Pond Info

Use a suitable aquatic pot or basket. If it has holes, start with a gravel base layer to stop soil from escaping. Add a drainage layer (quartz and sand), then fill with aquatic soil.

Place the plant in the soil, spreading the roots, and keep the crown above the soil surface. Cover the soil with sand or gravel to prevent clouding when submerged.

Slowly lower the container into the pond to avoid disturbing the layers. Position it at the correct depth depending on the plant type (marginal, submerged, or deep-water plants).

Algae is a natural part of any pond ecosystem, but excessive growth can be harmful to fish and plants. Common causes include too much sunlight, excess nutrients, and poor water circulation.

• String algae: Can be removed manually or treated with barley straw.
• Green water (suspended algae): A UV clarifier is highly effective.
• Prevention: Maintain good filtration, limit feeding, and add floating plants to reduce light penetration.

A well-planned planting strategy improves water quality, provides shade, and creates a natural habitat for fish.

• Marginal plants (e.g., iris, rushes): Plant around the pond edges to stabilise banks and filter runoff.
• Floating plants (e.g., water hyacinth, water lettuce): Cover 50–70% of the surface to reduce algae and provide shade.
• Submerged plants (e.g., hornwort, elodea): Oxygenate the water and absorb excess nutrients.
• Deep water plants (e.g., water lilies): Provide shade and shelter for fish.

Maintaining the correct water chemistry is essential for healthy fish and plants.

• pH: Aim for 7.0–8.5 for most pond fish. Test weekly and adjust with pH buffers if needed.
• Ammonia & nitrite: Should always read 0 ppm. Spikes indicate filtration issues.
• Nitrate: Keep below 40 ppm with regular partial water changes.
• Oxygen: Ensure adequate aeration, especially in summer when oxygen levels drop.

Regular maintenance keeps your pond clean, balanced, and enjoyable year-round.

• Remove debris and dead leaves regularly to prevent nutrient build-up.
• Clean filters monthly — avoid over-cleaning to preserve beneficial bacteria.
• Perform 10–20% water changes every 2 weeks.
• Trim back overgrown plants to prevent them from decaying in the water.
• Check pumps and aeration equipment seasonally.

A good filtration system is the backbone of a healthy pond. There are three main types of filtration:

• Mechanical filtration: Removes solid waste and debris (e.g., filter mats, drum filters).
• Biological filtration: Uses beneficial bacteria to break down ammonia and nitrite (e.g., bio-media, moving bed filters).
• UV clarification: Kills suspended algae and harmful pathogens, resulting in clear water.

Size your filter for at least the full volume of your pond, and ideally double it for heavily stocked ponds.

Overfeeding is one of the most common causes of poor water quality in ponds.

• Feed only what fish can consume in 5 minutes, once or twice a day.
• Reduce feeding in cooler months (below 10°C) as fish metabolism slows.
• Stop feeding entirely in winter when water temperatures drop below 8°C.
• Use a high-quality, easily digestible food appropriate for the season.