Whether you’d like to tap into the benefits of sound therapy, fill the pond with colorful fish for the kids, or simply infuse life into your outdoor surroundings – a pond makes a satisfying addition to the blueprint of your yard. However, it is suggested to investigate the physical demands regarding the upkeep and maintenance. You may also want to weigh the pros and cons of having a professional install or making this your new do-it-yourself project.

Checklist for Creating a Pond

When it comes to creating a pond, numerous do-it-yourself instructions and kits are available for the individual that wishes to tackle this kind of project. A moderate level of skill and knowledge is required to complete a successful pond project, but the benefits of building your own ranges from controlling the cost of installation to achieving a sense of personal accomplishment. Professional installations benefit the homeowner who has an elaborate scheme in mind – such as placing an imposing fountain in the center or satisfying the need for skilled craftsmanship concerning the assembly of surrounding rocks.

A simple checklist of items required for a DIY pond may or may not include plastic lining, slate, rocks, stone, tubing, pond filter, shovel, protein skimmers, and a pond pump. Basic steps associated with creating a pond on your own include selecting the best location for a pond; laying out the shape, digging the depth of the pond and leveling it off; lying down the underlay and pond liner; adding water; and finalizing with edging (stone or paving). In the end, you will also add equipment, such as a pump, filter, plants, fish (if desired), lighting, or anything else you may need.

Pond Maintenance

Once you’ve created or had someone install a pond in your yard – there is a certain level of year-round maintenance that this inviting landscape feature demands. In the springtime, you must check your pond filter and pump. Your filtration system should begin at this time, making sure to check for proper flow rate and leaks. In the early spring, pond plants are usually repotted.

During the summertime, you must compensate for increased levels of organic material, sunlight, and elevated water temperatures. Algae growth becomes an important concern. However, aquatic plants like lilies, water lettuce, and water hyacinths help control algae and cools down water. If you add snails and shrimp – you can also prevent algae build-up on rocks and the pond liner.

In the fall, a pond owner should concentrate on winter protection. You will most likely install pond netting, remove organic materials, remove tropical plants, thoroughly clean out the filters, drain and store the pump, and begin necessary care for fish (if necessary).

During the wintertime, keep in mind that some harmful gases can accumulate under icy conditions. You should create an opening in the ice to allow gas to escape, but remember to melt a hole instead of attempting to physically break through an opening. This is also the time to plan renovations or improvements for the approaching spring.

Pond pumps also aerate pond water, this type of pump is called an aeration pond pump and it is necessary if your pond sustains aquatic life. If you have a large pond, it may be necessary to install more than one pump.

It is important that you know how many gallons of water your pond holds in order to determine what size pump that you need. If your pump is too small, it will not circulate the water in your pond correctly. You should be able to find the amount of water that your pond holds in the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you do not have fish in your pond, you will not need an aeration pump. All you need is a pump to circulate the water to keep it moving and keep it from becoming stagnant.

There are many different types of pond pumps, and choosing the right one is very important to maintain your pond properly. Another type are submersible pumps for ponds. This type of pump is placed directly in the pond and is hidden from sight. Submersible pond pumps are available in many different sizes and are very simple to install.

Another type of pond pump is a DC pond pump. This type of pump uses direct current powered by either electricity or by solar power. Many people choose the solar power DC pond pump because it will not stop working if you experience a power failure. If you have fish in your pond, it is very important to keep the water aerated.

The prices for pond pumps vary, and depending on the size of the pump, they can start at less than a hundred dollars and rise to thousands of dollars. It all depends on the gallons per hour (GPH) that you will need your pump to circulate.

One of the fastest methods of finding the right pond pump is to do an online search. You will find thousands of links to information regarding pond pumps. It is a fast, easy convenient way to find the right pond pump for your pond. You will also be able to compare prices and features of pond pumps with a click of your mouse.

What Does a Protein Skimmer Do?

