Ponds Archives | Page 4 of 7 | Colorado Pond Pros

Pond Care While Traveling

How will you care for your pond while traveling? It is very important to set up everything before you go. Here are some tips for a worry-free trip:

1. Circulation – Make sure to let the pump run while you are gone to assist with oxygenation and circulation. Stagnant ponds just get gross!
2. Filters – Clean all filters, flush canister filters (if you have them) and remove any dead plants before you leave.
3. Predators – If you have had any problem with herons or other predators, set up a net over the pond.
4. Feeding the fish – Put in some slow-release fish food. Basically, the fish will do best if consistency in their feeding schedule is kept. If you have a human feeding them, make sure they understand NOT to overfeed them. I feel like this last sentence should be in all caps, but I don’t want to yell. Consider giving them a measuring cup with the correct amount of food marked for your fish and tell them to use that, and even if the fish tell them they are STARVING not to feed them more (cause they lie).

5. Pump Safety – Install a Pump Safety Switch – this is a little gizmo that will turn off your pump if the water gets too low, ensuring that your pump will not burn out! If you have a neighbor who could come by and just peek in at the pond each day, just ask them to Listen to make sure the pump is not making a weird sound. Want to read more about a pump safety switch? Click HERE.
6. Bacteria – Put in an Autodose to have beneficial bacteria consistently going into the pond. Want to read more about beneficial bacteria and how often to use it? Click HERE.
7. Water Level – If you have a house sitter, ask them to pay attention to the level of the pond in case it suddenly develops a leak (Leave them detoxifier in case they need to put water in).

If the pond has been running well for the last month, chances are it will run well for another month. Pond care while traveling is essential. If you need some assistance, we can also do a mid-travel check. Just let us know!

Our Friend – Pickerel Rush

Don’t let the name of this plant fool you! Pickerel Rush (or weed) has showy purple (or pink or white) flower spikes and is a great plant for the pond. It blooms from June to October and is hardy in zones 3 to 10.

Grown in full sun to part shade it offers sweet nectar that attracts butterflies and bees! They can grow up to 3 feet tall, so placement on the back side of the pond is best so the view from the sitting area isn’t blocked.

They can’t tolerate full shade and should be planted in heavy, rich soil. Adding top soil to potting mix works well. The pot should be placed so that the soil line is just at water level or a little above it.

Fish love to hang out under the leaves that will surely float on top of the water and dragonflies love it too!

BENEFICIAL BACTERIA – 5 Things to Know

It’s Found Naturally

Beneficial bacteria is part of a natural ecosystem. There are thousands of naturally occurring strains of bacteria in ponds. Some bacteria consumes organic material. Some bacteria consumes nitrogen in the pond. Without it, algae will run rampant in your pond.

HAVE THE RIGHT SURFACE AREA – Beneficial bacteria needs surface area in the form of nooks and crannies to colonize and help keep the pond beautiful. 3/4” gravel that is about 1 1/2″ deep (not more than 2 inches!) on the bottom of the pond and between the bigger rocks is perfect for beneficial bacteria.
ADD THE RIGHT AMOUNT – Know the gallons in your pond and read the directions on the bacteria container before adding it.
STORE IT CORRECTLY – Bacteria needs to be stored inside. Freezing or overheating can kill the liquid living bacteria, rendering it useless. Liquid bacteria works more quickly, but powder bacteria stores more easily and works very well when added regularly.

koi pond — Not sure how to find the gallons in your pond? Call us with a measurement of the widest part of the pond and the longest length (not the waterfall, just the pond) and the general length of the stream or waterfall.

ADD IT WEEKLY – This is very important. Some people add it a couple of times and stop. They call me when the algae is going crazy and they don’t know why. It has to be added consistently because the bacteria consumes organic material and nitrogen. When it’s consuming the algae can’t! But as soon as the food source is gone, the bacteria starts to die off. When nutrients enter the pond whether from fish or organic debris, it will be a food source to something. If there’s no bacteria because it died off when it’s food source was gone, then the algae will begin to grow.
KNOW WHEN TO ADD EXTRA BACTERIA – There are times when it will need a double dose:
1. After it rains. Rain naturally brings nitrogen (fertilizer) with it, feeding algae.
2. When you see algae creeping up. There are natural algae seasons that pop up no matter how religiously a pond is kept. When that happens give it a double dose.
3. When it is very hot.

