Pond Liner Hole – Could it be chewed through?

Have you found a pond liner hole? Pond liners may last for decades if they are properly put in with good underlayment. If it isn’t exposed to the harsh rays of the sun and weather and isn’t allowed to get dry for extended periods of time, the pond liner should last a very long time.

If you’ve done some investigating you might have found a hole. When the hole is more than a puncture, and is a roundish hole, take a closer look. A hole 1 to 12 inches from the edge of the pond may be from a rodent. Check for chew marks. When there is a round piece missing from about the size of a quarter to a bit bigger, the evidence suggests you may have a vole or other rodent chewing on the liner!

Next Steps When you Believe you have a rodent chewing the pond liner.

Identify all holes present
Patch the holes you’ve found
Fill the pond back up without running the waterfall and see if it holds water over 24 hours

If the problem persists you may have to call an exterminator. Another option is to reline your pond completely and use extra tough geo-fencing that rodents can’t chew through.

Heat can Green up a Garden Pond!

Are you seeing green cloudiness in your garden pond? Here in Colorado we have had days on end of over 90° and several that hit 100°! Heat can green up a garden pond! Here’s 8 things to know about the heat and keeping your pond healthy:

1. Oxygen

Did you know that cold water can hold more dissolved oxygen that warm water can? That means that when the outside air temperature increases, it is more important that the pond have good aeration. Waterfalls and aerators help provide oxygen. Lack of oxygen can lead to slimy algae!

2. Circulation

Do you notice certain parts of the pond get more algae on the rocks or the water just doesn’t seem to move? That is a great place to add an aerator. Not only does it get more oxygen to the pond, but it is going to move that water.

3. Water temperature

Did you know that although koi can be healthy in water from 35° to 85°, the ideal temperature is between 65° and 75°? When the weather really heats up you may notice your fish spending more time at the bottom of the pond. It’s cooler there as the sun heats the top of the water.

4. Plants

Plants provide shade that can help keep the pond cool in the hot weather. Lilies, once they are established, are great for added shade. Submerged plants also add oxygen to the water. Floaters like water lettuce and water hyacinth are fantastic for filtration! If you have trouble with them floating into the skimmer, tie some fishing line around the roots and tie it in a circle. Then tie another piece of it around a rock (attaching it to the plant circle of fishing line) and put it wherever you like! Lettuce and hyacinth propagate like crazy, but don’t worry, here in Colorado they aren’t a nuisance because once a freeze comes they will die.

5. Sunburned fish?

Did you know that if fish don’t have somewhere to get out of the sun they can actually get a sunburn? YES! You might not be able to see it, but it can kill them. Most fish don’t get sunburned because they live in water deep enough that the sun’s rays can’t hurt them. But if you have a more shallow pond, you might need to consider adding shade. If you don’t have a shade tree or lots of lilies, try putting in a fish cave or adding a shade cloth over the pond that shades 1/2 the pond. You can even take a bucket or trash can and cut it in half lengthwise and put a rock on top to weigh it down to create a shady place for fish. Make it look good by covering it with rock.

6. Not too much fish food!

Feed your fish in the morning, rather than the heat of the afternoon. Overfeeding fish is a major cause of algae. In warmer weather, uneaten fish food decays faster and can be fodder for algae. Remember to feed fish only what they can eat in a few minutes.

7. Exposed Liner

Make sure you don’t have any liner exposed. The sun and heat can make it brittle, leading to leaks!

8. Evaporation

No matter the size of the pond, 2 to 3 inches of evaporation a week is normal. If you have an autofill that is attached to your sprinkler system, it will be brought up to the correct level each time that zone comes on. If you are turning off the sprinkler system for repairs, make sure you don’t forget about the pond. Either leave that zone on, or be prepared to fill it up by hand.

Want to read more about pond health? Click HERE for more topics.

Pond Foam

4 Causes of Pond Foam

There are several potential things that could be causing this white foamy stuff. If it’s green, it’s algae!

