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General Pond Maintenance
Even building ponds and water gardens that are
low-maintenance by working with Mother Nature and not
against her, problems do occasionally occur. This section will
walk through how to troubleshoot and resolve some of the
more common problems you may run into as a pond owner.
Even building ponds and water gardens that are
low-maintenance by working with Mother Nature and not
against her, problems do occasionally occur. This section will
walk through how to troubleshoot and resolve some of the
more common problems you may run into as a pond owner.
General Pond Maintenance Articles
The pump can be called the “heart” of the pond.Without it, the
relaxing, rushing sound of the water over the rocks would not exist.
The fish and the filtering bacteria in the biological filter also
depend on the pump to provide fresh, oxygenated water.
Leaks are among the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed
problems anyone can have in their pond.Understanding the basic
principles of leak detection and repair will save you time, money,
and headaches in your water gardening adventures...we
guarantee it!
The pump can be called the “heart” of the pond.Without it, the
relaxing, rushing sound of the water over the rocks would not exist.
The fish and the filtering bacteria in the biological filter also
depend on the pump to provide fresh, oxygenated water.
Leaks are among the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed
problems anyone can have in their pond.Understanding the basic
principles of leak detection and repair will save you time, money,
and headaches in your water gardening adventures...we
guarantee it!
Spring Pond Maintenance
No matter where you live - the North or the South, spring is a time
of renewal for your water garden. While the change from winter to
spring tends to be a bit more dramatic for those of us up North, it is
no less special for our Southern brethren. In early March, while
most northern pond owners are still stuck inside under ice and
snow, the growing season has already begun down South.
Your location and climate are the biggest factors of what
springtime pond chores you should do. We recommend that
everyone- even those in the South- give their pond a spring
cleanout every year. These cleanouts will help start your season
off right and set the stage for a crystal-clear summer.
The following articles will guide you through starting-up your pond
in the Spring. They discuss topics such as spring cleanouts, when
to start feeding your fish, and how to keep algae down.
No matter where you live - the North or the South, spring is a time
of renewal for your water garden. While the change from winter to
spring tends to be a bit more dramatic for those of us up North, it is
no less special for our Southern brethren. In early March, while
most northern pond owners are still stuck inside under ice and
snow, the growing season has already begun down South.
Your location and climate are the biggest factors of what
springtime pond chores you should do. We recommend that
everyone- even those in the South- give their pond a spring
cleanout every year. These cleanouts will help start your season
off right and set the stage for a crystal-clear summer.
The following articles will guide you through starting-up your pond
in the Spring. They discuss topics such as spring cleanouts, when
to start feeding your fish, and how to keep algae down.
Spring Maintenance Articles:
The spring rains fill streams and rivers, which in turn flush out the lakes and ponds. This is nature’s way of preparing
for a new season of life.Your man-made pond needs your help in order to duplicate this same process. Read more
about Spring Clean Outs (How-to)
If you live in a warm climate, you will never have to deal with this weird stuff called snow and ice. Your pond can often
go for many seasons without a full on clean out if your system is running year-round. Most of the bacteria and the
ecological balance of your pond will stay strong the whole year. You will not get the same accumulation of stuff in the
pond as your northern neighbors because the bacteria will continue breaking down waste throughout the winter. Read
more about General Spring Startup Tips
The spring rains fill streams and rivers, which in turn flush out the lakes and ponds. This is nature’s way of preparing
for a new season of life.Your man-made pond needs your help in order to duplicate this same process. Read more
about Spring Clean Outs (How-to)
If you live in a warm climate, you will never have to deal with this weird stuff called snow and ice. Your pond can often
go for many seasons without a full on clean out if your system is running year-round. Most of the bacteria and the
ecological balance of your pond will stay strong the whole year. You will not get the same accumulation of stuff in the
pond as your northern neighbors because the bacteria will continue breaking down waste throughout the winter. Read
more about General Spring Startup Tips
Tips to help you get the most out of your pond or water garden this summer
Summer is here and you've put your time into getting the pond ready this spring. You cleaned out your pond, kick-started the ecosystem,
and counted your fish to make sure they all got throught the winter. You've earned some quality time with your pond and what better time
than summer?
