Three Important Components of a Healthy Pond
Ponds are beautiful focal points for your yard. Water features like ponds have a calming quality, especially when you can observe your fish or other aquatic life. The sound of running water adds ambiance and is the perfect backdrop for reading a book or painting. The last thing you want is a smelly, murky pond ruining your relaxing vibes.
Set yourself up for success by making sure your pond has these three important components set up properly to make maintaining water quality easier:
1. Filtration
A healthy pond starts with clean water. Filtration systems use a combination of mechanical and biological filtration to remove debris and break down excess nutrients in the water. Some filtration systems include a UV light to help prevent algae blooms. Knowing the size of your pond and its filtration needs are important so you can install the proper amount of filtration. For example, a pond with fish will require more filtration than a pond of the same size without fish. You can determine the size of your pond by using the smartpond calculator.
Tip: You can also add aquatic plants that help filter excess nutrients out of the water, which can greatly benefit fish ponds.
2. Pump
Your pump is the heart of your pond and it is important you have the right amount of circulation and movement in the water. The pump should circulate the pond water at least once per hour. Without a pump, your water becomes stagnant. Still water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and algae. A strong enough pump is critical to keeping your pond water oxygenated, keeping algae at bay and reducing nutrient load. This is especially important if you have fish and other pond life.
Tip: Learn how to pick the right-sized pump for your pond.
3. Aeration
While a pump and filtration system are essential to any pond, having additional water features like fountains and waterfalls helps to keep the water circulating and the surface agitated. As the pump pulls water from the bottom of the pond and pushes it through the water feature like a fountain, it mixes with the air and oxygenates.
Tip: If you want to add aerating water features to your pond, these are some great DIY options:
Ponds are a great addition to your yard, creating an entire ecosystem for you to enjoy. You can add fish, plants, and other pondlife and have your own habitat right in your backyard. Three essential elements of a healthy pond are a filtration system, pump, and aeration. Having these components will make taking care of your pond easier.
