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.
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Choosing A Pond Pump
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.
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EPDM Pond Liners For Water Gardens
A pond liner is essential when constructing a small pond or watergarden. This article will cover some of the benefits of EPDM rubber pond liners and why you might want to consider using one.
Many American homeowners across the country are finding the addition of aquatic ponds to make lovely settings for their back yard environments. These decorative ponds are further enhanced by the use of an aquatic safe EPDM pond liner that snugly conforms to the shape and design of your pond. These liners are specially designed to safely sustain most any kind of fish and fauna you choose for your water garden. They are safe and practical to use and will help maintain your pond’s attractive appearance for years to come.
There are generally two types of pond liners you can choose for your pond structure: plastic preformed pond liners and EPDM liners. Pre formed plastic liners are designed to maintain one shape and form to fit the exact structure of your pond design. In contrast, EPDM liners are capable of stretching and adjusting to any shape pond, regardless of its design. This flexible quality enables the liner to elongate when necessary to cover unusual or uneven ground surfaces below the water such as tree roots, rock formations or dips. It can also adjust to various movements or settling of the ground.
For example, the Firestone PondGard EPDM liner is constructed of a high quality flexible rubber material, which is aquatic safe, durable and guaranteed to last a long time. It maintains its flexibility even in very hot and cold temperatures and will not crack or split with age. Due to their high quality construction, warranty on Firestone liners extends up to 20 years. These reasons and more make the Firestone 45 mil model one of the most popular pond liners on the market today.
Pond Tip: Here’s an easy way to find a leak in a small pond liner. Allow the water to drop to a level where it remains stable with no further reduction in water levels. Add a bit more water back in to raise the level and then pour a small amount of milk around the perimeter of the pond. The white color of the milk will often show where a leak is occurring. Simply watch for the milk being pulled inward towards the liner and there’s a good chance you’ve found the leak. You can then use a simple patch kit to take care of the problem.
Installation of EPDM liners is fairly simple, requiring no special equipment or tools. Once in place, these liners offer optimum performance with little maintenance and care. In the event a liner should require repair due to puncture or tear, these repairs can be feasibly accomplished with the use of an EPDM patch while the liner is still installed in the pond.
EPDM liners come in a variety of widths and lengths in order to easily accommodate any pond dimensions. Online prices, to include shipping and handling, range approximately from $60 to $75 for the smaller 10 x 10 foot size liner to $195 to $225 for the larger 10 x 20 foot model. It’s usually advised to shop around and compare prices as they may vary from retailers. Also be sure to ask for expert advice from vendors prior to ordering should you have any questions.
It’s been proven that installing a water garden or small pond near your home will help increase the property’s value and add natural beauty to your yard. When construction considerations are being made, keep in mind that nothing offers the versatility, durability, and adaptability that an EPDM pond liner offers.
A Fish Pond For Koi – The Basics
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.
Using A Lake Rake For Pond Weeds And Algae
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.
Solar Fountains For Ponds
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.