Turning your outdoor space into an oasis is simple with the addition of an outdoor Aurora pond. Depending on the aesthetic of your pond, you can create a space perfectly fit for unwinding and relaxing after a long day at work. Ponds are also great for the local environment by providing food and shelter to local wildlife and supporting local plants.
Having a pond, like any other water feature, means continuous maintenance. Regular upkeep ensures that your pond stays in excellent condition by addressing existing concerns and preventing potential issues.
That being said, it’s not uncommon for pond owners to make mistakes with the upkeep of their ponds. Sadly even seemingly harmless errors can have adverse effects on water quality and disrupt the delicate balance of a pond ecosystem.
To get you started on the right foot, here’s some do’s and don’ts of maintaining an outdoor pond.
Do: Using stones of different shapes and sizes to give your pond a natural look that blends into the surroundings of your outdoor space is a great way to customize the aesthetic exactly how you want it. Our suggestion is using one type of stone to build the pond’s perimeter for an even look and strong base. Rocks like sandstone and granite are great choices for a beautiful pond perimeter. If you’re interested in keeping pet fish in your pond, smooth and round stones are the best choice for the bottom of the pond.
Don’t: Stones with sharp edges are a bad choice for pond fish as they can get hurt while swimming around. Garden pond builders don’t recommend limestone as it can impact the pH of the pond water.
As you arrange the rocks in and around your pond, consider their scale and proportion, or you could end up creating a spot where a leak can easily appear.
Keep Your Pond Naturally Balanced
Do: To maintain a healthy pond ecosystem naturally, plant aquatic flowers such as hyacinth, water lilies, and even water lettuce in your pond. Periodically adding a beneficial bacteria to your water will help support a balanced ecosystem.
Don’t: Don’t turn to chemical based products for algae control. They’ll mess with the pH of your water and the overall health of your pond’s ecosystem.
Prepare Your Pond for Winter
Do: Before the onset of winter, make sure your pond is clean. Remove plant leaves, pine needles, plant branches and other debris from your water with a long-handled pond net so they don’t decompose at the bottom of your pond. Give your skimmer basket a good cleaning and trim any of the dead or dying foliage. When the water temperature falls below 60 degrees, its okay to stop feeding your fish.
Don’t: There’s no need to take fish inside for the winter. Instead, make sure your pond is deep enough for them to hibernate safely during the winter months. At least 18-30 inches deep should be sufficient for fish in most areas of the country, but if you’re unsure about your area contact your local pond builder to confirm.
Visually Inspect and Maintain Your Pond Liner
Do: Look at your pond liner regularly for leaks, and if you find a minor one in a small area, you can fix it with a patch. However if you’re dealing with more extensive damage, it might be time to consider replacing your pond liner. Be careful not to drag heavier items or debris across your pond liner and avoid walking on it whenever possible to minimize damage.
Don’t: Don’t clean your liner. This might sound counterintuitive to keeping your pond ecosystem healthy, but beneficial bacteria grow on pond liners so cleaning them away can impact their populations, harming your pond. Contact us to learn more
