Aeration
Proper aeration keeps your pond clean, improves its water quality, and circulates your water to avoid temperature variation that could otherwise harm the health of your pond and its fish. Aeration promotes oxygen, which is the lifeline to your fish pond’s ecosystem. While waterfalls or fountains can add oxygen to your water, they are not enough to keep your pond (and its residents) thriving and should be supplemented with diffused aeration. Water is circulated with a bottom diffused aeration to increase dissolved oxygen levels. Aeration can also be used in the winter to keep a hole open in the ice to prevent your fish from suffocating.
Algae Control
Algae in your fish pond can be caused by an overabundance of animal waste or other organic material from leaves combined with an excess of sunlight.
Whether you’re worried about deep green pond water or string algae on your pond’s surrounding rocks, algae can get out of control quickly. Algae can ruin your pond’s beauty and water quality, which ultimately creates stress for both you and your fish. That’s why it’s best to nip this issue in the bud with algae control from the getgo.
Proactively managing your fish pond reduces the frequency and severity of algae blooms. It also promotes a healthy ecosystem for your pond’s fish, plants, and other aquatic elements. Filtration, aeration, beneficial bacteria, and fish population control are all common methods you can employ to keep your pond thriving and algae-free.
Filtration
Water filtration is a key component to a healthy water feature, and this helps your fish pond stay clean, healthy, and safe for its inhabitants. Ponds with heavy fish loads or excess debris require more filtration than the average pond. By removing debris and growing good bacteria with pond skimmers to using a waterfall filter, fish pond filtration tools balance your pond’s ecosystem.
There are two primary types of filtration for your pond: biological and mechanical. Both mechanical and biological filtration systems are easy ways to keep your water clean and clear. Mechanical filters remove debris like algae mats and leaves, while biological filters provide a place for beneficial bacteria to colonize and remove unwanted microbes in your pond water.
When buying your filter, make sure to select one that is marked for your pond’s size or larger. If you think you may have a heavier debris load due to an overpopulation of fish or plants, your safest option is to get a filter one size larger. In this instance, it’s better to have too much filtration than too little that may result in an ongoing algae battle.
Pond Liners
When selecting a pond liner, it’s essential to confirm that your choice will last you for many years without frequent maintenance. Changing a pond’s liner is often the most daunting task for many water feature owners. For this reason, you should select a liner with superior UV resistance to prevent unnecessary sun damage that would require a new liner. It’s also important to choose a liner with substantial puncture and tear resistance. You will also want to ensure that your liner is safe for both fish and plants, as you will require both for a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Another aspect many pond owners don’t think of is NSF certification. Market leaders strive to attain NSF certification as a distinction that assurances their product does not leach any harmful contaminants into drinking water. NSF 61 testing covers all products with drinking water contact from source to tap. This determines which contaminants may migrate or leach from a product into drinking water to ensure the highest safety measures for your pond and its inhabitants.
BTL Liners fabricates AquaArmor liners with pliable forming materials, strong HDPE weaving, high oxidation and ozone resistance, and an NSF-61 certification.