A protein skimmer is a type of “filtering” system as far as the basic functioning is concerned. It works to remove any type of waste, such as various proteins, from the pond so that the waste does not result in dangerous residues, and other types of elements that can prove to be harmful to the pond in your yard. While many of these organic compounds are developed by environmental factors, there are some that are created by the plant and animal life that you will place into your pond. Toxins and other types of waste are a natural result of a pond – whether it is in the wild, or developed in the backyard. Implementing the use of a pond protein skimmer is a very important aspect of the pond development process, as well as the general maintenance of this home improvement process.

Why Use a Protein Skimmer for Your Pond?

As stated previously, protein skimmers are a necessary component of the maintenance of the home pond. These enhanced filtering systems allow harmful toxins to be broke down and eliminated before they have the opportunity to develop into more complicated issues for the pond environment. It has also been discovered that these units allow a natural purification of the water resulting in high quality that cripples the growth of algae and other types of dangerous substances. By implementing the use of a protein skimmer for your pond, you will reap the benefit of having higher amounts of oxygen added to the chemical composition of the water. This can prove to be especially important for the plants and animals that you have added to the environment.

Types of Protein Skimmers

When researching Protein skimmers for your pond, you will find that there are several different types. As a matter of fact, you will probably run into about three different designs. Each design offers something unique to the pond that it will reside in. You will discover the turbo skimmer, as well as the counter current and venture. Listed below are a few details regarding each type of protein skimmer that you may use in conjunction with other systems and devices in your pond.

•    Turbo – The turbo skimmer retrieves air from the outside of the pond and pulls it in through the means of a designated pump system. Once this has been done, the air is then condensed and mixed into the pond in order to hold the tiny pieces of natural debris. Once this has occurred, it is then mixed into a special chamber that pulls this debris effectively from the pond into the main unit so that it can be eliminated from the main body of water altogether.

•    Counter Current – This device works by effectively separating the components of air and water. This allows a type of vortex current system to be created that will pull any type of toxins from the water. If you have a large pond, this system should not be used. It is more appropriate for an aquarium type environment and miniature ponds in the yard.

•    Venturi – Using the factors of force, air, and water, this is an effective protein skimmer when it comes to eliminating debris from the basic pond. It creates a series of small, tight bubbles in the pond by using an excessive amount of pressure within the main chamber. As a result, the debris is kicked into the filtration system and cannot escape. Therefore, it leaves your water clean, and soft while maintaining the highest level of quality.

General Costs Associated With Protein Skimmers

When it comes to the costs associated with protein skimmers, it is important to research the overall impact that this product will have on the environment of the pond that you create. It is important to understand that there are general, low-quality systems, and there are systems that are appropriate for each type of pond and size of that pond. It is always best to choose a system that uses a high level of force, and is generally a larger system than is needed for your pond. This will ensure the maximum efficiency and productivity of the protein skimmer. However, it is also important to consider the amount of maintenance that is required when selecting the unit. Low-maintenance systems are the preferred choice when it comes to pond skimmers. These are generally a bit more expensive, but the functioning makes it for it in time.

Conclusion

The pond protein skimmer is a necessary component when it comes to the health and functioning of the home pond environment. These systems act like a filter and remove dangerous toxins and other types of debris from the pond environment. In addition to this, they also add quality to the life and water of the environment. Using these systems results in a healthy, low-maintenance pond that results in a beautiful accessorized pond to the landscaping of the yard. While there are three different types of skimmers available, and they all range in costs, it is important to select one that is appropriate to the size of the pond that you have created, and one that requires little maintenance overall.

The size of your pond and the number of fish you have will help you decide why size and type of filter to use. Once you’ve installed it, it will help keep the water clear and fresh, and your fish healthy. Pond filters also help you conserve water by refreshing and recycling the original water from the pond. There are two basic types of filters for a fish pond available. These are external filters and submersed filters. External filters are often the largest available type, and are located outside of the pond. They’re normally filled with foam, and have a porous media underneath them. These filters are easier to clean and maintain than a submersed filter, and you can use different media in them without a lot of trouble. They also support the largest number of fish. However, an external filter is large, bulky, and can spoil the view. Some people place their pond filters behind a screen of plants to remove this problem.

