Shine Some Light on Your Backyard Pond

While you might think pond lights are just for decoration, they can actually serve a greater purpose in your backyard.

Usually, people who invest in pond lights and spotlights are hoping to add a focal point to their backyard pond.

In the evenings when it gets dark, it’s still important to let your pond act as the center of attention. You invested a ton of your time and money into creating your dream backyard water garden, so you should definitely want to show it off!

Floating pond lights and underwater lights are often used for this purpose. They can create an attractive feature that personalizes a backyard pond while also adding color, pattern and light. By using a combination of different light sources, you can illuminate your pond and your water features.

However, pond lights are actually more useful than you may think. They offer a layer of protection to your guests and your pond. It’s important that everyone in your backyard is aware of where your pond is and maintains a safe distance. Pond lights help keep your guests and your pond safe and sound. 

The lights can also help to keep unwanted visitors from attacking the fish in your pond. Animals will be less likely to try to get too close to your pond if it is well lit. 

What types of pond lights are available? You can choose between a wide variety of above-water and underwater pond lights:

·         LED pond lights

·         Fiber optic pond lights

·         Mini pond lights

·         Brass pond lights

·         Waterfall lights

·         Egglites

·         And more!

Nighttime is one of the best times to enjoy your backyard pond. Make sure it looks its best with the right combination of above-water and underwater pond lights for your backyard.

Troubleshooting Your Pond Pump

A sudden freeze hits your backyard pond, cracking your old submersible pond pump. This is not uncommon when you have an older unit that has been in your pond for several years. But, the after-effects can sometimes seem catastrophic for your pond.

So, how can you find these types of issues before it’s too late? 

If you are noticing problems with your pond pump, you might want to consider troubleshooting. Ensuring your submersible pond pump is actually broken before you replace it will help save you money and a lot of labor.

Some things to try when troubleshooting your backyard pond pump:

1.    Check the circuit breaker on your electrical panel that supplies the power to your pump. Try resetting the power or switching between “on” and “off” positions to see if this corrects any issues.

2.    If your submersible pond pump is plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet, you can test the breakers to see if there is an issue. Unplug your pump and press the reset button on your GFCI. Then, plug your pond pump back in and see if this solves your issue.

3.    Completely unplug your pump and test the water level. If it has dropped to expose too much of the pump housing it could have tripped the thermal protection device. Refill your pond and wait for your pond pump to cool down. After some time, plug it back in and see if this corrects your issue.

If you can’t seem to find out what is wrong with your pond pump, it’s probably a good time to start shopping for a new submersible pond pump. 

Always choose a magnetic drive pond pump or one that does not use oil, especially if you have fish. This will ensure that if something ever does happen, you will not be left with an entirely contaminated backyard pond. 

It’s always better to keep your pond in proper working order than worry about trying to fix a broken pump by yourself. If you have any questions, contact us at Pondliner.com and we will troubleshoot with you!

Plan Your Pond Facelift

Fall is the perfect time of year to start planning updates for your pond. Not only does it give you plenty of time to make a well thought out plan, but it’s also right around the holiday season when you can start asking for some of your necessary pond supplies as holiday gifts!

So, how can you update your existing pond to make it even more enjoyable?

If you’re getting a little bored with your backyard pond there are a variety of ways you can update it to provide new excitement. The most popular choice for updating a pond would be to add some sort of water feature.

Water Features

Water features are a great way to personalize your pond and turn it into the focal point in your backyard. Some of the common choices for water features include:

• Waterfall
• Pond fountains
• Floating pond fountains
• Birdbaths
• And more!

When you choose to add a water feature to your backyard pond, you can completely customize it. Whether you choose to have a gushing geyser, gentle waterfall or charming birdbath is completely up to you.

Koi & Goldfish

Another way to update your water garden is to consider adding fish. If your pond doesn’t currently have fish, it’s an easy addition you can make that will add new interest and life to your backyard.

Some of the common koi and goldfish you can add to your backyard pond include:

• Decorative koi fish
• Butterfly koi fish
• Goldfish

Looking for other ways to change the look of your boring backyard pond? Consider adding pond lights, new water plants or even new decorative features.

Make it easy on your family and friends this holiday season. Tell them you want to update the look of your backyard pond with new pond supplies and features from Pondliner.com.

What Do Fish Do All Winter? How Do They Survive?

