Summer is arriving- is your pond ready?
Your pond, fish and other critters that live inside your pond need seasonal protection especially during the hotter summer months. Depending upon where your pond is located, types of fish you have, and water quality issues you have will help you determine what is best for your pond.
Summer sun heats up our pond water while increases the light penetrating within its depths. The oxygen level goes down as the water warms meanwhile the fish waste & other decaying matter increases the nutrient levels helping to feed algae causing algal blooms. Below are some issues and solutions to help you protect and enjoy your outdoor living space to entertain, BBQ and have fun!
1. Plants Provide Shade & Protection. Plants are probably one of the most important and easy remedies to help for multiple issues.
Plant provide Shade. Try a combination of floating plants (Water Hyacinths or Water Lettuce- try a few or more to start with as they will multiply), waterlilies (varieties of your choice, pick 2 or 3 different colors that vary in emergence)
and shallow marginal plants
(Chameleon Plant, Creeping Jenny, Mare’s Tail, Water Celery, Water Forget-Me-Not- add a few on each corner as they may get aggressive) that grow from the edges into the water. Taller Marginals (Canna, Cattail, Iris, Pickerel Rush, Blue Rushes & Zebra Rush, Umbrella Palm- choose a few varieties of your choice) can be planted or grown in pots on the pond edges to provide shade. 30% (less sun) - 50% (more sun) or more of the water surface should be covered with plants to decrease light penetration and keep ponds cooler.
Plants Provide Protection. Plant stems can provide areas for fry, tadpoles, insect nymphs, efts (salamander larvae) and dragonfly larvae to cling to and hide from predators. They may also help hide larger fish from Heron and other predatory birds. Plants also help protect water quality by competing with algae by consuming nutrients with help from beneficial bacteria.
2. Increase Aeration. Adding an aerator will increase the oxygen in the pond which is better for fish and will help to keep your pond a bit cooler. Make sure the discs or air stones are toward the bottom of the pond during the summer, then move them to a shelf or other place where they are closer to the water surface helping deter from freezing during winter months.
3. Maintain Good Water Quality. Regular maintenance will also help protect your pond during summer. Add sludge reducer to help dissolve the bottom of the pond, a few tablets or packets weekly (depending upon how much visible sludge you have) Adding liquid bacteria weekly will help clarify the water and help process ammonia that is excreted by fish through their gills and by decaying debris.
4. Complete Clean or Water Changes. Doing partial water changes 10%-20% using a cleanout pump, sump pump or pond vacuum can help decrease nutrient levels, while the new water you add back in can have a cooling effect for your pond. Water Changes can be done weekly or every other week during the summer. Complete cleanouts are also typically done in the summer or once per season (depending upon the type of feature and location).
Each pond and water feature has its own unique characteristics so one size doesn’t fit all. T That’s why we are here to help you make your decisions to determine the best choices for you and your budget. Nature Perfect is typically open Monday – Friday 8-4 and Saturday 10-4. You can also email us with question or set up a time to speak with you. We have a great selection of pond plants, fish, treatments and just about what you need to build your own.
5. Predator Controls. Provide fish caves and other places fish can hide hide inside your pond. Applying pond netting can also be a good step to keep predators from devouring your precious aquatics pets. Decoys, red lights and other deives may also deter predation.
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