F.R.O.G.S.S
Keeps your pond hopping!
Filtration
The water needs to be filtered (cleaned) to be healthy. Nature does this on its' own and we mimic it the best we can!
The Skimmer -Mechanical Filtration: This is essentially debris removal. A skimmer equipped with a basket, net or bristles and a filter pad can effectively remove debris from the pond and prevent the pump from getting clogged too quickly.
Biological filtration: Regular addition of beneficial bacteria can help to consume nutrients that would otherwise contribute to algae growth.
To dose beneficial bacteria and dechlorinator correctly, you need to know how many gallons are in your pond. Go the Pond Gallons Calculator to find out.
Yes, plants are the number one filter, and because they are SO important, they have their own place on this list. Supplementing the natural filtration provided by plants will keep the pond looking great!
Rocks and Gravel
Beneficial bacteria is the biological filtration found in not only man made ponds, but ones found in nature too. Adding bacteria to the pond weekly is a part of keeping the pond healthy. Did you that if the pond is solid concrete or bare liner that bacteria will not help very much? It's true.
Bacteria needs a place to live. They need surface areas to colonize on.
To support the growth of these bacteria, a bio fall, and bio ball or other media are usually installed at the top of the waterfall. This was all the water filters through the bacteria.
A bio fall alone won't be enough. To better support and grow bacteria for a clean pond, 3/4" gravel, is put on the bottom of the pond and fills in gaps between rocks. They only need to be 2 to 3 inches deep but they provide the perfect nooks and crannies for beneficial bacteria to thrive!
Fish and other creatures rely on water to obtain their oxygen. Aeration in a pond is simply the introduction of oxygen into the water.
This is achieved through the waterfalls, air pumps called Aerators and good circulation.
As the water cascades and splashes over rocks in the waterfall and stream, oxygen is mixed into the water.
Aerators infuse more oxygen in to the water and serve to keep some of the water from freezing over in the winter. Place them in stagnant areas of the pond to assist in maintaining adequate oxygen levels.
Circulation is key! Oxygenated water needs to be circulated throughout the pond, leaving no stagnant areas. Optimal circulation is achieved when the waterfall or stream is positioned opposite to the skimmer, allowing for uniform oxygen distribution throughout the pond.
Did you know that a pond pump should be able to circulate all the gallons in your system each hour? YES! And the size of the pump correlates to this? It does! (If you are reading this you can tell your people tonight at dinner what you learned!)
Aquatic plants play a critical role in cultivating a thriving aquatic ecosystem. By consuming nutrients from fish waste and decaying debris, they serve as excellent natural filters. In fact, aquatic plants are THE BEST filtration you can have!
Various types of aquatic plants have unique nutrient-consumption capabilities This is why it is a good idea to have a diverse array of plants. From marginals to waterlilies to floaters, incorporating a variety of plants can not only enhance the aesthetic beauty of a pond but also aid in maintaining its cleanliness. In fact, the percentage of pond surface area covered by plants should be between 40 to 60%.
Read more about aquatic plants for your pond.
Yes, Swimmers like fish and other life (newts, minnows, snails, frogs) are a part of Living Water! Playing an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, they provide essential nutrients for the aquatic plants to thrive. It's crucial to determine the ideal number of fish for your pond to prevent overloading the system. Go to our Gallons Calculator to find out how many fish you can safely have. Read more about pond fish, how often to feed them and what to feed them.
A man made pond needs to be built well. I know, that sort of goes without saying, doesn't it? Apparently it is not obvious. I have worked with people who do not want to go to the expense of fixing the structural problem, yet, keep complaining that the pond doesn't look good or they keep having invasive algae issues.
The pond can have all of the 5 elements and still struggle.
The structure of a pond needs to allow for all the other pieces to Living Water. Think about it; if the pond is built like a mixing bowl, how can you put in aquatic plants? There needs to be shelves at various depths for plants to flourish.
How can there be a nice 2 inch depth of 3/4" gravel if it all just slides straight to the bottom?
The most important part of structural integrity is.....
It needs to consistently hold water. IT SHOULDN'T LEAK!! (Excuse me for yelling, but seriously folks...) It's the most critical aspect of structural integrity. A leaking pond will require more water, which can disturb the ecosystem's balance, harm fish, and even kill them if the water temperature is too different or if dechlorinator isn't used. It's crucial to prevent leaks and maintain the pond's balance. Not to mention that a well built pond will use LESS water than a lawn (it does!) and we want to keep it that way!
The Living Water Recipe - A Healthy backyard Pond Ecosystem
Even a small pond is an ecosystem! When a pond ecosystem is healthy, it is teeming with all sorts of life. We call this LIVING WATER! It’s like meeting a person, dog, or cat that radiates vitality – even if you can’t pinpoint the reason, you know they are well. A pond works the same way!
Since backyard ponds are often human-made, creating a thriving environment for various aquatic creatures can be challenging. Understanding the pieces of a healthy pond ecosystem will make it easier to keep your pond beautiful!
Did you know that toads and frogs will not live in an unhealthy environment? They won’t. Their skin is permeable so pollutants are very toxic to them. They can also eat 100 bugs a night! (https://pondinformer.com/toads-in-gardens/)
When F.R.OG.S.S are present and supported, the pond will look beautiful! Once they have been in place for a season or two, they will begin to carry themselves more and the work on your end will lessen.
Need help maintaining your pond? Give us a call!
720-523-1575