Consistency is the key!

Don’t think you’ll remember to do this weekly? Call us and we can take care of your pond for you! We can also install an Autodose that keeps the bacteria dosed correctly daily.

Remember, if the pond is full of sludge, algae and decaying material, you may have to start with a cleanout and then add bacteria consistently. Bacteria alone can’t clean up a pond that has not been cared for.

Are you ready for Colorado Pond Pros to take care of your pond so you can enjoy it more? Give us a call about Regular Maintenance.

Important reasons to add water to the winter pond

While our ponds are fairly dormant during the cold winter months, they still need to be taken care of. Typically, the level of the pond should be about center, or a little higher in the skimmer opening.

1. Water evaporates even in the winter, yet we might not notice it as quickly. Putting in more water protects your pump from running dry and potentially burning out. As water turns to ice on top of the pond it can essentially lower the amount of running water available to the pump. If there are several inches of water sitting on the top of the pond in the form of ice, you may need to add water.

2. Over the winter the fish produce less ammonia but there is still some. Adding water when it has evaporated is like doing a small water change just to keep things healthy.

3. If the pond did not get a thorough fall cleaning, it may have plant debris lingering, either from lilies, leaves or other plants. As they decompose the pH level lowers, making the water more acidic. New water will help stabilize the pH.

How often should you do this? It depends on your pond, but a good rule of thumb is once a month.

Remember:

– If you are hooking up your hose to the house, make sure to take it off in case of a hard freeze. We don’t want frozen pipes!

– Put a timer on for every 15 minutes to make sure you check the water level and do not overfill the pond!

– If you are adding more than 20% of the total pond volume, you will need to add de-chlorinator for the health of the fish.

Want to read more about winter pond care? https://coloradopondpros.com/2019/10/07/protecting-pond-from-cold-weather/

winter pond koi pond backyard water feature

Protecting the pond from cold weather – 9 things to know

It is that time of year again! Protecting the pond from cold weather can be easy!

1. Continue to run the pump –

Moving water doesn’t freeze, so this will protect your pipes. You may want to turn the system off for the winter but remember that we are in Colorado and will have more beautiful weather! Turning it off for the whole season can generally wait until late November.

2. Heaters –

Heaters have one essential function – to keep a hole open in the ice for gas exchange over the winter to keep fish alive. It is probably a good idea to put in a heater Wednesday night, but specifically for Thursday night where it may get as cold as 16 degrees (according to Weatherunderground).

This Aquascape floating heater uses less electricity than other heaters because it only comes on when the temperatures are very low. That means it doesn’t use electricity during our warm days here in Colorado. The light on the top comes on when it is in use so you can be sure it is working.

3. Feeding the fish –

Don’t! Remember that when the water temperatures get down to 50 degrees that the fish’s metabolism slows down and they cannot digest food.

4. Protect your pipes –

Remember to take the hose off the spigot during these freezes so that the pipes don’t freeze. Did you know that it is not actually the freezing that causes pipes to break? It is the thawing of a frozen pipe that does it. Water contracts when it is frozen but when it thaws out it expands. The ice on the outermost part of the pipe thaws first while the middle is still frozen. This expansion does not usually have room in the pipe and that is why the pipe cracks open.

5. Plants –

The floating plants will die in this kind of weather if they haven’t already. It’s a good idea to go ahead and remove them (compost pile?) so that the organic matter doesn’t gunk up the pond over the winter. Your lily pads will probably die off too. It’s okay. They will come back next year. On a warm fall day you may want to get into the pond and trim off the lily pads and remove them and other plant materials that will only feed algae next year.

6. Aerators (bubblers) –

Aerators are great for the winter to keep a steady oxygen supply to the pond. However, they should not be placed on the very bottom of the pond because they bring in the cold air and this disturbs the water temperature. Remember that the bottom of the pond is the warmest during the winter and the fish would like it to stay this way!

7. Other Equipment –

If you have an Autodose or Iongen it is a good idea to protect them during a cold snap or remove them altogether. They can be removed for the winter and put back in the spring.

8. Ice –

You may get some ice on top of the pond or waterfall. Enjoy it! It can look so pretty! Remember that the waterfall may get some ice but the water will flow underneath it, providing oxygen to the fish and keeping movement in the pipes.

