Ponds and other water features can be a wonderful addition to any garden. Not only do they add a focal point of interest to your space, they can also be beautiful and therapeutic. Having a pond and filling it with fish can reduce the amount of pesky mosquitoes in the environment, too. If you do decide to bring some water into your garden, below are some of the most common problems you’re likely to encounter as a pond owner. Familiarize yourself with them so that you know how to fix issues as soon as they present themselves! Read on for how to do just that:
An overabundance of algae
Algae are aquatic organisms that can grow spontaneously in water. Not all bodies of water are at risk—for instance, indoor water fountains are relatively safe from them—but they are a fairly common problem that could turn very serious very quickly. Algae can cause blockages in your pond’s filtration system, not to mention deprive your aquatic plants and fish of much-needed oxygen and nutrients. Combat this by cleaning the surface of your pond regularly. You’ll want to remove algae as soon as you notice any growth happening. You can also keep it from growing back by controlling the amount of nutrients that get into the water. If you use a fertilizer for your lawn, make sure the runoff from watering it doesn’t spill over into the pond or water garden. Algae also need sunlight in order to grow, so providing adequate shade to the water by using water lilies or other floating plants can prevent them from appearing.
A leak in the liner
Leaks are caused by a variety of factors, which means that the solutions also vary. First, you’ll want to identify where the leaks are. You can do this by filling the reservoir just a bit above where you think the leak may be and sprinkling a bit of cornstarch in. The way the cornstarch moves on the water will reveal the direction or location of the holes. Once you’ve found the leak, mark it, drain the pond or reservoir, and apply a patch. If the leak is more substantial and a patch is too small for the job, you may want to consider tearing the entire structure down and starting over. At the same time, you can seek the help of an experienced water fountain specialist who can take care of the issue for you.
A curious cat
If you think that a cat or some other animal has been picking your fish off one by one as a tasty treat, install a motion sensor. Leaving your pond unattended makes the critters think it’s open season on your koi or carp 365 days of the year. Dissuade them with an alarm system that detects even the slightest movement and scares them off with a loud sound.
A change in color
If the water in your pond has turned an unattractive shade of brown, the problem may be in your pump or filter. The filter needs to be cleaned often because its primary function is to clean the water and keep it clear. Help it out, too, by not overfeeding your fish or leaving uneaten food to decay in the water. Try to keep the surface of your pond clear and remove any dead flowers, yellowing leaves, and other debris as soon as you see them.
Maintaining a water garden isn’t as hard as it looks. Once you know how to identify the issues, you can just as quickly get to work on fixing them, so don’t be intimidated.