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Will rocks covering the bottom of my pond help with algae or make it worse?

6/13/2019

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This is a common question asked by new pond owners and people planning to install a pond.  Nobody wants their new pond to look like a bowl of slime, and there are different schools of thought regarding the best way to keep a pond looking nice.  We have been building ponds and water features for 15 years, and we go with a rock bottom every time.  Here's why:

  • The foremost reason is that rocks will help stabilize the ecosystem.  They act as a biological buffer for the water chemistry.  Rock is a better surface for the beneficial bacteria colonies that convert fish waste and plant debris into neutral forms.  As the bacteria reproduce, they tie up phosphorus and nitrogen in their cells so it's no longer available as food for unwanted algae.  Most of the bacteria will populate on the rocks lining the pond.  Some of the bacteria remain in the water, where they process dead phytoplankton and soluble nutrients.  This action serves to clean the water and keep algae in check. 

  • It is true that rocks will trap sediment and will likely need to be washed out once a year.  The good part, however, is that by trapping the sediment it keeps your water from clouding up when the fish get frisky.  Without the rocks to trap organic debris, the fish will stir it up as they swim around.  It's sort of like putting grates on the floor of a beach shower so people don't have to stand on piles of sand rinsed off the feet of previous guests.  

  • A bare bottom pond is much more susceptible to minor changes in water chemistry.  I've seen a bare-liner pond go from crystal clear to solid green in an afternoon.  This is because the pond lacks the bacterial biofilm that would typically neutralize the more extreme effects of a sudden change, whether it is caused by a lot of rain, a heat wave, binge feedings, or any other event that impacts the water.  This isn't to say that a rock-bottom pond will never experience algae problems, but when the conditions do favor an algae bloom it will be much less severe when the pond has a thriving bacteria population.  
 
  • The larger the pond, the more stable it will become after the elements of the ecosystem have been established and harmonized.  It's like the difference between adding a pinch of pepper to a large pot of soup, or adding that same pinch to your spoonful.  Larger is more forgiving, and the advantages with a rock-bottom pond become more prominent in a larger pond.  We have seen large ponds that haven't been cleaned in years and still look gorgeous; that is less common in smaller ponds, where there is less water volume and bacteria to absorb the impact of any changes to the water chemistry.  
 
  • Another benefit to a rock-bottom pond is the safety factor.  This is often overlooked when choosing a pond, but is very important to consider.  It is not a fun surprise when someone slips into a pond and can't get their footing to climb out.  If you haven't experienced it for yourself, take my word for it: a wet, algae-covered rubber liner is one of the slickest surfaces known to man.  I've heard of guys needing to lasso the nearest tree with their hose to escape a pond because they can't walk out on their own.  It can be comical to watch, but it can also be dangerous.  Without a rock bottom, any kids or animals that unexpectedly find themself in a slick bowl of water will have difficulty climbing out on their own without requiring a rescue.  ​Rocks can still get slippery when they're coated in algae, but a slippery escape sure beats no escape.  
 
  • Another benefit of a rock-bottom pond is extending the longevity of the liner.  One of the biggest factors that degrades an EPDM liner is UV damage from the sun.  Covering the liner with rocks will keep the sun from hitting it and prevent this UV damage.  Our liners do come with a 20-year warranty, but that doesn't cover the cost of taking the old liner out and replacing it, so why chance it?  

These are the reasons we do full-rock-coverage on our water features.  It is a proven technique that works for pond builders around the world.  It is a key element of the aquatic ecosystem and allows for greater harmony in the pond, ultimately leading to a cleaner, nicer, safer pond with less regular maintenance.   

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Bring Aquascaping indoors with a patio pond!

11/16/2017

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Front and back view of our freshly arranged patio pond. This setup measures 22" square by 12" tall, and has a super-efficient filter/pump that keeps the water circulating.
As you can see here, you don't need a backyard or even a patio to enjoy a water feature, this one is inside our store!

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​American Koi vs. Imported Koi

8/3/2017

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All koi are not created equal.   If they were, there wouldn’t be such a thing as koi shows and koi competitions!  

