Pond

Maintaining Your Pond
In order to have a successful pond it is very important to carry out regular maintenance from spring through to autumn. A little bit of maintenance and early action to remedy problems will ensure that your pond is a thing of beauty.
Protecting Your Fish
If you suspect that your pond might be, or might have been, visited by a heron, it is a good idea to leave a pond net on over the winter months. Also do not break ice by hitting it as fish can be damaged or even killed by the shock waves. A better idea is to gradually melt the ice from the edge using hot water.
Keep The Pond Clear
Your pond plants will rot and this will pollute the water. This can be avoided by using a mesh net to clear the pond. You should aim to do this every week through the spring and summer.
When Autumn arrives falling leaves may also become a problem for your pond. Suspending a pond net above the pond during this period will help to alleviate the problem by catching any falling leaves.
During the winter months there is no need to feed your fish as they will live on their reserves of fat and on the roots of plants. Once the water temperature rises above 10 degrees centigrade you can start to feed them again – but always feed them sparingly so that uneaten food does not pollute the pond.
You should aim to have around 60% of the pond’s surface covered by pond plants such as water lilies. These will help to keep the water temperature low and reduce the opportunities for algae growth.
When marginal plants start to die back in the autumn be sure to remove any surplus foliage to avoid it dropping into the water. You should also aim to clean your pond and it’s pond filter. Now is also a good time to check you Pond Pump.
Retaining a balanced pond
Maintain a regular level of water in your pond by topping it up in warm weather when the level may decrease due to evaporation. Always do this gradually to prevent a sudden influx of fresh water. You may also need to apply a Water Treatment Solution to the water if you notice any other problems.
If you fish are regularily coming to the surface it may be that there is a shortage of oxygen in the water. This is easily rectified by switching on your Fountain (if fitted) or by spinkling the water’s surface with water from a hose.
It is vital that your pond is able to keep up oxygen levels and to allow noxtious gases and carbon dioxide to escape. Therefore ensure that during times when the pond surface is frozen, an ice clear area is maintained.
Pond Fountains should be switched off in cold weather to avoid water temperature disparities at the top and the bottom of you pond.