To calculate the approximate water content of a pond:  Length x width x depth (in feet), multiply that total by 7.48 to calculate the water volume in gallons.

LEAVES

Be sure to keep leaves out of your pond. Their decaying will throw off the ecological balance of the water. When leaves decompose in your pond, they release ammonia...a chemical that is deadly to Koi and Goldfish in sufficient quantity.

pH

pH is the measure of the alkalinity or acidity of the water and is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. A low number is alkaline; a high one is acidic. A normal range for a healthy pond is 6.8 to 7.8, which is basically neutral. Slightly higher or lower is likely to be a significant concern. Natural, beneficial bacteria thrive in a normal range, and incorrect pH levels hinder their activity, allowing waste by-products to build. The water will begin to foul, and ammonia levels will increase to harmful levels. A pond’s pH will fluctuate in a natural cycle each day, so perform your tests at the same time of day each time you check for a more accurate picture. If you are going to treat your pond with a chemical to adjust the pH, be sure to use one that is made specifically for water gardens. Swimming pool chemicals are to strong for your precious water garden. Also, always check the pH before adjusting up or down. Check before and after each treatment is made.

ALGAE

There are over 17,400 different species of algae, however most water gardens or ponds are plagued by either:

•  Plankton Algae aka suspended algae, green water, pea soup or single cell algae
•  Filamentous Algae aka string algae, blanket weed, hair algae or pond scum

Not all algae is harmful or unwanted. The short velvet type that clings to rocks and the sides of the pond is beneficial. This type of algae provides oxygen during the day, fish nibble on it and it uses nutrients from the water. It also provides a natural look to the pond.

There are 4 basic causes of excess algae or an algae bloom:

1.  For survival algae needs nutrition (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sunlight. This can be in the form of fish waste (too many fish), over feeding fish, decaying organic matter (leaves and plants), lawn fertilizers and decomposed fish. A build up of sludge on the bottom of the pond will feed the algae also. 
2.  New ponds are very likely to have an algae bloom. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The algae is actually consuming the excess nutrients in the water. Give the pond time to balance it’s self before adding fish as they will only add to the nutrient overload.
3.  Weather and temperature changes.  In the spring, beneficial bacteria has only started to multiply. Plant coverage is not at maximum coverage, and there may also be decaying leaves and twigs from last autumn at the bottom of the pond.
4.  Because there is a constant supply of nutrients, string algae flourishes in waterfalls and shallow streams. The sunlight is usually unobstructed and the water is warmer. There may also be a higher concentration of algae around the shallow edges of the pond where the water is warmer and there may be enough water circulation there.

POND MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS THAT WE RECOMMEND

AlgaeFix: (best price found at Westlake Hardware stores)

Effectively controls many types of green or green water algae, string or hair algae and blanketweed in ponds that contain live plants. Controls existing algae and helps resolve additional algae blooms.

Add 1 teaspoonful (5 mil) of AlgaeFix for every 50 gallons of pond/fountain water. Thoroughly mix AlgaeFix into pond/fountain by adding near the pump outflow, waterfall, or aeration device. AlgaeFix can be mixed in a bucket of pond/fountain water and evenly distributed around the pond/fountain. Repeat dose every 3 days until algae is controlled. Be prepared to siphon out dead filamentous algae. Once algae growth is under control, add one dose every 5 to 7 days. Weekly doses of AlgaeFix will control algae growth and reduce pond/fountain maintenance. CAUTION: Do not use AlgaeFix with crustaceans, including: crabs, shrimp, freshwater shrimp and freshwater lobster.

Warm weather CAUTION: Before using AlgaeFix, make certain that the pond has vigorous aeration…i.e., fountain, waterfall, or an aeration device to avoid fish loss due to low oxygen levels. When algae is removed by the filter or settles to the bottom of the pond/fountain, the oxygen level may drop to a harmful level if adequate aeration is not provided. Therefore, when using AlgaeFix during warm summer months, adequate aeration is required. Do not shut pond pumps and aeration devices off at night.

Barley: Use of barley straw bales or bundles is a natural treatment for cloudy water, and should be used as an added preventative from recurring string algae. The barley has to be decomposing to become active and this may take 2 to 4 weeks. The warmer the water, the faster the straw will start to decompose.

Add 1 barley straw bale or bundle per 1000 gallons of water. Keep them submerged but do not let them sink to the bottom of the pond. They need light and oxygen to break down.

NOTE: Keeping barley in the pond will allow you to decrease the frequency of adding AlgaeFix from once every 5 to 7 days to once every 10 to 14 days, or sometimes even longer. You will have to use your own judgment on this by watching the algae growth in your pond. Every situation is different.

FEEDING FISH

Fish eat about 1 to 4 percent of their body weight daily. But its not necessary for you to provide them with this amount. Remember that they are the pond’s gardeners. They eat the excess plant material, algae and pests.

Feed your fish only what they are able to consume in 3 to 5 minutes.

Fish basically hibernate during the winter, once water temperatures drop below 50 degrees. This is the point that you should stop feeding them.

Do not feed more than once per day. When you overfeed, you are introducing nutrients into the pond that feed algae.

POISNIOUS PLANTS TO YOUR POND

Not all plants are appropriate for pondscaping. Some can actually be harmful when planted near fish habitats. The leaves, bark, fruit or roots of some plants can foul the water and be fatal to fish. The following is a list of what not to plant near your pond:

• Azalea (Rhododendron species)
• Black Locust (Robinia species)
• Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
• Buttercup (Ranunculus)
• Caladium (Caladium Xaiitliosoma)
• Caster Bean (Ricinus communis)
• Chokecherry/Cherry (Prunus)
• Climbing Nightshade (Soanum dulcamara)
• Clover (Trifolium)
• Horse Chestnut (Aeseulus)
• Jack in the Pulpit (Arisaema)
• Jimsonweed (Datura)
• Lily of the Valley (Convallaria Majalis)
• Pigweed (Amaranthus)
• Ponderosa Pine (Pinus Ponderosa)
• Potato (Solanum Tuberosum)
• Red Maple (Acer Rubrum)
• Sweet Pea (Lathyrus)
• Tobacco Plant (Nicotiana Tabacum)
• Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum)
• White Snake Root (Eupatorium Ragosum)
• Yew (Taxus)