer.
Keep rain run off out of the water. It will carry soil, chemicals, and fertilizers which will prevent the pond from balancing.
If the pond is in full sun, there needs to be 50 to 70% shade of the pond surface. This needs to be done with floating plants such as water. If the pond is less than full sun, less coverage will be needed.
Use Anacharis for every square foot of the surface that are under 50 square feet and one bunch for every 3 square foot for ponds up to 200 square feet. For ponds that are over 200 square feet, use one bunch for every 4 square feet.
Use no more than one inch of fish for every square foot to begin with. After the pond has been fully established or with well filtered water, you may add more fish. Feed only what the fish are able to eat in 5 minutes. Uneaten food will lead to algae

Phoenix Area Pond Supply

If you are looking for live fish, live plants, pond filtration, pumps, or anything else you need to start or care for your water garden or garden pond The Backyard Pond has everything you need. We serve residents of the greater Phoenix area with the best selection of Koi, plants, and all the supplies you need. Stop by or give us a call at 623-878-6695 with your questions.

How to Fix Green Pond Water (Algae)

How to Fix Green Pond Water Phoenix AZ

Are you searching for “How to Fix Green Pond Water“? If so this article is for you. We have prepared this guide to help pond owners understand what might be causing the green water, and what they can do to solve it.

Green Pond Water Causes

A single-cell free floating algae is what causes green pond water. It happens to be the most common issues that people have in their pond and it can be hard to deal with. If you follow the directions on the Controlling Algae in the Pond webpage, then you should be able to take care of this situation by making a biologically balanced ecosystem. To find out what plants are best to help you clear your water on the Clear Water Pond Plants webpage.

Although, sometimes algae have ways of making a pond cloudy even if all the things to make it clear are met. This could be caused by various things, like heavy fish load, water source, or organic matter in the pond.

Green Pond Water: How you can clear it

You can reduce your green by cleaning the debris called detritus from the bottom of the pond with a pond vacuum or long handled net. This is usually done in Spring and then in Fall. There is a new trend that has become quite popular for pond owners, that is owning a pond skimmer with an optional bottom drain. This takes away the need to clean the bottom of your pond because it does it for you by skimming debris and leaves from the pond before it sinks to the bottom. It also makes pump and filter maintenance easier. Another way to reduce organic matter in your pond is to add bacteria like Microbe Lift PL with a sludge reducer. These bacteria help to seed the bio filter and eat the sludge that lands at the bottom of the pond.

Heavily Loaded Fish Ponds

Having a heavy fish load or a lot of pond fish can cause green pond water because fish waster is being broken down by good bacteria through different steps until it becomes nitrates, which is what eaten by algae and plants. Even if you have a large amount of plants in the pond that are consuming the nitrates, and you still have too many fish, there will be algae. Reducing how many fish you have will help to get back to a natural balance.

City Water Quality

There are some water sources such as well water or city water that will have high phosphates. Phosphates will contribute to your algae growth being that it is a main nutrient that plants need to be able to grow. There are various brands of phosphate removers on the market, but in a large to medium pond that will be pretty expensive because it needs to be replaced often.

Additional UV & Chemical Water Treatments

If you have tried basically everything and still have a green pond, don’t worry. There are a few more solutions left. There is D-Solv-9. This is an algaecide that will clear your green pond water, but it also removes string algae. This is very concentrated, and just a 16-ounce bottle will treat around 9,600 gallons of water. If you have a really large pond, then they have 1 gallon bottles to treat around 76,800 gallons of water. It normally works with just one treatment, but there may be times where it takes 2-4 treatments. Then you have UV or Ultraviolet light. We have various types of UV Clarifiers that will work for your pond. If everything else fails, then these will work. If you get the right UV light that is matched to your pond size, and you have plenty of water running through it, then within 2 weeks, you will have clear water guaranteed.

Phoenix Pond Supply

If you live in the Phoenix valley and want the best products, knowledge, and guidance for having the best water for your pond contact The Backyard Pond. Our pond and Koi experts will help you understand what it takes to have a backyard pond to be proud of. You can stop by our location or give us a call at 623-878-6695.

Backyard Pond Maintenance

How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix

Having a pond in your backyard is a great centerpiece of your landscaping. However without proper maintenance it can become the monster lurking in your yard. Here are a set of steps for how to maintain a backyard pond.

Elements of a Backyard Pond

The type of maintenance required for each pond is different, partly because different yards will have more or less trees, sunlight, and other variables. Even different styles and materials the ponds are made with will mean more or less cleaning. Most ponds share common elements, here are a few of them.

