Fish dart beneath lily pads while the melodious sound of a waterfall entertains your ears. Lush aquatic and terrestrial plants make you just want to take deep breaths of oxygen-rich fresh air. Enjoying a naturally balanced pond in your backyard is an attainable luxury for every homeowner. Most pond owners are aware of the importance that good water quality plays in a complete pond ecosystem. However not knowing how to get or keep water quality can prove challenging to some pond owners. A bit of basic knowledge will help you keep your pond looking beautiful and performing optimally. In addition to plants, fish, aeration, and rocks & gravel, a low-maintenance ecosystem pond requires adequate filtration to keep the water clean and clear. Three types of pond filters are available on the market and include biological, mechanical, and clarifiers.
The Job of a Pond SkimmerThe main function of mechanical filtration, or pond skimmer, is to remove debris before it sinks to the bottom of the pond and decays. The skimmer also houses and hides from view the pump and plumbing, as opposed to being placed directly in the pond where they can be an eyesore. There are two main types of skimmers: box skimmers and floating skimmers. Both types filter the water by removing floating debris and waste before it’s had a chance to fall to the bottom of the pond. The box skimmer is the predominant type of skimmer on the market today because it’s easy to maintain. Box-style skimmers come with either vertical or horizontal filter mats. Horizontal mats prove to be the most effective while providing the least amount of maintenance. In addition to frequent cleaning, vertical mats need to be constantly monitored to make sure there is enough water in the pump chamber for the pump to operate properly. An advantage of horizontal filter mats is that they lay flat so there is no sagging and they don’t lose their shape. They also never clog to the point of preventing water from passing through, so the pump chamber won’t run dry. As water enters the skimmer, the large debris are caught in the skimmer basket and the water is then further filtered through the horizontal mat. The pond water then travels up to the biological filter via the underground plumbing where it’s further treated before re-entering the pond. Biological Pond Filtration Goes to WorkThe biological filter receives water that has already passed through the mechanical filter, or skimmer, typically placed on the opposite side of the pond. The water enters the biological filter via flexible pipe located near the base of the unit. The water then flows from the bottom to the top of the filter, traveling through filter media housed inside the unit. This filter media helps with the removal of fine to medium-sized particles after the larger debris has already been removed by the skimmer. As the biological filter fills, it will overflow and pour over its waterfall lip, cascading down rocks that have been set to create a beautiful, natural-looking waterfall. The waterfall creates aeration for the pond, assisting in the circulation and health of the water Biological filters on the market today range in size and can filter ponds up to 10,000 gallons. For larger ponds, multiple biological filters can be incorporated into the design. The Science Behind the DesignMechanical and biological filtration are critical to processing the many types of nutrients found in a pond ecosystem, including fish waste, uneaten fish food, leaves, and runoff from lawns, to name just a few. High levels of ammonia (a form of nitrogen) are highly toxic to fish and are a major contributor to prolific algae growth, so they need to be carefully controlled. In water gardening, the primary nutrient that biological filtration utilizes and renders usable is nitrogen. In biological filtration, nitrifying bacteria, known as facultative bacteria, absorb ammonia and turn nitrites into less dangerous nitrates. These bacteria require oxygen to live, so it’s important for the pond’s pump to run 24/7/365. If the pump isn’t running, the waterfalls aren’t flowing, and aeration is eliminated from the necessary equation to maintain an ecosystem pond. Keep in mind that if the pump shuts down, the bacteria will quickly use up all of the oxygen and die, which isn’t a good thing. Nitrates are then removed from the pond by another biological filtration method known as de-nitrification. This process occurs only in anaerobic (without oxygen) areas of the pond. That’s why it’s not necessarily bad for some areas of the pond to experience minimal water flow (such as on the bottom of the pond, under an inch or so of gravel). The bacteria that live in this area of the pond turn nitrates into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere. Nitrates are also absorbed by aquatic plants and algae during their growth processes. A pond without aquatic plants will prove to be a maintenance nightmare. For any biological filtration to work, there needs to be billions of bacteria working to purify the water. They prefer to anchor onto things, which is why surface area is so important. More surface area means more bacteria and more bacteria means better biological filtration. The surface area is provided by filter media, rocks, and gravel. A pond with gravel on the bottom will contain more surface area for bacteria, as opposed to a pond with exposed liner on the bottom. The Role of Aquatic PlantsAnother important component of pond filtration is the use of plants. Many gardeners add a pond to their landscape for the variety of aquatic plants