The unprecedented events of 2020 has been very challenging for many of us in various ways. However, negative situations often force us to find new ways of dealing with what we cannot control. This certainly has been evident by the massive increase in pond liner sales during the lockdown over the summer. Garden revamps with the addition of a wildlife or fish pond is an encouraging outcome for local wildlife. They depend on water sources for breeding, for drinking water during periods of dry weather, a supply of insect and plant based food as well as for shelter.

If this is your first winter as the proud owner of a pond you are likely to have questions on how to keep it healthy. A wildlife pond doesn’t need as much attention as one home to fish.

Keep your pond free of dying foliage

Prevent leaves blowing in to your pond by covering pond with a net over the Autumn months or regularly skim-off leaves to prevent them sinking to the bottom of your pond.

Dead head aquatic plants and remove dead plants.By doing this you reduce the chance of decomposition.

Reduce amount of fish food

Decrease the amount of food you are feeding your fish. As the surrounding temperature drops, fish metabolism slows so they don’t need to consume as much food as they do during the spring and summer months. A slowed metabolism means your fish are taking longer to digest their food. Any uneaten food will start to sink to the bottom of your pond and start to decompose. This in turn affects the quality of your pond water when the decomposed sludge starts releasing toxic gases.

With the onset of winter it is advisable to switch your fishes diet to wheat germ based foods. It is much easier for them to digest and therefore lead to less food waste versus a protein based diet. Once the temperature drops below 4 degrees C, stop feeding. At is at that point that your fish will go into hibernation anyway.

Ensure your pond gets as much winter sunlight as possible. This will help ensure pond plants continue to photosynthesis and maintain oxygen levels in your pond.

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not to keep your pond pump and filter running through winter. The advantage to your pond is that this will keep the water circulating. Moving water freezers at a lower temperature. It is recommended to only turn it off it the temperature drops below 4 degrees Celsius and is forecast to stay at or below that temperature for a prolonged period.

Keeping the filter running will help extract debris to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Should you do a water change to your pond in winter?

Regular water changes to fish ponds will help to reduce levels of nitrates, chemicals, and heavy pollutants that can cause discomfort to fish. When and how often you do a water change depends on a number of factors such as number of fish, pond size and quality of your filtration system. A small 10% – 20% of water volume change is best and should be carried out on a regular basis throughout the year including winter.

Your pond doesn’t need as much attention as in the spring and summer. But, keeping up pond maintenance through out the cold, wet and blustery months is likely to mean a healthy pond going into the warmer months.

Stay safe!

“How many Koi can I stock my pond with?” A question pond experts frequently get asked. A general rule of thumb as stated by the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association is 2kg fish per 1000 litres (or 1 inch of Koi per 10 gallons). But, in reality the answer is not as straight forward as that. There are many variables that need to be considered when stocking a pond.

Size of filtration system, water flow rate, inclusion of aquatic plants and volume of water (1500 – 2000 gallons is considered an ideal size for Koi) all impact how many fish a pond can accommodate. Investing in a high quality pond liner, pond pump and filter is a great start to investing in the perfect environment for homing Koi.

Pond size and depth of Koi pond

Another consideration is do you decide how many Koi fish you want and then build the size pond to create a healthy ecosystem to accommodate them all. Or, build first and then slowly stock your pond monitoring the water as you go? Both options are viable. You also want to consider the full grown size of the Koi. You wouldn’t want to get rid of any prize pets when, after a period of time you realize your fish are getting stressed because they don’t have sufficient space to move about in. Stress affects their immune system so best avoided.

How to determine stocking density

Known fact: fish excrete waste and consume dissolved oxygen. So, for a pond to stay healthy a good quality filtration system needs to be installed. The filter will provide beneficial bacteria that converters fish waste, uneaten fish food and decomposed matter. If waste is not dealt with it turns to ammonia.

A high quality filter, correct size pond pump and a bottom drain are essential to maintaining a healthy ecosystem for Koi to thrive. A bottom drain sucks water out of the pond and passes it through the filter. The cleaned water is pumped back into the pond. Who wouldn’t say ‘yes’ to this self-cleaning pond set-up? Another effective cleaning system is a skimmer. Both reduce the risk of sludge build-up at the bottom of a pond.

Why average water temperature is an important consideration

Koi are poikilothermic which means that their body temperature is determined by surrounding water temperature. If the water is warm, their metabolic rate increases so they consume more food, excrete more waste and require more oxygen. The opposite happens when the water temperature drops (autumn and winter months). So what impact does average water temperature have when stocking a pond? It means that in colder climates the stocking density is higher than in warm climates. Why, because less waste for bacteria to have to ‘clean-up’ and less demand on dissolved oxygen levels.

