Knowledgebase
Welcome to the BTL Knowledgebase. Ever since we started lining ponds, creating covers, and helping people with their projects, we've gotten asked a lot of questions. Many of these questions are repeatedly asked, so we put together the BTL knowledgebase to help answer any questions you had about a particular subject. We are adding new questions every month, so continue to check back often!
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Should I top up my pond with tap water?
Tap water is formulated for human consumption and generally contains safe amounts of disinfectant chemicals to kill bacteria that could potentially make us sick. This is all well and good for the people in your household, but those same properties can spell disaster for your fish.
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How do I make my pond water clear naturally?
For an overall healthy pond, improving water clarity can be as simple as improving filtration, ensuring a vigorous colony of beneficial bacteria, avoiding overfeeding, and addressing environmental disturbances such as debris from trees, mud or excess runoff from storms.
Is rainwater good for ponds?
Rainwater can be a satisfying zero-cost source of naturally soft water free of chlorine and its derivatives. There are, however, some caveats to consider before you decide to rely on the weather to keep your pond healthy and happy.
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How do I get rid of algae in my pond without killing the fish?
Most commercial algaecide products are perfectly safe to use with fish, as long as they’re labeled for that use.
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What will eat algae in a pond?
When trying to control algae in a natural way in a pond, many people look for fish or other lifeforms they can add to do the job.
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What is the best way to get rid of algae in a pond?
The best way to get rid of the algae in your pond depends on your budget, your willingness to change the pond’s design, and your interest in natural products.
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How do I get rid of algae in my pond naturally?
Before reaching for bottles of algaecide or even ordering some barley straw floats, consider making changes to the condition of the pond.
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Does vinegar kill algae in ponds?
You’ll find many websites claiming that vinegar is a safe and cheap way to keep algae from taking over your pond.
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What naturally kills algae?
Barley straw is the most popular natural treatment for algae because it works and it’s widely available.
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How can I seal my pond naturally?
The only truly natural ways to seal a pond will still allow some amount of leaking and seepage.
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Will vinegar kill pond fish?
When you’re trying to protect your fish while cleaning your pond, you should keep vinegar out of the water unless you’re adding it in very small amounts.
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Does baking soda kill algae in ponds?
There are hundreds of claims of homemade mixtures for killing algae, but baking soda is not one of the effective treatments you should try.
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Can I put cinder blocks in my pond?
There’s a common misconception that concrete is a hazardous material to fish and is risky to add to a pond.
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Is cement safe for pond fish?
Cement is a safe material to use in fish ponds, but it does need some curing and cleaning before you fill the pond and add fish.
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Should I put gravel in my wildlife pond?
Since wildlife ponds are not generally cleaned on a regular basis, covering the bottom with rocks or gravel is perfectly fine.
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Can you put bricks in a pond?
Bricks are generally safe and useful to install anywhere around the edges of a pond.
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How do you edge a wildlife pond?
Wildlife ponds need durable but natural looking edges to keep animals from damaging the liner or turning the watering into a muddy mess.
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How do you edge a pond with bricks?
Brick is one of the quickest and easiest materials to use for covering the edge of a pond.
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How can I make my pond edge look natural?
Some people want a formal and well-defined look for their pond edges, but most are going for a natural appearance that blends into the landscape.
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How do you attach a pond liner to wood?
Ponds are rarely framed in wood, but some older designs require a wood frame to stabilize loose soil around the edges.
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How do you hide the edge of a preformed pond?
You have fewer options for hiding the edge of a preformed liner than for a flexible custom liner.
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How do you install a waterfall preformed pond?
Waterfall preformed ponds are the quickest way to get a splashing water feature in your backyard.
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How do I keep my pond liner in place?
There’s a few tricks to keeping flexible liners from shifting and moving after installation.
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