Submersed pond filters are filled with several different types of filter media to give you the widest range of filtration. Some even include UV sterilization. They make the water much cleaner than some external filters, but are harder to clean. They can be used as part of a fountain or waterfall, or in other water features in your pond. Submersed filters are smaller and less obtrusive than external filters, but support fewer fish. You can increase the population your pond will support by using natural means, however. Including pond plants, like water lilies, cattails, and other vegetation will help naturally filter your water, as well as giving your fish a good place to hide from predators and bright sun. Waterfalls are a good method, too. Not just a way to add beauty to your pond, they help aerate the water and move organic material around. In addition, you should make sure that you water has the right ph, and that it has a good colony of the correct bacteria. Correct filtration is the best way to support a large population of healthy fish and have a beautiful pond.

Various Types of Filter Systems for Ponds

• Intake Filters - These are small blocks of foam, included with the pump, although they may be useful for small indoor water fountains, they are not so useful for garden or fishing ponds as they tend to easily clog with debris very quickly.
• Submersed Filters - These are larger than intake filters, therefore with a large surface it does improve your quality of water, while it does not need cleaning as often. However, it may need retrieval for cleaning by getting into the pond yourself as well as the possibility of spillage of waste water, into the pond while cleaning. Unless of course you make sure the filter media compartment is low enough, so there is no waste spillage while cleaning.
• Inline Filters -These are reseal-able pressurized canisters and are useful to either the output or the intake side of a pumping system, although most commonly it is on the output. They versatile as submersible or above ground in use, while improving the quality of water and may run for up to a few weeks before needing a cleaning. They can be difficult to open and reseal, they do take up considerable space and you may have to get into the pond to retrieve them for cleaning.
• External Filters - These are large above ground pond filters, they improve water quality; have an extended period between cleanings while being easily maintained since they are on the ground beside the pond rather than in it. However, you might consider doing some camouflage planting to conceal it from view.
• Do It Yourself Filters - There are many different ways of making your own filter, you can research some of these ideas at your local library, online with your computer or if you belong to garden and pond clubs of societies to get ideas of how to do it yourself when it come to filter systems for ponds, their instructions and patterns.

Helping Your Filtering System Function Easier

You might like to add some natural plant life, such as water lilies to the pond, since they are wonderful in helping to keep a pond clean and reducing a build up of algae. You may wish to include other pond plants; however, before adding any plant of fish life, you should research their care and maintenance. Installing a waterfall can lessen the load on your pond filter system, just as plants do, by keeping the water moving, which reduces stagnation, while encouraging growth of helpful bacteria in the filtering system. Some pond owners use Barley straw to reduce murky green water. However, you should always keep in mind that clear water does not necessarily mean clean water; therefore, you should test your water quality from time to time.

Filter System Maintenance Tips

• Always, clean your filter with pond water rather than tap water, to keep from killing your good bacteria with chemicals.
• Add bacterial supplements to boost the performance of your filter system.

What is a pond liner?

According to Wikipedia, a pond liner is “an impermeable geotextile used for water retention, including the lining of lakes, garden ponds and artificial streams.” In plain English, pond liners are sheets of polyethylene, PVC, EPDM or other form of plastic compound that holds water. Some are better than others depending on your climate or whether you wish to put fish in your pond. Liners for fish ponds are puncture resistant; UV stabilized, and are safe for potable water.

Benefits of a pond liner

Besides the obvious benefit of water retention, lined ponds will not be choked by grasses or cattails. They won’t crack like a cement pond and they are flexible to cover any shape of terrain. They withstand weather extremes of heat and cold with no damage. A good EPDM rubber liner can last 30 years or more.

Disadvantages of a pond without a liner

Building a pond without a liner is possible, but in most cases, not desirable. Water may tend to drain away, so you are constantly refilling your pond, or local vegetation may try to take over. If you are making a small pond out of a half barrel, without proper conditioning or the use of a liner, you may experience contamination from chemicals or residues left on the inside of the barrel.