9. Lights –

Leave the pond lights on the regular timer schedule. The waterfall looks so pretty in the winter when it is iced over!

Protecting the pond from cold weather by following these guidelines or call us to winterize your pond! 303-775-0224

Did you know that we send out weather advisories (Colorado weather) regarding pond water temperatures? We do! Just sign up for our weekly emails by clicking HERE. We provide tips and information about pond, aquatic plants, fish and more each week.

To read more information about ponds click HERE.

Bees at the pond

Have you noticed bees at the pond? A great thing about having a pond in your yard is that it supports the local ecosystem. Bees need good water sources and if your pond is available to them you will see them there daily.

Bees need to pick up water for the rest of the hive. They literally take one drop of water at a time! Very shallow places are perfect for them and small gravel can even be added to shallow places to provide the perfect bee watering hole.

Bees are very specialized in their work and there are bees who are sent out only to collect water for everyone else one drop at a time!

Even floating plants and low growers can be good places for bees to get a drink.

Using wood in the pond gives a natural look and creates another potential bee beach! Did you know that carpenter bees will even create their home in soft wood? They live by themselves and are not aggressive bees. They look very similar to honeybees.

Have you ever seen a wasp in the water that looks like it is drowning? It probably isn’t. They can float right on the water to get a drink and fly off again.

Did you know bees prefer moving and clean water to stagnant water? They do! Want to read more about all things pond related? Click HERE.

Here is a lovely butterfly visiting the flowers at a pond.

pump safety switch koi pond backyard water feature

What is a pump safety switch?

A pump safety switch is a great device that turns off the pump if there is not enough water. A safety switch plugs into an outlet and the pump is plugged into a connection on the safety switch. If the safety shutoff senses there is very low water, it turns off the electricity going to it and therefore, also the pump. When aquatic pumps run dry, they can quickly burn out.

The pond should not sit low on water with the pump off for any extended period of time. Stagnant water is not good for the health of the whole system. Having this device can save the pump if the water gets too low.

If you want protect your pump while you travel, this may be the answer for you!

String Algae Creeping Up In Your Pond?

String algae is very typical in ponds during the summer months and we are getting a lot of calls about it!

You have probably heard us say “when it doubt, add more beneficial bacteria!” Why is that?

What beneficial bacteria really does

It is because beneficial bacteria consumes and converts the excess nutrients in the water that the algae is using for fuel. Specifically, beneficial bacteria converts ammonia in the pond to nitrites. Different strains of bacteria convert those nitrites into nitrates. It essentially is the by-product of conversion. The nitrates are absorbed by plants growing in the pond. We call this the Nitrogen Cycle. The variety of color and texture in leaves and flowers that aquatic plants offer are fed by these Nitrates! It is the nutrients that are leftover that are available to all sorts of ALGAE! When the beneficial bacteria and plants use all the available nutrients, then it is not available to the algae.

String algae, hair algae, filamentous algae.

Aquascape dry beneficial bacteria has 8 different strains of bacteria in it to cover all these bases. However, if you have a different brand bacteria on hand, use it!

Algae is a part of a natural pond

Algae is a natural part of a pond and having less of it is just a matter of getting the pond in balance by using beneficial bacteria and growing plants. People sometimes report that they didn’t have the problem the year before but they do now and they want to know why.

Certainly we don’t want the algae to get the upper hand, but if it pops up, it is normal. Why it came up this year versus last year is basic: there were excess nutrients in the pond.

But bacteria didn’t help my pond.

I have heard some people say that they have tried that but it didn’t work so they stopped putting it in.

That would be like saying I put water on my dry lawn but it still looks dry. The water didn’t work so I stopped watering it. Bacteria needs to be added weekly and more when it rains or is very hot, and when algae is finding lots of extra nutrients available.

Solutions

1. Find ways to lower the nutrients in the pond. How often are you feeding the fish? You may be able to cut that in half. They munch on algae too. We all like to feed our fish and the more we feed them, the more nutrients are in the pond. If you want to talk about how often you are feeding them, give me a call.

2. Find a way to use up more of the nutrients in the pond. Add plants! Remember that putting a new small plant in will not fix the problem. Planning ahead and allowing a variety of plants with multiple colors and textures will help use up more nutrients and they will grow to mature plants in a couple of seasons. Make sure you get Zone 5 plants so they will overwinter here in Colorado.