Feeling a little uneasy about leaving your fish in your backyard pond or water garden this winter? It’s common to feel a little guilty about leaving your fish exposed to frigid temperatures and harsh weather conditions.

Believe it or not, your fish are actually designed for winter dormancy.

If your pond is at least 30 inches deep, your fish can survive the winter weather. What will your fish do all winter in your backyard pond? Not much. A fish slows its metabolism down during the winter months, going into a state of hibernation. This means, your fish won’t really be swimming around or even eating.

A fish can easily survive during winter months without food and without the warm weather. However, in order to survive, there needs to be at least one open area on the pond surface that is not covered by ice. Your fish will need this in order to continue “breathing” under water.

The best way to ensure your fish are safe in your water garden during winter is to invest in a quality pond heater. A heater can help keep the surface of your pond from freezing over completely.

Another option is an aerator,  which can serve a similar purpose to the pond pump, but is a more affordable option if your area doesn’t often get freezing temperatures during winter. You could also use backyard pond pumps to keep the water on the surface of your pond circulating to prevent freezing.

So, you can rest assured with proper pond winterization your fish will be safe and sound all winter long. 

Top Five Fall Backyard Pond Purchases

Winter is a time for dormancy for your water garden, but the affects the weather has can be dangerous for the life within your pond.

Luckily, there are ways to protect your pond from the adverse weather winter brings, so in spring your pond will jump back and be better prepared for your enjoyment.

What are some of the purchases you need to make when fall approaches? Use our guide below to help you purchase what you will need to prep your backyard pond for winter:

1. Leaf netting – After you work hard to clean your pond and prepare it for winter, make sure no other debris accumulates in it by using leaf netting.
2. Pond heater – A pond heater or de-icer will help prevent the top of your pond from freezing. This is especially important if you have fish hibernating in your pond during the winter months.
3.  Heated water hose – A heated water hose is important if your area experiences freezing weather during winter. This hose can melt ice and regain its flexibility.
4. Aeration kit – This can help release toxic gases and replenish the fresh oxygen in your pond during the freezing months of winter.

While you can purchase all of these essentials separately, it might make sense to purchase everything in one easy to use pond winterization kit. Not only will this save you money, but it will ensure that you have absolutely everything you will need to keep your pond healthy during the winter season.

Pond winterization kits may differ, but try to find one that includes a heated de-icer, pond netting, aeration kit as well as wheat germ food sticks and spirulina. Purchasing this kit all at once will save you time and money in the future.

Shop for all your winter pond supplies from Pondliner.com to ensure you have everything you need to prep your pond for winter dormancy. 

The Pondliner.com Countdown to Winter

When summer winds down and fall is in full swing, it’s time to start prepping your backyard pond or water garden for the cooler months ahead.

Don’t feel overwhelmed, the fall season gives you enough time to space out your winterization so you can still enjoy the time you have left with your pond.

Use our winter countdown to help guide your fall pond maintenance efforts:

•  Clean-up – In late summer and early fall, it’s important that you start to remove as much debris and material from your backyard pond as possible. To do this, use a skimmer or pond vacuum to remove leaves, twigs and other build-up. Use netting to prevent any further debris from accumulating.
• Repot your plants – In fall, it’s necessary to repot your pond plants to divide and store. Non-hardy plants need to be protected before winter dormancy. Try to repot your plans as soon as you can.
• Bring your fish in – Don’t wait until the snow starts falling to remove your fish from your backyard pond. Your fish can become stressed when exposed to temperature shifts greater than 4 or 5 degrees, so the sooner you relocate them the better.
• Trimming – Prune any overgrown or long-stemmed plants to help promote growth next season. Also, trimming your plants can help you remove any leaves that might end up falling to the bottom of your pond.
•  Feed your pond plants – Late summer and early fall is the best time to start providing your pond plants with the nutrients and supplements they will need as winter approaches.

While there is more you will need to do to completely prep your pond for the harsh winter ahead, it’s important to start slowly and make the adjustment for your plants and fish a smooth one.

Find all the fall pond maintenance and pond winterization kits you need to help your pond stay strong at Pondliner.com.

Can My Fish Survive the Winter?

