Pond Talk

Pond Advice For Small And Large Ponds

Fish And Plants

Improving Pond Fish Digestion

Fish And Plants, Small Ponds

What you’re about to read may seem far-fetched our just plain weird but did you know that feeding your fish a pea, just once a day for awhile, can help with digestive problems?  According to some veterinarians with experience in fish health, it’s possible.

One of the signs of digestive issues with fish may involve the fish becoming sluggish or it may appear to be disabled in some way.  You may find it floating on it’s side, as one of our readers did, or upside down sometimes.  The fish may have a tough time regulating it’s depth in the water or just not look right.

A goldfish, as well as other carp related fish, have an interesting digestive tract structure in that the esophagus has an open connection to the swim bladder.  It’s the swim bladder that controls the buoyancy or floating capability of the fish.  If food get’s impacted in some way the area can get infected and inflamed which will cause further problems.

Affected fish, may remain alert, continue to eat and appear to be healthy overall.  The condition may correct itself or it could lead to a permanent condition.  Other fish in the pond will usually remain unaffected.

It’s always a good idea to consult with an experience vet if your fish should get sick or show signs of illness.  Usually it’s not a bad idea as well to provide some way to quarantine the fish for a time in order to either treat it or limit any problems with your other fish.

One of the most simple and easy things to try if you suspect a food impaction in a fish is to feed them the simple green pea.  Whether the pea is freshly cooked or from a can you simply want to crush it slightly and then feed one pea a day to the affected fish.  It’s not really understood how this helps, but in many cases the pea diet will help dislodge any air-filled or lighter food that may become trapped.

Its also suggested to raise the water temperature up to about 75 to 80 degrees f. to improve digestion and you can feed regular commercial fish food as normal.  It’s recommended to avoid feeding any flakes or floating food that may have a bit lighter weight than you would want to feed at that time.

Within a few days, if all goes well, your fish will have a restored and functional digestive system without any blockages and the buoyancy issue will return to normal as well.  At the very least, a few peas are cheap and they are safe enough to try as a possible remedy.

For additional information on steps you should take when dealing with a sick fish, please visit our recent article titled  A Simple Pond Fish Problem Checklist .

Pond Filters And Fish Ponds

Fish And Plants, Pond Accessories, Small Ponds

Most people that build a small pond or water garden usually want to add fish into the mix at some point. If you want a backyard fish pond there’s one key tool that you can’t afford to overlook and that’s a good quality pond filter.

Pond filters are one of those things that will play a major role in the daily management of a fish pond. They’ll help any small pond overall but the focus of this article will discuss why they’re essential for ponds with fish.

[Read more…] about Pond Filters And Fish Ponds

A Fish Pond For Koi – The Basics

Fish And Plants, Small Ponds

A fish pond in the backyard is something that many people dream of owning. Yet for all of the relaxing benefits of a small pond, they can also be a source of many headaches if they’re not built or set up right with the proper equipment. In the article that follow’s we’ll cover some of the basic materials that will be useful in any type of fish pond.

If you are looking to construct a fish pond for koi, it is important to follow some basic steps to ensure the success of the pond and the heartiness of your precious koi. Where to construct the pond and what shape to design it in are two fundamental elements that should be decided upon first. It is best to locate the pond where you can access it easily while keeping it protected from the natural predators that will look for your fish. The shape of the pond also is important, not only to increase the pond’s aesthetic value but also to increase the chances of bringing your fish to their full potential.

There are a few supplies than one cannot do without when introducing a koi pond into the landscape of their backyard. These include pumps and filters as well as drains and skimmers. There are also lighting considerations for illumination and controlling algae. The easiest of these to attain is the skimmer, which serves the same purpose as the large scoops that you would use to clean the surface of a swimming pool. The skimmer will be used to collect leaves and other debris that may fall into the pond in order that the pond be kept clean and so that the fish remain healthy and free of disease.

A number of different filtration systems can be implemented in order to ensure a thriving pond. The primary one is the biological filter, which serves the purpose of converting the nitrogenous waste of the fish. This is known as the nitrogen cycle. It is of the utmost importance that the biological filter be kept immaculately clean so take extra care in choosing one. Be certain it is easy to service and that you will be capable of doing so. An unclean biological filter is the undoing of many a backyard fish pond. Bio-filters come in two distinct types, the aerated and the non-aerated. Examples of aerated filters include the Moving bed type as well as the trickle or bakki shower filter. Examples of the non-aerated kind include the Cross flow and the Sand filter.