How much pond liner do I need?

To figure out how large of a liner you need, you will need to do a few measurements.  If you are trying to figure your liner size before you dig, you will need to figure your measurements for the longest and widest portions of the pond with the pond depth at the deepest point. Next, take these measurements and apply them to the following equations: Length of liner = pond length + (depth x 2) + (overlap x 2)  and Width of liner = pond width + (depth x 2) + (overlap x 2). Overlap should be a minimum of 1 foot, but may be longer depending on how you plan to anchor the pond. Most backyard ponds do well with 2 feet of overlap. If your pond will be very large, you may need up to 5 feet of overlap. If you fall short on your overlap, your liner may pull away and you’ll end up with a quickly draining pond. Be sure you order enough.

Cost of pond liners

Many liners come in precut sizes. If your calculations fall within a smaller range, your liner will be much less expensive. The materials used for the liner will also make a difference in cost. 45mil EPDM will last a long time, and will cost between $20 and $40 for a small pond, or upwards of $200 for a large pond. Liner on a roll will cost more, because a roll can be 5.5 feet by 50 feet, for example, or larger. Rolls can cost from $125 to over $1000 depending on the size you need. Polyethylene is a less expensive choice, although it is thinner and may not last as long. Costs for polyethylene run from 45 cents a square foot to 93 cents per square foot.

The Best Types of Pond Fish

The Goldfish

Small members of the carp family, the many varieties of goldfish are rather hardy fish that fare well in different types of freshwater, which is why they make the excellent starter fish for the new pond enthusiast.

To keep your goldfish healthy, your pond’s water temperature should be kept between 40 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit, although they do tend to do best at the lower end of the temperature spectrum. The water should be kept at a Ph level of 6.0 to 8.0, and these low-maintenance fish will do best in ponds with a high level of oxygen.

Koi

Koi, which are Japanese carps, are among the very most popular pond fish due to their sheer beauty, wonderful personalities, and also because they are relatively easy to care for and enjoy a long life span. It’s not unusual for a well cared for Koi to live past 30 to 35 years.

Koi fish will thrive in water that’s kept very clean and clear, and chlorinated water is extremely dangerous for the Koi. The optimum fish pond Ph level is between 6.5 and 9.0, and 50 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature for this type of fish.

As they are rather social fish, Koi ponds should contain a minimum of three fish with at least 500 to 1,000 gallons of water that is three feet deep. Since Koi can grow up to three feet long, the bigger the pond, the better, and to keep your fish safe from predators such as raccoons or cats, keep a net covering the top of the pond. You may also want to invest in a protein skimmer to keep the water as clean as possible and free from waste, and a pump to increase the water’s oxygen level, allowing you to add more fish, but taking care not to overstock.

Some of the lesser known, or less common types of pond fish include the Black Moor, the Ranchu, the Lionhead, and the Bubble-eye Goldfish. Pond Comets, Fantails, and Orandas are popular choices, however, it’s important to not mix Fantails and Orandas with either Pond Comets or Koi due to the aggressiveness of the latter two.

And, while there are several different varieties of interesting fish suitable for a garden pond, always do plenty of research first to ensure you aren’t adding fish that aren’t compatible with one another as the food chain is a rather important point to take into consideration. The same is also true for the type of aquatic plants you add to your pond.

Tips for Fish Pond Care and Maintenance

• Cleaning and changing the water: It’s recommended to change 20% of a pond’s water twice each and every week, and a long-handled, wide net is essential for keeping the water clean, and for removing debris from the bottom of the pond.
• Feeding: A good rule of thumb to follow, especially for Goldfish ponds, is to only feed the fish as much as they can eat within five minutes time, and remove the any uneaten food with a net after 10 minutes.
• Water temperature: When starting a new pond, timing is of the utmost importance in regards to temperature. Never add fish to a pond before the spring, or generally around mid-May, depending on where you live. While the most common pond fish can indeed withstand colder temperatures, the initial shock of cold water can actually be fatal to a fish if it hasn’t had time to acclimate itself to its surroundings.