If you live in a climate that endures harsher winters, you’re probably wondering whether your fish can survive the cold. While deeper ponds are better for fish than shallow water gardens, there are some precautions you can take to keep your fish alive in the winter. Protect your fish with these pond winterization techniques:

Make Sure Your Pond is Deep Enough

Fish are made to survive in cold temperatures, and even frozen water. However, there needs to be enough unfrozen water under the ice for your fish to live healthily. Your pond should have an area that is at least 18 inches deep in case it freezes over completely. This can give the fish enough room to create a warmer living space under the ice.

Add a Pump or Heater

If you want to avoid a frozen pond, you need to invest in a pond heater or pump. Heaters are made for cold temperatures, so installing one could be a good option for keeping a small area of your pond warm. Heaters can also create holes in the ice to allow more oxygen to enter the water for your fish.

While a pond pump is more likely to be internally damaged by cold weather, a pump with a fountain can also add oxygen to your pond. The area of water surrounding the fountain stays unfrozen, creating a large hole in the ice through which oxygen can enter the water.

Leave Some Dirt

Because your pond will be more sealed off from nutrients in the winter than in other seasons, it’s important to not over-clean your pond before it gets cold. You don’t need your pond to look perfect in the winter, so leave some dirt, bacteria, and debris in the water. This will provide natural nutrients for your fish to consume.

Limit Food

When the temperature drops, so does a fish’s metabolism. Feeding them more than they need to eat will cause extra waste products, so be wary of feeding in the winter. As the temperature gradually decreases in the fall, scale down the amount of food you give them. When the weather drops to under 45˚F, you can stop feeding your fish altogether. The above precautions can keep them alive throughout the winter without requiring food.

When you’re ready to start preparing your pond for winter, check out the from Pondliner.com. Contact us for answers to your pond and water garden questions.

Why Do I Need a Pond Pump for my Water Garden?

If you’re backyard water feature is a small water garden, you might be wondering why a pond pump is necessary. You don’t have fish or a large amount of water, so what good can a pond pump do for you?

Filters do the water cleaning, but without a pump, much of your water would remain dirty. A pond pump can do the following for your water garden:

Circulate Water 

Circulation is vital to water garden health, even with minimal fish, plants and water. If your water isn’t circulating, it can’t all be cleaned. With a pond pump, your water will circulate, which allows your filter system to clean all of your water equally and efficiently. Water circulation also creates healthier water in itself. By allowing movement, you can avoid stagnant water in your garden.

 Limit Bacteria Growth

Water gardens can be especially susceptible to unhealthy bacteria growth due to shallow water and extreme temperature changes. To reduce unwanted bacteria without harming your plants and fish, use a pond pump to keep water moving and distribute extreme temperature areas.

Assist Filtration

In summer and fall seasons, extra leaves and debris can enter your filtering system. With a pump for your water garden, you can screen out larger items before they reach the filter. Give your filter a longer life with a pump and connecting pipe that screens out large debris.

Drive Water Features 

If you have a waterfall or fountain feature in your water garden, you’re likely using electricity to power it. With a pond pump, you can not only circulate water, but also add water flow to your garden features. Circulate more efficiently by using one device to both improve the cleaning and water power of your garden.

Water garden pumps  can clean your water and power circulation efficiently. To be sure your backyard pond has the pond supplies necessary to stay healthy, contact Pondliner.com.

3 Advantages of Pressure Filters

Are you trying to find the perfect water filter for your backyard pond? You know you need to keep your water, fish and plants healthy, but it can be difficult to decide between the many pond filter supplies available. Consider the advantages of pressure filters, ideal for small backyard ponds:

Sealed Units 

Pressure filters are sealed units made to be placed outside of the pond and fed water via a water pump in the pond. The filter unit is sealed, so it can be placed nearly anywhere, including below ground level or behind a water feature. If you’re looking for a filter that can be installed in a variety of places, a pressure filter gives you flexible options.

Re-routed Water Path

Water must leave the pond through a pump to enter the pressurized filter. This allows creative options for water’s re-entrance to your pond. Want to install a fountain or create a waterfall to enhance your yard? A pressure filter can route filtered water back into your pond through a water feature.

Eco-friendly Options

Pondliner.com offers eco-friendly pressurized pond filters. These filters are self-cleaning; all you have to do is switch the control valve to backwash and pull the cleaning handle. Magnetic pumps operate the filter, while a UC clarifier keeps water efficiently clean.