Pond Edge Materials – The edges of most ponds are lined with an edging material. Usually concrete pavers or even stones are lined between the water and the rest of your landscape. This isn’t just for a great aesthetic look, but helps prevent contamination. The water running off your lawn may be fertilized. The chemicals found in lawn fertilizer are not good for these ponds, especially if you have Koi fish.

Pond Liners – The soil in your yard is meant to drain water away from the roots of your plants. When you have a pond you generally want to keep the water where you put it, and a PVC or rubber liner is how we get the job done.

Pond Sand Bases – Before the liner goes down a layer of sand is laid. This is so that your liner has a soft even place to rest. Without this you might have sharp rocks that will pierce your liner and leak your water.

Seasonal Backyard Pond Maintenance Routines

Depending on the size of your pond you will require more or less often maintenance. It might seem crazy but the larger ponds are actually easier to take care of. This is because they can cope with changes to chemistry and ecology. Here we have listed out the ways to take care of your backyard pond in each season.

Spring Backyard Pond Maintenance

If your liner has more than an inch of debris or muck you are going to need to drain the pond and hose off the liner. Cleaning the bottom of the pond keeps your filters and pumps working, and makes them last longer.
While you have the pond drained it is a good chance to look for any potential leaks. Limbs or branches from trees can fall and pierce the liner of your pond. Pond liner repair kits are inexpensive and effective. This will prevent water from leaking out, or contaminants under your liner from entering your ecosystem.
Replace the filter and make sure the pump is working. Replace any piece of your pump or filtration system that isn’t working.
Top off the water level in your pond. Do so by placing the water trickling into the bottom of the pond. This helps stir up the minimum amount of debris.
Get rid of any debris or leaves from the pond. This debris as it decomposes releases harmful chemicals into ponds. The Nitrate levels need to be controlled for these close ecosystems.
Consider adding some plants to help increase the level of oxygen in the water. In addition to aeration of the water from falling water you can put oxygenating aquatic plants into your pond.
If you have potted plants you can divide them. This keeps them growing well and getting bigger.
Switch the feed you are using for your fish in the spring. You will want to make sure that you are using a high-carbohydrate type food. This will help them increase activity.
After all potential for frost has passed you can add any submerged or potted plants to your pond. If you install them too early you run the risk of algae getting out of control.

Summer Backyard Pond Maintenance

Stay on top of the water level. Letting the water get too long concentrates salt in the water and is harmful to the fish, pond, pump and filtration system. Try to add a little every week or two instead of having to add large amounts every month.
Plants grow best in the summer and can get out of control. It’s important to remove dead leaves to keep the water clean. Plants or flowers that are overgrowing should also be trimmed back. This will help keep the water cleaner and require less maintenance.
Keep an eye on your pump intakes and filters. A weekly check should be done and clean them out if they are starting to get clogged.
Watch The Water Chemistry. Kits should be bought to keep track of the water quality. Much like operating a hot tub the chemistry in the water dictates how safe it is. Pond chemistry sticks should be used that properly measure for chlorine, ammonia, and chloramines. High levels of any of these chemicals can be harmful to, or kill your fish.
Watch the fish for odd behavior or sores. It can be a sign of water chemistry being off.
Use aquatic-plant fertilizer tables on your potted plants each month of the summer. This helps keep them healthy and growing well.
If your yard is prone to pests on the plants use non toxic methods to control them. Algae can grow out of control if you don’t control it. Use a long-handled bristle brush, pole, or rake to get rid of your algae.

Fall Backyard Pond Maintenance

Fall is known for falling leaves, and decaying leaves in your pond raise ammonia levels. If you only have a few trees and can skim the leaves out of your pond with a net or skimmer you should be fine. If you have a lot of trees near the pond a net should be set in place. They can be bought inexpensively and secured in place with tent spikes, bricks or rocks.
Cut back on the feeding of your fish. Once the water reaches 50°F stop feeding your fish entirely. During the winter digestion in fish enters an almost hibernation like state. The amount they need to eat is more than supplied by bugs and other things they can find naturally in the pond.
Take any plants that won’t cope well with colder temperatures. Arizona rarely has serious freezes. But plants that won’t survive cooler nights should be brought in.

Winter Backyard Pond Maintenance

In Arizona freezes are not common. However if there is a freeze coming, clear your water lines and any pond fountains.

Pond Cleaning

How To Clean A Pond

If you are searching for “how to clean a pond“, this post by The Backyard Pond can help! It doesn’t matter how hard you try, you will have to clean your pond at some point. Cleaning your pond can greatly increase the lifetime of your pond (and your Koi fish, if you have them) and let you enjoy it for years to come.

