Pond Maintenance in Minneapolis and Surrounding Cities

Pond Maintenance in Minneapolis and Surrounding Cities 

​Most water gardeners are aware of the importance that good quality water plays in a pond habitat.  Not knowing how to get or keep water quality can prove challenging to some pond owners.  Your water may be clear, but your fish may not be acting like you’re used to seeing, which can signify that something might be a little off in your pond’s water. Follow our 7 tips below to help keep your pond water clean!

1. Maintain a healthy koi fish populationIf you have more than 10” of fish for every 100 gallons of water, your pond is likely over-populated. Excessive fish waste can cause an imbalance in pond water. Consider finding some of them a new home. Many pond retailers and contractors will accept your fish.
2. Don’t over-feed your fishWhen you feed fish more than they can eat, the uneaten food is left to decay in the pond. Be careful not to feed your fish more than once per day, and no more than they can eat in 2 to 3 minutes. Remove all excess, leftover food.
3. Create a proper balance of plantsAt season’s peak, you should have no more than 40% to 60% of the surface area of your pond either covered or shaded by plants. Too many plants can cause oxygen deficiencies at night due to the photosynthetic process, when the plants take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.
4. Choose the right size pond pump for your pondYou should be circulating the entire pond’s water volume a minimum of once every hour. Make sure your pump’s flow isn’t restricted by debris and be careful not to pump water higher than it was intended. Every pump has its flow limitations. Refer to the chart on the outside of the pump’s box to make sure you’re making the right choice for your pond.
5. Clean debris from pond before it has a chance to decay Decaying debris, combined with fish waste and leftover fish food, can cause ammonia levels to spike in your pond. Clean out your pond and add beneficial microbes such as Aquascape’s Beneficial Bacteria to help keep it healthy and clean.
6. Choose proper filtration for your pond. Your filter should match the size of your pond. Remember, most manufacturers rate their filters based on ideal circumstances, and if you exceed those, your filter becomes less effective. Always up-size your filter so that it can handle more than the capacity of your pond. Also remember to clean your filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Keep your pond cool during the dog days of summer. When pond water exceeds 75º Fahrenheit, it has a more difficult time retaining acceptable levels of dissolved oxygen. This is why it’s important to have your pond shaded by aquatic plants (see tip #3). Fish need oxygen to survive. If you see them at the pond’s surface gasping for air, add an aerator to help them during times of extreme heat.
​By Aquascape inc 2016.