Organic Material – The most common cause of foam buildup is organic material in the pond. Organic material buildup is leaves, uneaten fish food, gunk or even a dead fish! These things may not have dissolved into the water and can cause foam. Removing them is a good start to get rid of foam! Make sure you are not feeding the fish too much. They should be able to eat what you give them within a few minutes. Remember they can munch on algae and bugs too, so feeding them everyday is not mandatory. Adding Foam Free by Aquascape can help, but to really get your pond in balance, add beneficial bacteria on a regular basis. If this is a consistent problem, you may want to check with a professional to see if you have the right filtration.
New Liner – If you have recently had the pond or stream installed or relined, it could be the off-gassing of the liner. This will dissipate in a few days.
Spawning Fish – If your pond is the perfect environment for fish…..they might be feeling a bit frisky. This spawning can cause large amounts of foam. Don’t add products in the pond at this point. You’ll need to wait until they stop spawning. Did you know the babies are called “fry”?
Soap – Once in a while someone puts soap in a pond. This gets crazy nuts with bubbles. If this happens, you’ll need to do a water change right away!

Want to learn more about keeping your pond in balance? Click HERE! Scroll to find a variety of topics you may be looking for!

Pond Cleanout – Before and After

Pond Cleanout – Before and After pictures are a great way to see the difference.

Are you wondering how much a difference a pond cleanout makes? They say a picture is worth 1000 words!

Ponds are small ecosystems within themselves. We strive to create a balanced ecosystem. When we do a cleanout we:

Remove any fish and put them in a portable pond that we bring
Remove water from pond
Pressure wash waterfall, stream, and pond
Remove all debris
Clean skimmer and biofalls
Cut back plants as requested
Fertilize water lilies
Divide lilies if they need it
Check for proper operation of all equipment
Restack disturbed rocks
Refill pond
Treat water with beneficial bacteria and detoxifier (for the safety of the fish)

Care of a pond after a cleanout

Please keep in mind that after a cleanout beneficial bacteria needs to be added 2 days afterwards and again in another 2 days. We add some before we leave. After that it will need to be added weekly. Beneficial Bacteria is an important part of a pond’s ecosystem and keeps it from getting green!

If your pond develops an algae bloom or becomes green and cloudy at some point after a cleanout, it does not mean that the cleanout wasn’t done well. It simply means the pond is not in balance yet. Give us a call to discuss how to get your pond in balance or refer to the paperwork our pond technicians left with you.

Please remember that the use of algaecide can also disrupt the balance of a pond. It removes oxygen so that the algae dies, but it also kills beneficial bacteria and can even kill fish. It makes establishing a balanced ecosystem difficult! Check out more information about algaecide HERE.

Leaks or fish loss

Colorado Pond Pros has years of experience cleaning ponds. We treat your water feature as if it were our own! Technicians must walk in, near and around water features when cleaning or other work is being done – it is unavoidable! That being said, if we did not install your pond we cannot control the quality or manner of the installation of the lining or underlayment, the age of the pond, the quality of the existing electrical wiring, or the health / condition of fish before we arrive. We cannot be held liable for fish loss or leaks due to these conditions beyond our control.

7 Factors of Pond Evaporation

Pond evaporation can fluctuate. Here in Colorado we get a wide variety of weather from one minute to the next! If you are wondering if the water loss you are seeing is part of evaporation, read these evaporation factors. It is very important that the water level is topped off, whether by your autofill or by hand to keep your pond healthy.

1. Humidity (or lack of!)

Colorado can be very dry! If you live in Colorado you know that when the humidity gets up around 40 or 50% we feel sweaty! But often we get 12% or even 7% humidity! This can increase the evaporation rate of a pond.

2. Heat

When the heat rises you may see an additional inch or two of pond evaporation.

3. Surface Area

Whether a pond is 3 x 5 feet or 20 x 25 feet, it will lose between 1 and 3 inches a week. However, if your water feature has a long stream or waterfall, it will add to the surface area, and therefore add to the water loss within the pond.

4. Shade

The microclimate plays a role in the evaporation of the pond water. If your pond is on the north or south side of the house with no shade from trees you will see more evaporation.

5. Plants

Some may think that the pond plants are sucking up all the water. However, they drink a relatively small amount. In fact, if your pond has water lilies, they are reducing the amount of surface area and are actually reducing the amount of evaporation occurring. We have experienced a case in which a willow tree had gotten its roots into a pond and sure enough, that tree drank a lot of water!

6. Wind

Wind is the worst when it comes to water evaporation! When it is windy you may see a daily difference in water loss.

7. Leaking

If you are seeing 4 or more inches of water loss in a week, you may have more than evaporation on your hands; you may have a leak. Check out our Leak Diagnosing Tips.

1 to 3 inches of evaporation in a pond per week here is normal. Add water weekly so that the pump doesn’t run dry. Remember, if you add more than 20% of the total pond volume you’ll need to add a pond detoxifier when you do that, to protect your fish from the chlorine in the water. If adding water isn’t always easy to do because of a busy schedule, give us a call to talk about adding an autofill at 303-775-0224.