Cleaning Your Pond

There will come a time that you will need to clean your pond. You may be preparing your pond for the summer or winter, or maybe you been a little lax on the upkeep and maintenance. There are steps you can take to clean your pond and make it look “newish”. A clean pond gives a new environment for the bacteria in your biological filter and fresh water for the fish. The amount of cleaning required will usually depend on the size of your pond and location of it.

Remove Your Koi Fish From Your Pond

This is far from a clean job, so you shouldn’t wear your Sunday best. Take into account you’re going get dirty, the smell may be unbearable and it might be a bit cold. You’re going to need a fine mesh aquarium net, a garden hose with a spray adapter, and a holding tank (if you plan on removing your fish) big enough to store your fish while cleaning out your pond. You also may need to use a pond vacuum, pond cleaning gloves, if you have access to them.

If your pond is a smaller one, you can simply scoop your Koi out with the aquarium net to transfer them into the holding tank. If you have a larger Koi pond, it might be simpler to just let the fish be. If you do plan on removing them, fill the holding tank with pond water from you pond so an abrupt change in water temperature or water quality won’t shock your fish.

Get Rid Of Surface Debris

More often than not you’re going to see an assortment of sticks and leaves floating on the surface of the pond. Use the net to scoop out all of the debris. This is an easy part but don’t think this is it, you’re far from done. You’re going to get messy soon enough.

Drain The Koi Pond

Use a pond pump to drain the water out of the pond. If you leave your fish in the pond, you clearly don’t want to pump out all of the pond water.

Draining will expose the sides of the pond and makes it a lot easier to remove the algae and other gunk. Depending on the type and strength of your pond pump and the size of your pond, it could take a couple of minutes or in some cases longer than an hour.

Make sure to send the pond water to an area in your yard that has really good drainage. Also try and take at least an hour-long break after you drain the pond and let the sun to dry out the newly revealed algae.

Remove Any Pond Plants and Any Accessories

Remove the pond pump, pond plants and anything else that can be removed. Remove any water lilies and other pond plants in autumn, if you still have plants in your pond at the beginning of spring, take them out too. Use the garden hose and an old toothbrush to really clean all the accessories and their hard to reach places. This is an ideal time to clean or replace the filter on your pond pump. Some pumps have a mesh bag, I yours does simply spray it off with your hose.

Clean the Pump

Now is a great time to clean out your pond’s pump. There are various different types of algae that can thrive in your ponds’ ecosystem. While some of it is valuable for the pond and a natural part of its ecosystem, while string algae is not. You’ll know when you are seeing string algae if it’s stringy, clearly, and if you are capable of just pulling it out of your pond. It tends to stick to bottom of ponds and grow upwards in long strands. They get caught up in your pump and other mechanical systems very easily, and the best and easiest way to clean it is to take the pump out and physically clear away the algae. You can use a brush to scrub any growth on the outside of the casing, but if any sting algae has gotten inside, you will need to take out the pump from the pond altogether.

Get In There And Clean Your Backyard Pond

Use a hose with a spray attachment and forcefully spray away the algae growth on the sides of the Koi pond. Be sure to spray the waterfall and the rocks that line the outside of the pond.

Then, use the net to scoop out the muck and sludge that’s been sitting at the bottom of the pond. This is going to be the messy part. You’re likely to come across a lot of smelly slime, partially decayed plant material and maybe even an incidental lizard or fish.

Once you are done cleaning the pond, it’s time to put the pond back together. Connect the pond pump back up, and replace all of your pond plants and accessories.

Fill The Pond Back Up

Use the garden hose to refill the pond to the desired water level you like. Once the pond is full, turn on the pump and let the water to circulate for a couple of minutes. Most likely you’re going to use tap water. Tap water has chlorine in it, so you may have to add a dechlorinator to safeguard the fish.

Add Your Fish

The new, fresh water in your pond is more likely colder than the water in the holding tank, so give your fish a little time to acclimate. To protect your fish you will want to dump some of the water out of the holding tank and replace it with the new pond water, and repeat the process a number of times.

Phoenix, Arizona Koi Pond

If you already have a Koi pond or if you are thinking about installing a pond and would like a little help or advice with budgeting and design considerations, talk to the Phoenix Koi Pond Experts in Peoria, AZ at The Backyard Pond. Call us today at 623-878-6695 and see what we can do for you.

How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix, AZ

How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix

Having a pond in your backyard is a great centerpiece of your landscaping. However without proper maintenance it can become the monster lurking in your yard. Here are a set of steps for how to maintain a backyard pond.

