Maintaining an All Natural Pond
Ponds are a great way to connect with nature. A pond contributes to the ecosystem in your backyard and helps you spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air. Ponds also invite local wildlife to quench their thirst or beat the heat with a little splash in the water. You may even dip your feet in the water when the weather really warms up.
You can maintain your pond naturally without using potentially harmful chemicals. Many pond water treatments promise results, but they can be at the expense of using artificial chemicals. smartpond® has a line of natural water treatments designed to be safe for plants, fish, and wildlife. These water treatments are and are eco-friendly and made in the USA. Natural pond maintenance can be just as effective as routine non-natural water treatments.
Why go natural?
Crystal-clear water is not always healthy water. Beyond the surface, there can be hidden dangers such as poor oxygenation, high levels of contaminants, or an imbalanced pH. Going natural provides safer solutions for fish, plants, and wildlife and provides safer handling and storage options, taking the worry out of pond care.
Prevent any problems before they affect your water or pond life with natural maintenance and water treatments as needed. Local wildlife like deer, rabbits, and bees may be using your pond as the local watering hole and will appreciate the use of natural ingredients. Bees, for example, are essential for keeping a healthy garden and helping pollinate flowers, but they are pretty sensitive to chemicals.
What can you do to maintain a natural pond?
Aeration
Ponds in nature are created through a water source. The running water keeps the pond circulating. A stagnant pond quickly turns green, loses oxygen, and becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Aeration is the best way to combat algae, mosquitoes, and keep oxygen levels high in a man-made pond.
Filtration
A good filtration system is a chemical-free way to remove fish waste, pollutants, and other smaller debris from the water. Some filtration systems can be dual-purpose and also aerate the water with a fountain or utilize a UV clarifier (some even come with decorative lights). UV Clarifiers prevent algae and other microscopic organisms from overtaking pond water that can harm your fish.
There are three types of filtration: UV clarification, mechanical, and biological. UV clarification works to break down algae at the microscopic level. Mechanical filters use filtration pads to catch debris as the water flows through. Biological filters use naturally occurring, beneficial bacteria to break down contaminants in the water into harmless compounds.
Remove Debris
Debris like tree leaves and grass clippings release excess nutrients into the pond as they decay. The nutrients can feed algae and create an algae bloom. Debris that isn’t removed from the surface sinks to the bottom of the pond as it breaks down, creating a layer of sludge and releasing harmful gases.
A pond skimmer removes debris from the pond’s surface and collects it in a skimmer box, which you can easily clean out. The skimmer may not be enough if your pond is under a tree that sheds a lot of leaves. You can install pond netting or manually scoop out debris as part of your daily routine. Minimizing the amount of waste that breaks down in your pond will help maintain water quality.
Add Pond Life
Fish and plants can help keep the pond ecosystem balanced and in check when cared for and chosen properly. Choosing the right fish and plants can help with pond maintenance. Many aquatic plants such as hornwort help oxygenate and filter water. Mosquito fish will help curb your mosquito population naturally, while fish like bitterlings and American flag fish will eat algae in the water.
Be careful about adding too many fish in a pond which can quickly lead to overcrowding and hurt water quality. Overfeeding can also create a waste problem, as uneaten food sinks to the bottom of the pond. Certain plants are more beneficial to have in your pond than others. Surface plants like water lilies add shade, preventing algae from receiving the sunlight it needs. Marginal plants like irises help absorb excess nutrients in the water.
Natural Water Treatments
Barley Pond Clarifier
Barley straw has long been an all-natural go-to as a water clarity treatment. Barley works over time to remove nutrients from the water that algae feed on, helping the water clear up and prevent algae blooms. It is best used as a preventative measure to keep water clear before the algae have taken over. smartpond Barley Pond Clarifier uses barley extract, a more concentrated version of barley straw, mixed with deionized water to help clear water in a natural and fish-friendly way.
Beneficial Bacteria
Beneficial bacteria work hard in your pond by safely breaking down waste and debris and working against harmful bacteria that release toxins into the water. smartpond Sludge Remover give your pond a boost by adding billions of heterotrophic bacteria that aid in the breakdown and removal of organic waste. The beneficial bacteria help reduce odors and maintain water quality. Sludge Remover is all-natural and a great tool for a pond with fish to keep things balanced.
The key to a natural pond is maintenance and prevention. Your pond is a living ecosystem that must stay balanced. Using natural methods to prevent an algae bloom is easier than fixing a pond that already looks like pea soup. Test your water frequently, as it is a better sign of health than clarity, and prevent issues before they show symptoms. You will feel great knowing your pond is eco-friendly and provides a sanctuary for wildlife.
Meta Description: Learn how to maintain a natural pond without harmful chemicals so your pond is safe for fish and wildlife.
