Frequently Asked Questions

Will Predators eat my fish?
It can happen. Most likely no. Raccoons don't like to swim but they could still wade their hand into the water and catch one. and a bird known as a blue heron with tall, long-legs, and with a big beaks can swoop down and get fish out of your pond so the best thing to do is to have a area built in your pond that gives the fish a place to hide, or if you already have a pond it is very easy to build a place for your fish with a little pond remodeling. The possibility of pond predators seeking out your pond is, indeed, a valid concern in terms of the safety of your ponds inhabitants, but the possibility shouldn't be the reason to avoid building a pond.

Does the presence of rocks and gravel make it difficult to clean your pond?
Rocks and gravel offer a natural place for aerobic bacteria to colonize and set up housekeeping. This bacterium breaks down the fish waste and debris that would otherwise accumulate in the pond and turn into sludge. Regardless on your ponds location or how many fish you have in it, you'll find that having rocks and gravel in your pond not only makes it look better, but it also makes it healthier as well. Having rocks and gravel in the bottom of your pond helps mother nature to clean up after herself which is great because it saves you from hours of cleaning up muck from the bottom of your pond.

Do you have to bring your fish inside for the winter?
Fish will do wonderful in the coldest of winter as long as they have two feet of water to swim in. Oxygenate the water, and keep a hole in the ice with a bubbler, allowing the naturally produced gases to escape from under the ice. Other then that you let Mother Nature do the rest. The fish will spend the entire winter hibernating at the bottom of the pond and then they will slowly wake up as the water warms in the spring.

Does your pond water need to be tested on daily bases?
A well-constructed and naturally balanced water garden normally requires no testing at all. This myth comes from the aquarium industry and it has a lot to do with the fact that aquariums are a much smaller body of water so it is not as easy to balance out the water. Mother Nature never has to test her water and her ecosystem does just fine. You and your water feature should be the same way.

If we have a pond in our backyard does it mean we will get more mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes will generally only lay their eggs in stillstagnant water. If the mosquitoes happen to lay eggs in your pond and the mosquito larvae hatch, the fish in your pond will consider them a treat and will pick them off the water surface with great enthusiasm. Your skimmer will sweep up whatever the fish miss. Another option is to use a natural mosquito larvae killer, which we can recommend.

Can you have a pond in an area where there are a lot of trees?
In nature, ponds and trees go together. Now you will have more leaves in your pond in the fall but, by the same token, the shade provided by trees will help minimize the algae bloom in the summer. Also if you have a skimmer sucking the top quarter inch of water off the top of your pond, it will pull most of the leaves and related debris into the awaiting net. This takes about 30 seconds to empty, and it can be a daily task in the fall if your pond is close to trees. So don't worry about trees and ponds, they go great together!

Can you have Koi in ponds that have rock and gravel?
Koi are actually just fancy kinds of carp and all carp are bottom feeders. They love to swim along the bottom and scavenge everything that is available on and between the rocks. In nature, it's not uncommon to find ponds, lakes, and rivers with rock on the bottom. It's more like Mother Nature then a rubber liner anyway so why even think about doing battle with Mother Nature?

Is it okay to use chemicals in your pond?
This question comes out of the swimming pool industry. If chlorine is good for humans in the local swimming pool them chemicals must be okay for fish and the plants in the pond. Many different kinds of chemicals such as algaecide, dechlorinator, and fish antibiotics are commonly used as a quick fix solution to balance related problems. But in the end it is best to attack the root cause of the problem and make sure that you allow Mother Nature to take care of all maintenance issues naturally.

Does having a pond decrease the value of your home?
Everyone knows that when it comes to resale value of your home a swimming pool can be deadly. However, in the opinion of some real estate agents, ponds can be a great addition to your home and it could also even pay in dividends. With water features becoming more popular, you can bet that the demand for them will get even bigger.

Can I use a timer on my pond?
No! Your pond is a living, breathing ecosystem that needs constant oxygen, just like us! If you shut your system down at night then you can never have sufficient growth of beneficial bacteria to fight algae blooms, you fish friends will have a hard time breathing.

Is it necessary to drain and clean your pond out on a regular basis?
The reality is, if you fail to set your system up properly so that it is working properly with Mother Nature you will be asking for a lot of related problems that may require you to drain and clean your pond out on a regular basis. But on the other hand, if you decide to work in harmony with Mother Nature, then draining and cleaning your pond should be something that could happen once a year. Clean out should occur in the spring, before the weather gets warm and the bacteria has an opportunity to set up.