Elements of a Backyard Pond

The type of maintenance required for each pond is different, partly because different yards will have more or less trees, sunlight, and other variables. Even different styles and materials the ponds are made with will mean more or less cleaning. Most ponds share common elements, here are a few of them.

Pond Edge Materials – The edges of most ponds are lined with an edging material. Usually concrete pavers or even stones are lined between the water and the rest of your landscape. This isn’t just for a great aesthetic look, but helps prevent contamination. The water running off your lawn may be fertilized. The chemicals found in lawn fertilizer are not good for these ponds, especially if you have Koi fish.

Pond Liners – The soil in your yard is meant to drain water away from the roots of your plants. When you have a pond you generally want to keep the water where you put it, and a PVC or rubber liner is how we get the job done.

Pond Sand Bases – Before the liner goes down a layer of sand is laid. This is so that your liner has a soft even place to rest. Without this you might have sharp rocks that will pierce your liner and leak your water.

Seasonal Backyard Pond Maintenance Routines

Depending on the size of your pond you will require more or less often maintenance. It might seem crazy but the larger ponds are actually easier to take care of. This is because they can cope with changes to chemistry and ecology. Here we have listed out the ways to take care of your backyard pond in each season.

Spring Backyard Pond Maintenance

If your liner has more than an inch of debris or muck you are going to need to drain the pond and hose off the liner. Cleaning the bottom of the pond keeps your filters and pumps working, and makes them last longer.
While you have the pond drained it is a good chance to look for any potential leaks. Limbs or branches from trees can fall and pierce the liner of your pond. Pond liner repair kits are inexpensive and effective. This will prevent water from leaking out, or contaminants under your liner from entering your ecosystem.
Replace the filter and make sure the pump is working. Replace any piece of your pump or filtration system that isn’t working.
Top off the water level in your pond. Do so by placing the water trickling into the bottom of the pond. This helps stir up the minimum amount of debris.
Get rid of any debris or leaves from the pond. This debris as it decomposes releases harmful chemicals into ponds. The Nitrate levels need to be controlled for these close ecosystems.
Consider adding some plants to help increase the level of oxygen in the water. In addition to aeration of the water from falling water you can put oxygenating aquatic plants into your pond.
If you have potted plants you can divide them. This keeps them growing well and getting bigger.
Switch the feed you are using for your fish in the spring. You will want to make sure that you are using a high-carbohydrate type food. This will help them increase activity.
After all potential for frost has passed you can add any submerged or potted plants to your pond. If you install them too early you run the risk of algae getting out of control.

Summer Backyard Pond Maintenance

Stay on top of the water level. Letting the water get too long concentrates salt in the water and is harmful to the fish, pond, pump and filtration system. Try to add a little every week or two instead of having to add large amounts every month.
Plants grow best in the summer and can get out of control. It’s important to remove dead leaves to keep the water clean. Plants or flowers that are overgrowing should also be trimmed back. This will help keep the water cleaner and require less maintenance.
Keep an eye on your pump intakes and filters. A weekly check should be done and clean them out if they are starting to get clogged.
Watch The Water Chemistry. Kits should be bought to keep track of the water quality. Much like operating a hot tub the chemistry in the water dictates how safe it is. Pond chemistry sticks should be used that properly measure for chlorine, ammonia, and chloramines. High levels of any of these chemicals can be harmful to, or kill your fish.
Watch the fish for odd behavior or sores. It can be a sign of water chemistry being off.
Use aquatic-plant fertilizer tables on your potted plants each month of the summer. This helps keep them healthy and growing well.
If your yard is prone to pests on the plants use non toxic methods to control them. Algae can grow out of control if you don’t control it. Use a long-handled bristle brush, pole, or rake to get rid of your algae.

Fall Backyard Pond Maintenance

Fall is known for falling leaves, and decaying leaves in your pond raise ammonia levels. If you only have a few trees and can skim the leaves out of your pond with a net or skimmer you should be fine. If you have a lot of trees near the pond a net should be set in place. They can be bought inexpensively and secured in place with tent spikes, bricks or rocks.
Cut back on the feeding of your fish. Once the water reaches 50°F stop feeding your fish entirely. During the winter digestion in fish enters an almost hibernation like state. The amount they need to eat is more than supplied by bugs and other things they can find naturally in the pond.
Take any plants that won’t cope well with colder temperatures. Arizona rarely has serious freezes. But plants that won’t survive cooler nights should be brought in.

Winter Backyard Pond Maintenance

In Arizona freezes are not common. However if there is a freeze coming, clear your water lines and any pond fountains.

