Choose the right kind of pond plants to keep the pond fountains clean.
Archive for Ponds
Jan
22
Well-maintained pond fountains add beauty to the garden ponds
Posted by: | CommentsTo highlight the landscaping most of the homeowners decorate their garden ponds with spectacular pond fountains. There are several reputed companies who provide guidelines and kit for building wonderful pond fountain. With a well equipped pond fountain kit you can build a fantastic fountain in your water garden which will supply the desired warmth and oxygen for the pond plants and keep the entire environment healthy.
Choosing the right supply for building the pond fountains is one of the most crucial jobs. While purchasing the pump for the fountain you must consider the size of the pond and the type of the fountain you wish to have for your garden pond. The kit supplied by reputed companies for fountains include almost everything needed. You must also install a filter for preventing the growth of dirt and harmful algae in the fountain which will damage the well being of the pond plants and the fish. You can use a bio filter for cleaning the fountain.
You should always look for pond fountains which are easy to install. After locating the site and measuring the depth of the water you can place a basin under the water for holding the fountain. For accommodating the hose and electrical wires you should drill a hole in the basin. To keep the basin well settled in the pond bed you can put rocks and stones in the basin. When dredging and digging the pond bed you must not damage the pond plants. For installing submersible fountain you should check whether the height of the fountain is kept in level with water surface.
Pond fountains add to the pond water great amount of dissolved oxygen which helps in keeping the pond plants and fish healthy. By having a pond fountain you can get adequate water circulation needed for keeping the pond water fresh and free from dirt as well.
The pond fountains when properly installed and well maintained can increase the value of your property. While decorating your water garden with beautiful pond plants, fish, lights and fountain you must also keep the entire environment clean.
It is better to build pond fountains which can be maintained easily. To remove the dirt and harmful algae accumulated in the fountain must be cleaned regularly. If you are using a mechanical filter you must clean it frequently. Avoid using chemicals as they can be dangerous for the fish and pond plants and other living inhabitants of the pond. Bio filters are ideal for cleaning the fountain in your fish pond.
Pond and the fountain get dirty over time. If the fountain is not in use for some time algae start growing in the fountain and the basin. By choosing the right kind of pond plants you can keep the fountain and the pond clean. Aquatic plants eat the nutrients and fish wastes and thus restrict algae growth in the pond fountains. If there is algae growth in the fountain basin you can remove the basin and scrub it overall to remove the algae and debris.
Jan
20
Sponge Filters, Myths and Truths of This Type of Filtration for Aquariums and Ponds
Posted by: | CommentsI have read several posts in forums and especially Yahoo answers about Sponge Filters. There is still a lot of misinformation about how a sponge works and is powered along with what they can and cannot do.
There are several models of sponge filters (and several brands, not all are even close to equal). There are sponge filters that work as pre filters for canister filters or HOB filters (where they substantially improve bio filtration during cartridge changes (not to mention they extend the life of filter cartridges allow less frequent changes). There are also sponge filters that work in ponds, aquarium sumps, or work as sponge filters for larger aquariums (the Hydro Pond ).
Where some of the misinformation comes in is how they are powered, many can be or are powered by pumps or power heads not just air pumps.
Another source of misinformation is their capacity as compared to other filters. You cannot compare a small cheap sponge filter model to an Aqua Clear 50 HOB filter. However a Hydro Sponge #5 (powered by a proper air pump (such as a ReSun 9602 ) or a power head (such as a Via Aqua 480 or larger) will easily match the Aqua Clear 50 in bio capacity (or usually exceed it) and mechanical filtration (often chemical filtration is not necessary in a healthy established aquarium, I only use carbon in new aquariums or sometimes after treatment).
The Hydro Pond II or IV will easily exceed the Aqua Clear 110.
All these sponge filters cost much less besides!
And finally another source of misinformation is on comparing all sponge filters as the same. I have used many different models and they are not even close to bio capacity or even flow rate with the same pump (air or water) attached (I have ?clocked? the fill rate in a measuring cup of different brand ?seasoned? sponge filters and found definite variations). I will admit to trying different brands for cost assuming a sponge was a sponge, however I quickly noticed the difference and then switched to knock offs of Hydro Sponge until I found out about patent infringements. There is a reason that there are so many patent infringements on Hydro Sponge, they work!