3. Provide more shade for your pond. More plants add more shade. Lilies are great for shade! However, if your pond is too deep or too shallow for lilies, floating plants are a great option. There are floating islands, hyacinth and water lettuce that readily propagate on their own. They do not overwinter but provide great shade in the meantime. If they tend to go into the skimmer, tie them to a rock with some fishing line – you will hardly be able to see it. They use up excess nutrients too!

Another way to provide shade is simply to put up shade. We have a patio umbrella that we move in place to give the pond more shade.

4. Use an Iongen. An Iongen releases copper ions into the water and they adhere to the string algae. This kills off the string algae. Caution must be taken as the Iongen will hurt floating plants and potentially fish. Make sure that if you have fish you follow the directions exactly and keep it set at a low level.

5. Follow the above advice and also remove the algae using a long-handled flat brush. A little every day can help as you get the pond in balance.

Remember that there is no magic wand when it comes to nature. Help get your pond in balance by following the advice above. Once the pond is in balance, algae won’t be so much of an issue.

Liner or concrete pond?

When you are ready to put a pond into your yard, there are things to consider before that first shovelful of dirt comes out. We will take a look at one aspect of planning for a pond: Liner or concrete?

Here at Colorado Pond Pros, we receive calls about all sorts of ponds. One of the typical calls I get is a call for help with a leaky pond. Often someone has a beautiful pond that they have loved for years but it is now leaking and it’s concrete.

One of our most common jobs is to remove a concrete pond and rebuild it using liner, rocks and gravel. We actually specialize in building ponds that have a natural look – like one that you may walk up to on a Colorado mountain hike. We help these man-made ponds become balanced ecosystems. Why work against Mother Nature? Let’s work with her!

There are certainly concrete ponds that exist that people have enjoyed for a long time. However, they do not lend themselves to being a low maintenance ecosystem pond. The freeze and thaw cycle here in Colorado is really hard on concrete. We have strong sun in the summer, dry weather and then freezing cold! The earth settles and the support under a concrete pond can change. These factors lead to eventual leaks.

Ponds that have a 40 mil epdm liner aren’t as susceptible to these type of issues. When a liner pond is losing water, low liner can be found and pulled up. Even if there is a small tear in liner, it can be patched. Often the liner just needs to be pulled up and supported. When liner is protected from the elements by rocks and gravel, it can last for decades.

The word on concrete

A very nice customer called the other day about a cleanout. She and her husband had built their own pond and had used liner. A few minutes later she mentioned that they were the owners of a local concrete company. I asked her why they had chosen not to build a concrete pond. She told me that while concrete is great for a variety of things, that over time it will crack in a pond situation. I asked her about some type of sealant to repair a concrete pond and she said that while sealant is great in many cases, it is not a good solution in a pond.

Natural looking ponds

It was really great to hear her thoughts on concrete. We know that using boulders to create a natural look is really difficult in a concrete situation. Rocks not only give a natural look, but when we add 3/4″ gravel in the bottom (not too deep) then we are giving beneficial bacteria a place to colonize. Read more about beneficial bacteria HERE (spoiler alert: it helps keep a pond looking good!)

Plants are a fantastic natural filter. They can be added in SO many different ways and planting them between rocks and on the edges of the pond can really soften up the look as well as working to keep the water looking good. Aquatic plants are the best – imagine….NO watering! Want to know more about this essential to the pond ecosystem? Click HERE.

Building a new pond with 40 mil epdm liner can avoid issues with cracking concrete. Want to save thousands of dollars and frustration? Have a professional build your pond! Just give us a call! 303-775-0224

Pond Mainkoi pond backyard water featuretenance

Moved to a house with a pond?

Don’t feed the fish in the winter. When the water is consistently at 50 degrees or more, then you can start feeding them. Read more about feeding fish HERE.
Don’t turn off the pump at night! (Pipes could freeze and even if it’s not that cold, this is how the fish get oxygen).
You have to check the water level of the pond and add water sometimes – maybe 2 inches a week (evaporation happens).
If you add more than 20% of the pond volume and you have fish you need to put in detoxifier at the same time.
Do not add algaecide! Just call us and we can talk about it. You can read more about Algaecide HERE.
If you have pots of what seem to be dead plants in the pond during the winter, wait, they may be plants that will come back in May. Did you know plants are a really important part of keeping a pond looking clean? YES! Read more about aquatic plants HERE.
You’ll need to empty the basket or net in the skimmer about once a week.
Colorado Pond Pros does Monthly Maintenance if you want it!

