By Guest Author Mark Cropper.
Even with the most careful planning and preparation, garden ponds can be susceptible to water problems. Discolored, cloudy water or even the advent of algae can quickly turn your garden pond from a delight to a disaster.
There are of course other potential pond issues that are not so easy to see, that can cause problems with plant growth and fish health. There are a variety of treatments available, both natural and man-made to resolve the most common ailments. Knowing what to look out for, how to prevent the problems, and if need be, treat the issues is important for any pond keeper.
Why is my garden pond water green?
Duckweed
Duckweed consists of tiny green leaves that can spread alarmingly quickly. Duckweed appears most often late spring to autumn as it thrives in warmer weather. It is thought that Duckweed is transferred from new pond plants, so it may be advisable to quarantine new plants for a couple of weeks. It can also be transferred from water birds, hence the name.
Cure: Maintenance is the key here – regular removal with a rake will help you keep on top of the issue. If you have a larger garden pond then use a large pond skimming tool throughout the season. Some wild birds will eat the weed, providing helpful control. There are also man-made treatments available that will starve the Duckweed of nutrients to kill it.
Green Water/Algae
Green, murky water is mostly caused by algae. This can spread alarmingly fast if it has lots of light and nutrients, and can become a real nuisance. Algae can not only spoil the look of your pond but an abundance of algae can starve your other, welcome pond life of oxygen.
Cure: Where algae is concerned, prevention is better than cure. Algae thrives on nitrates, so regular testing to make sure the nitrate level of your water isn’t too high is vital. Sludge and waste matter produce algae boosting nutrients, so keeping your pond clean and removing beginnings of algae blooms with a net or rake should help to keep it at bay.
A suitable treatment added to the water should clear the algae. Barley Straw is a good, natural remedy. It is sprinkled onto the surface and starves the algae of nutrition. Add to the water in spring, and leave until it turns black, which can take around six months. A more technical option is a UV filter, which will treat the water as it passes through with strong ultraviolet light and destroy algae in its early stages.
Why is my Pond Water Brown?
Brown water can take more than one form. It can be clear in consistency or more opaque, almost like milky tea. Both can spoil the natural beauty of your pond.
Clear Brown Water is caused by natural tannins from dead leaves and waste decomposing in the pond.
Cure: This can be removed by ensuring that as much debris as possible is removed from the water with a net or rake.
Cloudy/thicker brown water can be caused by unsettled sediment in the pond. It can also be caused by peat entering the water via an inlet from a pump or filter.
Cure: This can be resolved by allowing time for sediment to settle, although this can take a few weeks. If the banks of the pond are bare, planting can avoid the problem in future. Planting in hessian baskets or matting will stop the soil leaking into the water.
What about the garden pond problems we can’t see?
Not all pond water problems are obvious. Fish health and good plant growth depend upon good water quality. If this is compromised, it can cause a myriad of problems in your pond.
Why aren’t my fish feeding?
Algae problems can often be accompanied by a high ammonia level. Ammonia is a by-product of fish waste decomposing at the bottom of the pond.
If these levels are allowed to get too high they can become toxic and even fatal to fish. Look out for the signs:
- Fish gasping for air at the surface
- Loss of appetite
- Red around the gills
- Fish will appear lethargic, and may even lie at the bottom of the pond
Cure: Good pond maintenance is vital. Clearing sludge and waste matter from the pond bed with a pond vacuum will help. Remove uneaten fish food after 5-10 minutes, as it will rot and add unwanted toxins into the water. An appropriate media added to your pond filter can also eradicate ammonia from the water. As with most pond problems, regular testing to monitor the water condition goes a long way.
Why aren’t my pond plants growing?
If plants just aren’t growing like they should, it may be because the water is too hard. This aspect is controlled by the levels of calcium and magnesium in the water. If they are too high then algae can be a real issue, but too low can mean that plants fail to thrive. Whether water is hard or soft depends upon the source, for example in areas of limestone water will be harder.
Cure: Regular testing with a reliable test kit will tell you how the water is faring. There are many supplementary treatments that will restore the correct balance within the pond. However, if you have a Koi pond which requires hard water, this can be more of an issue. A good filter and appropriate UV lamp will help to eradicate algae blooms and remove waste.
A running theme throughout is that good, regular maintenance is essential to keep pond water issues at bay. Removing debris and uneaten food every day will not only keep it looking good, but avoid a build-up of toxic sludge. Routine testing will allow you to monitor the essential elements and prevent problems before they have a chance to take hold. An all-in-one test kit will perform all of the necessary tests in one swoop, saving you both time and money.
Author Bio: Mark Cropper works for pond and garden watering retailer, Swell UK. Mark has kept a pond for 5 years and is a Koi carp enthusiast, with a special interest in the water chemistry to make his pond a perfect environment for these stunning, colorful fish.