When stocking a pond the more patient you are the greater the chance of maintaining a healthy pond environment.

Should you add aquatic plants to your pond?

Koi keepers are not all in favour of adding aquatic plants to their formal ponds. Floating aquatic plants such as water lilies can reach a size that covers half the surface area. This gives fish a place to hide rather than being in full visibility. However, they do offer shade and shelter. Aquatic plants absorb nitrates from the water and release oxygen. If aquatic plants aren’t included a skimmer, aerator and large enough filter system are vital.

Conclusion

There is lots to consider when planning a Koi pond build and stocking while maintaining a healthy ecosystem for your fish to thrive in.

Important points to note are that the ideal pond size for Koi is one no bigger than a 1500 to 2000 gallon capacity and between 1. 5 to 2 meters deep. All 1500+ gallons of water will need to go through good quality filter system every three hours to maintain the health of the pond. Vertical sides and a convex bottom are preferred to allow sludge and decomposed matter to readily flow into the bottom drain to pass through the filter system.

Koi need space to move about in. Too many in a confined space will cause stress which in turn will have a negative impact on their immune system.

We hope you have found this article helpful!

The flow rate of your pond pump will affect the clarity of your pond water. A pond pump working optimally will help to maintain a healthy, thriving ecosystem. However, a murky pond can affect the flow rate and so it becomes a vicious circle until the cause of the murky water is dealt with and filter plus pump are clean. Skimming-off dead leaves and debris from the surface of your pond as part of regular maintenance will go a long way to keeping your pond free of algae build-up. And as a result your pond pump will be relatively free of debris build-up, which could affect the impeller. The impeller is the rotor used to increase the pressure and flow rate.

It is important to keep an eye on the water level because you don’t want your skimmer to run dry. Also make sure that an over-growth of plants, algae blooms or debris aren’t blocking water flow rate or clogging your skimmer.

When to clean your pump and filter

If you notice a slow functioning pump, it is time for a clean. It is important to keep the pond strainer covers free of blanket weed, also known as string algae, and debris to prevent your pump over heating.

• Disconnect from power supply before lifting a submersible pump from pond.
• Use water only to wash out silt, sediment, algae and debris.
• Hose down filters with a strong jet of water.
• Check hose to make sure there are no blockages.

How to stop algae affecting pump

A certain amount of algae is healthy but an over production preventing sunlight penetrating a pond and choking the production of oxygen is not. The first and most obvious sign is when the pond becomes cloudy.

Excessive algae blooms could be due to any one or all of the following reasons:

• not enough aquatic plants to stop algae taking up all the oxygen and nutrients
• pond receives too much daily sunlight
• high nutrient levels. This maybe as a result of rainwater runoff bring nutrients from fertilizers into the pond or due to debris accumulation

Algae invasion can be prevented by blocking rainwater run-off reaching your pond, avoiding the use of lawn fertilizers, planting sufficient aquatic plants to provide shade to at least 60% of pond surface, removing fallen leaves before they sink to bottom of pond, and avoiding overstocking and overfeeding of fish.

Another way of controlling algae is to put barley straw in the water. Pond experts are divided in their opinions about the use of barley straw to control algae. But, anecdotal evidence certainly proves it is worth pond owners trying it rather than using chemicals or battling an algae invasion. The recommended time to add the barley straw is in April. The packaging should tell you how much to put in relative to the size of your pond.

Good general advice to keep your pond pump working for many years is to avoid frequently switching it on and off. They are designed for continual usage.

As the weather hopefully continues to improve, thoughts turn to the garden. If you are looking forward to adding a water feature to your outdoor space this spring then Liners Online have all the tips and advice you need to plan, build and maintain a garden pond. They also have a choice of pond liner guaranteed to contain water for many, many years if installed above a protective underlay.

Firstly, you need to start with the basics. You need to choose a pond liner, and preferably one which is resistant to both frost and ultra-violet rays, and that it has the flexibility to resist pressure from growing roots.

PVC (poly vinyl chloride) is a watertight 0.5mm thick, black sheet. Because it is lightweight, it is very flexible and moulds well. It is not very elastic however, and not easily repaired as it has a tendency of going brittle. It requires correct installation and maintenance.

Butyl or Epalyn Pond Liner?

Butyl pond liner has always been a popular choice in the UK. It a black, synthetic rubber sheet that possesses both flexibility and elasticity. This product is UV stable with excellent elongation properties and is non toxic to both plant and wildlife.

Butyl pond liners can be used for all types and sizes of pond installations. The value of the Butyl pond liner is that it is much more heavy duty than PVC and is less likely to be damaged.