This is a basic Aquascape pond. Your pond might be like this or it might be somewhat different.

Ponds and Beneficial Bacteria

What is the deal with ponds and beneficial bacteria?

Beautiful ponds and beneficial bacteria go together! Beneficial bacteria helps keep algae at bay. This bacteria is very important to have in a pond. We recommend 3/4″ gravel in the bottom of ponds to provide a place for beneficial bacteria to colonize. While bacteria occurs naturally in a pond, it is difficult for it to keep up with an enclosed ecosystem. Things like fish load, uneaten fish food and organic debris disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and can cause unwanted algae. The addition of beneficial bacteria on a regular basis helps prevent this.

You may have purchased a variety of pond treatments and aren’t sure what is what. Beneficial bacteria is completely safe for fish and animals.

Beneficial Bacteria Strains

There are countless strains of bacteria found in different products. Some products have a higher concentration of bacteria than others. For instance, the dry beneficial bacteria from Aquscape has a 3.0 billion CFU per ounce potency.

Dry or Liquid?

Liquid bacteria jumpstarts the ecosystem as it works more quickly. However, dry bacteria offers different strains of bacteria which provides a diversity to increase overall stability of the whole system. Good bacteria along with aeration, fish and plants create the balanced ecosystem that is a beautiful pond.

Temperature Matters!

There are strains of beneficial bacteria that will die once the water goes below a certain temperature. Cold water bacteria can be added to the water down to temperatures of 35 degrees. Regular bacteria can only be used down to about 55 degrees. Temperature is a big reason why we see algae blooms in the springtime. Just as different trees and flowers bloom at different times, the various biological elements of the pond “wake up” at separate times too. The plant life and the bacteria come to life just slightly after the algae. This is why we see algae blooms in the early spring – the other plants haven’t gotten to work yet and this gives the algae a head start.

Algaecide

It is the algaecide that you want to be careful with! Algaecide can harm fish and animals if not used correctly. It also kills beneficial bacteria, disrupting the ecosystem we are trying to balance! To read more about it, click HERE.

Want a beautiful pond that is easy to maintain?

Ponds and beneficial bacteria go together! Add bacteria:

Once a week (from April to November)
The day after it rains (extra dose)
Twice a week in hot temperatures
More often if you are having a green water issue (try adding different types of bacteria to get a better variety of strains in)

To read more about pond ecosystems and how to keep them healthy, check out more articles by clicking HERE.

Pond Pressure Filter – Right for your pond?

Pond Pressure filter

Pressure filters clean water by pushing the water through a mechanical filter. Mechanical filters may be foam filters, small rocks, and other material that will physically remove debris from the water. Some pressure filters (but not all) have a UV light inside them. As the water passes by the UV light, the rays penetrate living microorganisms and kill them. This will clear up green cloudy water. Keep in mind that this UV light is sterilizing the water. This is how it cleans up the green cloudy water (microbial algae). Also keep in mind, it kills the algae AND the good bacteria too! Beneficial bacteria is essential for a balanced pond ecosystem.

A skimmer box that contains a basket, net, brushes and/or filter pad are a form of mechanical filtration as well. Pressure filters can be used in addition to a skimmer box.

If your pond is missing essential elements to a balanced pond, a pressure filter may be a good idea. For instance, if you really can’t put in a skimmer box, biofall or plants, a pressure filter could be the way to go.

Upkeep of pressure filters:

Most pressure filters need to be shut down in the winter time because if they freeze there is a risk of the UV light breaking or a crack occurring in the pipe.

Pressure filters need to be back-washed on a regular basis. If you are having to do this as often as once a week, your pressure filter may be too small for your pond.

What about a pool pressure filter?

It is important to note that swimming pool pressure filters are not the same as pond pressure filters. Pool pressure filters have sand in them which is too fine a filter for a pond. They will clog up way too quickly! This results in having to clean it too often and low water flow. In some cases, sand can be replaced with a different filter media.

Pressure filters are a good solution to problematic situations. Check with a pond professional to see if it’s right for your pond!