Winter pond care

Taking care of your pond all year long is very important. This is also very important in the winter months when you are not using the pond. You have to make sure that you clean the pond well and properly winterize the pond to keep it from being damaged during the cold season. You have to make sure that you drain the water, and clean it with the proper chemicals. There are plenty of different methods you can use but you have to make sure that you choose the right one for your pond. Covering your pond is very crucial to maintaining it as well. This is to help keep the debris and the weather from getting to the pond and destroying all the hard work that you have done to create the pond in the first place.

Algae in the Water Garden

There is a lot to have to deal with when it comes to a water garden, but you will find that when it comes to algae it can be difficult. You will want to keep in mind that when it comes to your water garden, you will want to keep your plant life going well. You will want to clarify the water by filtering. You will want to make sure that you work with the algae in the water garden, because you don’t want to have the algae build up.

You will want to make sure that you do everything that you possibility can to keep your fish from being hurt. You will want to make sure that you also deal with the algae because it will begin to overtake the garden and it will end up hurting your garden and making it look dirty and unkempt.

When it comes to your plants, you will find that it is very important that you keep your water clear and that you control your algae amounts. You will need to consider that when it comes to your water garden you will want to make sure that it is not cloudy and that it doesn’t have a dark green build up of algae. This is because the algae can be considered a poison to your water garden and the life that exists in it.

You will want to make sure that you consider that there are two main elements of algae. They are salt and nitrates. You will find that salt and nitrates can become a build up of plant waste and fish waste. You will want to keep in mind that there are some plants that will work harder to keep the water levels normal. You will also want to consider that there are many other natural ways that you will be able to fight algae growth.

For those who have plants growing in the water garden, but still have algae there is something that you need to consider. Your problem may not be the fact that you don’t have enough life in the pond, but too much life.

You will want to consider rather or not you have too many fish. You will want to consider that the water garden will become polluted with fish waste and that is what algae feed on. You will want to make sure that you check you the life in the pond and use the pond to self heal. If you remove some of the fish and the algae disappear or lessen you will know what the problem is and the pond and heal itself from the problem.

You will find that if you scoop out the heavy debris from the pond and then you use a filtration system you will be able to win the battle against algae.

Putting guppies in your pond

When it comes to putting guppies in your pond, you will want to keep in mind that they are very small fish. You will be able to have multiple fish in the water garden without having them all cramped in the water. You will find that these fish are usually about an inch or two in size. They are nice to have because you will be able to enjoy having fish in the pond, but also you can have a lot of life. You will want to consider that the males are usually smaller then the females. You can also use commercially grown guppies in your pond. They tend to be a little bit larger then the normal guppy.

When it comes to guppies, you will notice that they like being in the slow moving water or even still water. They are nice to have if you do not have a water pump hooked up into your pond, because they don’t need much to life.

You will find that this fish really has a hard time fighting the heavier currents, but you will also notice that they are best in pumps that have heavy plant life too. You will want to place guppies in your pond if you have a nice water garden that consists of both submerged plants and floating plants. They will enhance your pond greatly.

When it comes to feeding your guppies you will want to keep in mind that they will eat off the pond. They will nibble on the plant life, and they will also eat algae. They will live off the water. You will want also giving them a little bit of commercial food. You will be able to keep your pond looking beautifully and you should also keep in mind that your fish will be healthy if you learn how to feed them properly.

Guppies like to live in water that is a little bit warmer. You will find that they can survive in water temperatures of about fifty five degrees, but you will want to keep it under eight five. You will find that in the colder regions you will be able to keep guppies in your water gardens all summer long, but then you should bring them in for the winter months. You don’t want to leave them out in the freezing cold, because they will not survive.

For those who are interested in breeding guppies, you will want to keep in mind that you will be able to keep your guppies happy by learning more about them. You will find that guppies will begin to multiply and within a little bit of time you should have at least fifty added guppies. You will find that the guppy will reproduce about every five or so weeks. You will also want to keep in mind that the larger the female guppies get, the more offspring you will have for the pond.

Buying Koi Fish

Koi fish are a breed that are well known and very popular for the water garden as they are different in color, size and they are easier of the different fish out there to take care of.  Koi are going to balance the water garden and will live in harmony with the plants that you have as well. 

What you should avoid when purchasing Koi?

Avoid the fish that have parasites, these fish will require medications and not live very long.  Learn as much as you can about the different types of parasites on fish through this article.  Parasites live and eat from the fish itself, and this will kill off the fish when it is heavily infested. 

Avoid Koi that have gill plates that stick out from the head otherwise known as standing proud from the head.  The gills that stick out become caught, irritated and can get infected very easily.

Do not buy Koi that have bumps on the side of the head.  The bumps on the sides of the head mean that the fish have some other type of medical problem and will not be a species that will live long or do well in the water garden. 

Koi that have red on the body or the fins look like blood underneath the skin or under the gills are not a fish that you will have success with.  The raised scales or holes that start in the skin of the fish only mean disease or infection and you should stay away from this problem.

If you find that fish have cloudy eyes, white blooming looking parts on the gills, chances are they are sick fish. Fins that look black, brown, or are broken are not fish that will do well without special attention because they are sick or have infection. 

When you purchase Koi for your water garden, you should avoid purchasing fish that are swimming near the top of the water.  Fish that are swimming near the top of the water are usually in stress, and have a hard time breathing just might not be well.