While ecosystem ponds and swim ponds can completely transform your yard and significantly increase the appeal of your property, they require some maintenance to keep them looking great and working properly. As experts in water feature design and installation, the team at Fontana Ponds & Water Features knows how important maintenance is for every pond regardless of size or location. That is why we have compiled a list of common pond maintenance problems to help you troubleshoot any issues you may encounter with your pond and keep it working as it should throughout the year.
Learn why your pond’s water level is dropping.
4 Pond Maintenance Problems and How to Fix Them
When caring for a pond, it is crucial to keep an eye out for the following problems:
1. Dirty Water
Pond water can become murky, green, or brown over time due to an imbalanced ecosystem. This imbalance can be caused by excessive fish waste, overgrown plants, fallen leaves, a blocked waterfall, a malfunctioning pump, extremely hot weather, too much rain, soil erosion, and many other factors. If your pond water is starting to look murky or unclear, you will need to inspect your pump and filtration systems. If these units are functioning normally, the problem likely lies with your plants, fish, or fallen debris in your pond. To prevent your water from becoming dirty, you will need to keep your pond free of fallen leaves and other debris while monitoring plant growth.
2. Overgrown Plants
While aquatic plants are crucial for maintaining the balance of your pond, overgrown plants can be a burden. In addition to consuming too many nutrients in your pond, overgrown plants can make it difficult for your fish to swim, negatively impacting their health. To ensure that your plants keep your pond clean without disrupting the ecosystem balance, be sure to keep them pruned and maintained throughout the year.
3. Unhealthy Fish
Much like plants, fish are a great addition to any pond as they can help balance the ecosystem. When adding fish to your pond, it is crucial to ensure that you are not adding too many. To ensure optimal balance, you should only add 1 6” fish per 100 gallons of water in your pond. For example, if your pond holds 500 gallons of water, you should only have 5 6” fish. If you add more than this, you will likely develop a problem with excessive fish waste and oxygen depletion, causing your fish to become unhealthy and your ecosystem to become unbalanced.
4. Water Loss
While your pond’s water level will fluctuate slightly based on weather conditions, it is crucial to ensure that it stays above a certain level throughout the year. If you notice that you are losing water in your pond, this is likely due to a hole in your pond liner. This hole should be repaired as soon as possible, as a lack of water can significantly increase the risk of algae buildup, poor fish health, and dead plants.
To learn more about pond maintenance or to inquire about our services, reach out to the experts at Fontana Ponds & Water Features at 778-990-9773 or through our online contact form. We will work with you to answer any questions and deliver the perfect solution for your needs.