The pressurized filters at Pondliner.com are made of two kinds of filter foam: fine and coarse. The contrast of these textures creates an optimal environment for growing the bacteria that’s good for your filter supplies. Using this advantage of a pressure filter, you can grow the bacteria your pond needs without adding more chemicals that could be harmful to your fish and plants.

If you’re looking for a flexible, easy to manage filtering system for your small pond, a pressure filter can provide you with the supplies you need. Contact Pondliner.com to learn more about your filtering supply and service options today.

Making the Transition to Pond Filtering

You know you should have installed a pond filter long ago, but you just never got around to it. Now you’ve realized your pond life can’t stay healthy without one. So how should you go about installing a pond filter when you’ve been going without one? Here are some important steps you should take to safely install your filter.

Clean, Clean, Clean! 

Pond filters can be delicate, so it’s important to manually clean your pond before you start filtering. You might need to invest in some pond supplies to effectively clean your water feature. If your pond liner is too dirty to clean manually, consider draining your pond and purchasing a new filter. However, if you think you can clean your pond without making any replacements, you can treat the water with algaecide and chemicals that clean up bacteria. If there are fish living in your pond, be careful not to over-use these chemical treatments. Consider purchasing a non-toxic algaecide.

In addition to chemical treatments, you can also scrub your pond liner. Simply use a non-toxic cleaning chemical and scrub dirty areas with a hard-bristled brush. When you’ve finished with chemicals and are nearly ready to install your filter, skim the water surface with a net or skimmer to remove any excess plants.

Monitor Your Filter 

It’s always good to keep a close eye on your filter so you notice when it’s time to change it. This is especially important to do when you first install a filter. You will quickly learn what your pond filter looks like when it’s working properly so you can notice any future malfunctions. You will also be able to make sure your filter doesn’t experience overuse due to the extra cleaning it does at first. Your pond might look clean to you, but it could still have a lot of bacteria that the filter catches, so be sure to monitor it after installation.

As long as your pond isn’t too dirty, you should be able to transition to filtering without much trouble. Simply remember to keep your pond clean, even after your install your new filter.

If you’re looking for more pond filter suggestions or supplies, Pondliner.com can help you. Contact us today to take advantage of our expert solutions and quality products.

Is My Pond Temperature Too Warm?

If you have a smaller pond, you might be worried about the warm temperatures it reaches in the summer. High temperatures from the sun can be harmful to your plants and fish. Your pond supplies, such as pumps and filters, could also be damaged by high temperatures that increase algae growth, so it’s important to monitor the water temperature.

 What is an Acceptable Pond Temperature? 

While higher temperatures can be tolerated in ponds without fish, the ideal pond temperature is 65˚F–75˚F. Fish can survive small pond temperatures of 35˚F–85˚F, but if the water is consistently above 85˚F, you will need to enact some cooling procedures to keep your fish and plants healthy.

How Should I Cool My Pond? 

Safe cooling procedures are often a good idea for keeping your fish healthy and minimizing sun exposure, which increases algae growth. Stay away from simply changing out hot water for cooler water, though. Your pond life will be shocked by the quick temperature change, and your fish and plants could die. Consider some of the following tips you can use to safely cool your pond:

·         Plant trees around your pond. By adding shade around your pond, you will decrease the pond’s exposure to sun and extreme heat. This is a natural way to cool your water without affecting any of the internal workings of the pond’s habitat.

·         Add lilies or other shady water plants. You can easily cool your pond and add a new decorative plant by adding lilies to your backyard water feature. Lilies lay on top of the water, protecting fish and the other plants from the sun’s heat.

·         Add a waterfall. If you want to make an addition to your pond and decrease its temperature at the same time, you can install a waterfall or fountain aerator. These pond supplies will aerate your pond, and you can blow a fan across the falling water to cool it before it enters the pond.

·         Use a pond tint. By treating your small pond with pond tint, you can help your pond filter during the hot sunlight. A slight blue tint will keep your pond cooler than it is with its natural color.

Using these cooling tips can help protect your pond life from the dangers of heat. If you need pond supplies to cool your backyard water feature, Pondliner.com is here to meet all of your pond maintenance needs.

Summer Lovin’: Giving Your Pond Summer TLC

Backyard pond maintenance in the summer doesn’t take much work. It’s the time of year when you can sit back and enjoy your backyard. You can’t completely neglect your pond, though. Fish are more active and your plants are growing, so problems could quickly arise. Learn how to keep your pond clean so it stays healthy in the summer.