For my full article, please visit this site:
Sponge Filtration (Aquarium and Pond)
By Carl Strohmeyer
Jan
20
Sponge filtration is an often overlooked type of filtration for freshwater aquarium or ponds and even marine aquariums . Many persons look past their simplicity as ineffective, but therein lies their quality. I have used them for my aquarium maintenance for 27 plus years with excellent results. Here then is a list of their attributes:
[1] Simple to use, most run on very basic air pumps or powerheads. One of the best beginner aquarist filters due simplicity and cost. But sponge filters are also popular with breeders and research facilities, as they are very efficient yet simple filters.
[2] Excellent biological filtration, they are very porous and can maintain very large aerobic bacterial colonies in proportion to the space they occupy. Please note that not all materials used for sponge filters are equal, there are patents because of this! The Hydro Sponge Filter holds several patents for sponge filters for this very reason!
[3] Mechanical filtration, although they are not the best mechanical filters, they still do a good job for their small size and make excellent secondary or primary filters when used in combination with other filters such as HOB, canister, or internal filters.
[4] Very few “dead” areas trapping pockets of noxious bacteria, unlike undergravel filters and even wet/dry filters (which in my experience are over rated).
[5] Simple to clean, simply remove the sponge and squeeze or rinse in old aquarium water or dechlorinated tap water. The advantage here is the aquarist is less likely to ignore cleaning the filter (unlike many complex filters), which can lead to organic build up, increasing nitrates and lowering KH and ph.
[6] Sponge filters are great in marine aquariums in a couple of different ways; one way is in a sump (sometimes sideways) with a small power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 480); the other (usually in a reef application) was inside the aquarium with either an air pump or power head. The beauty of either application is they are simple to rinse out with used aquarium water, which in the reef application was especially useful in that I could dispose of allot of debris before it cycled and produced Nitrates. They are an excellent compliment to “live rock” filtered reef aquariums.
[7] Probably the best choice of filtration for breeding tanks, hospital tanks, and even discus aquariums, due to the fact that they do not “suck” in baby or weak fish or attract noxious bacteria.
[8] For cichlid breeding they excell, as they are not easily disturbed by cichlids tendency to dig.
[9] Inexpensive
[10] Now available in larger sizes for aquariums over 60 gallons.
[11] Sponge filters can even be used in ponds. With the “Hydro Pond Filter”, simply attach a power head pump (such as a Via Aqua 2600), then run your return line wherever you like (waterfall, ECT). Or the Hydro Pond II can be run off a simple air pump. These filters can work on ponds up to 1500 gallons (or more with additional units).
[12] There also are sponge filters that are used as a “Pre-Filter” for intakes of canister, wet/dry, power filters and more. They offer increased bio-filtration to your existing system, as well as protection from baby fish, plants, or anemones from being sucked into the intake of your existing filter.
These pre-filter sponges are especially useful for HOB (power filters) as they increase the bio capacity (far more than bio wheels in experiments I have done) and retain the aerobic bio filtering bacteria during filter media changes. With out these Sponge pre-filters, HOB filters are poor to fair bio filters, with them they are excellent.
[13] Sponge filters are great for planted aquariums, they do not interfere with root structures and maintain a biological balance that ideal for planted aquariums.
Jan
19
Backyard Ponds and Waterfalls
Posted by: | CommentsThe visual aspects of backyard ponds and waterfalls are just as beneficial as are the sounds generated. If a picture is worth a thousand words then a picture with acoustic water singing is worth ten times ten thousand words!
Jan
12
Building Backyard Ponds – Big Business for Landscapers
Posted by: | CommentsAs more and more people are starting to search for ways to improve their landscaping beyond the area of simply greener grass with shrubbery and flower beds, building backyard ponds is furnishing landscape companies with a whole new aspect of the business. Homeowners are beginning to ask about the price as well as the benefits of building backyard ponds since some landscapers are making the suggestion to those for whom they are presently providing services. The cost of building backyard ponds will change based on the design as well as the size of this additional attraction, and some homeowners might decide to save some hard earned money by installing it on their own.
Finding a Need and Filling It
Nonetheless, for fancy designs where electric power is needed away from the home, contractors are starting to expand on an additional aspect of the landscapers business. Adding building backyard ponds to their repertoire of enhancements for the outdoors, having the right equipment as well as expertise can create additional revenue.