Backyard Maintenance Ideas

Backyard Maintenance Ideas Having a pond in your backyard is a great centerpiece of your landscaping. However without proper maintenance it can become the monster lurking in your yard. Here are a set of steps for how to maintain a backyard pond.

Elements of a Backyard Pond

The type of maintenance required for each pond is different, partly because different yards will have more or less trees, sunlight, and other variables. Even different styles and materials the ponds are made with will mean more or less cleaning. Most ponds share common elements, here are a few of them.

Pond Edge Materials – The edges of most ponds are lined with an edging material. Usually concrete pavers or even stones are lined between the water and the rest of your landscape. This isn’t just for a great aesthetic look, but helps prevent contamination. The water running off your lawn may be fertilized. The chemicals found in lawn fertilizer are not good for these ponds, especially if you have Koi fish.

Pond Liners – The soil in your yard is meant to drain water away from the roots of your plants. When you have a pond you generally want to keep the water where you put it, and a PVC or rubber liner is how we get the job done.

Pond Sand Bases – Before the liner goes down a layer of sand is laid. This is so that your liner has a soft even place to rest. Without this you might have sharp rocks that will pierce your liner and leak your water.

Seasonal Backyard Pond Maintenance Routines

Depending on the size of your pond you will require more or less often maintenance. It might seem crazy but the larger ponds are actually easier to take care of. This is because they can cope with changes to chemistry and ecology. Here we have listed out the ways to take care of your backyard pond in each season.

Spring Backyard Pond Maintenance

If your liner has more than an inch of debris or muck you are going to need to drain the pond and hose off the liner. Cleaning the bottom of the pond keeps your filters and pumps working, and makes them last longer.
While you have the pond drained it is a good chance to look for any potential leaks. Limbs or branches from trees can fall and pierce the liner of your pond. Pond liner repair kits are inexpensive and effective. This will prevent water from leaking out, or contaminants under your liner from entering your ecosystem.
Replace the filter and make sure the pump is working. Replace any piece of your pump or filtration system that isn’t working.
Top off the water level in your pond. Do so by placing the water trickling into the bottom of the pond. This helps stir up the minimum amount of debris.
Get rid of any debris or leaves from the pond. This debris as it decomposes releases harmful chemicals into ponds. The Nitrate levels need to be controlled for these close ecosystems.
Consider adding some plants to help increase the level of oxygen in the water. In addition to aeration of the water from falling water you can put oxygenating aquatic plants into your pond.
If you have potted plants you can divide them. This keeps them growing well and getting bigger.
Switch the feed you are using for your fish in the spring. You will want to make sure that you are using a high-carbohydrate type food. This will help them increase activity.
After all potential for frost has passed you can add any submerged or potted plants to your pond. If you install them too early you run the risk of algae getting out of control.

Summer Backyard Pond Maintenance

Stay on top of the water level. Letting the water get too long concentrates salt in the water and is harmful to the fish, pond, pump and filtration system. Try to add a little every week or two instead of having to add large amounts every month.
Plants grow best in the summer and can get out of control. It’s important to remove dead leaves to keep the water clean. Plants or flowers that are overgrowing should also be trimmed back. This will help keep the water cleaner and require less maintenance.
Keep an eye on your pump intakes and filters. A weekly check should be done and clean them out if they are starting to get clogged.
Watch The Water Chemistry. Kits should be bought to keep track of the water quality. Much like operating a hot tub the chemistry in the water dictates how safe it is. Pond chemistry sticks should be used that properly measure for chlorine, ammonia, and chloramines. High levels of any of these chemicals can be harmful to, or kill your fish.
Watch the fish for odd behavior or sores. It can be a sign of water chemistry being off.
Use aquatic-plant fertilizer tables on your potted plants each month of the summer. This helps keep them healthy and growing well.
If your yard is prone to pests on the plants use non toxic methods to control them. Algae can grow out of control if you don’t control it. Use a long-handled bristle brush, pole, or rake to get rid of your algae.

Fall Backyard Pond Maintenance

Fall is known for falling leaves, and decaying leaves in your pond raise ammonia levels. If you only have a few trees and can skim the leaves out of your pond with a net or skimmer you should be fine. If you have a lot of trees near the pond a net should be set in place. They can be bought inexpensively and secured in place with tent spikes, bricks or rocks.
Cut back on the feeding of your fish. Once the water reaches 50°F stop feeding your fish entirely. During the winter digestion in fish enters an almost hibernation like state. The amount they need to eat is more than supplied by bugs and other things they can find naturally in the pond.
Take any plants that won’t cope well with colder temperatures. Arizona rarely has serious freezes. But plants that won’t survive cooler nights should be brought in.