Keep the O₂ Coming

If you don’t have an aerator for your pond yet, summer is the time to get one. Warm water doesn’t retain oxygen as well as cooler water, so it’s important to keep your aerator on 24/7. Increased oxygen allows more ammonia and nitrate reduction. This needs to happen so you can allow algae to grow healthily and fish to digest their food efficiently. You can talk to an expert from Pondliner.com to decide what pond aerator is best for you.

Algae Is Good, But Avoid Algae Blooms

You want the algae in your pond to grow at a healthy pace, but it could get out of control in the summer months. Increased sunlight, plant growth, and fish activity can create an abundance of algae. Consider trimming back your plants and adding some water lilies that block the sun. If you decide to use algaecide, be sure to avoid overuse, or purchase non-toxic chemicals so you don’t harm your fish.

Check Your Pond Supplies

With all of that pond life activity, it’s important to monitor your pond filters and pumps. Pond supplies might be more likely to break in the summer because of all the use they get. Stay on top of maintenance issues by checking to see if your pond pumps and filters are in working order. If not, you might need to buy some new products or get them fixed.

You pond can be healthier in the summer if you simply keep it oxygenated, beware of algae blooms, and monitor your pond supplies. Pondliner.com is here to help you with all of your summer pond maintenance needs. Contact us today.

How to Add Oxygen to Your Backyard Water Garden

When the sun starts shining and the weather begins to heat up, summer pond maintenance begins. One of your major summer pond maintenance responsibilities is adding oxygen to your pond. 

But, is oxygenating your pond really that important? And if it is, how do you go about adding oxygen?

This is actually one of the simpler pond tasks you will have this summer. It’s important to add oxygen to your pond, because the sun can cause your water garden to heat up which is unsafe for your fish and plants. Oxygen is necessary to maintaining an ecological balance in your pond.

Oxygenating Your Pond

The easiest way to ensure your pond has sufficient oxygen is to make sure there is constant aeration. There are testing devices some pond-owners use to test oxygen levels, but this is unnecessary if you maintain aeration in your pond.

There are several ways to add oxygen to your pond:

1. Pond pumps keep water moving constantly in your backyard pond and make a practical solution to filtering your water and oxygenating your water.
2. Water features are another simple way to introduce oxygen to your pond water. Using waterfalls, fountains and other devices constantly aerate your pond water
3. Airstones are designed to bubble air into your water to keep oxygen at sufficient levels throughout the warmer months.
4. Decreasing plant life is another way to increase oxygen levels. Oftentimes, your plants grow more during the warmer months, which could be depleting your pond of precious oxygen.

It’s not hard to keep your pond oxygenated, but it is vitally important that you do. The health and wellness of your fish depends on the amount of oxygen in your pond water. Your best bet to avoid algae growth and promote aeration is to constantly keep the water moving and producing oxygen day and night. 

*Photo courtesy of Stellajo1976 via Flickr

Help...Solve My Pond Disasters!

If you are a new pond-owner or struggling to keep your pond in proper working order this summer, we’re here to help.

What you see as a major pond disaster might just really be a hiccup on your journey to pond perfection.

Check out some of the common disasters pond-owners tend to encounter and the simple solutions to these problems:

My Pond Looks Green!

Believe it or not, it’s very common for a backyard pond to turn a shade of green. It’s a fairly simple fix. Ponds turn green because they are not ecologically balanced. The warmer weather allows more sun to hit the water, promoting algae growth. There is no way to prevent this.

However, there is a simple solution. When your pond water turns a shade of green, check for one of two things:

• Microscopic particles of algae
•  Floating hair-like particles

If you notice microscopic particles in your backyard pond, you can use an oxygenated pond filter to clear out the debris. You can also use some submerged vegetation, such as anacharis to help clear out the algae growth.

Next, cover the surface of your pond with floating plants. Using lily pads, water hyacinths, water clover and other surface-floating plants, you can prevent the sun from shining directly on your pond and causing it to heat up.

Why is Water Splashing Out?!

Another common issue pond-owners face, water can splash out of your pond for a simple reason. If the area the water is falling into is more than one half the width of what it is falling into, it will splash out. Basically, if water is falling into a 5’ area, the water will splash if it falls more than 2.5’.