Autumn can be the glory days of water gardening
Tropical water lilies and other plants have reached their maximum potential. Temperatures have cooled a little, so you can enjoy being
outside without sweating. Water clarity is usually at its best in the fall because of fewer battles with algae. It truly is an enjoyable time of
year. Here are some things that you can do to keep your water garden looking good.
Even warm-climate ponds require some seasonal maintenance.
Winter, regardless of whether you live in northern or southern climates, brings a general slowing down of the pond. The fish aren't as
active, the plants go dormant, and in freezing climates - the water stops moving as well. Both climate regions bring their own special
challenges when it comes to over-wintering water gardens. Listed below are some general steps you can take to make sure your pond
emerges in spring looking great!
WORKMANSHIP WARRANTIES & GUARANTEES
Brookside Garden guarantees their workmanship for a period of 90 days past the completion date of the contract. Please refer to Item 10.0 in
your contract for a complete breakdown of the details of the warranty. Your responsibilities as a customer are covered in items covered in
sections 11.0 of your contract.
During landscaping and the installation of water features specifically, dirt is disturbed and settling may occur. Especially in the case of water
features, there are some steps to take to resolve issues that may be a result in this settling. While we do everything possible to minimize
settling, it is something that can occur, especially after rains or if someone is walking in the area where the dirt was freshly moved. You will
find information in this packet to help you locate leaks or other problems that may arise with your water feature.
After the initial 90 day warranty period, we are available to troubleshoot problem areas at a rate of $100 per hour. This includes
troubleshooting and fixing leaks that may develop due to settling. To help you avoid any extra charges, please follow the suggestions on the
troubleshooting page for resolving issues.
PRODUCT WARRANTIES & GUARANTEES
Brookside Garden honors all manufacturer’s guarantees and warranties. We are including the manuals and guarantee information that was
included in any packaging with the products that were used in your water feature. During the first 90 days after the completion of your
project, labor to change out any products that may fail is included. After the 90 day period has passed, the products will be replaced in
accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty, however the labor is not included. Our labor rate is $75 per hour to complete the installation of
any product that needs to be replaced.
To notify us of any product that fails and is covered by warranty, please contact fill in the form on the about us page.
TROUBLESHOOTING
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS FOR PONDS
ALGAE
Your pond is a natural eco-system that supports plants, fish, frogs, tadpoles, microorganisms, dragonflies, birds and other wildlife. Algae, just
like the rest of your eco-system are part of nature. Algae are very beneficial. It will help remove fish wastes and toxins from the water. Some
types of algae will actually help the clarity of the water. The key to maintaining your pond is not to try and eliminate string algae, but to keep it
in “BALANCE”.
Types of algae:
There are hundreds of types of algae throughout the world. However, the two types of algae that most water gardeners experience are
suspended algae and filamentous (string) algae. Suspended algae consist of millions of microscopic algae floating throughout the water.
This causes water to turn green or “pea soup” color. Filamentous algae or string algae forms long and short hair-like strands. It attaches
itself to rocks, gravel, plants or any surface area it can find in the pond. Suspended algae can be virtually eliminated and string algae
reduced by properly balancing your pond.
Balancing algae:
Algae, a single celled plant, require nutrients and light to survive. Reducing algae’s requirements will result in less algae. How do you reduce
algae’s requirements? It’s simple. Follow the recipe for a well-balanced pond. A well-balanced pond includes the following:
• BioFalls-supports large colonies of bacteria and enzymes. The bacteria and enzymes use up nutrients and help break down fish was
(nutrients) and organic debris (nutrients).
• Skimmer-the skimmer removes and collects leaves (nutrients) from the top of the pond
• Rocks & gravel-Provide surface area for bacteria to colonize. Turning your entire pond into a biological filter that will break down fish
waste (nutrient) and organic materials (nutrient).
• Plants-plants have the same requirements as algae. They directly compete with algae for nutrients and light
• Fish-Larger Koi (greater than 10”) will eat a tremendous amount of string algae.
• Bacteria-Using bacteria in your pond to boost Mother Nature’s ability to balance your pond.
Algaecides:
NEVER USE ALGAECIDES IN YOUR POND!!!
