Hit a Break in the Weather? Get out Your Pond Skimmer

In many areas of the country, winter brings freezing temperatures, gloomy days and seemingly endless amounts of snow. This year especially has been a brutal one for residents all over the country. There has been little relief from the frigid conditions, and people are beginning to wonder if they'll ever be able to leave the house without being bundled from head to toe.

However, every once in a while there will still be a day or two of semi-warm temperatures that helps you and your environment thaw out a little. In addition to celebrating, you pond enthusiasts need to maximize these days to the fullest. Everyone wants to get outside once the temperature gets above freezing, so why not use your time in the fresh air to freshen up your pond?

Get out Your Pond Skimmer and Get Busy

If you catch a warm day this winter season, get out your pond skimmer and get busy! Even though your pond has been frozen over for the past couple of months, there's a good chance some debris and dirt has still managed to build up. This mixture will quickly turn into sludge and muck once the ice starts thawing. Give your pond a quick face lift by using your pond skimmer to remove these unwanted substances from the water's surface.

Skimming your pond will give it a fresh look for the rest of winter, while also ensuring that the water in it is as clean as possible. You don't have to remove every last bit of gunk, but get rid of the bigger stuff that could cause a problem down the road. Oxygen is already scarce in winter ponds, so you don't want your water to be clouded with unnecessary dirt and debris.

Spring-like days are going to be few and far between at this point, but it's important to make the most of them when they do unexpectedly arrive. These days should also get you thinking about what you want to do with your pond once warm weather is here to stay. Brainstorm some ideas for the coming seasons by browsing through the pond supplies and pond pictures at Pondliner.com.

*image provided by Filterclean Water Technologies

Clean Your Pond the Easy Way with Pond Vacuums

In my previous post on “Getting Your Pond Ready for Spring” I discussed the importance of cleaning your pond in preparation for the spring season. However, now that the season is well under way, you need to continue working to maintain that level of cleanliness. Your pond life will only flourish in a healthy environment, and keeping the water clean is one major aspect of that.

Pond skimmers are a great way to collect debris and dirt from the surface of the water on a daily basis, but sometimes your pond needs a more thorough cleaning. Small and stubborn detritus that slips through the average pond skimmer can build up over time and dirty your pond water. Prevent this from happening by regularly using a pond vacuum.

Pond vacuums are some of the most popular pond supplies, because they are convenient, easy to use and make cleaning your pond a snap. They work just like the vacuum cleaner you use inside your home, but they suction algae blooms, fish waste, dead leaves, and other dirt out of your pond. Pond vacuums are particularly effective at cleaning the stubborn debris that settles and sticks to your pond’s floor.

A quality pond vacuum should come with a variety of different nozzles that will enable you to reach every nook and cranny of your pond. They are available in different watt capacities so you can choose one that has the right amount of power for you. Some other features that can be helpful are:

• A multi-chambered system
• Rigid suction tubes
• An extension pole
• Large debris bag
• A cordless option

Keep your pond clean and healthy this season. Find the pond vacuum that best meets your needs today!

Spring Ahead with Entry-Level Pond Kits

Do you want to enhance your yard this spring with a beautiful backyard pond, but wish there was an easy way to ensure that you had all the pond supplies you needed?

Are you overwhelmed at the thought of building a fish pond from scratch?


Don't sweat it – building a pond doesn't have to be stressful. You will need to put in the physical labor, but by purchasing an entry-level pond kit, you can guarantee that you have all the pond supplies you need to get the job done right.

Entry-level pond kits are a great way for first-time pond owners to learn the ins and outs of their pond. They are also excellent for the do-it-yourself pond enthusiast who really wants to understand the process behind these beautiful backyard habitats. In addition, when you use a pond kit, you can rest assured that all the necessary pieces and parts are at your fingertips. There will be no last-minute trips to the store or moments of frustrated confusion when you realize that an essential part of your pond is missing.

Entry-level pond kits are equipped with all the pond supplies you need to successfully build that backyard pond you've always wanted. Most quality pond kits should come with:

• A pond pump
• A pond filter
• Pond liner and underlay
• A pond Skimmer
• Spiral tubing
• Pond bacteria and water conditioner
• A check Valve Discharge Kit with fittings and hose clamps
• Waterfall foam and filter
• Easy-to-follow installation instructions

Entry-level pond kits are not made for contractors, so they are simple to understand and their installation is easy, even for someone who has no experience with backyard ponds. Better yet, these kits are easily customizable, allowing you to create an individualized pond that meets your specific needs. Whether you want to build a small, medium, or large backyard pond, it is easy to find a high-quality entry-level pond kit that can help you get the job done.