How can you solve this disaster? Create smaller waterfalls, or make the width of your pond wider. Consider using a water feature that is designed for small ponds or get used to filling your pond more often.

Uh Oh…My Pond is Leaking!

Don’t panic! If your pond is leaking, know that this is an easily fixable disaster. Often times, the “leak” could really just be water splashing out from a water feature or leaking out of the back or sides of your waterfall. Find the source of your waterfall leak and simply move the hoses toward the pond so that any lost water will go back into the pond water.

Sometimes, your pond disasters aren’t as disastrous as they may seem. The key is to not panic, and investigate the problem for what it really is. Still need help? Contact the professionals at Pondliner.com for even more guidance. 

Top 5 Tips for Keeping Cool in the Summer Sun

Summer is about to be in full swing! Is your pond ready? While you may know the basics of summer pond care, it’s important that you pay attention to all the hazards your pond faces when the sun starts to shine.

Check out our top five tips for keeping your pond cool in the summer:

• Avoid overfeeding your fish – Overfeeding your fish in the summer months can cause poor water quality in your backyard pond or water garden.  During summer your fish become more active and can even go into “overdrive.” They grow faster and eat more, which increases the amount of waste production. Monitor how much you feed your pond fish to avoid impacting your water quality and pond filter. 
• Add more oxygen – By using your pond filter, you can help increase oxygen production in your pond, which is essential in the summer months. As your pond warms up, it can lose its ability to hold oxygen. Using a filter can add aeration to your water garden and reduce build-up of armful gases.
• Control mosquitoes – When the surface of your pond is constantly moving, it’s much more difficult for mosquitoes to start breeding. How can you achieve this? Use a waterfall, fountain or other pond decoration to keep the water in your pond from settling. 
• Protect your fish from predators – If you live in an area where your fish could be in danger, consider investing in pond covers or nets to cover shallow areas in your pond. Protecting your fish is vital to truly enjoying your backyard pond. 
• Sunblock your goldfish – Yep, your fish are susceptible to the sun, just like you. On days when the sun is strong, consider using water lilies or rock overhang to keep your fish out of direct sunlight.  Short on resources? Even a small summer umbrella will do the trick!

The summer months are the very best for enjoying your backyard pond. Be sure to follow our simple tips to keep your pond in proper working order all spring and summer long

Do Water Gardens Really Need Filtration?

You may have read articles that say a backyard water garden can sustain itself without a filter. Well, that’s not really true. A water garden can sustain itself, but only if you don’t really care what it looks like.

If you want to have a backyard pond that’s beautiful, it’s going to take a little more than just Mother Nature. It makes sense to think that if you create a natural environment for your pond, it should naturally create an environment that takes care of itself. However, this is not the case.

When you create a manmade backyard pond, you are installing a liner, rocks purchased from a store and water from the faucet. All of these elements create a beautiful pond, but not a natural one. A natural pond is not chlorinated and it does not have anything plastic in it.

It’s important to face reality when it comes to a water garden. Whether or not you choose to have fish in your pond, it still needs proper filtration. Pond filters are designed to help your water garden remain clean, attractive and relatively maintenance-free.

It’s understandable that you want to enjoy your backyard pond more than you clean it, which is why a quality pond pump and filter are necessary. The pond pump works to move water throughout the water garden so that all of the water is properly filtered. This filtration system will keep debris, muck, bacteria and sludge from occupying space in your water garden.

So, ultimately the decision is yours. You can choose to live with a cess pool in your backyard or invest in a quality pond filter and enjoy the man-made beauty of your water garden all spring and summer.

*Photo courtesy of the Italian voice via Flickr.

How to Keep Your Fish Healthy in 2012

What you might not realize is spring is the most crucial time for your koi and goldfish. During the winter, your fish are very low-maintenance. They’re metabolism slows down, they don’t eat and they lay dormant at the bottom of your pond. But as soon as warm weather approaches, it’s time to step back in.

By going dormant all winter and not eating, your koi fish can have a compromised immune system. This makes them more susceptible to contracting disease from bacteria and parasites breeding in your backyard pond.

Until your water reaches a constant 70 degrees F, your fish will not have developed a full immune system. This is why proper backyard pond cleaning is essential.

As soon as spring approaches, you need to start getting out your pond supplies and doing a thorough cleaning of all areas of your pond. This includes cleaning pond filters, pond liners, pond pumps, plants and rocks.