Algaecides only temporarily cure the problem. The algae are killed off, sink to the bottom, and begin to decompose. The decomposing algae
release all the nutrients that it has taken up, creating a nutrient rich environment for the next wave of algae. The next wave of algae, about a
week later, is larger than the original, due to all the nutrients available. Using algaecides will only cause your pond to become “chemically
dependant”.
Algae control methods:
Plants: Plants are probably the most important addition to your pond, since they directly compete with algae for nutrients and light. Add a
wide variety of plants to your pond. This not only creates a natural look, but also helps reduce the algae in different areas of your pond.
Place water hyacinth in your BioFalls. These floating plants reproduce rapidly using up enormous amounts of nutrients. Remove the older
floaters when they start to over-run the BioFalls. The discarded floaters make great nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Plenty of bog and marginal plants should be added to the pond. Plants such as cattails and iris take up large quantities of nutrients. They
are hardy and will be back each spring to help you balance your pond.
Cover the surface of the pond by planting lilies. Lily pads float on top of the pond, soaking up the warm sunlight. The lily pads will reduce
algae by preventing sunlight from reaching the deeper portions of the pond.
Don’t overlook oxygenators! They soak up nutrients and sunlight directly through their leaves. Think of them as nutrient sponges.
Physical removal:
Physically remove clumps of string algae if it begins to over-take the pond. Pull or cut away the algae where it is attached. Think of it as
“weeding the pond”.
Don’t overfeed the fish and have some larger Koi:
Fish food that is not eaten by fish will decompose in the pond and increase nutrient levels. Only feed the fish amounts that they can
consume within a few minutes. Koi greater than 10 inches eat string algae.
Fix leaks:
Tap water can have an abundant amount of nutrients in it. Continually adding large quantities of tap water to compensate for a leak can
actually promote algae growth. Fix water leaks when they are discovered. See section on finding water leaks.
Control run-off:
Never use lawn fertilizer or insecticides on trees around your pond or on areas of your property that will drain towards your pond. Lawn
fertilizer and insecticides will cause large nutrient blooms, as well as severely threaten the aquatic life inside your pond.
String Algae Buster and EcoBlast
String Algae Buster (a.k.a. SAB) and EcoBlast are a couple of products offered by Aquascape to help maintain string algae until your pond
matures and balances itself out. These products are not algaecides and are safe to use with fish and plants. SAB contains strains of
bacteria that affect the growth of string algae, but does not kill it. EcoBlast is a product used for spot treating especially troublesome areas.
These products are available in different sizes at The Pond Shack.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF QUESTIONS PREPARED BY AQUASCAPE DESIGNS TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE HOW
YOUR ALGAE PROBLEMS CAN BE CURED:
FISH
How many fish are in the pond? What size are the fish?
If too many fish are in the pond, the BioFalls and skimmer that were sized according to the water quantity and normal fish load will not be able
to properly filter the water. Your pond should contain no more than approximately 1” of fish length for every 1 square foot of pond surface
area. If string algae is a problem in the pond, adding Koi 10” and larger will subsist on string algae alone.
How often are fish fed? How much at a time?
Fish do not need to be fed! They can live their whole lives off the algae, plants, and insects in the pond. Overfeeding fish will cause the food
not eaten by the fish to fall to the bottom of the pond or end up in the skimmer net and decompose. Decomposing fish food will cause
excessive amounts of nutrients to build up in the pond and cause algae. If the fish are fed, they should be fed only a couple of times a week
and only as much as they can eat in a couple of minutes.
BACTERIA AND OTHER CHECMICALS
Has bacteria been added? How much? How often? What kind, liquid or dry?
The bacteria should be added according to the recommended dosages. The dry bacteria should be added at a rate of one teaspoon for
every 1000 gallons. The liquid bacteria should be added at a rate of 1 ounce for every 1000 gallons. The bacteria should be applied daily
for the first two weeks when establishing your pond. Reapply the recommended dosage once or twice a week when it’s cold and once or twice
a month when it’s warm. On average, your pond needs more bacteria spiking when the water is cold and less when it’s warm.
Was dry or liquid bacteria added to the pond?
The dry bacteria takes longer to become active than liquid bacteria. Dry bacteria have a longer shelf life though than liquid bacteria. Neither
should be stored in a hot shed outdoors. Both are subject to heat affecting the life of the bacteria.
Have any other chemicals been added to the pond?
