FAQ

If there is too much food available, algae will thrive. Algae are airborne and will be seen more readily after rain. The best way to fight algae is to make an unsuitable environment in which to live.

• Add plants to eat the food source.
• Add plants to eat the food source.
• Add bacteria that will help fight the algae.
• The pond may be new and the ecosystem has not developed. It will take time. Be patient.
• Green string algae are “mother nature’s” own food. When this is seen, the ecosystem is usually good and water will be clear.

A properly installed and planted pond will use less water than a bluegrass lawn. Ex: A 1000 square foot (20 x 50) lawn consumes approximately 27,000 gallons of water annually, while a 15 x 30 pond will use approximately 10,000 gallons through the year.

Predators are one of our pond’s worst enemies. They can severely damage the population of the fish. There are many deterrents on the market today, but one of the best is the Scarecrow. It’s a motion-activated sprayer that works off of a 9-volt battery and connects to a water hose. Whenever a predator comes near, the motion detector is activated and the sprayer is triggered. It is also recommended to have fish caves in your pond which act as a hiding spot for the fish.

Mosquitoes generally only lay their eggs in stagnant water. So, as long as you have moving water you will be fine. As a bonus, fish love to consume any larvae that exist.

Yes and no. Some turtles are protected and others are not. Check with your local wildlife agency to determine which types are not. Also realize that turtles may not always stay in your pond, and they can eat baby fish.

This does not happen often but if it does, follow this list to troubleshoot the problem before calling.

• Check the power supply.  The breaker may have blown.  Unplug the pump and plug in a radio or hair dryer to see if there is power.  If no power is at the plug, check reset on the GFIC breaker and check the fuse breaker on the main fuse panel in the home or business.  If you have power, move to the next step.
• Check to see if water is low in the skimmer.  This will also burn up a pump.  The cause will be a dirty net in the skimmer or low water in the pond.
• Next, unplug and see if something is blocking the pump opening, such as a stick, frog, or turtle.
• If none of these work, call us.

Only if it’s necessary, like when the pond water has a tea colored appearance and you want to add some carbon to clear it up. In addition, if the fish have become sick and they are in need of a medication, then you should add the appropriate product. Otherwise, it is best to leave it alone and let Mother Nature do her job.

Once a year is recommended, but it’s not always necessary. If the pond didn’t collect much debris throughout the year and the water conditions are still great, then there is no need.

Depending on the type of filter you have, it is generally recommended to clean the mechanical part, such as the skimmer or sponges, at least once a month. More may be needed if you’re in an area that has a lot of debris falling into the pond. If the type of biological filter you have includes pads, then they should be rinsed only once or twice a year. If the other media in the filter is of a plastic form, then it should never be rinsed unless it is clogged, and then it’s best if that can be done by using the pond water itself. This keeps the beneficial bacteria alive.

Since plants are one of the most important parts of the ecosystem and play an important role in keeping a pond healthy and clear, it would be great to have 60 to 70 percent of water surface coverage. Then add a good mixture of marginals and deep-water plants of your choosing.

Since plants are one of the most important parts of the ecosystem and play an important role in keeping a pond healthy and clear, it would be great to have 60 to 70 percent of water surface coverage. Then add a good mixture of marginals and deep-water plants of your choosing.

Absolutely. This is the main cause of poor water quality and many fish deaths. The rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. Remember, fish grow! So calculate their length based on how big they will get and not necessarily on how big they are now.

Yes, you should feed them any time the temperature is above 55° F. Feed them a spring and autumn blend when the temperatures are between 55° F and 65° F. Then switch to a summer food once it’s above 65° F. Only feed them once every 2 to 3 days. They should eat it up within the first 5 minutes.