Ponds and Water Gardens

Our freshwater staff is well-versed in keeping your koi pond or water garden healthy and free of algae. Stop in today and bring a water sample and some photos to help us determine what's right for you. From pumps, chemicals and barley bales to koi, decorative goldfish and live plants, we've got your pond needs covered!

• How do I make sure my tap water is safe for my pond?
• The water in my pond has turned as green as pea soup! Help!
• What’s a good spring maintenance procedure for my outdoor pond?
• When can I add fish to my pond?
• How do I decide between adding koi or goldfish to my outdoor pond?
• I’ve heard you’re supposed to feed pond fish a lower protein diet in the spring. Can you explain the different types of food I should use throughout the seasons?
• I have green hairy algae all over my pond plants and rocks. How can I get rid of this stuff?
• I have gross, brown muck on top of the liner in the bottom my pond. Is this OK?
• Do I need to bring my pond fish indoors for the winter?
• I’ve heard that heron and raccoons often come and prey upon pond fish. How do I help keep my fish safe from predators?
• With so many filtration options, how do I know what to choose for my pond?
• Are there other fish I can add to my pond besides koi and goldfish

How do I make sure my tap water is safe for my pond?

• We provide free water testing to make sure parameters are safe for your pond
• Well water has no chlorine but if the KH is greater than 10, we can help reduce this for better pond plant health.
• City water must be dechlorinated due to chloramines or chlorine. Pond Prime and Vanish are cost efficient ways of doing so.
• Keep water changes less than 30% of the pond volume per water change to minimize stress on pond fish.

 

The water in my pond has turned as green as pea soup! Help!

• Green Water Algae is a common problem in ponds and aquariums, its usual cause is too much light (either length or intensity) and excess waste products. It is especially quick multiplying, and because it’s a free-floating algae, you can’t manually remove the majority of it like other species. There are, however, a few things you can do early in the spring to prevent algae from growing, or to regain control after an outbreak
• Floating plants prevent the sun from penetrating the water by using it at the surface, they also multiply quickly and will directly compete with algae for vital nutrients It’s best to shoot for ½ to 2/3 coverage of the pond surface by mid-July
• Algae fix is a liquid additive that is generally fish safe, and is effective at removal of all algae types. As with all chemicals, READ and FOLLOW directions carefully
• UV clarifiers use Ultraviolet light in order to scramble the DNA of microbes, like algae in order to prevent them from reproducing. This is by far the most effective way of eradicating green water algae.

 

What’s a good spring maintenance procedure for my outdoor pond?

• Remove organics – leaves, twigs, etc. by hand, with rake or with syphon vacuum
• Microbe Lift: Spring and Summer Cleaner – Beneficial bacteria and enzymes break down organic sludge
• Barley – Takes two to three weeks to begin killing algae, however added early in the spring it can help prevent or reduce the occurrence of algae all summer long
• More powerful Sludge removers can be used for tougher jobs – check out Microbe lift Sludge remover.
• Add floating plants – These help reduce algae and provide shelter for your fish
• When water temperature is consistently above 60 at sunrise, start adding Microbe Lift PL to encourage good pond ecology, encouraging crystal clear water

 

When can I add fish to my pond?

• For new ponds, it is advisable to run the filters, pumps, and waterfalls for at least a week with water before bringing in a water sample. This allows time for any possible leaks to make themselves known and to allow the water to equalize before adding fish
• We provide free water testing and recommendations based on your water parameters as to when to add fish, change water, or correct issues like algae or cloudiness
• Temperatures should be maintaining 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in your pond before adding any fish. Memorial Day classically is the weekend for new additions

 

How do I decide between adding koi or goldfish to my outdoor pond?

• Koi – Maxing out at 36 inches, these guys need large ponds, 500-1000 gallons each is ideal, their ability to uproot and eat most pond plants should be considered
• Goldfish/comets – Max out at 12 inches, great for ponds with 50-100 gallons per fish, much less likely to damage plants
• Many beautiful colors/patterns available in both
• As with our tropical fish, all pond fish that we sell have gone through a quarantine period in order to insure their health and allow them to de-stress from shipping
• For smaller ponds, generally from June to September, ask us about tropical fish that can be used to reduce mosquitos.

 

I’ve heard you’re supposed to feed pond fish a lower protein diet in the spring. Can you explain the different types of food I should use throughout the seasons?