Adding any chemical (beside AquaClearer Extreme) to the pond could seriously affect water quality. Algaecides, pH buffers, fertilizers and
other types of pond chemicals could possibly kill off bacteria in the pond.
SKIMMER/BIOFALLS
Has the skimmer net and mat been cleaned/emptied?
By not emptying the skimmer net, excessive amounts of organic material (leaves, fish food, algae, etc.) will build up in the skimmer. This
organic matter will eventually decompose and add nutrients to feed the algae in your pond.
Have the BioFalls mats been cleaned?
THE BIOFALLS MATS SHOULD BE CLEANED ONLY ONCE A YEAR! This is done during the spring cleanout. Rinsing off the BioFalls mats
will kill the bacteria that have seeded itself throughout the mat. The water from a tap contains many chemicals that are used to treat water to
drink, which can in turn kill off beneficial bacteria.
Has lava rock or BioBlocks been put in the media nets in the BioFalls?
The lava rock or BioBlocks contain millions of spaced of surface area for bacteria to seed and grow. If your pond is several years old, you
may need to replace BioBlocks as they breakdown over the period of a few years.
Is there any runoff being directed in the pond?
Rainwater and other types of runoff being directed in the pond can cause excessive amounts of nutrients to occur. Fertilizer in runoff from a
lawn can also cause excessive amounts of algae to occur in the pond (mainly because algae are a plant and fertilizer is a type of plant food).
Have you planted any plants in the pond that were in regular soil?
While many of the plants that can be grown in regular ground can be used in the pond, the soil they are planted in is very different. Aquatic
soil does not contain fertilizer that will contribute to algae.
Note: Some pond owner’s try to turn off the waterfall to save electricity. Please avoid this trap. We use very energy efficient pumps so that
the ponds are constantly running to provide oxygen for the plants, fish and bacteria. Turning off the waterfall can cause the bacteria to die off
and the oxygen level in the pond to fall which can be deadly to your fish. When bacteria dies, you create an atmosphere where algae can
thrive, causing you to spend money on more water treatments to get rid of algae…it just becomes a vicious cycle that can be completely
avoided.
LEAKS
In order to find a leak, you have to first determine if it is actually a leak. Some water loss is normal, and that can vary depending on your
location. In our area, 1”-2” a week during mid-summer is normal. It could even be more if your waterfall has a lot of splash. If a rapid water
loss is witnessed, the first step is to turn off the pump. Once off, let the water seeks its own level and mark its location on the skimmer
faceplate. Check the water level in 24 hours. If there is no change in the water level, the pond can be ruled out, and the waterfall and stream
are probably to blame. To find the leak, turn the pump back on; fill the pond to the proper water level, and watch for another 24 hours. You
should notice a drop in the water level. The first place to look in this situation would be the stream or waterfall. It only takes a small trickle of
water over a 24-hour period to cause a drop in the ponds water level. In order to find the leak, pull the gravel and/or mulch away from the
liner’s edge, and look for a low spot. When it is found, simply build the liner back up with some soil and compact firmly. Continue searching
to rule out multiple leaks. Be sure to check the area around the waterfall for splashing water outside of the liner, as it cascades over the
stonework. If you have water hyacinths or other plant material in the BioFalls, then please check to be sure water isn’t being forced over the
back.
If the leak is found to be in the pond, let the water continue to drop until it stops. Once it has leveled off, remove all the stones at the new
water level and look for a hole in the liner. This type of leak is not that common and is usually eliminated because we examine the liner during
installation. Once located, a repair patch is available to patch the hole.
If you are not able to locate the leak, and you need our assistance, we can schedule a troubleshooting appointment with you. The charge for
this appointment is $75 per hour.
NO WATER FLOW
A lack of water coming out of the BioFalls can be symptomatic of several problems.