Many types of algae can be kept in check with a good working biofilter but there are others where a different type of technology may be needed. In order to control and discourage the growth of planktonic algae you may need a source of ultra-violet or UV light. The UV light is used to prevent a condition that can afflict an unhealthy pond known as green water. This occurs when the filtration system is incapable of filtering out all of the naturally occurring nutrients that the algae feed upon and even the single cell algae itself.

A second type of filter that you may need is called the mechanical filter. The primary purpose of this system is to get rid of solid waste that could clog the Bio-filter. This filter must be kept very clean, so it should be place in an area where it can be cleaned and checked often. Sometimes referred to as a settlement chamber, this system can often be accomplished using gravel, sand or a sieve screen. Also many of the new biofilter designs have a sort of pre-filtering mechanical component in them as well.

Finally, you will have to choose a form of liner to protect the base of the pond and to line the walls. Leave room in the liner to cut out a bottom drain, so you will be able to give the entire unit a thorough cleaning.

As you can see, there are several key considerations on equipment and pond supplies that will be useful for fish pond construction and management. And while it may seem to be complicated, the layout of a fish pond is fairly simple and particularly when you understand the basics of what each piece of equipment will do and why it’s important.

Keeping Your Pond Fish Healthy

Fish And Plants, Small Ponds

Keeping koi fish healthy all year round can be easy with just a little know-how. Achieving and maintaining good water quality is necessary, and from there the population will take care of themselves. There are a number of steps one should follow in order to ensure that koi keep their beautiful, entertaining vigor and vitality once they have made their home in an attractive outdoor pond.

First, choose fish that compliment each other in size, shape, and color. When purchasing new specimens, keep numbers on the smaller end to give the forming ecosystem a chance to adjust to new inhabitants and adapt accordingly. Keeping the population at a naturally self-sustaining level will be mutually beneficial to both the fish and plant life present.

Creating the most natural environment possible is best. Stock up on varying levels of a variety of surface-dwelling and submerged plants. The flourishing plant life will naturally purify and condition the water, aiding in the production of a healthy environment for plants and fish alike to thrive in.

Installing a pond pump and filtration system is important for sustaining high volumes of koi. They are inquisitive in nature and tend to uproot potted plants. This results in an excess of waste production that the ecosystem may not be capable of breaking down on its own and disturbing the delicate balance needed to promote a healthy system. A fish pond filter will detoxify the water by breaking down ammonia produced by the fish and keeping the water clean and safe. Stringy, green pond algae are present in any fishpond environment. A small amount of algae is favorable because it puts oxygen back into the water. Too much algae, however, is unsightly and reflects negatively on the owner. A good filter system will also actively control koi pond algae. Pond filters are meant to run continuously, should never be turned off, and should be cleaned out twice a year in order to maximize results.

Obviously, fish are living beings that need to be fed. A high quality food should provide a well-balanced diet to satisfy needs for energy and growth adequately. It will permit the inhabitants to store extra energy to last through the colder winter months. It also will not cloud the appearance of the water.

In climates where temperatures get cold enough for the water to freeze over, a koi pond heater is essential to keep the populace alive. Most are electric and are available in both floating and submersible varieties. Floating heaters are recommended for areas with heavy possibilities of ice. They work by melting a hole in the ice and allowing oxygen and ammonia to continue moving freely underneath. Submersible heaters are more suitable for areas that do not get very much ice or snow. They sink to the bottom of the water and provide heat directly to the inhabitants.

Keep in mind that it’s important to begin cold weather periods with a relatively clean pond to keep nutrient levels down. Using a beneficial bacteria along with the pond heater will also help keep the pond cleaner through the winter months.

Monitoring population levels, water temperature, clarity and cleanliness, and algae presence and providing proper aeration and a well-balanced diet will ensure a long, happy, healthy life of koi. Start building a beautiful koi fishpond for years of enjoyment.

Pond Plants For Garden Ponds

Fish And Plants, Small Ponds

The look and appearance of garden ponds can be enhanced greatly by adding plants, which grow naturally. The intrinsic benefits of using plants in ponds include water filtration, prevention of algae, absorption of important minerals and a safe shelter for various organisms including fish.

The addition of plants largely depends upon the overall theme of a pond. While most people choose to embellish classical ponds using ornate plans, they adopt a minimalistic approach while decorating contemporary ponds.