Winter Backyard Pond Maintenance

In Arizona freezes are not common. However if there is a freeze coming, clear your water lines and any pond fountains.

Raising Goldfish In A Backyard Pond

Raising Goldfish In A Backyard Pond

A backyard pond, especially one with aquatic plants and fish, such as koi or the less expensive but equally colorful goldfish, adds appeal to your landscape. The Wakin goldfish, a Chinese native, can reach 18 inches in length and, like koi, is a friendly fish, especially around feeding time. In a pond, the comet goldfish, a more common species, can grow to be 6 to 10 inches long. Some kinds can be left in the pond over the winter, while others must be taken inside. Goldfish can live for more than a decade if they are properly cared for. To maintain its inhabitants healthy, a goldfish pond requires regular maintenance.

Make sure you have a good filtration system in place. Filtration is required to remove part of the waste produced by the fish, as well as the decomposition of plant matter in the water. Every few weeks, clean the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Goldfish are vulnerable to ammonia and nitrate buildup in pond water due to insufficient filtering. Every other day, check the water for nitrates. Nitrate levels in goldfish culture should ideally be nil. High waste product levels can also be produced by having too many goldfish in your pond — each goldfish should have about 3 to 4 square feet of water surface, assuming the fish are of average size – about 6 to 10 inches.

Use plants to cover around 75 percent of the pond’s surface to reduce algae production. This will block sunlight from reaching the water’s surface, encouraging algae development. Some algicides are poisonous to goldfish, therefore don’t use it in a pond with them. Water plants provide shade, which keeps the pond water from becoming too heated. The temperature of the pond water should be between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for goldfish to grow.

Skim the pond for leaves and debris on a regular basis. Algae have no feeding source if dead organic debris is removed every few days. Algae in a pond not only looks unappealing, but it also depletes oxygen levels in the water, which goldfish require to survive.

Feed your pond’s fish with goldfish food prepared exclusively for them, as directed on the package. Don’t overeat. Goldfish metabolism speeds up in the summer, when the pond water temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can be fed twice a day safely. Food that isn’t consumed pollutes the pond.

Fertilize your pond plants according to the instructions for each species of plant. Water lilies (Nymphaea), for example, need fertilizer on a regular basis to thrive. Trim or divide any plant material that appears to be overgrown or unhealthy on a regular basis. Healthy plants give your pond’s goldfish areas to hide from predators like raccoons and blue herons, as well as to escape the sun’s heat.

During the hot, dry summer months, top off the pond’s water to repair evaporation losses. The goldfish will be stressed if there isn’t enough water, making them more prone to sickness. The water must be chlorinated before being added to the pond, or the fish may perish. Before adding water to the pond, dissolve dechlorinator tablets in buckets of water according to package guidelines.

Maintenance in the Winter

Check to see whether you have a goldfish that can stay outside in the winter. Some varieties demand warmer temperatures than those seen in most parts of the country during the winter. Comet goldfish, for example, require water temperatures of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas wakin goldfish can stay in the pond as long as there is an air hole. Make a hole in the ice or use a pond heater to keep the pond open when the surface freezes over. A hole in the surface ice, in either case, permits gases to escape. In addition, winterize the pond by turning off the filtration system and relocating plants to the deepest part of the pond. Do not add food to the water at this time since goldfish that endure cold will hibernate at the bottom of the tank in a dormant state.

If your pond is going to freeze solid, bring your goldfish and plants indoors. If your goldfish needs to come indoors, provide them with a dechlorinated indoor habitat. Remove the plants, pot and all, from the water and bring them inside.

Throughout the winter, keep removing debris from the pond on a regular basis.

Growing Water Lilies

Water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) are beautiful and functional additions to any landscape pool or pond. Read on to learn more.

They’re used by fish as hiding spots from predators and as shade retreats from the harsh summer heat. Plants in a pond help keep the water clean and aerated, which means you’ll spend less time maintaining it. Let’s look at how to care for a water lily. There are two varieties of water lily plants: Hardy – Hardy plants thrive in colder locations where the water freezes during the winter. Hardy individuals will emerge the next spring as long as their roots are below the freezing point of the water. Tropical — In all but the warmest climates, tropical water lilies cannot thrive in cold water and must be taken indoors for the winter. Many growers consider them annuals, replanting them every year. Otherwise, remove them from the pond before the first freeze, clean them up, and keep them in a pail of damp sand in a cool basement. Day bloomers and night bloomers are two different types of tropical water lily plants. With only the moonlight to highlight them, white night bloomers look stunning, but blues, purples, reds, and pinks are difficult to see in the dark. Unless the pond is illuminated by artificial light at night, stay away from these hues. The Best Way to Grow a Water Lily

Adjust the depth of the pot in the pond to the depth advised for your individual variety. The majority of plans ask for a depth of 6 to 18 inches (15-46 cm.). You can enhance the depth of the pot by laying it on top of rocks if necessary.