1. Skimmer net is full of debris, limiting water intake into the pump.
2. The pump intake is clogged with debris.
3. Not enough water in the pond.
4. Skimmer weir is stuck or blocked, which would not allow enough water to flow into the skimmer.
5. Water Hyacinths in the BioFalls are blocking the water flow out of the BioFalls.
Solutions
1. Clean out the skimmer net.
2. Remove and clean pump intake.
3. Fill pond to proper water level.
4. Remove obstacle from skimmer opening.
5. Thin out plants.
AUTOMATIC WATERFILL RUNNING CONSTANTLY
If you have an automatic waterfill installed, you need to check it on a regular basis to be sure it is working properly. If you hear it or see it
running constantly, please check to be sure nothing is in the waterfill that is preventing from shutting off, for example a snail. If you think
there is a problem, add dechlorinator to your pond to prevent damage/death to your fish and then shut off the waterfill. If it is within the first
90 days after your pond is constructed, contact us for repair/replacement. After that time period, we can replace the unit in accordance with it’
s warranty. We are not responsible for waterfills that run consistently and cause damage to your fish.
ANIMALS-PREDITORS
The two most common predators around ponds are raccoons and herons. Raccoons are generally not a problem to your fish if the pond is 2’
deep and 8’ wide with some hiding places for the fish. They may, however, go into the pond and walk around the first plant shelf looking for
food. Herons are not as common, especially in subdivisions or heavily populated urban areas. If they do visit your pond, you will notice what
patient and excellent hunters they can be while probably stealing some fish. The best solution we’ve seen for predators is the Scarecrow
sprinkler. These units are connected to a water source and use motion detectors to pick up the presence of an intruder. Once detected,
they will shoot several blasts of water, scaring the predator away. These units retail for around $90. Another option for Heron or Egrets is
decoys. These birds are generally territorial, so placing a decoy near your pond makes the bird believe that this spot is already taken.
These retail for around $70. None of these products are guaranteed to work 100% of the time, but they are the best solutions we know about.
MOSQUITOS
Our ponds are normally not a good atmosphere for mosquitoes because the water is not stagnant. However, occasionally, you may have a
“dead area” where you might notice mosquito larvae. Please call us and we will refer you to your local Vector Control who will provide you with
free Mosquito fish. Koi and goldfish normally eat these little critters as well.
PONDLESS WATERFALLS
You have the unique ability to turn your waterfall on and off and treat it more like a fountain. If you are going to only run it occasionally, we
don’t suggest putting plants in the stream itself because water plants need water. If you run an automatic sprinkler system, you may be able to
keep the plants alive by watering daily. If you encounter algae on the waterfall, you can treat it with a product called AlgaeBlast made
especially for Pondless Waterfalls. To save electricity, you can also put the falls on a timer. We do suggest running it for a few hours every
day to avoid stagnant water.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Please contact Brookside with any other questions or concerns that we have not been able to answer here.
Brookside Garden guarantees their workmanship for a period of 90 days past the completion date of the contract. Please refer to Item 10.0 in
your contract for a complete breakdown of the details of the warranty. Your responsibilities as a customer are covered in items covered in
sections 11.0 of your contract.
During landscaping and the installation of water features specifically, dirt is disturbed and settling may occur. Especially in the case of water
features, there are some steps to take to resolve issues that may be a result in this settling. While we do everything possible to minimize
settling, it is something that can occur, especially after rains or if someone is walking in the area where the dirt was freshly moved. You will
find information in this packet to help you locate leaks or other problems that may arise with your water feature.
After the initial 90 day warranty period, we are available to troubleshoot problem areas at a rate of $100 per hour. This includes
troubleshooting and fixing leaks that may develop due to settling. To help you avoid any extra charges, please follow the suggestions on the
troubleshooting page for resolving issues.
PRODUCT WARRANTIES & GUARANTEES
Brookside Garden honors all manufacturer’s guarantees and warranties. We are including the manuals and guarantee information that was
included in any packaging with the products that were used in your water feature. During the first 90 days after the completion of your
project, labor to change out any products that may fail is included. After the 90 day period has passed, the products will be replaced in
accordance with the manufacturer’s warranty, however the labor is not included. Our labor rate is $75 per hour to complete the installation of
any product that needs to be replaced.
To notify us of any product that fails and is covered by warranty, please contact fill in the form on the about us page.
TROUBLESHOOTING
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS FOR PONDS
ALGAE
Your pond is a natural eco-system that supports plants, fish, frogs, tadpoles, microorganisms, dragonflies, birds and other wildlife. Algae, just
like the rest of your eco-system are part of nature. Algae are very beneficial. It will help remove fish wastes and toxins from the water. Some
types of algae will actually help the clarity of the water. The key to maintaining your pond is not to try and eliminate string algae, but to keep it
in “BALANCE”.
