| When
we think of water quality in our water gardens and garden ponds
we usually think of two things: the  water's
ability
to support aquatic life and its clarity. Lack of clarity is usually
not a problem for aquatic life, but limits our ability to see and
enjoy our koi and goldfish. The pond owner should be concerned with
both of these aspects.
While
it is true that you can keep goldfish and koi in garden ponds with
no filtration, it severely limits the number of fish you can keep.
In the wild, fish have large amounts of water so that toxins from
their waste do not build up to dangerous levels. Most hobbyists
will want to keep more fish than their garden ponds will naturally
support. Goldfish and koi excrete waste into the water in the form
of ammonia, primarily through their gills. Also adding to the problem
are organic compounds from fish feces, plant matter, and soil that
may flow into the pond.
In order to provide good water quality some form of waste removal must be
provided. Two methods used in average water gardens and garden
ponds are mechanical filtration, and biological filtration. Mechanical
filters physically remove solids from the water by trapping the
debris in some form of mat, brush, or sponge. Mechanical filters
are effective but generally require frequent cleaning to remove
the accumulated matter. Most biological filters are also mechanical
filters depending on how they are used. For example, our Signal
In-pond Filter model 800 is a mechanical and biological filter
when used in small ponds where this is the only filter. But it
is primarily considered a mechanical filter when used in combination
with another biological filter in larger garden ponds or water
gardens.
Biological
filtration is the most effective method of removing toxins from
water gardens and garden ponds by breaking down ammonia into nitrite
and then into nitrate. This is accomplished using naturally occurring
bacteria called nitrosomonas and nitrobacter. Ammonia is broken
down in natural bodies of water, but we must greatly improve on
mother nature because of our limited space in and around the garden
pond. We must provide a very efficient place for the bacteria to
live and thrive. In a biological filter this place is a material
on which the bacteria is exposed to large quantities of food and
oxygen. One of the best materials for accomplishing this is a fiber
matting media which offers a large surface area for the bacteria
to colonize and also a large void area to allow large amounts of
water to flow through carrying food for the bacteria. The Water
Garden's Fiber
Filter Media accomplishes this better than most other
mat type materials.
Filter
materials that are too dense will clog and not allow the water to
flow through. We can also increase the efficiency by adding concentrated
solutions of bacteria and enzymes such as Crystal
Clear's Nitrifier and Clarifier.
Providing an abundant supply of oxygen to the bacteria by the use
of air stones or aeration towers in the filter will also increase
the efficiency. OASE
BioTec filters use supplemental aeration. There are also
other organisms such as Blood Worms which colonize in a biological
filter and help break down organic compounds.
Biological
filters in water gardens and garden ponds must run continuously
during the season. If they are shut down for more than a few hours
the beneficial bacteria will begin to die. A biological filter should
be cleaned using dechlorinated water if possible to avoid removing
or killing the beneficial bacteria. Also the filter should not be
over cleaned, rinse the media only enough to allow good water flow
though the filter. The brown stain on the filter media is the living
bacteria.
The
nitrates that result after the breakdown of ammonia and nitrites
are food for the plants or food for the algae if plants are not
available. If you keep goldfish or koi and no plants you will also
need to do partial water changes to remove the nitrates and other
organic compounds from the pond water. If you keep sufficient numbers
of aquatic plants, large water changes are usually unnecessary although
small water changes of approximately 10 to 20% every 3 to 5 weeks
can be beneficial.
At
certain times of the year or if the balance of fish, plants and
biological filter is off you may still experience green water in
your garden ponds or water gardens due to a build up of single cell
algae.
The
best method of guaranteeing clear water against this problem is
through the use of an ultraviolet
sterilizer. This device uses a small germicidal UV lamp that
is placed in a pipe to allow water to pass all around and will give
a near 99% reduction in algae when properly sized to the pond. However
an ultraviolet sterilizer must not be used without adequate biological
filtration as the dead algae still needs to be broken down by the
filter. UV will not help with string algae, for this we recommend
Clarity
Max and Greenex.
Also strive to achieve a balanced system using the methods below
to keep string algae to a minimum.
There
are many types of algae. There are different colors and textures.
The green velvet type that grows on the sides of the pond is a very
beneficial type of algae providing oxygen and food for goldfish
and koi. This algae also gives a more natural appearance to garden
ponds and water gardens. We get some calls asking how to get rid
of this type of algae. Our answer is, if you can't tolerate this
type of algae then you will need to get rid of your goldfish and
koi and use a product called Fountec.
Fountec is a product that will remove this type of algae and it
is safe for plants and all animals except fish.
If
you only occasionally have problems with algae or other suspended
particles which interfere with water clarity in your garden ponds
or water gardens then you might consider a flocculant such as Accu-Clear.
This type product works by causing particles in suspension to clump
together and then fall to the bottom of the pond where it must then
be removed by siphoning or vacuuming from the bottom, or a mechanical
filter can be used to remove this debris.
Another
useful product to aid in improving water quality in garden ponds
and water gardens is a packaged bacteria and enzymes combination
that will break down sludge and other organic compounds. Crystal
Clear Biological Clarifier is such a product. It can greatly
increase water garden and garden pond water quality both in the
water's ability to support aquatic life and also in its clarity.
For
your fish to be healthy and also to help with the control of algae,
the pH of the garden pond water needs to be monitored using a pH
test kit. The pH should be between 6.6 and 7.8 with the ideal
being 7 to 7.4. Unless the pH is below 6.5 or above 8.4 then it
is usually best not to try and adjust it.
If
you need to adjust the pH of your pond water we have pH
Up to raise the pH and pH
Down to lower the pH.
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How to Balance Your
Garden Ponds & Water Gardens
One
major concern for water garden and garden pond enthusiasts is achieving
and maintaining clear water. When water gardens and garden ponds
are first constructed there is usually a rush to fill them up with
fish and aquatic plants, but it is important to consider the natural
process of these ecosystems. In nature a pond has a period of time
for all the components to adjust and interact as the pond evloves.
Although suspended algae in water gardens and garden ponds is to
be expected most people want to keep it to a minimum. Constructed
water gardens and garden ponds require help in order to avoid problems
with excess algae. One method to control algae is to stock and arrange
the pond with this method:
- Keep
rain run-off out of the pond. It carries with it soil, fertilizers,
and chemicals which will prevent the pond from balancing.
- If
in full sun, shade 50 - 70% of the pond surface. Do this with
the leaves of water lilies and floating plants. If your pond is
in less than full sun, less surface coverage is acceptable.
- Use
one bunch of Anacharis
per one sq. ft. of surface area for ponds under 50 sq. ft. and
one bunch per two to three sq. ft. for ponds over 51 to 200 sq.
ft. For ponds over 200 sq. ft. use one bunch for every three to
four sq. ft.
- Use
no more than one inch of fish per sq. ft. of surface area initially.
After the pond has fully established or with well filtered water,
more fish may be added. Feed only what the fish can eat in 5 minutes.
Uneaten food feeds algae.
- Add
biological
filtration and an ultraviolet
sterilizer.
- Remove
any dead organic matter from the pond.
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