Build your pond - Considerations for fish and plants

Plants are a large part of the biological cleaning system of a well-balanced pond ecosystem. They consume nitrogen components in your pond water, which deprives algae of these nutrients. There are 4 main categories of pond plants you should consider:

	Submerged plants produce oxygen during a process called photosynthesis. This is a reaction by the green chloroplasts of the plant cells, using sunlight and carbon (from carbon dioxide) to create the carbohydrates and sugars used as the plant's "building blocks". One of the by-products given off in the process is oxygen. This two-way exchange of gases is called transpiration.
Marginal and marsh (or bog) plants like Iris are those that occupy the shallower areas around the pond, in water up to about 6 inches. Most of these plants do not like to dry out. Water lilies and other emergent plants add beautiful blooms as well as shade to your pond. These plants are easy to grow, but they do need deeper water - and they do not like flowing or splashing water.	Floating plants assist with water clarification. However, they must be controlled since they tend to grow rapidly and can spread prolifically. Some floating plants, such as the Water Hyacinth, may be declared weeds in your state.

Plants need a bit of TLC too. See the preventing & treating plant eating insects and other pests from Pond Expert for more information!

Types of Koi Click for larger photo!

A common mistake is to overestimate your pond's water volume and overload it with fish. This will put a tremendous strain on the balance of your pond's ecosystem compared to a "natural" pond, making it more difficult for your plants and beneficial bacteria to break down the excess nutrients caused by fish waste. To estimate the volume of your pond, see our "Pond calculations" page. A good rule of thumb for stocking goldfish in an established pond is one inch or less of fish for each ten gallons of water. Add fish slowly to a new pond, say a couple of fish a week for the first few weeks, until your pond's bacteria colony is established. This will help prevent higher nitrate and ammonia levels from fish waste slowing the bacteria colony's formation. You can also add bacteria starter kits to your new pond, or early in the spring for established ponds. If you use municipal water to fill your pond, it must be de-chlorinated first. If your municipal water contains chloramine, you must remove it before adding water to your pond. Chloramine will kill your fish.

If your pond is less than two feet deep or has less than eight hundred (800) gallons, do not add koi - they simply will not do well. Even in larger ponds, you need to be careful about adding koi. We strongly recommended that you research koi if you are interested in this type of pond. See our Pond & Koi Clubs page to help you get started!

In the spring and fall, feed responsibly. Use a special spring/fall feeding pellet at temperatures below 65º, such as Zeigler's Pond Fancier. These foods are designed to help lower ammonia in fish waste at a time when your biological filtering is not as active. Feed once a day, and at temperatures under 60º, reduce your feedings to two or three times a week. Do not feed your fish at all unless the water temperature consistently remains above 50º. If you feed your fish at lower temperatures, you run the risk of killing them. Summertime feeding: Feed your fish a high protein food in the summer, such as Zeigler's Koi Fancier, to help them "fatten up" for the winter. Zeigler's Koi Grower is an ideal higher protein food for young and rapidly growing fish. Be careful of overfeeding. Uneaten food will add excess nutrients to you pond, depleting oxygen and encouraging algae blooms. A good rule of thumb is not to feed your fish more than they can eat in a period of two to three minutes.

Even when you buy from a good supplier, any new fish you buy may have parasites that you can't see. However, there are some excellent fish medications that can help, especially if you must add your new fish directly to your pond. Just remember to carefully read the directions before using fish medications. Some require disconnecting the filters to protect your biological filtration. And since some types of fish are more sensitive than others, the dosage levels must be carefully observed. See the looking after your fish page at Pond Expert for more information!