Types of algae:
There are hundreds of types of algae throughout the world. However, the two types of algae that most water gardeners experience are
suspended algae and filamentous (string) algae. Suspended algae consist of millions of microscopic algae floating throughout the water.
This causes water to turn green or “pea soup” color. Filamentous algae or string algae forms long and short hair-like strands. It attaches
itself to rocks, gravel, plants or any surface area it can find in the pond. Suspended algae can be virtually eliminated and string algae
reduced by properly balancing your pond.
Balancing algae:
Algae, a single celled plant, require nutrients and light to survive. Reducing algae’s requirements will result in less algae. How do you reduce
algae’s requirements? It’s simple. Follow the recipe for a well-balanced pond. A well-balanced pond includes the following:
• BioFalls-supports large colonies of bacteria and enzymes. The bacteria and enzymes use up nutrients and help break down fish was
(nutrients) and organic debris (nutrients).
• Skimmer-the skimmer removes and collects leaves (nutrients) from the top of the pond
• Rocks & gravel-Provide surface area for bacteria to colonize. Turning your entire pond into a biological filter that will break down fish
waste (nutrient) and organic materials (nutrient).
• Plants-plants have the same requirements as algae. They directly compete with algae for nutrients and light
• Fish-Larger Koi (greater than 10”) will eat a tremendous amount of string algae.
• Bacteria-Using bacteria in your pond to boost Mother Nature’s ability to balance your pond.
Algaecides:
NEVER USE ALGAECIDES IN YOUR POND!!!
Algaecides only temporarily cure the problem. The algae are killed off, sink to the bottom, and begin to decompose. The decomposing algae
release all the nutrients that it has taken up, creating a nutrient rich environment for the next wave of algae. The next wave of algae, about a
week later, is larger than the original, due to all the nutrients available. Using algaecides will only cause your pond to become “chemically
dependant”.
Algae control methods:
Plants: Plants are probably the most important addition to your pond, since they directly compete with algae for nutrients and light. Add a
wide variety of plants to your pond. This not only creates a natural look, but also helps reduce the algae in different areas of your pond.
Place water hyacinth in your BioFalls. These floating plants reproduce rapidly using up enormous amounts of nutrients. Remove the older
floaters when they start to over-run the BioFalls. The discarded floaters make great nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
Plenty of bog and marginal plants should be added to the pond. Plants such as cattails and iris take up large quantities of nutrients. They
are hardy and will be back each spring to help you balance your pond.
Cover the surface of the pond by planting lilies. Lily pads float on top of the pond, soaking up the warm sunlight. The lily pads will reduce
algae by preventing sunlight from reaching the deeper portions of the pond.
Don’t overlook oxygenators! They soak up nutrients and sunlight directly through their leaves. Think of them as nutrient sponges.
Physical removal:
Physically remove clumps of string algae if it begins to over-take the pond. Pull or cut away the algae where it is attached. Think of it as
“weeding the pond”.
Don’t overfeed the fish and have some larger Koi:
Fish food that is not eaten by fish will decompose in the pond and increase nutrient levels. Only feed the fish amounts that they can
consume within a few minutes. Koi greater than 10 inches eat string algae.
Fix leaks:
Tap water can have an abundant amount of nutrients in it. Continually adding large quantities of tap water to compensate for a leak can
actually promote algae growth. Fix water leaks when they are discovered. See section on finding water leaks.
Control run-off:
Never use lawn fertilizer or insecticides on trees around your pond or on areas of your property that will drain towards your pond. Lawn
fertilizer and insecticides will cause large nutrient blooms, as well as severely threaten the aquatic life inside your pond.
String Algae Buster and EcoBlast
String Algae Buster (a.k.a. SAB) and EcoBlast are a couple of products offered by Aquascape to help maintain string algae until your pond
matures and balances itself out. These products are not algaecides and are safe to use with fish and plants. SAB contains strains of
bacteria that affect the growth of string algae, but does not kill it. EcoBlast is a product used for spot treating especially troublesome areas.
