subject: Pond Maintenance Maryland To Ensure A Balanced Environment [print this page] Pond maintenance Maryland is an integral part of ensuring that your garden pond has a healthy balanced environment for the entire year, no matter the season. Proper maintenance at regular intervals will ensure that your pond water and plants stay healthy.
These products will need regular checkups to ensure that they are working properly. Make certain that there are no leaks in the pump system and that the water flow is at the correct rate. Clear away any leaf mulch at the bottom of the pond, as this will build up and block the proper functioning of the pump and filtration system.
Well oxygenated water is important for sustaining the plant life and for keeping down algae growth in your pond. Replace biological additives that were lost during Winter and pot all your plants, fertilizing them in preparation for the growth season ahead. Use a test kit to check the water levels and correct if necessary.
To maintain improved oxygen levels install a water feature or fountain that aerates the water. This not only makes an attractive feature but serves a specific purpose in keeping down the growth of encroaching algae. Alternatively you can put down a proper aerator for this purpose.
Other natural means of algae control include planting pretty pond plants like water lilies, water lettuce and water hyacinths. Feed Koi a minimal amount daily, to ensure that they feed off the algae that does grow on the surfaces. Their food should be eaten within a short space of just a few minutes, not more. Shrimps and snails can also help to control algae growth naturally.
Keeping the water aerated by using a fountain or aerator will also keep the water agitated, making it less of an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, who prefer breeding in stagnant water. Clear away dead leaves in the Fall and remove tropical plants for Winter storage as they will not be able to survive the harsh winter cold.
Remove and clean pumps and filters in preparation for Winter in areas where the temperature drops to below 45 Fahrenheit. Pumps will freeze at this temperature, causing damage that will require replacement in the spring. Ensure that the surface water does not freeze as this will cause an imbalance of harmful gases in the water for the resident fish. If it does, act quickly by melting a hole with warm water and install an aerator or fountain to keep the water in constant motion, otherwise your fish might die.
