Keep Your Pond Safe This Winter | Pondliner Blog

Keep Your Pond Safe This Winter

The holidays have passed, which means the snow and ice have officially arrived, marking the start of winter. If keeping up with pond maintenance through the winter is on your New Year’s resolution list, read below to find the most important winter care techniques you should be using.

An Ice-Free Pond 

If you live in an area where ice is inevitable during winter, it’s important to keep an area of your pond free of ice. This is especially crucial for ponds with fish. Keeping an area open allows for proper gas exchange. Even though your pond is dormant during the winter, your fish still release waste products and use oxygen. If there is no opening from ice at the ponds surface, the harmful gases remain trapped and the oxygen supply will be depleted, leaving your fish in a dangerous environment.

How to Use It

There are several safe ways to open a frozen pond’s surface. One way you should never use is physical force, as fish are sensitive to vibrations, and hitting the surface can stun or injure them. The best method is a pond de-icer, which is designed specifically to maintain an opening in the ice. Keep in mind that a de-icer won’t raise the temperature of the water in your pond, it will just keep a small space free of ice.

The best spot to use your de-icer is in the shallowest part of the pond. If you find it’s not keeping the ice open, try to block the area from wind. Some pond owners place a sheet of plywood directly over the small corner.

Other Options

An aerator or pond pump is another option to keep an opening in the ice and could be more affordable than a de-icer. It may be a better choice for milder weather where the ice isn’t as consistent, though, as the placement of an aerator can be troublesome. If you place it too close to the surface, it can just freeze in place, but if you place it too deep, it could actually chill the pond.

An air pump is also an option, but it has the same limitations as an air pump in terms of placement. You should firmly mount a submersible water pump over the deepest part of the pond, but be sure to keep it far from the bottom.

If you go with an aerator or water pump, be sure to monitor it frequently so they don’t freeze or dry up.

Shop for all your winter pond supplies from Pondliner.com to ensure you have everything you need to keep your pond safe this winter.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

Top Ten Tips for Building Your Dream Backyard Pond

If you are looking for a way to turn your backyard into an escape from the everyday, you know a backyard pond is the way to go. And you also know that when installing a backyard pond, you need to consult the experts at Pondliner.com.

While there are a million different things you need to know when creating a backyard pond or water garden, there are ten basic tips that will help you break down the process into manageable chunks. And with spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your backyard getaway.

1. Plan your pond – Make sure you have a large enough area for a pond and ensure that the soil is stable enough to support one.

2. Determine your depth – If you are considering fish in your backyard pond, it’s important that you have enough depth to allow the fish to hibernate during the winter months.

3. Purchase pond supplies – A pond supplies kit can be a great way for you to guarantee you have the pond supplies you need to start your backyard pond.

4. The thicker the liner, the better – When it comes to lining your backyard pond, spare no expense. Your liner should be thick and contour nicely to protect against tears and pebbles.

5. Incorporate oxygen – Incorporating a waterfall, fountain or pond pump into your backyard pond is a necessity. By circulating the water, pond pumps and waterfalls prevent algae from growing and mosquitoes from laying eggs.

6. Use edging – Proper edging can ensure your pond looks natural and fits with the current landscaping in your yard. You can purchase natural rocks and plants at any pond supplies store to hide exposed liner

7. Invest in quality pond supplies – When it comes to the maintenance of your pond, it’s important to invest in all the pond supplies and essentials you need to maintain a clean pond.

8. Choose the right pond pump – There are a variety of available pond pumps on the market and it is important that you choose the right size for your pond. Understand that backyard ponds with fish have to be run constantly.

9. Build a curb around your pond – By creating a curb around your backyard pond or water garden, you can prevent any chance of an overflow during heavy rains.

10. Choose Pondliner.com – You can trust the experts at Pondliner.com will help you find the perfect pond supplies you need to create a backyard pond that suits you and your yard perfectly.

Take this backyard project one step at a time! Shop Pondliner.com today for quality pond pumps and the pond supplies you need to create your backyard oasis.

*Image provided by cwwycoff1

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

How to Keep Your Pond Pump from Clogging this Fall

Your pond pump is an essential part of what keeps your favorite ecosystem functioning. During the fall, it has to work extra hard to try to combat all the leaves, sticks and other falling debris bombarding your pond on a daily basis.

Because of all the falling debris, your pump would probably need to be cleaned out daily just to keep the water flowing. Not only is that a time-consuming process, but it can really disturb the ecosystem you’ve worked so hard to create.

Since your pond pump takes care of your fish and pond plants, what can you do to take care of it during this strenuous season?