These products are available in different sizes at The Pond Shack.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF QUESTIONS PREPARED BY AQUASCAPE DESIGNS TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE HOW
YOUR ALGAE PROBLEMS CAN BE CURED:
FISH
How many fish are in the pond? What size are the fish?
If too many fish are in the pond, the BioFalls and skimmer that were sized according to the water quantity and normal fish load will not be able
to properly filter the water. Your pond should contain no more than approximately 1” of fish length for every 1 square foot of pond surface
area. If string algae is a problem in the pond, adding Koi 10” and larger will subsist on string algae alone.
How often are fish fed? How much at a time?
Fish do not need to be fed! They can live their whole lives off the algae, plants, and insects in the pond. Overfeeding fish will cause the food
not eaten by the fish to fall to the bottom of the pond or end up in the skimmer net and decompose. Decomposing fish food will cause
excessive amounts of nutrients to build up in the pond and cause algae. If the fish are fed, they should be fed only a couple of times a week
and only as much as they can eat in a couple of minutes.
BACTERIA AND OTHER CHECMICALS
Has bacteria been added? How much? How often? What kind, liquid or dry?
The bacteria should be added according to the recommended dosages. The dry bacteria should be added at a rate of one teaspoon for
every 1000 gallons. The liquid bacteria should be added at a rate of 1 ounce for every 1000 gallons. The bacteria should be applied daily
for the first two weeks when establishing your pond. Reapply the recommended dosage once or twice a week when it’s cold and once or twice
a month when it’s warm. On average, your pond needs more bacteria spiking when the water is cold and less when it’s warm.
Was dry or liquid bacteria added to the pond?
The dry bacteria takes longer to become active than liquid bacteria. Dry bacteria have a longer shelf life though than liquid bacteria. Neither
should be stored in a hot shed outdoors. Both are subject to heat affecting the life of the bacteria.
Have any other chemicals been added to the pond?
Adding any chemical (beside AquaClearer Extreme) to the pond could seriously affect water quality. Algaecides, pH buffers, fertilizers and
other types of pond chemicals could possibly kill off bacteria in the pond.
SKIMMER/BIOFALLS
Has the skimmer net and mat been cleaned/emptied?
By not emptying the skimmer net, excessive amounts of organic material (leaves, fish food, algae, etc.) will build up in the skimmer. This
organic matter will eventually decompose and add nutrients to feed the algae in your pond.
Have the BioFalls mats been cleaned?
THE BIOFALLS MATS SHOULD BE CLEANED ONLY ONCE A YEAR! This is done during the spring cleanout. Rinsing off the BioFalls mats
will kill the bacteria that have seeded itself throughout the mat. The water from a tap contains many chemicals that are used to treat water to
drink, which can in turn kill off beneficial bacteria.
Has lava rock or BioBlocks been put in the media nets in the BioFalls?
The lava rock or BioBlocks contain millions of spaced of surface area for bacteria to seed and grow. If your pond is several years old, you
may need to replace BioBlocks as they breakdown over the period of a few years.
Is there any runoff being directed in the pond?
Rainwater and other types of runoff being directed in the pond can cause excessive amounts of nutrients to occur. Fertilizer in runoff from a
lawn can also cause excessive amounts of algae to occur in the pond (mainly because algae are a plant and fertilizer is a type of plant food).
Have you planted any plants in the pond that were in regular soil?
While many of the plants that can be grown in regular ground can be used in the pond, the soil they are planted in is very different. Aquatic
soil does not contain fertilizer that will contribute to algae.
Note: Some pond owner’s try to turn off the waterfall to save electricity. Please avoid this trap. We use very energy efficient pumps so that
the ponds are constantly running to provide oxygen for the plants, fish and bacteria. Turning off the waterfall can cause the bacteria to die off
and the oxygen level in the pond to fall which can be deadly to your fish. When bacteria dies, you create an atmosphere where algae can
thrive, causing you to spend money on more water treatments to get rid of algae…it just becomes a vicious cycle that can be completely
avoided.
