Equipment
What equipment do you need for a pond?
No pond can function without proper equipment. After all, a pond is a delicate ecosystem, more than just a decorative feature in a garden. There are plants, fish and, most importantly, water to protect and maintain. So before you start building your pond, you need to be aware of the essential pond equipment that will keep your water garden looking fresh and healthy.
Pond liner
The first thing you will need is a pond liner as well as an underlay. This is what keeps the water in your pond without it seeping into the ground. They also serve to protect the liner from punctures caused by rocks or roots.
If you’re looking for something with less maintenance, preformed ponds are a great option. These are usually much easier to install and maintain as they are essentially ready-made shells that can be placed directly into the ground. This saves the time of effort of digging and shaping a pond yourself.
Filter
Pond filters are designed to specifically help create healthy water quality in your pond.
Filters can be housed outside or inside the pond depending on the style of pond and space available. Filters require a pump to circulate pond water through the media (in-pond filters often have a built in pump). There are a variety of creative ways to disguise external filters like creating waterfalls or well-designed planting. A pond filter contains a specific high surface area biological media which make the ideal home for the bacteria which carry out the nitrogen cycle.
The water is circulated through the biological media and supplies the bacteria with a steady supply of waste chemicals and the oxygen they need to process them. Filters will also have media to remove visible waste (mechanical filtration) to keep the pond water clear.
The other thing to remember is that ponds are an open environment meaning they can be polluted by outside sources like: run off from heavy rain, garden chemicals, detergents, concrete etc. It is important to be aware of possible pollutants as they can change the quality of the water and make it unhealthy for fish and wildlife.
The addition of a pump aids the biological balance of the pond by introducing oxygen stopping it becoming stagnant and smelly. Pond pumps are often used to create fountains and waterfalls which circulate water and break up the surface of the water, adding oxygen.
To ensure the correct level of circulation (moving water from the bottom of the pond to the surface) your pump should have a flow rate (described in lt/hr) of half the pond’s volume per hour e.g. 1000litre volume pond = 500lt/hr pump circulation.
This will not be sufficient for an ornamental fish pond where the population of fish are sustained by feeding.
The main way oxygen will enter the pond is via the water’s surface. Any agitation of the surface will cause oxygen to enter the water. Therefore, if oxygen levels are low, fish will tend to swim closer to the ponds surface where oxygen levels are highest. This also means that any movement created by pumps, filtration systems, water falls or fountains will add oxygen. Many pond keepers believe that an air pump adds oxygen because of the bubbles it creates, when in fact it’s the circulation and water movement it creates that really adds the most air pump oxygen. Encouraging any surface movement will ensure your pond’s oxygen levels is refreshed throughout the day.
Oxygen levels are also lowest in the warmest times of the year as the level of oxygen in water lessens the warmer the water is. Water will evaporate from the pond in warmer climates, less water trying to support the same amount of pond life results in low oxygen levels.
The Powersafe range of switch boxes have been specifically designed to protect your equipment from failure.
Each individual double pole switch gives total electrical isolations when switched off. The unique power indication system lets you view the power status at a glance, power on, power on stand-by and power failure due to a blown fuse.
There are individual fuses for each switch that provides overload protection, if one fails, other equipment is still able to function
Lighting
You don’t have to limit your pond’s aesthetic appeal to just the water and plants. Installing lights allows you to enjoy your pond at any time of the day, especially during the evening hours. This can be perfect for those summer nights where you may spend time in your garden.
Submersible lights can be placed underwater to create a magical ambience, illuminating your pond’s fish and plants. Surface-mounted lights can also be positioned around the edges of the pond to cast gentle reflections on the water’s surface. LED lights are often a popular choice for ponds as they can consume less power and have a longer lifespan. You could also consider solar-powered lights if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option.
Water treatments
Even after your pond is ready to go, it doesn’t take much for your water to face issues, which could also impact your fish. Cloudy water or algae blooms, in particular, can cause imbalances in your pond’s ecosystem.
There are various types of water treatments available that can address specific problems. For example, Green Away can be used to remove any suspended algae causing your water to turn green and cloudy.
You should also test your pond water every so often for levels such as pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. That way, if you notice any problems, you can act soon rather than later.
Pond cover
At certain times of the year such as winter, your pond may not be in use, which is where a pond cover can come in handy.
Using a net or mesh cover can also help to prevent predators such as birds or cats that might be looking for an easy meal. It’ll also prevent any fallen leaves or debris from landing in your pond or being blown by the wind. Make sure to take accurate measurements of your pond so that the cover fits properly.