Tag: algae

Backyard Pond Creation Schedule.

Creating and maintaining a backyard pond can be a rewarding project. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to help ensure that you cover all the essential aspects of pond installation and care:

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Planning and Design

  1. Determine Purpose and Size:
    • Decide if the pond will be for aesthetic purposes, wildlife habitat, or recreational use.
    • Choose an appropriate size based on available space and intended use.
  2. Location:
    • Select a location that receives a balance of sunlight and shade.
    • Ensure the site is away from large trees to minimize leaf litter and root interference.
  3. Check Local Regulations:
    • Verify if any permits or regulations apply to pond construction in your area.
  4. Budget:
    • Plan your budget, considering costs for excavation, liner, filtration, plants, and maintenance.

Materials and Equipment

  1. Pond Liner:
    • Choose between flexible liners (e.g., EPDM or PVC) or pre-formed liners.
  2. Pond Pump:
    • Select a pump that suits the size of your pond and includes a filtration system.
  3. Water Filtration System:
    • Decide between mechanical, biological, or UV filters, depending on the pond’s needs.
  4. Pond Skimmer:
    • Install a skimmer to remove debris from the pond’s surface.
  5. Water Heater (Optional):
    • In colder climates, consider a heater to prevent freezing and maintain fish health.

Installation

  1. Excavation:
    • Dig the pond to the desired depth and shape, including shelves for plants.
  2. Install Liner:
    • Lay and secure the pond liner, ensuring it is smooth and covers the entire excavation area.
  3. Add Equipment:
    • Install the pump, filter, and skimmer according to manufacturer instructions.
  4. Add Water:
    • Fill the pond with water, allowing it to settle and adjust the liner as necessary.
  5. Install Edging:
    • Use stones or other materials to create a natural edge around the pond.

Adding Plants and Wildlife

  1. Aquatic Plants:
    • Choose a mix of submerged, marginal, and floating plants to provide oxygen, shade, and habitat.
    • Plant in appropriate areas: shallow shelves for marginal plants and deeper areas for submerged plants.
  2. Fish and Wildlife:
    • Select fish species that are compatible with your pond’s climate and size.
    • Consider adding beneficial microorganisms to help establish a balanced ecosystem.
  3. Water Treatments:
    • Use water conditioners to neutralize chlorine and other harmful chemicals.
    • Regularly test water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates).

Maintenance

  1. Regular Cleaning:
    • Remove debris and leaves from the pond surface and skimmer.
    • Clean the filter and pump as needed.
  2. Monitor Water Levels:
    • Check water levels regularly and top up as needed to compensate for evaporation.
  3. Check Water Quality:
    • Test and adjust water parameters to maintain a healthy environment for plants and fish.
  4. Winter Care:
    • In colder climates, prepare the pond for winter by removing leaves, reducing feeding, and ensuring ice does not form completely over the surface.
  5. Inspect Equipment:
    • Regularly check and maintain all pond equipment to ensure proper functioning.

Safety and Aesthetics

  1. Safety Measures:
    • Ensure the pond is safe for children and pets, possibly adding a barrier or cover if necessary.
  2. Lighting:
    • Install pond lights to enhance the appearance of the pond at night.
  3. Decorative Elements:
    • Consider adding features such as a waterfall, fountain, or decorative stones to enhance the pond’s aesthetic appeal.
  4. Wildlife Considerations:
    • Provide a safe habitat for local wildlife and prevent the pond from attracting pests.

By following this checklist, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable backyard pond experience.

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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.

623-878-6695
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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.
623-878-6695
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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.

623-878-6695
Get a Quote

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.
623-878-6695
Get a Quote

Backyard Maintenance Ideas

Backyard Maintenance IdeasHaving 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.

623-878-6695
Get a Quote

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.
623-878-6695
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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.

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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.

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How To Maintain A Backyard Pond In Phoenix

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.

623-878-6695
Get a Quote

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.
623-878-6695
Get a Quote