The majority of small ponds are available in a kit form for owners of homes to add on their own, yet once they begin digging the hole and realize the amount of excavation in addition to adding power to the water pump they might start making some phone calls looking around for professional assistance. While the all-in-one kits make building backyard ponds sound relatively easy, there is quite a bit of physical work involved.
Various Steps for Adding Outdoor Pond Can Be Intimidating
When building backyard ponds, a whole needs to be dug about the size of the pond desired. For small round ponds that are narrow it is not a major problem, but for areas that are larger the use of power equipment, going beyond the scope of the majority of homeowners, will make the job of far easier.
Then, the idea of having to hook up the power to a water pomp for the fountain as well as filtration system will ordinarily need the services of a licensed electrician, unless the homeowner is comfortable with having an extension cord running over their lawn. Plants that are in and around a pond will also add to the decorative nature and furnish a more aesthetic area within the yard, and because the majority of landscapers are familiar with the types and sizes of decorative plants, they are typically called in to assist people who are building backyard ponds.
An individual or a company who has a proper equipment as well as experience in building backyard ponds can typically have a small to medium-sized type of pond in place in a day or two, and would then be working on adding decorative shrubs while they wait for the water to become clear through the filter. But the time and effort that is required, the majority of owners of homes are turning building backyard ponds into a moneymaking business for landscape companies.
Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of home and gardening. If you would like to learn more go to Ultra Violet Lights for Ponds advice and at Unique Ponds tips.
Jan
04
Balancing The Water In Ponds And Large Outdoor Fountains
Posted by: | CommentsIf you have a pond, you will need to know how to keep the water clean.
Dec
29
How Not To Build Koi Fish Ponds
Posted by: | CommentsAs the hobby of Koi-keeping becomes more popular, so the building of Koi fish ponds in people?s backyards has seen a rise in numbers over recent years. The chance to own and care for these beautiful sociable creatures entices many to start, what often turns out to be, a life-long hobby. In this article, as a beginner Koi enthusiast, you will learn a few what-not-to-dos when it comes to Koi pond building.
Remember, first of all, that once Koi fish ponds are built, they are permanent structures so careful thought and planning beforehand are crucial to the success of constructing Koi ponds. Do not, for example, choose a location where the entire Koi fish pond will be exposed to direct sunlight all the time. Koi fish ponds need to be shady but not completely in the dark so don?t build them next to large trees either.
Keep in mind that Koi fish are capable of growing to enormous sizes. A mature Koi has a length of about 36 inches but some have been known to grow even bigger than this. Whatever you do, avoid building a small pond or you will live to regret it! The size of your Koi fish pond needs to take into account the length these fish will grow as well as the number of Koi you intend to keep.
In addition, do not build a shallow Koi pond and think that this will be adequate. Shallow waters make Koi easy prey to predators like the blue heron but also it can cause large sudden changes in water temperature. The latter is harmful to Koi as it will cause the fish undue stress which will reduce their immune system and in turn make them vulnerable to viruses and infections. Therefore, for the purpose of Koi protection from predators as well as to keep pond water temperature stable, the recommended depth of a Koi fish pond is a minimum of 4 feet.
Speaking of predators, help to protect your beloved Koi by also making sure that the sides of the pond are built vertically steep and smooth. Avoid opting for ledges around the sides of the pond as raccoons have been known to use ledges to help them wade into the water and steal dinner for themselves.
Do not build a Koi fish pond without also building a quarantine tank where you can monitor new Koi fish for signs of illness prior to introducing them to the actual pond. A separate tank can also act as a hospital area for treating Koi when they are sick or injured.
Keep the shape of Koi fish ponds simple ? either round, square or rectangle. These shapes are easiest to clean via a filter. Do not think about building a Koi pond without installing a (preferably large) filtration system. Koi produces a lot of metabolic waste on a day-to-day basis which must be removed efficiently to keep the pond water as clean and clear as possible. This is vital to maintaining the health of these fish.
Koi fish ponds will also need a pump to move the water through the filters, an ultraviolet steriliser to stop algae from turning the water green, a pond water aerator and a pond heater. Without the latter, you may well end up losing a few Koi fish at the end of every cold winter.
Happy Koi-keeping!
Dec
02
New Lifetech Ap5600 Aquarium Ponds Water Pump 1450 Gh
Posted by: | CommentsHey, check out these auctions:
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Cool, arent they?
Nov
24
