Pond Talk
Pond Advice For Small And Large Ponds
by Mark
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.
by Mark
Solar powered fountains are gaining in popularity as the sun-powered technology continues to improve. For small ponds they may be the best way to economically run a fountain throughout the summer. The following article explores what you’ll need to know before buying one.
Enhancing your garden, patio or backyard does not have to be expensive. Solar powered fountains offer an alternative for those who want an environmentally friendly way to complete their landscaping. Even though they cost much less to maintain than a traditional fountain, they provide the same type of elegance and style you desire. However, solar powered fountains have unique needs for their care and maintenance, so you have to know how to keep your fountain beautiful and functional.
[Read more…] about Solar Powered Fountains Add Beauty And Efficiency
by Mark
An artificial, man-made, backyard pond simply can’t operate without a good pump. But what constitutes a good pond pump?
In simple terms, when choosing the correct pond pump one needs to know how much water will be flowing through their watergarden system. If you have a waterfall, a more powerful pump may be needed. If your waterfalls are up hill from the pump, it should be stronger. Pumps are made to pump a certain amount of water at a certain amount of feet with a certain amount of pressure. The volume of water that you want coming out of your fountain and waterfall will help you decide on the size of the pump you need. To small of a pump and you will only get a trickle of water. To large of a pump and you will have water shooting out everywhere.
[Read more…] about Choosing A Pond Pump
by Mark
Some large pond owners find themselves in a battle as pond weeds and algae attempt to take over their ponds. In spring and summer around most of the U.S. it’s not uncommon to see algae growing well on many waters and pond weeds growing below the surface.
For some time now, the most likely response to dealing with the problem has been to apply either an algaecide, designed to kill algae, or a herbicide which is often better for weed control. These chemicals can contain any number of things but copper is a common ingredient and because of this there is a growing trend to try and move away from such applications.
Environmental awareness is building each year, and with it, pond owners are looking at other options besides chemicals.
One particular tool that’s become popular is the lake rake.
Lake or pond rakes come in different shapes and sizes and most have long handles or rope tie lines that allow for easy retreival of the rake. The teeth on the rakes are normally longer than a standard garden rake and in some cases they may project off both the top and bottom of the rake head. Float attachments are available as well to make them more effective on floating algae or pond scum. By removing the float the bottom can be dragged to remove loose plant and algae material.
They’re very simple to use. Just toss the lake rake into the pond targeting amongst the algae growth and then pull the rake and the accumulated weeds back in to the shoreline. The removed plants can then be put in a wheel barrow or other transport to move them away from the pond.
A lake rake should not be confused with a pond weed cutter which is also another tool that’s growing in popularity.
As the name implies, cutters are intended to remove rooted weed growth at the bottom of a pond . They’re similar in that you throw the device out into the water but then allow it to sink and begin pulling it back in. As it’s drug near the bottom of the pond it will cut through and sever any plants quite low on the stem. Along with the manual versions, there are powered, boat attached models as well. Once the pond weeds have been trimmed, a pond rake can then be used to remove the cuttings. So the two tools work very well together and are often marketed in this way.
Most manual lake weed rakes are fairly affordable with prices ranging from about $70 up to $130. Powered models such as a lake mower will cost up to several thousand dollars in some cases. So there’s a great savings with the manuall models although you have to provide the elbow grease to get them to work.
For those that are looking for a non-chemical option to algae and pond weed control a lake rake may be one of the better options. They have their limits, such as working best around the shoreline and in shallower water, but in many ponds this tends to be a trouble spot anyway so they may fit your needs quite nicely.
by Mark
A solar fountain is an attractive addition to any pond. Just as the name implies, the sun, with the help of a specially designed pump, powers a solar fountain. It not only adds beauty to a garden, but it also saves the considerable cost of electricity involved in running a fountain pump, and eliminates the safety concern of electrical cords. Additionally, the solar fountain, unlike fountains that require electrical outlets, can be placed anywhere in the yard. Its solar aspect makes it comparatively maintenance free as well. About the only concern is inclement weather. For instance, The pump must be disconnected if the weather is below freezing, to prevent irreparable damage.
Pond fountains help bring the water to life and can help attract a variety of wildlife. Solar fountains are also very helpful in adding a bit of oxygen to the water for fish, and of course they provide a very relaxing sound of water droplets falling back into the pond, all while being powered by green energy.
Solar fountains are not one size fits all by any means. A homeowner can choose from a wide variety of sizes, shapes and prices. One thing that a consumer should understand before choosing the solar method of running an outdoor fountain is that it does not store sunlight for later use in inclement weather. Unlike the process of solar panels that heat homes, for example, a solar fountain will only work in direct sunlight. For folks in Arizona, Southern California and other year round sunny climates, this is of little concern. For others, however, it might be a drawback, though most homeowners are not going to sit around their back yard in gloomy weather.
When choosing a solar panel, a homeowner would do well to choose from solar kits that offer the option of moving the solar panels away from the fountain. These provide the opportunity for optimal sunlight without having to relocate the pond and the fountain each time the sun fades or clouds roll in to part of the sky. Additionally, it is important to find a fountain that is lightweight enough to move it from the outdoor floating pond setup to indoors when the weather gets bad. For this, the consumer would also want to make sure AC adapters are included.
Kits for solar fountains may include accessories, such as solar lights that are shaped to look like dragonflies or butterflies, or even ladybugs or mushrooms. If sold separately, these low-cost floating pond lights retail for around $30 or $40. Solar fountains can be made of ceramic, terracotta, slate or even bamboo. The smaller, budget-priced kits can be under $40, while the top models are well over $200. No matter what color or material chosen, or price paid, a solar fountain is sure to give many hours of outdoor and even indoor pleasure for years to come.
by Mark
By definition, a uv pond filter is actually a combination of several different technologies put together in a single package. UV, or ultra violet light is actually not a filter at all, but when it’s combined in a system that also contains a biofilter, you’ll find this array to typically be referred to as a uv pond filter.
This type of system is becoming more popular for small pond owners because it integrates two commonly used, but different systems for algae control. Historically uv light and bio filters may both be installed in a pond but these new, pre-integrated units make sizing and installation a bit easier.
Let’s discuss the components of the pairing and some of the benefits they bring to the pond owner.
[Read more…] about UV Pond Filters Fight Different Algae Types