You can change the size of your filter screen, but if you have a significant amount of debris coming off the trees around your pond, it’s unlikely that this will make much of a difference. A better idea is to get in there and give your pump an extra hand. Instead of waiting for it to filter everything, you can manually clear out the leaves and other material a couple times a week.

Using a pond skimmer can get things on the surface, but you can even go a step further and remove matter from the pond floor using a swimming pool leaf-raking net, or some other similar device. This will cloud the water temporarily, so you may want to follow it by exchanging out some of the pond water.

If you find that this isn’t enough to combat all the crazy debris falling off the trees and plants in your backyard, you may even want to consider redirecting your pond pump system outside of your pond to an external basin. Sink your basin of choice into the ground a few feet away from your pond. You can connect it to your pond either with an underground pipe, or an aboveground PVC pipe. By placing your pond pump inside this basin, the water will be drawn into it, and the accompanying debris will be trapped.

Take care of your pond pump this fall, and it will take care of you. For more tips on how to stay on top of pond maintenance for this busy season, contact a pond supplies professional today.

*Image provided by Wonderlane on Flickr.

Quick Fixes for Your Pond Pump

If your pond pump starts malfunctioning, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to purchase a replacement. Some of the problems that occur have a quick fix, and you may be able to take care of them on your own.

What to do when your pond pump starts acting up:

• The first thing you want to do is clean it. If algae, dirt or debris has built up, it may be blocking the pump or otherwise preventing it from functioning properly. My last post was all about cleaning your pond pump, so refer to that for additional instructions.
  
  
• The next thing you want to look at is water level. If it’s not at the right level, it may be preventing your pump from functioning properly. Water levels that are too low can cause your pump to make weird noises, while those that are too high can cause overflowing. You want your pump to be submerged, but your pond does not need to be filled to the brim.
  
  
• Are you hearing a weird vibrating noise? If your pump is hitting up against the water basin, that could be the cause. Place a small rubber kitchen mat beneath your pump to take care of this minor problem.
  
  
• Finally, you always want to examine the tubing. If it is too small, place the connecting end in boiling water for a few minutes. Immediately after removing it, place it over the pond pump tube outlet. As it shrinks it will form a watertight seal. If it’s too small, purchase a corkscrew clamp to hold it in place. If neither of these solutions work, you can always buy new tubing. Although this is a slightly more expensive option, it is still more affordable than completely replacing the pump.

As you can see, many pond pump issues can be fixed without requiring you to invest much time or money. The biggest factor in keeping your pond fully functioning is to monitor its performance. As soon as you notice a problem, take the proper steps to identify it. If it’s a quick fix, follow our suggestions above. If you need assistance, contact one of our pond supplies experts for more information.

Cleaning Your Pond Pumps: Why, How and When

The month of August is going to be all about pond pumps. We’re going to talk about how to clean them, how to care for them and how to make sure they work effectively in your pond for years to come.

Let’s start with cleaning. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of being a pond enthusiast, it’s that cleaning your pond supplies is the key to keeping them working effectively.

This is definitely true when it comes to pond pumps. They are the heart of any successful water garden, because they aerate the water and circulate it through a filtration system to keep it clean.

Follow the tips below to make sure you keep your pond pump sparkling clean and in great working condition:

1. Unplug your pump from its power supply to prevent the possibility of electrocution.
   
   
2. Gently remove the pump from the water (do not yank or pull aggressively)
   
   
3. Dismantle all parts of the pump and lay them out individually.
   
   
4. Clean each piece separately using only water. It’s best to use existing pond water as opposed to tap water so you don’t disrupt the ecosystem. DO NOT use any chemicals or cleaning agents. IMPORTANT NOTE: when cleaning your pond pump filter, rinse only about one-fourth of the media with water. Some of the bacteria that grows in your filter is beneficial to your pond, so you don't want to eliminate all of it.
   
   
5. Check the hose to see if there are any blockages, and clean them out if necessary.
   
   
6. Make sure all cables and wiring running from the pump are well connected and don't show any signs of damage. Repair or replace if needed.
   
   
7. Reassemble the pump and return it to its proper place in your water garden.

How often you clean your pond pump depends on how large your pond is,where it is located in your yard, and how many fish you have. The more debris your pond accumulates, the more often you'll want to clean the pump. The more fish you have, the more waste that gets produced, and the more frequently your pump will need to be cleaned. You get the idea.

If you have any questions about how to clean your pump, or if you want to learn more about the different kinds of pond pumps we have to offer, contact one of our pond supplies experts today.