LEAKS
In order to find a leak, you have to first determine if it is actually a leak. Some water loss is normal, and that can vary depending on your
location. In our area, 1”-2” a week during mid-summer is normal. It could even be more if your waterfall has a lot of splash. If a rapid water
loss is witnessed, the first step is to turn off the pump. Once off, let the water seeks its own level and mark its location on the skimmer
faceplate. Check the water level in 24 hours. If there is no change in the water level, the pond can be ruled out, and the waterfall and stream
are probably to blame. To find the leak, turn the pump back on; fill the pond to the proper water level, and watch for another 24 hours. You
should notice a drop in the water level. The first place to look in this situation would be the stream or waterfall. It only takes a small trickle of
water over a 24-hour period to cause a drop in the ponds water level. In order to find the leak, pull the gravel and/or mulch away from the
liner’s edge, and look for a low spot. When it is found, simply build the liner back up with some soil and compact firmly. Continue searching
to rule out multiple leaks. Be sure to check the area around the waterfall for splashing water outside of the liner, as it cascades over the
stonework. If you have water hyacinths or other plant material in the BioFalls, then please check to be sure water isn’t being forced over the
back.
If the leak is found to be in the pond, let the water continue to drop until it stops. Once it has leveled off, remove all the stones at the new
water level and look for a hole in the liner. This type of leak is not that common and is usually eliminated because we examine the liner during
installation. Once located, a repair patch is available to patch the hole.
If you are not able to locate the leak, and you need our assistance, we can schedule a troubleshooting appointment with you. The charge for
this appointment is $75 per hour.
NO WATER FLOW
A lack of water coming out of the BioFalls can be symptomatic of several problems.
1. Skimmer net is full of debris, limiting water intake into the pump.
2. The pump intake is clogged with debris.
3. Not enough water in the pond.
4. Skimmer weir is stuck or blocked, which would not allow enough water to flow into the skimmer.
5. Water Hyacinths in the BioFalls are blocking the water flow out of the BioFalls.
Solutions
1. Clean out the skimmer net.
2. Remove and clean pump intake.
3. Fill pond to proper water level.
4. Remove obstacle from skimmer opening.
5. Thin out plants.
AUTOMATIC WATERFILL RUNNING CONSTANTLY
If you have an automatic waterfill installed, you need to check it on a regular basis to be sure it is working properly. If you hear it or see it
running constantly, please check to be sure nothing is in the waterfill that is preventing from shutting off, for example a snail. If you think
there is a problem, add dechlorinator to your pond to prevent damage/death to your fish and then shut off the waterfill. If it is within the first
90 days after your pond is constructed, contact us for repair/replacement. After that time period, we can replace the unit in accordance with it’
s warranty. We are not responsible for waterfills that run consistently and cause damage to your fish.
ANIMALS-PREDITORS
The two most common predators around ponds are raccoons and herons. Raccoons are generally not a problem to your fish if the pond is 2’
deep and 8’ wide with some hiding places for the fish. They may, however, go into the pond and walk around the first plant shelf looking for
food. Herons are not as common, especially in subdivisions or heavily populated urban areas. If they do visit your pond, you will notice what
patient and excellent hunters they can be while probably stealing some fish. The best solution we’ve seen for predators is the Scarecrow
sprinkler. These units are connected to a water source and use motion detectors to pick up the presence of an intruder. Once detected,
they will shoot several blasts of water, scaring the predator away. These units retail for around $90. Another option for Heron or Egrets is
decoys. These birds are generally territorial, so placing a decoy near your pond makes the bird believe that this spot is already taken.
These retail for around $70. None of these products are guaranteed to work 100% of the time, but they are the best solutions we know about.
MOSQUITOS
Our ponds are normally not a good atmosphere for mosquitoes because the water is not stagnant. However, occasionally, you may have a
“dead area” where you might notice mosquito larvae. Please call us and we will refer you to your local Vector Control who will provide you with
free Mosquito fish. Koi and goldfish normally eat these little critters as well.
PONDLESS WATERFALLS
You have the unique ability to turn your waterfall on and off and treat it more like a fountain. If you are going to only run it occasionally, we
don’t suggest putting plants in the stream itself because water plants need water. If you run an automatic sprinkler system, you may be able to
keep the plants alive by watering daily. If you encounter algae on the waterfall, you can treat it with a product called AlgaeBlast made
especially for Pondless Waterfalls. To save electricity, you can also put the falls on a timer. We do suggest running it for a few hours every
day to avoid stagnant water.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Please contact Brookside with any other questions or concerns that we have not been able to answer here.
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