Water Garden Features - Some Frequently Asked Questions
ARE WATER GARDEN PONDS HARD TO INSTALL?
Water gardens and ponds are relatively easy to build as long as you give the project some planning. There are a few basic steps:
CAN I ADD FISH TO MY WATER GARDEN?
Certainly, they can help keep the ecosystem in your pond in balance. Choose fish that can withstand variable water temperatures that may occur in a small pond. Varieties such as guppies, gambezi and mollies are ideal. The addition of a few water snails is also advisable to help get rid of algae, fish waste and decaying plant matter.
Apart from adding color and interest to your water garden, fish also eat mosquito larvae, flies and other insects as well as algae and help maintain your pond's ecosystem.
ARE WATER GARDENS HARD TO MAINTAIN?
The secret is to let Mother Nature do all the hard work for you. If you aim for an ecologically balanced system you should not have any major problems. This means including some pond creatures like snails and fish, pond plants, some form of filtration system, either mechanical or biological or both and plenty of pebbles and rocks. In time your water feature will develop its own micro-ecosystem.
The only maintenance you may have to do is to remove plant debris every few weeks (more often in the fall) and a general spring clean every 12 months after winter to ensure everything is running as it should.
WHAT IF MY WATER GARDEN LEAKS?
That can be a problem. The first job is to locate the leak. Fill the pond up with water and turn off any pumps. If the leak stops then the problem is in the pump system. Check all fittings and seals to locate the leak. If the pond level drops then you know the leak is in the pond itself. Let the level drop until it stops. That is the level where the leak is. Locate the leak and fix it with patch tape. If the level drops too much, remember to remove your fish and place them in a safe place.
ARE AQUATIC PLANTS NECESSARY?
In any water system, natural or man-made, plants play an important part in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They become a food source for fish and can help keep algae levels to a minimum out competing them for food. The added benefit is the opportunity to create a stunning water garden that can be a real talking point.
Water gardens and ponds are relatively easy to build as long as you give the project some planning. There are a few basic steps:
- Dig a hole to the shape and depth as per your plan.
- Put a layer of sand over this area to act a s a cushion and soften any sharp sections that could potentially pierce the liner material.
- Lay your liner in the hole and cover any exposed that will be out of the water with sand or rocks to prevent long term deterioration caused by UV rays.
- Place pebbles and stones in the water feature and sand to make the pond look more realistic.
- Add water and plants.
CAN I ADD FISH TO MY WATER GARDEN?
Certainly, they can help keep the ecosystem in your pond in balance. Choose fish that can withstand variable water temperatures that may occur in a small pond. Varieties such as guppies, gambezi and mollies are ideal. The addition of a few water snails is also advisable to help get rid of algae, fish waste and decaying plant matter.
Apart from adding color and interest to your water garden, fish also eat mosquito larvae, flies and other insects as well as algae and help maintain your pond's ecosystem.
ARE WATER GARDENS HARD TO MAINTAIN?
The secret is to let Mother Nature do all the hard work for you. If you aim for an ecologically balanced system you should not have any major problems. This means including some pond creatures like snails and fish, pond plants, some form of filtration system, either mechanical or biological or both and plenty of pebbles and rocks. In time your water feature will develop its own micro-ecosystem.
The only maintenance you may have to do is to remove plant debris every few weeks (more often in the fall) and a general spring clean every 12 months after winter to ensure everything is running as it should.
WHAT IF MY WATER GARDEN LEAKS?
That can be a problem. The first job is to locate the leak. Fill the pond up with water and turn off any pumps. If the leak stops then the problem is in the pump system. Check all fittings and seals to locate the leak. If the pond level drops then you know the leak is in the pond itself. Let the level drop until it stops. That is the level where the leak is. Locate the leak and fix it with patch tape. If the level drops too much, remember to remove your fish and place them in a safe place.
ARE AQUATIC PLANTS NECESSARY?
In any water system, natural or man-made, plants play an important part in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They become a food source for fish and can help keep algae levels to a minimum out competing them for food. The added benefit is the opportunity to create a stunning water garden that can be a real talking point.