• No food should be fed during winter months, or while the water is under 50 degrees Fahrenheit before sunrise.
• Wheat Germ enhanced Foods should be fed when temps range from 50 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit
• Color Enhancing and other Protein Rich foods once the pond maintains a temperature over 60 degrees
• Wheat germ enhanced foods again in the Fall from when the water is between 60 degrees to 50 degrees

 

I have green hairy algae all over my pond plants and rocks. How can I get rid of this stuff?

• Begin with a water test to make sure all levels are safe. Excess nitrate provides nutrients for algae to grow – We’d be happy to test your water for free.
• Providing shade with floating plants early in the season will help block the sun and use up nutrients as they multiply. The goal is to have ½ to 2/3 of your pond covered by mid-July
• Barley – Takes two to three weeks to begin killing algae, however added early in the spring it can help prevent or reduce the occurrence of algae all summer long
• Algae Blocker is a blue dye added to the water that keeps the sun from penetrating the water and growing algae. This product is fish safe and best for ponds without fully submerged plants.
• Green Clean is another product that will destroy hair algae. You must shut down your pumps, remove dead algae, and sprinkle the product directly on the remaining algae. Wait 15 minutes and then turn the pumps back on. Dose carefully as this can increase KH and pH levels quickly and potentially harm fish/plants.

 

I have gross, brown muck on top of the liner in the bottom my pond. Is this OK?

• It is normal for there to be some amount of waste and decaying leaves at the bottom of a pond, however excess can be unsightly and possibly harmful to fish as this heavy waste can also reduce the amount of oxygen in the pond, especially during winter, but also as the filter clogs and water flow is reduced.
• Pump or syphon driven vacuums allow user to remove this waste and do a water change simultaneously
• Microbe Lift spring/summer and other Sludge Removers will help reduce the amount biologically
• These actions are best taken in early Spring and late Fall, but are beneficial to maintain in the Summer as well.

 

Do I need to bring my pond fish indoors for the winter?

• Pond depth ideally 36” minimum in order to over-winter koi and goldfish
• While Fancy Goldfish can live outdoors in the summer, they often cannot overwinter in a pond, and should be brought in during the fall
• During the fall leaf, twigs, and other debris should be removed as it’s breakdown in winter can be dangerous to you fish. Microbe Lift: Autumn/Winter Prep will help assist in breaking down residual wastes
• Floating heaters will keep a hole in the ice for gas exchange all winter long, however because they use less electricity, many people prefer to use Styrofoam “De-Icers” that use a regular pond pump to power. Using both systems simultaneously offers the best security.
• Because of the way ponds create temperature zones, in general, any pump running of the bottom should be turned off or moved higher in the pond during the winter. For this reason, waterfalls and fountains should be also be turned off.
• Aeration is a good gentle way to maintain winter oxygen levels, and can be used with the Styrofoam ‘De-Icer’
• Call us for safe way of moving indoors if pond is too shallow, or they are unfit for Michigan winters

 

I’ve heard that heron and raccoons often come and prey upon pond fish. How do I help keep my fish safe from predators?

• The “Scarecrow” Motion Activated Sprinkler is a completely safe deterrent for any hopeful predators, just don’t forget to disarm it before walking by it yourself!
• Decoy herons work well because live herons are both territorial, and the top of local aquatic food chains, upon seeing a (fake) heron, most would-be predators continue on
• A fishing line mounted 12-18” from the ground surrounding the perimeter of the pond will also help deter the heron from being to enter the pond from shore.
• Floating plants provide excellent cover for you animals, camouflaging them from large birds flying over that might think them a snack, and making it difficult for shoreline predators to find and grab them in the water
• Deeper areas in the pond provide an escape for your pond pets because all local predators need to wade into the water, and cannot effectively hunt while swimming

 

With so many filtration options, how do I know what to choose for my pond?

Each pond and owner will have different needs a and wants, so there is no one answer, however we do carry a full line of pond products that, along with the knowledge and enthusiasm to help you create the backyard oasis of your dreams. If you want a simple fountain water feature on your deck, or a waterfall to rival ours, we can help you every step of the way!

Are there other fish I can add to my pond besides koi and goldfish

Many small water features just aren’t big enough for goldfish or koi, and many people just want variety in their ponds. While not all fish are safe for ponds, many tropical fish can be kept outside from June to September. We highly recommend various danios and livebearers for small water fountains in order to decrease mosquitos around your garden. As with aquariums however, you do have to be mindful of aggression and compatibility