Types of water fountains for ponds

Floating fountains are a popular choice for ponds. They work in shallow or deep water and many come with several spray options that will give you a variety of looks. Spray shapes like the Bell fountain and the Tulip fountain are best for windy areas, although you can get “V” shaped sprays, geyser sprays or trumpet shaped sprays. Bubblers are simple fountains that are maintenance free. They work very well in a small pond. Be sure to get a strong enough pump to make the fountain attractive. Daisy and tiered fountains are very popular, although they require a lot more maintenance than the simpler varieties.

Benefits of a fountain for a pond

There are many benefits to adding a water fountain to your pond. A pond fountain will add a focal point to your pond and some vertical interest in your garden. Nothing is as relaxing as sitting by your pond listening to the trickling sound of water splashing down from your fountain. Not only is the sound of the falling water relaxing and a treat for the eyes, it aerates the water. This is especially important if you have fish in the pond. Aerating the water also helps your filter be more effective because it keeps the water moving.

Disadvantages of a fountain for a pond

Depending on the type of fountain you choose for your pond, you may have a few minor difficulties. If your pond is in exposed to windy weather, some styles of fountains can cause more water loss than others. Wind will blow water droplets from the fountain spray out of the pond, as well as hastening evaporation.

Costs of water fountains for ponds

The fountain you choose may depend on your budget. While a simple fountain can be installed for around $500, a more complex one may cost upwards of $2000. You also need to have electrical capability near your pond and an adequate pump for the size of your fountain. If you want your fountain professionally installed, you can figure it will cost quite a bit more.

Maintenance of water fountains for ponds

Aside from normal maintenance for your pond like managing algae and debris that falls into the water, your fountain may need to be treated once in awhile with a fountain cleanser. These cleansers will remove algae, lime deposits, sludge and other contaminants that may clog your fountain head. Electrical cords should be inspected for damage periodically and the pump should be checked for damage and an occasional cleaning.

Even with some additional maintenance and cost, adding a fountain to your pond may make it the focal point you’ve always dreamed of. Your finished fountain will add beauty and a healthy aeration to your pond.

Although indoor ponds are becoming increasingly popular in many homes, there are a lot of people who still do not know what they are.

An indoor pond is a type of aquarium however it typically does not have glass sides. It can be designed in any shape and size and virtually any color. An elaborately built indoor pond can span the length of a wall and resemble something that can be found in a spa or exotic resort.

With an indoor pond, having tropical fish is no longer a problem because each unit can be heated to a specific temperature. Special pumps insure that the pond is working properly. Indoor ponds can also be used to keep tropical and other types of plants hydrated.

Believe it or not, indoor ponds can be used as therapy for those who have trouble sleeping or have nerve problems. It has been proven that the sound of running water actually calms the nerves and relaxes and soothes a person enough to fall asleep.

When you are thinking of renovating or redecorating, an indoor pond is an excellent addition to any room. Although you can purchase a complete indoor pond, there are many different ways to design an indoor pond. If you are a creative person, the design is limited only by your imagination.

Whether you decide on a small conservative pond or a pond with an elaborate waterfall effect, an indoor pond will enhance the beauty of any room.

There are many different types of accessories that can be purchased for an indoor pond. Lights, rocks, figurines and ceramic structures all can be place in the pond itself, giving it a spectacular lighting effect.

You can put just about anything in an indoor pond, many people use different colored glass marbles, when you add lights, it give off an incredible light show. When it comes to lighting, it is very important that you use lighting designed specifically for indoor ponds as they are made to be water safe.

Maintaining an indoor pond is much easier than an out door pond. The pump that you use for the indoor pond will do most of the work, however, you will need to clean any of the items including rock and marble at least twice a month to insure the health of whatever fish that you choose.