Water Lily Maintenance

Water lilies are simple to care for once they’ve been planted. In truth, most don’t take much attention other than dividing them every three or four years to avoid them from expanding into undesirable locations.

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Koi Pond Plants

If you’re searching “Best Pond Plants for Koi” you’re either planning a new Koi pond or thinking about how to make your existing pond better. Either way choosing the right plants for your Koi pond in Arizona will make it more visually stunning and preserve the health of the Koi fish.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Koi Pont Plants

When introducing plant life into your koi pond, it can assist with improving the pond life of koi’s. In addition, it can provide aesthetics to your pond.

Owners of koi must ensure that the correct aquatic plants are chosen for the koi pond to co-exist harmoniously with koi’s. Also, make sure that the plant placement is properly conducted and use vegetation which the koi will simply eat.

Benefits of using aquatic plants within a koi pond

When it comes to aquatic plants, they are thought to be a great part of a koi pond. Aquatic plants can assist with increasing the production of oxygen in water, maintaining the pond with proper aeration for koi’s. In addition, just their presence can help keep water cooler as it provides the koi a shaded area. The submerged plants also act as an important surface during spring breeding season for female koi, as they attach fertilized eggs to the plants.

Keeping Water Cleaner

Meanwhile, the plants can prevent spreading of algae, helping to keep it under control. The shade that plants provide lowers the light that reaches the pond, thus limiting the photosynthesis of algae. Plants provide a natural filtration for preventing string algae, known as blanket weeds to form. This is done mostly by absorbing the nitrates that can be harmful and result in the formation.

Tips to introduce plant life to koi

When it comes to introducing your koi and plants, is by using a plant shelf. Plant shelfs can be installed on the edge of a pond. It is a container which you can plant water plants. It is suggested that plants are weighed down with large rocks or stones so it creates a barrier between the plants and base, and the koi to prevent risks of plants being ate by koi. Also, it is important that pond owners are aware that shelves are used by predators such as raccoons, to feed on the koi.

Although, you can position aquatic plants directly in the pond. When choosing the aquatic plants to place in your pond, there are many options available. There are three main categories that pond plants can be categorized as, discussed below:

Floating plants
Shallow water marsh plants
Submerged Plants

An alternative for introducing aquatic plants to a pond is vegetative filters. Using this system, plants grow in a different containment area, which connects to the main pond. The purpose of the plants is to provide a natural filtration system when water from the pond travels into and out of the contained region. Therefore, providing the benefits of filtration of an aquatic plant system, without the risks of koi dislodging or eating pond plants.

Floating Plants

This form of pond plant is able to be free floating with the main vegetation being on the surface and roots hanging below, unattached or there can be plants where roots attach to muddy bottoms. The overall benefit is that they are easier to take care of, providing enough shade for the koi while competing with algae for the needed nutrients and reduce sunlight that assists in algae growth. In addition, the plants remove nitrogen that exists in the water, along with phosphates which makes them a great filtering system.

Water Hyacinth in a Koi Pond

Water Hyacinth in a Koi Pond The water hyacinth are popular options for floating plants. It is a species that’ annual in colder areas of North America, but in warmer regions it is perennial. They can produce blue or purple flowers, with roots forming a ‘nest’ compacted under them. They provide an excellent filtering system to remove excess nutrients.

Water Lettuce in a Koi Pond

Water Lettuce in a Koi Pond This is another free floating plant that is popular. Water lettuce is more warm/tropic climate plant which develops compact leaf clusters above the surface, while developing compact root mass under the plant.

Water Lilies in a Koi Pond

Water Lilies in a Koi Pond With floating plants that have attached roots, water lilies are the most popular option for a koi pond owner, and can be the best option from any type of aquatic plant. The water lilies do good in nearly any region of North America, no matter the season and are able to be potted and positioned at the bottom of ponds. Above the surface, pond owners get a view of pleasant leafy coverage that produces beautiful flowers to accent any pond design.

Lotus in a Koi Pond

Lotus in a Koi Pond With a similar appearance to water lilies, a lotus is among the oldest aquatic plants cultivated, making an excellent part to a koi pond. Usually, their leaves are large, and can measure up to 18-inches across. This provides a great amount of shade for koi during summer months. Commonly confused with the water lilies, a lotus flower is fragrant and beautiful. Although, it needs to be noted that lotus flowers do have substantial growth rates, and best for a larger koi pond.

