Can I Use Pool Products In My Pond?

Janine wrote in recently with a very common question. She asked, “Can I use swimming pool products in my pond?” She went on to mention that she’s had some algae problems in her pond and had tried chlorine for a time but wondered if something else might help the situation.

Answer: Thanks for the question Janine! I’m glad you asked because you are surely not the only person wondering about this. Here’s my take on this topic. I have always taken a very conservative approach to treating my pond or water garden. Which basically means that in a general sense I don’t ever suggest using a pool product in a pond.

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Choosing A Pond Skimmer

Bob sent in this pond question recently. “I have been doing some research on pond skimmers.  I see some of these products say they are good for 1000 gallons.  I don’t understand what the gallons of a pond have to do with surface skimming.  I would think size of the pond surface should be the consideration when trying to find the right size of skimmer. Am I missing something?”

Answer: Bob, thanks for the great question.

A pond skimmer, for those that may not know, are devices that are installed in smaller ponds, usually on the opposite side of a water fall that capture and trap unwanted material that enters the pond.

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Is My Pond Filter Too Small?

Todays Q & A Of The Day comes from Susan who writes, “HELP! I think my filter is to small for my pond. I have a Laguna 2100 bio filter. My pond is in full sun it’s 23ft.long 20ft.wide and 3ft.deep. My pond is 3yrs. old and my water is still green and my ph is to high. I have used all kinds of chem.and solar salt. Nothing has changed. I can’t believe my koi are still happy and alive! Can you help?”

Answer: Thank you Susan for your question. Fish can certainly handle green water and if the pH is around 9.0 or below you’re probably ok there as well.

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Pond Filters And Fish 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.

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