available, and while their beauty is certainly an aesthetic asset, a critical benefit is the work these plants do to help filter the water. Plants help purify pond water by reducing nutrients, filtering out sediments, and absorbing toxic compounds through the process of phytoremediation. If these excess nutrients are not removed, algae will feed on them, resulting in green water, string algae, or both. Algae control is not the only way plants help create a low-maintenance ecosystem pond. Submerged and marginal plants also provide food, shade, and protection for the fish and other wildlife that live in and around the pond. Low-Maintenance Pond ExperienceTo keep pond water quality high, the simple process of repeatedly turning the water over through mechanical and biological filters is needed to create a naturally balanced, low-maintenance ecosystem pond. Add the remaining components of plants, fish, aeration, rock, and gravel, and you’ll find greater success in maintaining clean and clear pond water. Your fish are happier and less stressed when their environment is healthy. Not to mention, it’s so much more enjoyable when you can actually see your fish swimming in clean water created by an efficient pond filtration system. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Buying new pond fish for your water garden is a fun and rewarding experience that typically happens in the spring thru early fall here in Phoenix. Although you’re excited to add finned friends to your pond, be sure to ask yourself the following questions when you’re at the pet shop:
Whatever type fish you choose to add to your pond, first and foremost you want to make sure they’re healthy. Don’t be shy about asking a few questions. In the end, you’ll be glad you took the time to purchase the right pond fish for your water feature. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Backyard ponds have become an exciting landscaping trend! Most homeowners want a pond to add ambiance to their yard or to simply enhance their outdoor living space. Their goals range from fish collecting to plant collecting to simply wanting to enjoy the sight and sound of water. Ponds create a respite from the techno-crazy world and a haven for prized Koi and local wildlife. Yet few realize the countless environmental benefits of installing an ecosystem pond or water feature. According to the National Gardening Association’s 2008 Environmental Lawn and Garden Survey, 9 out of 10 households believe it’s important to maintain their landscape in a way that benefits the environment. However, only about half of those are knowledgeable about how to maintain lawns and gardens in an environmentally-friendly way. Lots of homeowners hire a service to care for their landscape, and as long as it looks good, they don't really pay attention to what chemicals are being used, etc. Those that maintain their own, tend to run to the big-box store, buy chemicals, don't really read the instructions, and use way more than what is truly necessary. Many people don’t realize that by replacing some (or all) of their lawn with a pond or water feature, they can conserve water and energy, save money, and support the environment – not to mention reduce personal stress. Lawns use A LOT of waterAccording to the University of Arizona, the average 15'x15' bermudagrass lawn uses over 5,000 gallons of water per year. A typical residential lawn sprinkler system broadcasts about 10–18 gallons per minute, per valve or zone. By the way, broadcasting water like that increases evaporation and the lawn doesn’t really receive as much water as is being broadcast. So, if a lawn has two zones and runs for 15 minutes each three times per week, the water consumption would range between 4,500 and 7,560 gallons per month. In Phoenix, that would equate to about $175 to $275 per month on your water bill. Yikes! PONDS USE LESS WATER THAN A LAWNEvaporation on a pond is the same as on a swimming pool: 1” per day per square footage of surface area during the hottest, driest months of the year (typically mid-May through mid-June). During the rest of the year, the evaporation is negligible. AND you’re not adding water during monsoon storms and general rain days. Unless you have one of those expensive timers that detects the moisture in the air and doesn’t water when it’s raining, your lawn gets watered no matter what. A pond will have an autofill device that only adds water when it’s needed. Lawns GENERALLY require more maintenance than pondsMaintaining a lush lawn obviously requires regular watering, as pointed out above. But there’s also a LOT more that goes into maintaining a nice-looking lawn, right? You also have to fertilize it. When not done properly, runoff of excess fertilizer causes groundwater pollution. The EPA estimates that only 35 percent of lawn fertilizers applied ever reach the grass plant – the remainder ends up in our air or seeps into our water supply. During a typical year in neighborhoods across the country, over 102 million pounds of toxic pesticides are reportedly applied in pursuit of that perfect lawn and garden, says the National Coalition for Pesticide-Free Lawns. Is your “little patch of estate” worth that? You have to mow and edge it, enslaving the average man (or woman) for at least half a day on any given weekend. Aside from the time involved, about 54 million Americans mow their lawns each weekend, using 800 million gallons of gas per year, AND producing tons of air pollutants, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Garden equipment engines emit high levels