ALGAECIDE – BEWARE – USES AND CAUTIONS

Algae

When the sun begins to heat up our summer days, our ponds may get green. Algaecide may seem appealing and is useful in some situations, but know that while it may quickly kill off algae, it can quickly kill off your fish too. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and call a professional if you need help.

Algaecide works by removing the oxygen and suffocating the algae. It is also hard on plants, beneficial bacteria, and fish. Algae itself puts oxygen into the water. For that reason we recommend only treating ¼ of the pond at a time. When treating algae in a waterfall, turn it off and sprinkle dry algaecide onto the area, leaving it sitting without the waterfall on for 30 minutes.

Right After Algaecide Application

The day after using algaecide, make sure you add beneficial bacteria to either replace what has likely been destroyed or to add it if it has been absent. When large amounts of algae are present, we know that the balance of the ecosystem is off. Getting it back in balance will help your pond look beautiful again. Algaecide can destroy good parts of that system so they need to be replaced several times after a treatment.

If your fish are coming to the top of the water and seem to be gasping for air after an algaecide treatment, then too much has been used and you are at risk of losing fish. Do a partial water change, adding detoxifier for protection of the fish. You can also put in an aerator to get more oxygen flow going and hopefully keep the fish from dying.

Remember that overuse of algaecide can cause future outbreaks of algae — worse than the original problem and it can damage plants and fish. If it is necessary to get control of algae, follow all directions to the letter and make sure to get the pond into balance after its use.

Need help finding that balance? Give us a call! 303-775-0224

Add a Sitting Rock and explore the Pond!

Backyard Pond – Make it a place to enjoy!

Add a sitting rock to your pond! Sitting rocks add interest to the landscape. A beautiful boulder can also be a great place to sit, especially when you have children (or grandchildren) who love the pond. Flowers, plants and even a bench are great additions to a backyard oasis. Part of the fun is sitting next to the pond reading, sunbathing, napping or having a picnic, while the children explore the pond!

Explore

When there are lily pads, flowers and plants at your pond, the dragonflies, frogs, butterflies and bees will visit too. The pond in your yard is its own ecosystem and is a great way to get children out into nature without having to drive far away to do it. The rocks, water and fish intrigue kids and they will want to explore. Grab yourself a lemonade and a book and relax in the shade while the children explore the nature in your backyard and don’t be surprised if small hands holding a frog are suddenly causing squeals of joy!

Expand

Ready to expand or add on to your existing pond? Contact us to get on the schedule! Just click HERE!

Pond Leak

What should you do if you think your pond or water feature is leaking?pond or waterfeature is leaking

There are a variety of reasons a pond or waterfall might be leaking. It could be something simple like liner that has been pushed down or a plant that in just the right spot to cause water to flow out of the system. Or, it could be something more serious like a hole in the liner or a cracked pipe. To figure it out, you’ll need to start by taking the steps listed below:

Turn off your pump (you may just have to unplug it).
Measure the level of the water. We find the easiest way to do that is to measure from the top of the skimmer opening to the water.
Leave the pump off overnight. (Your fish should be fine for 12 to 24 hours, and if you have an aerator you could run, even better!)
Measure the level of the water again.

Have you lost water? If so, you may have a leak in your pond. If not….do a waterfall leak test.

Turn the pump back on.
Measure the level of the water. We find the easiest way to do that is to measure from the top of the skimmer opening to the water.
Measure the level of the water in the morning.

Have you lost water? If so, you have a leak in the waterfall portion of your system.

Need help repairing locating and fixing the leak? Call or Contact us!
303-775-0224

Make your backyard an Amazing One!

Ponds and water features can be added to most yards. The most basic of spaces can be transformed into a place that beckons you to sit down and take a load off! Bring tranquility into your own backyard – whether its for calming the rush of the day or bringing friends over to entertain, you can’t go wrong with a backyard water feature. Check out our gallery for ideas!

Small spaces?

Even the smallest of spaces can bring a smile with water. A bubbling rock or spillway bowl might be just the thing for your small space! Check it out HERE!

