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

Save Money on Spring Pond Cleaning Supplies

Act Fast – This Offer Ends Friday, March 13th!

Warm weather is on the way, and now is the time to save on all those must-have spring cleaning pond supplies. You can save 20% off Microbe Lift Sludge Away and Microbe Life Spring/Summer Cleaner by using the Promo Code "clean" when you place your order.

Proper pond maintenance is essential if you want your backyard pond to flourish. Simply building a solid pond is not enough – you need to keep it clean in order to promote the growth of healthy life within it.

One of the problems pond owners run into is the build-up of toxic gases in the water. These gases are released when solid organic waste accumulates on the bottom of your pond and begins to break down. This can be extremely harmful to your fish and other plant life, so it is important to keep this organic matter from accumulating.

This can be difficult to do, especially if your pond has a rock or gravel bottom that can’t be cleaned using a pond vacuum. However, there is an alternative solution: Liquid Sludge Away. This product’s name really says it all. Microbe Lift makes this fantastic cleaning agent, and it is specially formulated to remove organic bottom solids that are slow to degrade.

Microbe Life SA Liquid Sludge Away reduces or eliminates the harmful gases resulting from accumulated organic matter and helps to clarify your pond water. Furthermore, this product:

• Disperses quickly and is 100% biodegradable
• Is safe for your plant life and the environment
• Can be used at any temperature year-round
  

Microbe Lift Spring/Summer Cleaner is another effective cleaning agent that helps reduce harmful debris in your pond. This is a great product to help jump-start your pond in the spring as it accelerates the breakdown of leaves, twigs and other organic waste.

Purchase either of these spring cleaning products before Friday, March 13th, and save 20%! Don’t wait – buy today to make sure you get the best deal on the pond supplies you need!

Pond Leaf Netting Gone Wrong

Occasionally at Pondliner.com we get mail from customers who want to share a story about a pond product or pond experience.

Here is a letter we received about leaf netting that made me chuckle:

Dear Pondliner,

At the end of last season, I knew it was time to replace the leaf netting that I had been using for the past five years. I decided to go with the Premium Leaf Netting for my 20'x20' pond. It was a prefect fit. I was like a little boy again on Christmas morning, all excited to open and set up my latest pond purchase when it arrived. Like all other pond products, the leaf netting came with instructions on how to set it up, maintenance tips, and of course how to anchor it down.

After setting up my new leaf netting, I was sure my pond was safe from flying leaves and predators.

A few weeks later, I started to notice that leaves were in my pond. I was shocked because it was a brand-new leaf net. Being the self-proclaimed pond expert that I am, I was sure I did nothing wrong. So I thought. I removed the leaf netting and examined it for holes. Nothing. The leaf netting was good as new. I skimmed the top of my pond to remove the abundance of leaves and thought maybe they just slipped through the cracks. It has happened before, but I never had to skim out this many. I spent about two hours skimming the pond and wondering how this could have happened.

As I was putting the leaf netting back on my pond I noticed that some stakes used to anchor it down were missing. Again this was weird. I looked in the ground, nothing. I looked all around my yard, nothing. I was getting frustrated at this point. I lined up the leaf netting the same way I previously had it when I noticed there were no holes in the ground on one side of my pond. Yep, this pond expert forgot to properly secure his pond netting a few weeks earlier.

Point of the story, make sure that you properly anchor down your leaf netting and you won't have to rake out your pond like I did. I just wanted to share a story and thank you for offering a wide range of pond supplies. Your technical staff is always been great in helping me whenever I have a question or concern. Keep up the great work!

Rick
South Bend, IN



Good advice Rick. Thanks for being a loyal customer and remember Pondliner.com has all of your pond supplies for the fall and winter seasons.