With regard to traditional ponds, it is important to decorate even the edges using flowering plants. This not only lends an artistic feel to the pond, but also provides shade for the koi fish. There are certain water pond plants, which are placed under the waterline, which makes them invisible. However, their role in preserving the ecosystem must not be undermined as they provide the much-needed oxygen to the pond.

Aquatic plants aid in water filtration and also absorb important nutrients that are conducive to the preservation of the ecosystem. Furthermore, they also curb algae, which is usually an unwanted visitor, and do so by extracting essential nutrients out of water. There are many pond plants that can be added to beautify a water garden. Pond plants are available in many different sizes and colors. They are broadly classified into four groups:

Anchored Plants: These also called floating plants, and contain leaves which float on or above the water surface. The roots of anchored plants are naturally found under the water. Floating plants helps to beatify a pond significantly. They also hide the cords/hoses required to maintain the filters of a pond. Popular anchored plants include Water Hyacinth and Duckweed, which make good choices as koi pond plants.

Submerged Plants: Also referred to as oxygenators, these plants are arguably the most useful plants that can be added into a pond. They are totally submerged in water, which infuse oxygen into the pond. Oxygenators also provide adequate protection to the fish.

Surface Plants: These plants are slightly different from floating plants as their roots are anchored into the ground.

Marginal Plants: a range of plants represents marginal Plants. Such plants come in a range of sizes and shapes. The moisture-loving Bog plant is the most important member of this group. These plants also prevent the formation of algae.

If possible, aquatic plants must be added during early summer or during spring time. Barring anchored or free-floating plants, most pond plants require planting. Two specific methods are used to add deep-water plants. Under the first method, the pond is peppered with a liberal dose of compost in order to facilitate plant growth. The second method is an easier option as it merely requires plants to be placed into containers. The latter option is usually better to control placement of the plants and to limit any fertilizer going directly into the water which also can lead to unwanted plant growth.

Important Considerations:
Do remember that pond plants require proper maintenance like deadheading and pruning. You may also need to cut taller plants to maintain the quality of water. Always remove any dead or dying plants from the water as well to avoid any problems with water quality that could affect fish health.

Beneficial Pond Plants For Small Ponds

Fish And Plants, Seasonal Pond Tips, Small Ponds

Despite the fact that many backyard water gardens are, in a sense, artificial and man-made, every one can be improved and made more natural and “wild” by adding pond plants. Plants provide a number of benefits to fish ponds and whether you live in California, Salt Lake City, Texas, or Orlando, there will be a pond plant that will fit your climate and local area.

Most folks are clearly aware of how much some well chosen plants can improve the look and appearance of a water garden. The eyes certainly don’t lie, and when a colorful selection of lilies, lotus, or iris are added, a pond can become a vibrant, living, breathing display of a nature. Plants however add more to a pond than just good looks.

Pond Plants For Shade

During the hot summer months, excessive heat and sunlight can take it’s toll on just about anything exposed to the elements, and your pond is no exception. Sun exposure in abundance can often lead to, or at least support green water problems in small ponds. This phenomenon is actually free floating, single cell algae of various species. In very small numbers you wouldn’t even notice them, but as they grow in number, their presence begins to tint the water with a greenish hue. As their density increases this tinting can become an outright solid green color much like pea soup.

Green water usually isn’t a problem for fish but most pond owners go crazy trying to fix the problem. In actuality this coloration may actually protect the fish because it does diffuse the light a bit. However floating pond plants are a better option because they provide protective shade for the fish but also limit some of the sun exposure that feeds single cell algae. A clearer pond and happier fish, all through the addition of plants!

Koi Pond Plants Provide Protection

Sun blocking is a pretty obvious benefit of pond plants but we can take their contribution to another level when we consider how they integrate naturally with fish and help in a process called the nitrogen cycle.

Fish must eat to survive but a byproduct of this of course is waste. In large waters, this waste is diluted so much that it isn’t a problem but in a small backyard pond, it can affect water quality dramatically. Normally as this excrement is broken down it will turn into ammonia. Naturally occurring or supplemented bacteria will break this down into nitrites, then to nitrates and these are consumed by plants for food. And fish will quite often feed on plants.

Ammonia and nitrites are actually toxic to fish and if they are not converted through the nitrogen cycle, levels can build up in the water and cause big problems. So, plants and fish have a symbiotic relationship where they can rely on one another for balance. Plants are natural cleansers of pond water and this is important. Poor water quality issues lead to a variety of problems that are best avoided and pond plants can help greatly.

Pond Plants And Algae Control

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Buying Pond Plants

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Caring For Pond Plants

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