Water features, salt in ponds, bacteria startes, other tips

Pondkeeper's How to...

Water features, salt in ponds and other tips

Pond, garden water features tips

Water has a maximum density at 4 degrees centigrade, about 39 degreesFahrenheit so when a pond has a frozen surface the water at the bottom of the pond is normally at this temperature. Only in extremes of climate or in very shallow ponds therefore does a pond completely freeze solid. Koi will normally stop feeding around 8 degrees centigrade, 46 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many people use salt in their ponds. I do not recommend it but the reason is supposedly to help prevent bacterial diseases. It is important not to overdose and if the intent is to remove infection from individual fish then rather place the fish in another small temporary pond loaded with salt for a few minutes. Use about 2 lbs per 20 US gallons of pond water as a general treatment. For a short term soaking outside the pond itself and in order to treat individual fish use about 3 times as much salt as above.

Adding pond start bacterial mixtures can do no harm I am not too sure they do any good although some people swear by them.

If you are installing a new pond and arranging for a supply of electricity to it then do add any extra power point for possible future use.

Avoid spreading fertilisers around the pond area and do your best to prevent water run-off from the garden into the pond. This is often the source of high phosphate content in a pond and the cause of bad algae problems