Backyard Pond Basics

If you are patient and willing to tweak your pond and grow with it, you will have a garden rich with frogs, dragonflies, fish and gorgeous water plants. The effect can be tranquil and breathtaking. Here are some tips as you start your pond journey:

Buy a Test Kit

This test kit is essential to test for nitrates and ammonia levels in your pond. Just because a pond is not cloudy does not mean it is healthy. Fish prefer a cloudy pond! At the beginning, in the first few seasons, your pond is creating its own balance, and you will be there to help tweak it. Testing regularly for nitrates and ammonia is important.

Plant Water Plants

Water lilies are easy to plant and grow, so start with these. They are not only beautiful, they attract frogs to your pond and also help to regulate algae growth, since they eat the same nutrients that algae do.

Irises are another pond plant that are fairly easy to grow, and should be a staple of your pond. An overturned plastic crate, with the potted iris set on top, makes a wonderful stand for your plant, and also provides your fish (if you have them) with a safe spot to hide from predators.

Good Choices for Pond Plants

• Water Hyacinth: Koi will nibble at the roots, but otherwise this is a good choice. They will help to filter your water, and are easy to care for.
• Water Lily: These will grow year after year and are easy to care for. However, koi will try to uproot them, so start them in shallow water, covering them with about 1/4 inch of gravel. Also, keep them far from the waterfall, since water on their leaves will weaken them.
• Water Lotus: You koi will hide underneath these lovely plants. They will grow year after year once established, and make an excellent frog habitat.
• Bog Plants: Cattails, irises, and grasses and reeds make good plants for the border of your pond. They generally don’t require much maintenance once established.

Partial Water Change

By doing a test for nitrate and ammonia levels, you can be sure that your pond water is indeed at safe levels for your fish. If you have over 50 ppm of nitrate, you need to act to change your water. Anything between 25 ppm and 50ppm, though, is a good indication that it is time to change your water. If you decide to change your water, vacuum out 10 to 20% of the pond water, then add back filtered water to the pond. This should restore appropriate nitrate levels to the pond.

All in all, your pond is an artificial eco-system that needs your supervision to stay healthy. With proper maintenance your pond will evolve, attracting frogs, butterflies and birds to your garden and adding to the beauty of your home.