Key things to know when you have moved to a house with a pond
Buying a house with a pond can feel a little intimidating at first. One day you’re unpacking boxes… the next day you’re responsible for a whole pond and maybe even fish!
The good news? A well-maintained pond can become one of the most relaxing and enjoyable features of your home. The not-so-good news? If you ignore it or guess your way through it, it can turn into a constant headache.
The key is simple: learn how your pond works and how to take care of it.
That’s exactly why this site exists.
Let’s start with the most important things you should know right away, to get you comfortable with your new pond.
The First Things You Need to Know
- If there are fish – don’t panic if you haven’t been feeding them. If there are plants and algae they are likely fine. If you want to feed the fish, feed them fish food for koi and goldfish that is not the flake type used in fish tanks. Now here is the really important thing to know: Only feed them what they can eat in 3 to 5 minutes without the food sinking or going into the skimmer. (Following this one piece of advice will save you a giant headache!) If it is winter do not feed them at all!
Read more about Fish in the Winter.
2. Yes, you will have to add water. Yes, it is perfectly fine to add it from the hose. No, you do not need to go crazy on chemicals, but if you are putting more than 5 inches of water at a time, make sure you put in a dechlorinator at the same time. How much? Read the package instructions. You will need to do this every week in the summer. 2 to 3 inches of water loss in 1 week is normal evaporation. If it’s very windy and over 100° there could be even more water loss. Read more about what to about leak in your pond.
3. Do not put anything into the water until you have educated yourself. No, talking to the guy down the street does not count.
Products that the last home owner left behind may or may not be what you need to use. Many bottles do not clearly say if they are Beneficial Bacteria or Algaecide. Big difference. Did you know if you use some of things at the same time that one bottle of stuff kills the other bottle of stuff? It does.
If you have read the information here on the website and still feel like you need help, give us a call!
4. Algaecide – Please do not add algaecide until you know what you are doing and maybe not even then. Mess this up and you can kill all your fish. Read more about that HERE.
Next steps
Once you’ve handled the basics above, here’s how to start understanding the system you now own.
- Figure out how many gallons you have in the system. Put in the dimensions of your pond in our Gallon Calculator.
- Identify what sort of pond equipment you have. Specifically, you are looking for a skimmer, a pump, a Biofall, and aerators. You also need to keep a lookout for a pressure filter or UV light. Read more to find out more about Pond Basics, how it works and what equipment you might see.
- Add water if it needs it. The best rule of thumb says the water line should be between 1 and 2 inches from the top of the skimmer opening. The OPENING, like a window to the pond, not the top of the whole skimmer.
- Check the chemicals, the bacteria, and other bottles of stuff the last homeowner may have left. Either look up each bottle of stuff so you know what it is or take a picture of it and contact a local pond company for help.
- Look for fish food. If the fish food smells rancid, it is. Throw it out. Learn how much to feed the fish.
6. Establish that the pond and waterfall are not losing water. Measure the level of the water (actually use a tape measure or ruler). Measure it again in roughly 24 hours. If it is the same, you are golden. If it went down 1 inch, there is water loss. There should be evaporation at the rate of 2 to 3 inches each week. WEEK! If there is water loss, you need to know How to Measure it.
7. Add beneficial bacteria on a weekly basis according to the instructions on the container. (If you skipped #1, this will be difficult).
8. Is it winter? Okay, you will need to read up on Colorado ponds in the Winter.
9. Read everything you can on this website to learn about your pond and how to take care of it! (Don’t forget the plants!)
10. Find a comfy chair, your favorite drink and a good book. Sit next to the pond and read, or just hang out watching pond life.
Check out our easy to follow equipment guide in this Pond Equipment Photo Comparison to help you identify what you have in your system. In you have just moved to a house with pond, you’ll need to understand the equipment.
Need help with the pond?
If this is too much or there are other issues, just give us a call! We offer services across the Colorado Front Range. 720-523-1575.