of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides, producing up to 5% of the nation’s air pollution (and a good deal more in metropolitan areas). A traditional gas-powered lawn mower produces as much air pollution as 43 new cars, each being driven 12,000 miles. Lastly, more than 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the amount of oil that was spilled by the Exxon Valdez in the Gulf of Alaska. And this all adds to groundwater contamination and smog, the EPA reports. And then there's the noise pollution. The sounds of lawn mowers and edgers are NOT soothing. They are an irritant to anyone within range. PONDS ADD TO THE AMBIENCE AND REDUCE STRESSPonds, however, reduce the need for lawn pesticides and fertilizers. They require about 10 minutes of maintenance per week, and pay you back with hours of enjoyment. And they certainly don’t require any gas-powered equipment. As an added benefit, the debris and sludge collected by your pond filter can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn, garden, and/or trees. And as to sound, who wouldn't rather listen to a waterfall or babbling brook rather than mowers & blowers? Now, if you have a bunch of kids that need a football or soccer field to play on, then by all means, plant a lawn! Or you could make use of a nearby park and let the City deal with the time and cost of the maintenance. But if you’re looking for a low water use, low maintenance, super enjoyable, and entertaining landscape option, you might want to consider an ecosystem pond or water feature. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Guarding Your Arizona Backyard Oasis - A Guide to Defending Ponds Against Raccoon Intruders2/1/2024
Yes, we have raccoons in Phoenix, AZ! Arizona's backyard ponds serve as tranquil havens, providing homeowners with a slice of nature within their property. However, maintaining these water features comes with its challenges, especially when raccoons decide to make your pond their nightly playground. Raccoons can wreak havoc on ponds, causing damage to aquatic plant life and disrupting the aesthetics of your backyard paradise. In this blog, we'll explore effective strategies to defend your Arizona backyard pond from raccoon intruders, while preserving the harmonious coexistence between your water feature and local wildlife. Understanding the ThreatRaccoons are intelligent and resourceful creatures, known for their curiosity and dexterity (some people call them cats with hands). When they discover a pond, they view it as a potential food source and an opportunity for play. The potential damage caused by raccoons includes uprooting plants, disturbing the pond substrate, and even predation on fish and other aquatic life. They can be quite destructive, especially if your pond is hosting an entire gaze of raccoons (yes, you read that right: a group of raccoons is referred to as a “gaze”). Now you know. Implementing RACCOON Defense StrategiesPhysical Barriers The most effective direct barrier for raccoons is an electric barrier fence. Ranch supply stores, like Tractor Supply, sell very affordable electric barrier fencing options. The obvious drawback is that this type of fencing will also limit your pet’s ability to access the pond. Since raccoons are nocturnal predators, the answer to that issue is to put a timer on the fencing transformer so that it is only active between bedtime and dawn. And then remember the times when you can let your dog out without mishap. Motion-Activated Devices You could install motion-activated sprinklers or lights (sometimes called “Scarecrows”). Raccoons are nocturnal, and sudden bursts of water, light, or sound can startle and deter them. These devices are an effective way to discourage raccoons from approaching your pond. If you opt for water, be sure to deactivate it before you go out, or you’re gonna get an unexpected shower. The funniest noise option story I’ve heard is using a motion-activated power source to activate an electric drill with a bent bit inside of an old metal mailbox. The racket will scare the hair off the raccoon and if it happens to wake you that makes for a good chuckle before you fall back to sleep and dream about your koi greeting you from their safe haven in the morning! Floating Deterrents Place floating objects like large plastic balls or inflated pool toys in your pond. Raccoons are less likely to enter water where these objects are present, as they can be unpredictable and uncomfortable for the animals. Natural Deterrents Use predator decoys or scents. Strategically place decoys of natural predators, like owls or hawks, around the pond. Additionally, you can use predator urine or scents to create the illusion of danger, making raccoons think twice before approaching. An actual patrol dog is another obvious choice. Secure Feeding Practices Refrain from feeding other local wildlife near the pond, as this may attract raccoons looking for an easy meal. Remove any potential food sources, such as fallen fruit or pet food, that might entice them onto your property. Strategic Landscaping and Regular Maintenance Keep surrounding vegetation trimmed to eliminate potential hiding spots for raccoons. This also ensures clear lines of sight, making your pond less appealing as a shelter. Professional Pest Management If you have an ongoing raccoon issue, you can contact a pest control company properly licensed to capture and relocate these critters. One good choice would be Arizona Wildlife Control. Defending your Arizona backyard pond against raccoons requires a combination of preventive measures and thoughtful landscaping. By implementing physical barriers, motion-activated devices, floating deterrents, and/or natural deterrents, and maintaining secure feeding practices, you can coexist peacefully with local wildlife while preserving the beauty of your pond. With these strategies in place, you can enjoy the serenity of your backyard oasis without the fear of raccoon disturbances. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: Build it and they will come! Everything needs water to survive, and if you have a living backyard pond in Phoenix, you can count on visitors. Some of these will delight the eye; others may not be so welcome. An organic, healthy water source is a boon for local wildlife, as well as native & migratory birds. But everything in life is a package deal, especially when it comes to backyard landscape ideas. The possibility of pond predators seeking out your backyard pond is a valid concern in terms of the safety of your pond's inhabitants and your family, but the possibility shouldn't be a reason to avoid having a backyard pond, and a little common sense goes a long way. We've listed here a few visitors that you might encounter. RACCOONS ARE PREDATORSYes, we have raccoons in Phoenix. Raccoons generally won't actually swim in your pond. That's not to say they couldn't stand on the side of your pond and take a swipe at your fish. Fortunately, most fish will swim to a deeper, more protected part of the pond when a predator is threatening them. We had a raccoon visit with us for a short time. Yep, ate our favorite fish. There are pest control companies that can help you with these guys. And there are several deterrents that can be employed to discourage them from coming near your pond. BLUE HERONS ARE HUNGRY BIRDSThe one predator with legitimate credentials to raid your backyard pond is the Blue Heron. These birds can easily wade into your pond, help themselves to any fish of their choice, and fly away with their bellies full. They are a protected species, so don’t get any crazy ideas about getting out your BB gun. Giving your fish a place to hide in your backyard pond (adding Koi caves) dramatically increases their odds of survival, and/or a motion-sensing sprinkler can be set up alongside your pond ready to fire a steady stream of water at a predator has had some degree of success in warding off these curious critters. Just remember to turn the darn thing off before YOU go outside, or be prepared to get an unexpected shower. COYOTES ARE A BIT WEIRDCoyotes really just want a drink of water. Although, as you can see from the photo below, sometimes they like to bathe or lay in a shallow stream to cool off. They've also been known to take a poop in a stream, which we find to be a bizarre behavior. If you have coyotes in your neighborhood, take a quick peak out a window before you go charging out the door, just to be on the safe side, or before you let your little pooch outside. JAVELINA CAN BE DANGEROUSAgain, Javelina are just stopping by for a drink. They're not interested in your fish. However, they can be dangerous, especially if they have young with them. Always check your surroundings before venturing out of the house. RODENTS CAN BE SERIOUS PESTSIf you live in an area where rodents are prevalent, you will probably attract some to your backyard pond. They can be real pests, as they tend to dig. Rodents will make homes in the back of waterfalls and can wreak all sorts of damage if not caught early. And with rodents come the predators of rodents. Reptiles are generally a retiring bunch, and don’t want anything more to do with humans than humans want to do with them. THE BEES' KNEESNow that we’ve scared the wits out of you, let’s talk about some terrific beneficial creatures that will be attracted to your organic water feature. We’ll start by talking about bees. Yes, bees are friendlies! They are after the water. These girls are very busy collecting it to take back to the hive to keep the rest of the hive alive, especially during the hot summer months. Bees are a “collective,” meaning that they each (as drones) are programmed to do a specific job for the “collective,” and no more. The only way they sting is in confusion or self-defense. So, don't interrupt their day. NATIVE & MIGRATORY BIRDS ARE FUN TO WATCHBirds are probably the prominent creatures that you will notice around your backyard pond. Want to see Orioles, Cardinals, Warblers, Cactus Wren, etc., right outside your living room window? A pond gives them a healthy, organic water source, whether they’re there to stay, or just making a pit stop along the way to their destination, making this backyard landscape idea a favorite of bird lovers. OTHER COOL CRITTERSFrogs, toads, butterflies, dragonflies, and damselflies are other awesome critters that are attracted to backyard ponds. Not only are they great fun to observe, but they provide the best possible integrated pest management you can imagine! Other cute critters you might spy around your pond would be families of quail, bunnies, and lizards. Whether they’re pets or friendlies is, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: |
The Pond Gnome offers Pond Design, Pond Construction, Pond Maintenance, Pond Remodeling, Pond Replacement, and Pond Cleaning Services for the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area, including the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Carefree, Cave Creek, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, and other surrounding communities.
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