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Beautiful Backyards: Be Inspired!

4/19/2017

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Beautiful backyards enhance and increase the living space on your property.  You may have added a deck or a patio to your backyard for outdoor dining and entertaining; why not take your outdoor living space to the next level by adding the soothing sights and sounds of water to your landscape? ​
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Koi vs. Goldfish: how to know Which type of pond fish is right for you

1/26/2017

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Koi and goldfish are the two most popular fish among backyard ponds here in New Jersey.  These two species are very closely related to each other; they are both in the cyprinidae (carp) family, but they do have a few key differences.  This article will teach you what separates koi from goldfish and common carp, and help you determine which kind is best suited for your pond.  

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Benefits of Featuring Water in your landscape

12/2/2016

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Quality Family Time
Enhancing your landscaping improves the property value, and water features will set your property apart from the rest.  A waterfall in the front yard provides curb appeal, while a backyard Ecosystem Pond increases a home's value much like a deck, patio, or gazebo.  The sound of running water will help mask the noise of nearby traffic or neighbors.  Water features can also provide a nice backdrop for entertaining while adding aesthetic appeal to your landscape.  Waterfront property is a prized commodity and you can easily incorporate water into your outdoor living space without having to move near a lake or ocean!


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How to keep your ecosystem pond healthy during the Dog Days of Summer

8/12/2016

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Here in NJ, the Mid-August weather can become quite oppressive.  Before you go jumping in the pool or hiding out in air conditioning, take a few minutes to consider how this heat may affect your pond and the creatures that live there.  

When air temperatures reach into the mid-90's and beyond, water temperatures are not far behind, and this can have a major impact on the health of your pond.  The first changes you will probably notice in your pond during the dog days of summer are a decreased water level and increased amounts of algae.  The drop in your pond's water level is due to high evaporation rates, and there's not much you can do about it besides providing more shade and adding cool, fresh water. 
(Note:  If you are adding/replacing more than 20% of the total water volume to the pond, you will need to add de-chlorinator to the water to neutralize the chlorine in your tap water.  You can buy a kit to test chlorine levels here.)


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How Do i get dragonflies for my pond?

7/8/2016

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A common question we hear from new pond owners is how to get dragonflies at their pond.  It's really quite simple, all you need to do is create the right conditions for them and they will find the pond on their own.  

The simplest advice is to just mimic their natural habitat: Water, Plants, Rocks.   
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A healthy body of water is paramount.  For the smaller species like damselflies, even the tiniest ponds will suffice.  For larger species, you will want a medium-large sized pond with a diameter of 15' or greater.  The larger the pond you have, the greater diversity of dragonfly species you might attract.  A maximum depth of 2' or greater is preferred, this will provide the nymphs better refuge from predators and it will be more likely the adult dragonflies will choose that pond in which to lay their eggs.  

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Help!  I think my pond has a leak!

7/6/2016

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Don’t panic.  Before you go taking things apart looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack, there are a few relatively simple causes to rule out.  

Evaporation.  This is the first thing to consider.  The average rate of evaporation for a pond in South Jersey is approximately 1“ to 2“ per week.  This will vary depending on the size of your pond, the temperature and humidity, the amount of sunlight it gets, and the extent of any waterfalls or streams you may have.  Water evaporates faster when it has increased surface exposure across stream rocks and splashing falls.  If you have a small 6‘ pond with a long stream or high waterfall it will drop much quicker than would a 25' pond with the same stream and waterfall.  If you are experiencing water loss at a rate of multiple inches per day, then we can safely rule out evaporation as the cause.  (Unless you are in the desert, we have heard of ponds in Phoenix that will have 3" of evaporation per day in the middle of summer.)

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The Pond Ecosystem Advantage

6/29/2016

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​The philosophy behind a Pond Ecosystem is to work with nature instead of fighting it.  We use finesse, not force, to maintain a healthy and balanced habitat.   A Pond Ecosystem works with the natural environment to provide everything necessary for the various plant and animal inhabitants to thrive.

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