Once your pond is thoroughly cleaned, your goldfish and koi will have a much stronger chance of survival. Even with depleted immune systems, if your fish are habituating in an environment free of bacteria, scum and sludge, they will be safe and sound.

Don’t be intimidated by the task of a pond cleaning. Think of it as a way to start an entire season of enjoying your backyard pond while also enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.

Need help with your spring cleaning? Check out the Pondliner.com Backyard Pond Spring CleaningGuide.

*Photo courtesy of dboy via Flickr.

How to Clean Up After a Storm

There is nothing worse than a dirty koi pond. And if there is rain in your forecast, all you can do is cross your fingers and hope Mother Nature decides to be kind.

But, what do you do if the storms come anyway? How can you quickly and effectively clean your pond after the storms have passed?

If you notice that your pond is constantly looking dirty, there are a variety of common reasons this could be happening:

1. Your plants are dying and you are not properly cleaning out the debris
2. Mother Nature took her chance to wreak havoc on your pond surface
3. Crevices in your pond liner are hiding dirt and sludge
4. Your rocks are hiding bacteria and muck

So, is it hopeless? No! The answer to a dirty pond is easier than you think. The number one way to help your pond stay healthy, clean and beautiful is by investing in a quality pond filter. If you are experiencing issues with the cleanliness of your pond, it’s time to re-evaluate the effectiveness of your current pond filter.

The better your pond pump works, the cleaner your pond will be. A pond filter is designed to clean out all the sludge and debris that occurs from storms, dead plants and other issues.

It’s really that simple! Make sure you only buy the very best pond filters for your pond so you can spend more time enjoying your backyard water garden and less time watching the forecast. 

*Photo courtesy of Slawek Puklo via Flickr.

Acclimate Your Fish in Just 3 Simple Steps

When purchasing new fish for your backyard pond or water garden, it’s important for you to understand how to properly acclimate your fish to their new surroundings. While this may sound complicated, you can easily and effectively put fish in your pond by following these three simple steps:

1. Perform a clean sweep of your fish pond – By deeply cleaning your rocks, waterfall, pond filters, pumps and other equipment, you can speed up the process when it comes time to add fish.

2. Start Your Pond Filters – Once you have thoroughly cleaned and filled your pond, replace your filter to ensure it is properly working when you add your fish. It may be helpful to install new filter pads and add chemicals to clean bacteria. Once everything is in order you can begin running your pond pump.

3. Test your water – It’s important that you have your pond water balanced before putting in your fish. Use a test kit to check the levels of pH, nitrate and ammonia in the water.

That’s it! Now it’s time to add your new fish. Once you have your water perfectly filtered and tested, it is safe to add your favorite aquatic fish. Be sure to choose fish that are low-maintenance and that suit the size pond you have.

*Photo courtesy of Martin Pettitt via Flickr.

The Four Easiest and Four Hardest Fish to Keep in Your Pond

When choosing the right fish for your backyard water garden, it usually comes down to preference. However, it may be helpful for you to explore the types of fish that are the easiest to maintain and the hardest to maintain in a backyard pond.

There are a wide variety of fish you can choose to have in your backyard pond, and many of your choices will depend on the size of your pond and climate in your area. Learning as much as you can about a fish species will make it easier for you to find success with any fish you choose.

Decide for yourself if you are up for a challenge, or looking for fish that will sustain with little maintenance by checking out our list of the four easiest and hardest fish to keep in your pond.

Four Easiest Fish to Keep in a Pond

1. Goldfish
2. Koi fish
3. Golden Orfe
4. Mosquito Fish

Four Hardest Fish to Keep in a Pond

1. Red lobsters
2. Killifish
3. Blue Channel Catfish
4. Pingi Logsucker

Understand that this list is not comprehensive and that you may find ease at keeping any of these fish. There are many factors that should go into choosing fish for your pond. Take the time to learn more about fish species before you decide so you can make the best choice for your fish pond.

*Image courtesy of JoshBerglund19 via Flickr.

How to Filter Your Water Garden

Your water garden is beautiful, but what happens when leaves and other debris builds up in your fish pond? Even if you skim your pond every single day, it may still develop a build-up of debris from storms and adverse weather conditions.