A relatively new product on the market is Epalyn, which again is a black synthetic rubber sheet, but this pond liner is an EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). The polymer (which provides elasticity to the sheet) marks the difference between the two products: Butyl contains more than 50% butyl polymer and Epalyn is made with 100% EPDM and is less expensive than the former.
Epalyn pond liners offer the following benefits:
• High flexibility
• High elongation
• Superior weather resistance
• Low maintenance
• Ease of installation
• Environmentally friendly
Now you have chosen your material of choice, the question is how much do you need? This is easily checked by using our Pond Liner Calculator online measurement facility. Simply input the maximum depth, maximum length and maximum width measurements of the hole you have dug into our calculator. The calculator will then give you the dimensions you need to order. More complicated designs including those with islands or plinths can be discussed with staff.
There is a wide choice of materials available for pond liners and Liners Online offers the best, most competitive selection as well as advice on how to install and maintain your perfect pond. Simply visit us online or call 01526 399033.

Ponds, according to the Department of Environmental Food and Rural Affairs, are defined as: Man-made or natural waterbodies which hold water for at least 4 months of the year. This definition includes very small bodies of water, which can sometimes have a high conservation value. It also includes semi-seasonal and temporary ponds, which often dry up in summer but can support valuable pond communities.

It is estimated that three-quarters (more than a million) of Britain’s ponds have been lost to the country-side over the last hundred years. A Countryside Survey has shown that losses are due to continued development of land or a change in the use of the land from a natural habitat to agricultural bringing a negative impact on ponds.

According to an article published in 2009 by the School of Biology and Environmental Science at University College in Dublin, ponds are amongst the most diverse freshwater habitats and support more species (including uncommon and rare species) compared to lakes, rivers, and streams. Ponds are considered to be a cost-effective way of maintaining biodiversity.

There are a number of research papers referencing the positive impact of ponds built in urban gardens or communities and how they are helping restore the environmental impact these loses are having on biodiversity. Urban ponds support many species and are of ecological value. The diversity of wildlife inhabiting or visiting ponds does largely depend on what the build of a pond was intended for.

Ponds offer so many benefits

• attract a great variety of wildlife than any other garden feature
• the ever changing system provides wildlife education for children
• provides a source of drinking water during dry periods
• easy to manage environments so a cost effective way of enhancing biodiversity
• ponds add beauty throughout the year
• their aesthetic appeal adds value to properties
• ponds may be built for flood control, irrigation purposes, or as a means of bringing communities together to enjoy nature – bird or wildlife watching

Ponds can vary in ecological value depending on how they are managed. Those home to predatory fish or those whose vegetation is controlled by the use of chemicals are likely to affect the survival of amphibians and small organisms attracted to the pond with little shelter for the young to hide from hungry predators. Versus ponds with natural vegetation, sloping banks, no predatory fish and sufficient shelter, offer a beneficial ecological habitat.

Ponds can offer a place for communities to meet to bird or wildlife watch, or just to relax

Pond characteristics differ according to their primary function: garden pond, industrial ponds for water storage, water garden for an ornamental display, drainage systems, landscape feature, fish ponds for housing and breeding as well as wildlife ponds which mimic a natural environment.

With continued urban development to meet the housing and commercial demands of an expanding nation, we need to safeguard biodiversity. Building a pond is just one way we can help nature.

A formal, ornate, symmetrically designed pond with clearly defined edges is the perfect choice for those who want a focal point in their garden. Formal ponds tend to be square, rectangular, circular or hexagonal in shape with vertical sides. They can either be built into the ground or raised. The installation of a pond liner is recommended to retain water but should ideally be fitted eliminating creases, which can easily distract attention away from the formal look. A box-welded or tailored-to-fit pond liner offers a flawless option to ensuring optimal water retention. A box-welded pond liner is fabricated to the exact size and shape of your pond, which can then quite simply be dropped in for a perfect fit.

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A colourfully landscaped garden is only as enchanting as the amount of effort that has gone into designing it. The same applies to garden ponds and the addition of aquatic plants to create a bespoke water feature. There are a wide range of pond plants available on the market. Plant varieties all have their own specific requirements such as amount of light, substrate type and growing conditions. Maximum size is also an important feature worth noting. The three basic aquatic plant types: submerged (also known as oxygenators), marginal and floating. It is a good idea to incorporate planting shelves into your pond design if you plan on adding marginal and submerged plants.

Colour, height, texture and planting conditions all need to be well researched to create great visual interest. How you combine plant attributes will give you the aquatic landscape you envisage.

Pond plants and planting shelves

To incorporate a range of aquatic plants you need to add planting shelves at various depths. Submerged and marginal plants will need planting in a special pond basket before securing in place on a planting shelf. Use washed gravel to plant in rather than soil.

