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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between mechanical and biological filtration?
Why add beneficial bacteria to a pond?
I have green water, will a UV light help?
How many fish can I add to my pond?
How can I measure gallonage of my pond?
What is a GFI ?
Are koi easy to raise?
How much do koi cost?
Can you train koi?
What is the difference between a submersible pump and an external pump?
What is the difference between mechanical and biological filtration?Mechanical filtration removes suspended debris from pond water by forcing water through some form of filter media. A great example is a skimmer that has a skimmer net and filter pad.Biological filtration is when beneficial bacteria colonize on hard surfaces inside the pond or filter. As water is forced through the filter, bacteria will break down ammonia and nitrites to nitrates. This is known as the nitrogen cycle. Back to Top |
Why add beneficial bacteria to a pond?Beneficial bacteria provides many benefits to a pond. The three most important are: 1) Helps break down sludge at pond bottom. 2) Breaks down ammonia and nitrites to nitrates. 3) Helps green water problems by starving off single cell algae.Back to Top |
I have green water, will a UV light help?Most lilkely, every pond owner has experienced green water in their pond. Green water is caused by blooms of single-celled algae, which not only cloud the water, but also rob the water of valuable oxygen and release harmful pollutants. These organisms are so tiny, they pass through even the finest of filters. Over feeding your fish can result in high concentrations of waste and nutrients which can lead to algae problems as well. If you have a 'rock and liner' type pond, it is recommended that at least 60% of your pond surface is covered by floating plants which provide shade for your fish and helps control algae. One solution for controlling such algae is a UV clarifier. Clarifiers use ultraviolet light to kill the algae and cause them to clump together into particles large enough to be removed by filtration, leaving the pond cleaner and clearer. The common mistake of UV installation, is that all of the water is plumbed through the unit. Please discuss the installation of the UV light when purchasing your unit from us.
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How many fish can I add to my pond?While the standard answer is one inch per one hundred gallons, I like to first ask what type of filtration did you provide for your pond? If there is only water plants for filtration, then stay with the recommended one inch rule. However, if you have a bead filter and UV light then you have the potential to add many more fish. In summary, the answer to the question will vary depending upon the degree of filtration.Back to Top |
How can I measure gallonage of my pond?In a square or regtangular pond: length x width x depth (in feet) x 7.48 = gallons.In a circular pond: Area x depth (in feet) x 7.48 = gallons (Area = pi x radius squared) (pi = 3.1416) ( radius = 1/2 diameter) In freeform shaped ponds: Divide pond into rectangles, squares and circles - add the divided areas together. Back to Top |
What is a GFI ?A GFI is a ground fault interupter, electric device. You have probably seen one of these devices in any recently built building. Typically found in bathrooms or anyplace where water is adjacent to an elecrical power source. They are a safety device to prevent electrical shockBack to Top |
Are koi easy to raise?Koi have very specific needs in order to thrive in a pond, which is an artificial environment. They need a filter system which converts their toxic waste into a non-toxic byproduct. They need aerated and circulating water, good nutrition, and treatement when they become ill. If properly cared for, the average life span of a koi is 70 years. However, koi can live well over 100 years.Back to Top |
How much do koi cost?A juvenile koi can cost a few dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the quality of the fish. If you are a member of a koi club, you can frequently get koi for little or nothing, if a member has a spawning koi and has lots of baby koi or if a koi outgrows a member's pond.Back to Top |
Can you train koi?Yes. Ond of the joys of koi keeping is training your koi to eat out of your hand. Once they get to know you, they follow you when you approach the pond. They are curious, gentle creatures.Back to Top |
What is the difference between a submersible pump and an external pump?A submersible pump is placed in the water, an external pump is placed outside of the pond water.Back to Top |