Ponds and waterfeatures can be added to most yards. The most basic of spaces can be transformed into a place that beckons you to sit down and take a load off! Bring tranquility into your own back yard whether its for calming the rush of the day or bringing over friends to entertain, you can’t go wrong with a backyard waterfeature. Check out our for ideas!Small spaces?Even the smallest of spaces can bring a smile with water. A bubbling rock or spillway bowl might be just the thing for your small space! Check it out

Ponds and waterfeatures can be added to most yards. The most basic of spaces can be transformed into a place that beckons you to sit down and take a load off! Bring tranquility into your own back yard whether its for calming the rush of the day or bringing over friends to entertain, you can’t go wrong with a backyard waterfeature. Check out our or ideas!Small spaces?Even the smallest of spaces can bring a smile with water. A bubbling rock or spillway bowl might be just the thing for your small space! Check it out

How Does Rain Affect My Pond?

In Colorado, we have more sunny days than rainy ones. After a thunderstorm you may notice your pond greening up. Here are three ways rain affects ponds: Does Rain Affect My Pond?

1. Runoff: Fertilizer and Pesticides

If you’ve recently added fertilizer to your lawn (which is made of ammonia and phosphorus) or used pesticide nearby, it may run off into the pond which can cause an algae bloom or even harm fish. When a pond is at the lowest point in the yard, it is open to problems from runoff. When planning pond placement, make sure it is not at the lowest point. If it already is, refrain from using chemical fertilizers. You may want to add some detoxifier for the health of your fish and do a partial water change if you believe fertilizer or pesticide has been washed into the pond.

2. The Secret Ingredient: Lightning

Amazingly, lightning separates molecules creating nitrogen. That nitrogen dissolves in the moisture in the clouds and in turn, rains down! Nitrogen is the key component in fertilizer. During a lightning storm it is literally raining down fertilizer! Ever notice how green the grass is right after a thunder storm? Its not just from the water, but from the nitrates (fertilizer) the lightning produces.

Basically: Lightning increases nitrates. Nitrates feed the algae.

To counteract this influx of nutrients, give your pond an extra dose of beneficial bacteria soon after the storm passes. You may want to do this every 3 days for about a week, then back off to every week.

3. The Balance has been thrown off

Ponds are ecosystems within themselves. When they receive a lot of rainwater, it can affect the balance of that ecosystem. Make sure you keep the waterfall running, to keep it aerated. Give it an extra dose of beneficial bacteria right after a rainstorm and then again in 3 days. Re-establishing the balance in the system with beneficial bacteria is the way to keep algae blooms at bay.

How Much are Koi Pond Prices in Colorado Springs?

One question we get frequently is, “What are the average koi pond prices in Colorado Springs?” The short answer is, “It depends.” Just like when shopping for many other items, there are base costs and then upgrades, which can in many cases increase the price quite a bit.

When shopping for a pond contractor service in the Colorado Springs area we suggest you do your homework first and make sure you are hiring a true pond contractor. Many landscape companies claim to build koi ponds and other types of water features, but often are not qualified. Think of a koi pond contractor like a specialist. Would you want your General Practitioner doing your knee surgery? Probably not!

Koi Pond Prices

A basic-sized fish pond would be about 7′ x 10′ feet and about 18 inches deep (max depth). If its constructed with the necessary components (mechanical & biological filters), rocks, aquatic plants and fish, the cost is probably in the range of $7-$10,000. You can easily increase that price to $12-$15,000 if you want to add things like:

Fish Caves
Algae Control System
A longer Stream
Lights

Colorado Pond Pros has built several hundred ponds over the past 16 years in the Colorado Springs, Longmont and Denver areas.

Smaller Koi Pond Prices

Spillway Bowls

Not ready to spend $8-$15,000 on a koi pond? That’s ok! We can also install smaller water features that fit your budget. Some of our smaller features, like Spillway Bowls or Bubbling Rocks start at only $3-$4,000 and are a great way to introduce your family to the water gardening lifestyle!

When you’re ready to build your koi pond in the Colorado Springs area (or anywhere along the Front Range) please reach out to Colorado Pond Pros!

Dragonflies at my Pond

Count yourself lucky when you see a dragonfly at your pond! Dragonflies are attracted to healthy ecosystems. They eat mosquitoes and other insects. Dragonfly larvae are referred to as nymphs. Larger fish may find the nymphs to be a tasty treat! Dragonflies offer a variety of color and interesting looks.

Backyard Pond

Add a pond to your backyard and enjoy the serenity of nature in your own space. Water enhances the environment for everyone! Dragonflies hover toward the end of the day….the perfect time to sit back with some lemonade next to the pond!