Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I've heard conflicting stories on how rocks and gravel in my pond affect maintenance.
A: Traditionally constructed ponds are designed without gravel covering the bottom for fear that pond muck would be difficult to clean off the bottom. People that have these ponds could never imagine the mess that adding gravel would cause during clean outs.
On the other hand, people that construct their pond with gravel from the beginning tell a completely different story. They find maintenance to be easier with the gravel, because the build up of muck doesn't occur in
the first place. Bacterial colonies living in the pond's gravel bottom break down, decaying plants, fish waste,
and other organic material that falls to the pond bottom.
In essence, the gravel provides a home for bacteria, which in turn work continuously to break down organic material, which substantially reduce pond muck from building up. Ponds with gravel, therefore stay cleaner an
d are easier to maintain than non-gravel ponds.
Q: I'm interested in having a skimmer filter installed on my existing pond to handle leaf debris. I have a few
concerns. My pump currently sits in the bottom of the pond. I was told it needed to be there to properly circulate the water. I'm also worried that my fish will become trapped inside the skimmer and die. How do I assure proper pond water circulation and make sure my fish don't become trapped?
A: FIRST OFF, let's address your concerns about proper water circulation. Ponds that are less than six feet deep usually can be circulated just fine with a surface skimmer and a properly sized pump. Since the average pond
is only two feet deep, circulation is never a problem. A properly sized pump and skimmer add oxygen to even the deepest parts of these ponds.
Your concern about fish being trapped in the skimmer is well founded. Some fish, especially small ones, may investigate the skimmer and be unable to swim out. Larger fish have been known to swim in and out, almost like a Nordic Track for Koi!
The good news is small fish can live for days inside the skimmer. Simply leave the lid off the skimmer for the first few weeks after you install it in your pond. When you see a fish in the skimmer bay, simply plop him back in the pond. After a few times they'll learn. It goes without saying that some fish learn faster than others. Therefore you can think of your skimmer as a way to test the IQ of your fish!
Q: I have goldfish and Koi in my two-foot deep pond, can they be frozen in the ice and survive?
A: Backyard ponds in your area that are only two feet deep will not freeze more than eight inches max.
Why? In a shallow backyard pond the earth warms the water and prevents it from freezing the deeper. As for fish, they cannot be frozen solid in an ice cube and still live. However, in your two-foot deep pond there's
at least 16 inches of water for them to hibernate in.
Q: My pond water used to be green. I've finally gotten the green out, but now it seems discolored. The water is a light tan, and I wish it were clearer. How do I get rid of the tan?
A: A tan pond is better than a green pond, but a clear pond is still the best. After a pond has run for a year, it's a good idea to replace all of the water (unless it's clear and no visible debris is present). People who
shut their ponds down for the winter and have leaves in their pond tend to have their ponds turn tan. An early
spring clean out will rectify this situation.
Other ponds, however turn tan during the season. This is caused by runoff getting into the pond. New mulch that's placed around the pond can bleed its colorant into the water.
Adding activated carbon into the filter will clear up stained water beautifully. The darker the water the
more activated carbon you'll need.
Q: Will frogs live in a backyard pond?
A: "If you build it, they will come!" they will find your pond on their own.
Where do they come from? Surrounding bodies of water usually. However, new plants purchased at the garden
center might have some tadpole eggs attached.
Q: I'm a fisherman and I'm interested in keeping game fish in my pond. Any suggestions?
A: Many fisherman have dreamed of doing the same thing. Imagine sitting on your deck and catching fish! Unfortunately, the reality usually isn't as great as the dream. Some fish tend to become lost in a backyard watergarden. Their colors blend with rocks and gravel and they hide beneath aquatic vegetation. The same traits that help them survive in the wild make them less than perfect pets in a decorative pond. Colorful Koi and goldfish, on the other hand, have been bred to thrive in a decorative pond setting.
Q: My neighbors have expressed concern that my pond is increasing the levels of mosquitoes in the neighborhood. I've never noticed a problem, but how do I logically address their concerns?
A: As an ecosystem, your fish, as well as frogs and dragon flies, are primed and ready to gobble up as many as
they can find. The more larvae a mosquito wastes in your pond, the better off your neighborhood and your fish
will be!
Q: I'm interested in building a pond, but I'm not sure how long I'll be living in my current home. I've heard
pools can be detrimental to selling a home in my area. Will a pond decrease my property value?
A: Every area of the country is different. A swimming pool in Florida is almost always a plus, but in Michigan
to some buyers it might not be.
When it comes to ponds, not all are created equal. If you want to increase your property value, install a
pond that's low maintenance. That means you'll need a mechanical skimmer and biological filter. Most of all you'll need to establish a pond ecosystem to let nature do most of the work.
As for your home's resale value, note this: landscaping has always been the number one home improvement you could make to recoup your money. Unlike any other home improvement, landscaping, and your pond, mature with
age, increase in value and beauty. While wallpaper fades, carpet is worn and appliances age, your pond and its
landscaping keep improving with time. Don't wait another day if you want to increase your property's value tomorrow.
Q: I want a pond but I'm not sure how big it should be. I'm worried that I will either make it too small or too big. Is there any good size that's a middle of the road pond for a beginner?
A: The answer to your question is yes. A middle of the road sized pond is 11' x 16' that's two feet deep. This
is a good size for the novice, but also takes into account the future desires of an experienced hobbyist.
As for your concerns about going too big, don't worry. The number one complaint most people have about their ponds is that it is too small. On the flip side, guess how many people wish they had built it smaller? If you guessed none, you'd be correct!
Q: Is it best to build a pond in full sun or full shade?
A: Neither, Ideally your pond should have a mixture of both. Full sun ponds tend to experience more aquatic plant blooms and more robust growth. They also, however, tend to grow more algae. Full shade ponds may have less
algae, but the aquatic plants will be harder to grow.
Either situation is acceptable though, provided you take the necessary steps. Choose your plants according to your conditions, some do better in shade and vice versa.
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