A prettier pond
1 Aug, 2008 By: Ron Knutson Landscape ManagementThere is an emerging trend facing our industry, as more contractors begin the migration toward offering a full line of client services. Companies are branching out to encompass a "whole-property" approach, moving beyond the traditional menu offerings of landscape and irrigation design and installation. Ancillary services including hardscaping, lighting, water features and more recently, maintenance contracts for pools and water features, are emerging as the largest revenue-generating growth areas for green industry professionals.
 Aquatic plants absorb nitrogen making them a natural guard against algae. |
Whether your philosophy centers on maintaining control over a specific niche or emphasizes the whole-property service approach, you should be aware of the basic issues involved in regard to long-term maintenance for some of the systems you are installing. Take, for instance, pond maintenance. There are three main components to a solid program:
1. Water quality testing, along with the regular addition of water conditioners and beneficial bacteria, should form the foundation of any monthly pond maintenance program.
2. Water conditioners instantly neutralize chlorine and chloramines, as well as heavy metals such as zinc or copper. For ponds that harbor fish or aquatic plants, water conditioning is essential.
3. Beneficial bacteria, available in both liquid and freeze-dried powder forms, are another key ingredient in successful pond maintenance. While each variety essentially operates in the same manner, the liquid form has the advantage of instantaneous response, because the culture is active and requires little to no time to dissolve.
The addition of a water conditioner and some form of beneficial bacteria — in that order — should always precede the reinstatement of aquatic plants or fish to any pond ecosystem to safeguard against system shock. It is important to note that adding beneficial bacteria to a system without using a water conditioner first will devastate your beneficial bacteria.
 Moving water helps keep ponds mosquitoe free. |
The life aquatic
One of the foremost maintenance considerations in any pond ecosystem is the inclusion of fish and/or aquatic plants. Fish create waste; when left alone and untreated, fish waste will transform into nitrogen and fuel algae growth.
Some fish, like koi, are aggressive plant-eaters. They shred aquatic plants to create debris as well as ammonia, which can turn into nitrate, another algae-booster.
Because aquatic plants absorb nitrogen, they serve as a natural guard against unwanted algae. That said, there are alternative methods of maintaining a favorable fish-plant balance.
Specialized nets, for example, will prevent plant-nibbling fish from reaching this tempting treat, and bog gardens can be used to maintain a natural and balanced ecosystem. Although aquatic plants do require fertilization, the task can be quickly and easily accomplished by adding an aquatic plant tab once per month throughout the growing season.
Additional considerations include plant class — floating bog/marginal, or deep-water species — as well as plant type, such as tropical or hardy.
 Debris removal with a pond skimmer is essential for a pond ecosystem's health. |
Tropical varieties, for example, require a minimum water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit — and therefore require special treatment in the winter months. Some hardy varieties, including Azolla and duckweed, go dormant in the winter months. They turn yellow and fall to the base of the pond, only to engage in a brilliant recovery in the spring. An untrained contractor (or homeowner) may mistake dormant plants for dead, and consequently remove them during a routine maintenance visit.
1 2
Please send any technical comments or questions to our webmaster.