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Finally, you have put together the pond of your dreams, but things aren't quite as perfect as you wanted them to be. How do you keep your pond in good shape? Below are some common pond problems you may encounter and how you can solve them.
By the way, pond supplies can be expensive. At the bottom of this page is a link to a place I have found with a good
selection of discount pond supplies.
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Leakage
If your pond appears to be
losing a more water than it should, do not mistake this for evaporation. You actually probably have a leak. If the leak is at the
bottom of the pond, you will have to drain it and use a sheep's foot roller to insert bentonite clay into the leak.
Unfortunately, bentonite can be a bit expensive, so this is not a cheap fix. However, it is the best way to repair a leak.
Bentonite is effective
because it swells to 12 to 15 times larger than its original size when
inserted into the leak, creating a leak proof seal. It also allows
nutrients to still be exchanged between sediments in the pond.
The problem may also be
from a plumbing leak. In that case, while the pump is running, check
the hoses for leaks and then fix the problem by replacing the section
of hose that contains the leak.
Sometimes, water loss may
be caused by water seeping over the liner edge. You'll have to find out
where the spot is by moving rocks and other barriers. When you find the
low spot in the liner, readjust it to stop the leak.
pH
You will need to do a
check of the pH, or acidity, of the pond water with a pH test kit. A pH
reading of 7 is neutral, a pH reading that is higher than 7 is alkaline
and a pH reading that is lower than 7 is acidic. The pH level should be
around 7 to 7.5 in the pond.
It should never be below
6.8 or above 8, as low pH levels prevent effective biological
filtration and cause stress on your fish. A high pH level makes it
harder for plants to grow or survive and can also be harmful for your
fish. pH levels may change due to acid rain, soil runoff and fish
waste. So check regularly. If the pH level of your pond isn't at an
ideal level, you should purchase products that can change the pH levels
in water.
Algae
A little algae growth is
actually a good sign, as this shows your pond has the right nutrients
and systems to support life. However too much algae can become a
problem, since it can cloud the water and steal nutrients from plants
and fish. If you don't have any plants in the pond, the chance of algae
growth is much higher, so it is a good idea to add plants to your pond.
Plants and algae need the
same nutrients, but plants will receive the nutrients before the algae
can, which keeps algae from forming. Overfeeding fish is a common cause
of excess algae growth, as well, so be sure to feed your fish the
proper amount of food.
To help prevent algae
growth and maintain the quality of the pond water, you should consider
installing a mechanical filter and ultraviolet sterilization.
Ultraviolet sterilization is very easy to install and won't affect the
water, plants and fish since it works from the outside of the pond.
You may also need to
change some of the water regularly to remove some of the nutrients
algae feeds on.
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Caring for Pet Fish
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