Water Poppy in a Koi Pond

Water Poppy in a Koi Pond The water poppy produces smaller oval leaves with yellow flowers. They are a good option for a koi pond and grow rather fast during summer. It can provide a nice yellow accent to ponds, while providing a filtering system.

Shallow Water Marsh Plants

These plants can be planted partially submerged in the shallow march water at the edge of your pond to give your backyard pond a more natural look.

Umbrella Plants

These aquatic plants are tropical and do god in shallow water. If you live in a colder climate, they should be kept inside during the winter months. Umbrella plants have leaves with an umbrella shape on the end of longer stalks.

Water Iris in a Koi Pond

Water Iris in a Koi Pond Another favorite for koi pond owners is the water iris, as there are several pieces to choose from. They provide a long sharp leaf, and based on the species can produce different color flowers, from white, blue, or yellow. Typically, these plants are placed in pots which are submerged in the water. The majority of water iris will survive in partial or full sun, which is good for those that have tree coverage.

Horsetail in a Koi Pond

Horsetail in a Koi Pond This is aplant that is quick to grow and produces slender green stems. It’s best positioned on a peripheral section of a pond, doing best in partial shade.

Submerged plants

Generally submerged plants are grown within pots that are placed on the bottom of a koi pond. These are called the oxygenating plants in an aquatic plant class, which do amazing with removing extra nutrients, such as CO2 and nitrites from the water, while adding oxygen. However, it is good to know these type of plants is commonly uprooted by grazing koi, then eaten. They require great care to ensure they are protected.

Fanwort in a Koi Pond

One type of submergible plant is the fanwort, which is quick to grow and requires a good amount of light. This oxygenator plant I able to grow an inch daily. Using cuttings, it can be propagated.

American Waterweed (Elodea) in a Koi Pond

This species of plant does decent with silty pond substrates. With an exception of a small white flower which blooms above the surface, they are fully submerged. This plant is great with using dissolved CO2 while providing koi with cover, especially smaller koi. There is time when the leafy stalks break and will float off, and take root in another area of the pond. They do well with a milder climate.

Water Purslane (Ludwigia) in a Koi Pond

The Ludwigia family has many species, but Red Ludwigia is a nice option for koi ponds, as it grow quickly and works as an oxygenator. Pond owners can plant it for a submerged plant or allow it to float on the surface. With reddish or purple leaves, they produce small flowers. Usually they do well with plenty of direct sun light.

Phoenix Valley Pond Plants For Sale

Koi Fish Life Expectancy

Koi Fish Lifespan

Koi fish have amazingly diverse patterns and colors and they have a very long lifespan ranging from 20 to over 200 years old but averaging around fifty years You can count the rings on their scales to determine their age! Read on to learn more.

Koi fish have not always decorated ponds; they were originally bred for food in Japan. A few of these colorful koi impressed their breeders so much they became highly regarded. This began their journey into ponds around the world.

Seeing large brilliantly colored koi fish inspired me to look into keeping them myself. Before I purchased a koi fish, life expectancy was a serious consideration, and it should be yours as well. Their life span determines the ownership commitment, which is crucial to ensuring that you will be able to give your koi a lifelong home.

Factors Impacting Lifespan

Genetics
Nutrition
Water Quality and Environment
Wintering
Genetics

Nutrition

Koi need a healthy diet to live a long life. But what is the best food for koi fish? Always read the label of any food you consider purchasing, and look for the following ingredients:

Protein. The first ingredient should be either fish meal or soy.
Fats. Young koi need 10% fats and adults need 3% fats in their diet.
Carbohydrates. Look for rose hips, soybeans, corn, or wheat in the first 5 ingredients.
Vitamins and minerals. Koi need calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

Outdoor Pond Tips

Most people keep koi in outdoor ponds due to their size. When designing their pond, consider the following:

Bigger is better. Your koi fish will grow quickly; make sure they have room to grow.
Sunlight. While ponds need some sunlight, too much sunlight will cause koi to overheat and encourages algae growth.
Depth. Koi ponds should be at least 5 feet deep. Be sure to check where power lines are buried on your property before digging.
Predators. Outdoor ponds must be protected against predators who like to eat fish.

Source: https://thewittyfish.com/how-long-do-koi-fish-live/

Koi Fish For Sale In Arizona

Phoenix’s best choice in Koi fish is located conveniently in Peoria Arizona. The Backyard Pond has everything you need to start, maintain, and upgrade your backyard ponds. From the liner and aquatic plants to the Koi fish themselves we can help you get your dream Koi pond started. Stop by our store or give us a call to get your questions answered.