Pond plants are able to have their nutritional needs met from decomposing fish food and fish waste. If fish aren’t present and nutrient are levels low, add in a liquid fertiliser designed specifically for pond plants.

When choosing planting pots, avoid choosing those with a bottom drainage hole. Soil will leach out of the pot adding nutrients to the water, which will then lead to an increase in algae growth. The same applies to the use of plastic mesh baskets unless you line them with cut-offs of Geotextile underlay or hessian. Both materials will stop soil leaching out while allowing continuous water, gas and air movement to pass over the plant roots.

Planting pots without a drainage hole work well provided the water level of the pond is kept above the surface of the pot. Add a gravel top layer to stop soil leaching out.

Fabric pond baskets are gaining popularity as they can easily be moulded into tight spaces. The height can be adjusted by folding the sides down. They also;

• allow roots to be aerated for healthy growth
• rot resistant
• easy to move around and conform readily to the shape of the pond
• blends in with the pond contents
• no risk of cracking

To plant, add aquatic soil to your chosen pot. This will help to anchor your plant in place and holds nutrients for healthy growth. Pots stop plants getting too big and invasive.

Aquatic plants provide shade and use up nutrients in the water to help maintain a healthy, well oxygenated, clean pond and they control levels of algae growth. Add aquatic plants to your pond between mid-spring to early summer.

A pond pump is the heart of a man-made pond. A pond pump circulates and aerates the water which helps to maintain a healthy pond environment. There are two basic types, a submersible and an external pump. But, not all ponds need a pond pump as we will go on to explain.

The closed ecosystem of a garden pond needs to be carefully managed. A pump creates water movement and splashing sounds most people associate with having a pond. But, there are ponds that can thrive without a pump and still be healthy.

How natural ponds thrive without a pond pump

Wildlife and natural ponds can be home to amphibians, insects and micro-organisms (invertebrates) all living together harmoniously. With life they all excrete waste into the water adding nutrients to the system. High nutrient levels along with sunlight encourage algae growth. The presence of algae in a pond can start to choke out pond inhabitants affecting the natural ecosystem. It is therefore in the interest of a pond owner to ensure such conditions don’t happen. In a wildlife pond clean, oxygenated water is possible without the presence of a pond pump. It’s own environment becomes the filter. In a man-made pond, particularly those home to Koi, it is almost impossible to prevent algae from flourishing without the presence of a pond pump and filter system.

In a garden pond – whether a preformed mould or pond liner is used in the build, there aren’t the natural substrates for micro-organisms to thrive on and so a filter system is needed. It provides a type of surface for micro-organisms to attach to and eat plant and animal matter floating around in the water.

Filter and pump system are only really essential if you want to keep Koi fish. They work to control algae levels.

A solar fountain can be enough to keep the water moving and sufficiently oxygenated on hot days.

Pond maintenance without a pond pump

In a natural pond micro-organisms are present in high abundance. They exist in the soil and on plants. They function as a ponds ‘vacuum cleaner’ living off plant and animal organic matter found in the water and turn it into nutrients that aquatic plants need to thrive. Micro-organisms play a vital role in keeping the system in healthy equilibrium.

In garden ponds built using a protective underlay and pond liner the presence of micro-organisms is greatly reduced. Pond liners are necessary for the containment of water but intervention needs to be put in place to ensure that the quality of water is maintained in the absence of those microbes. Dead animal and plant matter is removed from the water by a pond filter and pump before it decomposes.  Decaying matter will increase the nutrient levels beyond what is needed.

Steps to managing healthy pond water quality

There are a number of steps pond owners can put in place to reduce nutrient levels.

• Maintain a healthy balance of fish to pond volume – Koi fish excrete far more waste than goldfish. Too many Koi in an average garden pond will increase nutrient levels
• Feed fish no more than they actually need and take particular note to the seasons as fish are less active in autumn and winter therefore eat less
• Include sufficient aquatic plants to cover at least a half to two-thirds of your pond surface. This will reduce the amount of sunlight entering the water and will use-up nutrients in the water leaving less for algae to thrive on. Plants also offer a substrate for micro-organisms to live off. Plants take-up nutrients in the water leaving little for algae to thrive on.
• Aeration is necessary to prevent an increase in anaerobic bacteria

The correct size pond pump is one that will circulate at least half the volume of water through the filter every hour (gallons/hour). So, a 1500 gallon pond would need a pump that can filter 750 gallons per hour for sufficient oxygen supply to plants and fish. A koi pond needs a pond pump that will cope with the amount of waste excreted daily. Pumps work off mains electricity supply drawing in water and pushing it out again by means of an impeller driven by a motor. A submersible pump is suitable for fountains, waterfalls and filter systems. They require regular maintenance to avoid debris build-up in the filter which could cause the motor to burn-out from over use.