In addition, purchasing a pond kit is a great way to set a budget for your first pond, because you can limit yourself to a one-time start-up cost. The pond kit you choose will be designed to handle a certain volume of water, so it will be easy to figure out how much excavation is required, and this will help you avoid unnecessary costs associated with excessive digging and possible damage to your backyard.

Spring is the perfect time to build your first fish pond. New life is blossoming all around you – why not create a beautiful habitat in your own backyard? You don’t have to be a professional pond contractor to achieve a beautiful, easy-to-maintain pond that you and your family can appreciate. Check out Pondliner’s great selection of Happy Koi entry-level pond kits, and start building your dream pond today!

*Photo provided by Nikon Nut on Flickr

Getting Your Pond Ready for Spring

It's that time of year again – the ice and snow are starting to melt, the sun is coming out every once in a while, and people are able to see that warmer days are on the way. It's great news for those of you who have been hibernating in your homes for the past few months, and it's even better news for your backyard ponds.

Although your garden and lawn may require fairly aggressive makeovers once spring arrives, your backyard pond requires a gentler and more subtle approach to get it in shape for warmer weather. Arm yourself with the proper pond supplies and head outside – your pond and its inhabitants are anxiously waiting!

Spring into Action: Get Your Pond Ready for Warm Weather

As you have probably realized by now, taking care of your fish pond requires a great deal of tender loving care. Fish are delicate creatures, and they are especially weak after a long winter, so you have to be careful not to make any sudden changes that will upset their immune systems. That being said, we encourage you to follow these steps to safely get your pond spring-savvy in a snap:

1. Examine your pond for damage. It’s possible that your pond may have suffered some damage during the long winter. Check especially for tears in the lining, get rid of any accumulated debris, and inspect all hoses for punctures or leaks.


2. Remove winter equipment. If you installed a pond de-icer, now is the time to remove, dry and properly store it.


3. Give your pond a fresh start – clean out the dirty water. During winter a good deal of sludge has probably build up in your pond from fallen leaves, a mixture of melting snow and mud, and your fish's biological processes. Remove the fish gently using a pond skimmer and place them in a bucket filled with the original pond water. Remove the dirty water with buckets; rinse any gravel or rocks you have on the bottom; and scrub major dirt and muck off of your pond liner. *Note: don't scrub all the algae off of your pond liner – it is beneficial to the seasoning of the pond.
   
   
   • Be sure to save a portion of the original pond water to add to the new water. Doing so keeps some of the beneficial bacteria that aids in the biological processes the pond needs to properly function.


4. Fill the pond with fresh, treated water. If you use hose / tap water to refill your pond, be sure to treat it with chlorine removal solution so you don’t inadvertently poison your fish.


5. Clean your pond filter to get rid of any build-up and get it running (if it wasn't already.) Be sure to clean your pond filter parts in pond water, not hose / tap water, because the latter contains chlorine that will kill beneficial bacteria. Run the filter in shallow water at first to make sure that it is still functioning properly.


6. Reintegrate your fish into the new, clean pond water. Simply dumping your fish into the new pond water will shock their systems and could result in death. Therefore, let the bucket with your fish in it float in the new water for about an hour so the temperatures can neutralize. Then slowly and gently empty the bucket into the pond.

As you can see, spring cleaning is just as important in your backyard pond as it is inside your own home. There are many steps necessary to ensure that your pond and its inhabitants make the transition between winter dormancy and spring activity successfully, and Pondliner is committed to helping you each step of the way.

*Photo provided by LollyKnit on Flickr.

OASE SwimSkim Product Review

The OASE SwimSkim is a unique self-contained in-pond skimmer that also functions as a pond aerator. The Swimskim is powered by an internal 580 gallon per hour magnetic-drive pump. Air is injected into the pump discharge to provide supplement aeration to the pond.

The SwimSkim catches larger debris in its leaf basket while a smaller foam pad traps smaller particles. The foam pad does clog rather quickly- usually in one to two days in my pond- but OASE did have the foresight to include an extra pad which makes maintenance a little easier.

Does the SwimSkim work? Absolutely. In my pond, I use it in an area that does not skim properly and don’t rely on it to skim my 18’ x 19’ pond. The aeration feature does inject a rather healthy stream of small bubbles 24” down into the pond.

The only downside to the Oase SwimSkim is the frequency in which the foam pad has to be cleaned. I do have a heavy fish load in my pond, so you may not have to clean the foam as often. Oase does have a larger SwimSkim model available in Europe. Hopefully, we will see it introduced in North America in 2011.