So what is the alternative to dealing with muck and debris in your backyard water garden? It may be time to invest in a water filter. Water filters are a practical investment in the maintenance of your backyard pond.

What kind of filter system do you need for your backyard water garden? There are a variety of pond filters on the market that you can choose from and each one has their own advantages.

For a small or large water garden, you can invest in an Atlantic water garden FilterFall. Not only do they feature the latest technology, but they also create an attractive feature that will enhance the appeal of your water garden.

A waterfall garden filter will help keep the water in your backyard garden flowing so that insects and other debris can’t gather. Finding the right pond supplies for your backyard pond is as simple as understanding what’s available and how it will work with your budget.

Browse the enormous selection of pond supplies and pond filters at Pondliner.com to find the perfect one for your backyard water garden.

*Photo courtesy of ConspiracyofHappiness via Flickr

Disaster Zone! Dealing with Pond Damage

Whether from Mother Nature or unwanted guests, if your pond has experienced damage, you need to understand your options.

A backyard pond is meant to be one of the highlights of your home. Keeping your home protected from muskrats, beavers, turtles, weeds and muddy water is just part of the job. But, if you know how to effectively deal with these unwanted problems, you can continue to enjoy your pond for many years to come.

Beavers, Muskrats & Turtles, Oh My!

In many states, animals can be a serious problem for pond owners. These pests can kill fish, damage your pond pumps and block your drain pipes. In some cases, larger animals can even cause pond banks to collapse and leak.

The best way to remove these unwanted pests is to contact a licensed trapper and have them remove the animal from your yard. It may be difficult to prevent animals from coming back, but the best way to avoid unwanted house guests is to maintain your pond. By trimming away weeds and keeping your grass mowed, these animals will have nowhere in your yard to hide and they will seek shelter elsewhere.

Muddy Water

The first step to cleaning a muddy pond is to eliminate the source of the dirt. Commonly, muddy water can occur when there is a runoff of dirt and debris seeping in from areas around your pond, when animals get in your pond, or from fish unsettling the bottom.

Dealing with these issues is simple, once you know how to eliminate the source of the dirt and debris, you can simply clean it up and enjoy. It may take a while for your pond pump and filter to restore your pond to its healthy appearance, but once it does your pond should be good as new.

If your pond will not clean out naturally, you may need to check that your pond filter is working properly and help things along by using a treatment recommended by your pond supplies store.

Be prepared for any pond damage by stocking up on essentials from Pondlliner.com. Shop today.

*Photo courtesy of James Preston via Flickr.

How to Plan Your Pond Supplies Since the Ground Hog Saw His Shadow

On February 2^nd, Punxsutawney Phil was scared by his shadow as the crowds gathered around Gobbler’s Knob. While this may not have normally affected you, as a backyard pond owner, it may ruin the plans you had for an early spring. What are you supposed to do now?

Punxsutawney Phil may have actually helped you out! Spring is one of the hardest seasons to predict. Weather can warm up and then instantly turn cold again. Just when the trees are ready to bud, an icy frost comes to ruin their early development. But, this unpredictable weather just gives you more time to stock up on the pond supplies you will need to prepare your pond for the warmer months ahead.

As spring approaches, there are several things you should do to prepare your backyard pond. Check the temperature of your water garden occasionally. Once the temperature hits about 10 degrees C, you can begin to pull out your pond supplies and give your pond a thorough cleaning.

Some of the pond supplies you need to start preparing for your spring pond opening include:

• Pond vacuum
• Pond skimmer
• UV Sterilizers/clarifiers
• Pond filters
• Test kits
• Pond treatments
• Pond thermometers

After cleaning your backyard pond it’s important to test the water and ensure the pH is at proper levels. You will also want to test for nitrates, ammonia and oxygen levels.

Punxsutawney Phil also gave you a little extra time to make sure your pond pump and filter are working properly. If not, you might need to invest in more pond supplies than you anticipated. Even if all parts are working at 100%, you will still need to clean the outside of the pump and ensure all filters and strainers are completely clear.

Spring also means it’s time to start feeding your fish again. If your backyard water garden has fish, you can start feeding your fish when the pond reaches a constant temperature of 8 to 10 degrees C. Only feed your fish in low quantities and remove excess food when necessary.

Stay one step ahead by preparing your pond with pond supplies from Pondliner.com.

*Photo courtesy of El Frito via Flickr