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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Take Advantage of Pondliner’s Spring Pond Supplies Promotions

With spring only a month away, it’s important for you to start investing in the quality pond supplies you need to get your backyard water garden back in shape. In an effort to make things a little easier on your wallet, Pondliner.com is offering special spring promotions on a few of our top-selling items.

Save on your next Pondliner.com purchase by taking advantage of our current pond supplies promotions below:

• Enter the Promo Code "power" for a special price of $220.00 on Laguna PowerClean Cordless Pond Vacuum - a $55 Savings!

• Purchase any Pond Vacuum and Receive a FREE 8.8 oz bottle of Aquascape EcoBlast Debris Remover – a $12.99 Value!

When you are looking to prepare your backyard pond for the warmer months ahead, you quickly realize the importance of owning a quality pond vacuum. It is important to remove all the debris and scum that has built up during the winter months and with these special offers, Pondliner.com is making it a little easier.

It is our goal to help you create the backyard pond of your dreams, which is why we try to facilitate your needs with our pond supplies promotions.

Interested in saving even more with Pondliner.com? Sign up to receive our special email promotions and check back often for Pondliner.com promotion codes!

*Image provided by 401K

Put the Spring Back in Your Yard with Spring Pond Supplies

While it may seem hard to believe, spring is just around the corner. The first official day of spring is March 20^th. That gives you just over a month to start putting the spring back in your yard with pond supplies and pumps from Pondliner.com.

What do we suggest you do to prepare for spring? The second the snow melts and the temperature starts to change, it’s time for you to prepare your pond for the warmer months ahead. Pondliner.com is happy to help you shop for all the pond supplies you need to get your backyard in shape for spring and summer.

While every backyard koi pond and water garden is going to have different needs, there are some general preparations you should make as spring approaches:

• “De-winterize” your pond by turning on your pond pump and replacing your dirty pond filter
• Clean your pond filter and check your pond pump to ensure both are in proper working order
• Begin feeding your fish once the water temperature in your pond returns to a consistent 50 degrees – simply invest in cold weather food
• Remove any debris that accumulated during winter using pond supplies such as a pond vacuum or pond skimmer
• Fertilize your existing plants and consider purchasing any new plants for your pond

Keep in mind that when spring is on the horizon, it may be a good time to invest in a variety of pond supplies you will need during the summer months. Because when you are in the middle of cleaning your pond or trying to “de-winterize” it, you don’t want to find out you’re missing the pond supplies you need.

Now is the perfect time to start investing in fertilizer, cold weather fish food, pond skimmers, a pond vacuum and other warm weather essentials.

Need further instructions about how to get your pond back in shape for spring? Check out the instructional Pondliner.com video on preparing your water garden pond for spring.

*Image provided by Andrea_44

What Makes Backyard Ponds So Beautiful

A backyard can oftentimes be an overlooked part of your property. However, if you take the time to turn this area into the paradise you’ve always dreamed of, you’ll never have to go far for a vacation from your everyday.

So how do you begin to transform your backyard into an area you truly enjoy? Add a backyard pond!

Backyard ponds allow you to transform your property into your own personal oasis. And since you can customize your pond to suit your specific yard, you can rest easy knowing your backyard paradise is unlike any other in the world.

What makes a backyard pond so beautiful is that it’s something you made to fit your exact specifications. Want a cascading waterfall? Done. Want trickling streams with beautiful stones? You can do that too. Here at Pondliner, we are the experts in pond development, and we offer all the pond supplies you need to create a backyard pond to suit your vision.

Some of the features that can be added to our backyard ponds include:

• Fountains and Aerators
• Pond lights
• Water garden accessories
• Aquatic plants
• Goldfish and koi
• Misting systems

The best way to create a backyard pond that will complement the look of your yard is to take your existing yard into consideration. Think about the elements that already exist and develop a plan that works with them. For example, trees and shrubs can integrate into your design and provide your backyard pond with much needed shade. And if you need help along the way, our experts are happy to offer a helping hand.

Now is the perfect time to create the backyard you’ve always wanted. Contact one of our pond experts or browse our site to get started today.

*Image provided by osseous on Flickr.

Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Backyard Pond?

Summer is the perfect time to get the most out of your pond. Whether it’s a traditional water garden, a koi pond or a disappearing waterfall, warm weather practically begs you to sit outside and enjoy your creation.

Some people make the mistake of building their pond and then basically forgetting about it. They never alter its design and rarely gather around it. In fact, they pretty much ignore it unless the water needs to be cleaned or a rock has come loose.

Avoid this all-too-common mistake by adopting some of our great ideas for how to make the most out of your backyard pond this summer:

• Have a barbecue. Everyone enjoys grilling out, so have your friends over for a backyard BBQ. That way you’ll spend time in the yard and people can enjoy the beautiful pond you’ve created.

• Host a bonfire. Nighttime can be a great time to admire your pond. Have a bonfire in your backyard so people can sit around long after the sun goes down. This can be a great opportunity to use those new pond lights you purchased, too.

• Set up a seating area around your pond. When setting up your backyard, you want to create seating areas just like you do inside your home. Make sure one of these areas is near your pond to encourage family and friends to sit by it and enjoy its soothing sounds, beautiful colors and lively ecosystem.

• Switch things up. One of the best ways to keep yourself interested in your pond is by changing it up once a season. And these changes don’t have to be drastic. By simply adding a few new plants, rearranging some rocks or changing the type of fish you have, you can keep things interesting season after season.

• Purchase new pond supplies. It can be as simple as a new accent piece, or as complex as an entirely new water feature. No matter how extravagant or simple you decide to go, purchasing new pond supplies is a great way to get yourself excited about your water garden.

This list is only the beginning. Use it to spark your imagination as you come up with new and exciting ways to take advantage of your backyard water garden. And don’t forget to submit pictures of your creations! Our pond gallery is bursting with pictures from customers who have created some truly fantastic ponds. Add yours to the collection today.

Install a Disappearing Fountain Basin in Your Pond This Summer

If you’re looking for the perfect way to spice up your pond this summer, you may want to consider installing a disappearing fountain basin.

These unique water features have been popular among pond owners for years. They are fairly simple to construct, can be made out of a variety of materials and create eye-catching displays in your backyard pond. You can make disappearing fountain basins out of almost anything – from glazed ceramic pots and decorative vases to large rocks and pieces of granite – so feel free to be as creative as you’d like.

Little Giant disappearing fountain basins are popular among pond enthusiasts because of their rugged design, easy installation and maintenance and ability to hold a wide variety of fountain tops. We encourage you to decide for yourself, but once you’ve chosen your base, visit Pondliner.com to get the additional pond supplies you’ll need to get it up and running.

Before you choose the size, type and location of your fountain basin, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. A large fountain basin requires less refilling, but it obviously needs more space as well
2. Tall fountain pieces need to be constructed within fountain basins that are large enough to contain their splash
3. Greater flow creates more of the soothing sounds of water

Another great thing about fountain basins is that you can construct and install them yourself. Pondliner provides extensive directions regarding the installation process that can be found here. Be sure to reference this guide extensively, because improperly installing a fountain basin can cause a variety of problems down the road.

Warm summer days and long summer nights are the perfect time to relax by your backyard pond. Disappearing fountain basins are a great way to enhance your pond this season. Start building yours today!




Photo provided by charmainezoe on Flickr.