Skip to main content

Got Algae?




The most common problem with both residential and commercial ponds is algae growth or the accumulation of muck.  Your water being cloudy or dirty-looking can be a result of many different factors but, for a majority of pond owners, it is simply a breakdown of sludge that releases nutrients which tip the scales to create murkiness or algae blooms.  This is why regular maintenance, especially a proper Spring start up, are so crucial to the ecosystem of your water feature.

A Spring clean out is like a fresh start for your pond and allows for clearer water and better health for fish or aquatic plants.  Your pond should be drained and power washed annually to remove harmful buildup.  This is also the perfect time to check on aquatic plants and see what needs to be divided and re-potted, to check the soil and liner, fill gaps, adjust landscape, remove all debris and check all filter and plumbing systems.  All filter systems need to be thoroughly inspected, repaired and maintained in order to keep up with a healthy pond environment and stop issues before they have a chance to take hold.

Any pond lights you may have installed also needs to be checked and, at this point, you can even add additional lighting.

Refilling and starting the pond back up is a delicate task that requires removing chlorine, detoxifying heavy chemicals and carefully maintaining proper levels to help with re-acclimating fish if you have them.  It isn't as simple as placing the fish back in and crossing your fingers!  To ensure happy, healthy fish, they need the proper chemical balance and aeration from your water.  Be sure to give them time to adjust to their new environment.  Beneficial bacteria needs to be added back into your pond to replenish what was lost over the winter and boost biological filters to break down waste. 

Once this process is completed, with regular maintenance throughout the summer, you're well on your way to combating dark, murky water and keeping algae from overrunning your beautiful water feature!

If you find yourself short on time or the know-how to properly perform a clean out and keep up on routine maintenance throughout the summer, hire a local pond service to take care of it for you.  A pond maintenance company, such as Laughing Waters, are experts who specialize in the cleaning, care and repair of your water features.  With flexible scheduling and affordable prices, you can even book regular maintenance to upkeep your backyard treasure throughout the year.  This allows you to kick back and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your unique pond is in professional hands!


For more information on how Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance can help, call our specialists at 708.586.2393!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Clock Is Ticking

  How To Run Your Pond In Winter Greatly Depends On If You Have Aquatic Life, Like Fish Or Turtles. No Matter If Your Pond Will Stay Running Or Not, It Should Be Prepped For Winter BEFORE Temps Dip BELOW 40 Degrees. One of the most common questions we are asked is when to start prepping a pond for winter.  This is especially important if you live in a cold climate where the water is apt to freeze.  A common guide is to have your pond properly secured and ready to face winter BEFORE the temperatures begin dropping below the 40 degree mark. The only real difference in pond prepping will be if you have aquatic life.  For those with fish, turtles and other living creatures inhabiting their pond, you will need to winterize much differently than those without.  In order to keep those creatures alive and make sure they bounce back come Spring, you need to keep the water circulating via large enough pump, aerator or both.  Something often overlooked is the fact tha...

Getting Your Pond Ready For Fall

  As the summer sun sets earlier and temps begin to drop, it's important to prepare your pond for surviving the coming winter.  It takes a bit more than shutting off the pump and throwing a tarp on top to keep your ecosystem thriving and make a spring opening that much easier.  What is vital for your pond, especially if you have fish, is to maintain acceptable oxygen levels throughout the bitter weather and get rid of as much decaying debris as possible because they give off toxic gas.  When it comes down to it, is your pond ready for the fall? Leaves - Fallen leaves and other foliage that access your pond produce toxic gases as they decay, which can be harmful to fish and your ecosystem in general. Before the leaves begin to fall, put a protective net over the top to catch leaves.  When it's time to close up the pond all you have to do is roll up the netting and toss out the leaves collected.  Equipment - Now is the time for your pump and filters to be cle...

What Kind Of Pond Do You Want?

You may not realize it but a pond isn't simply a pond. In fact, there are so many unique characteristics and features that can be constructed to bring your vision to life.  When you decide that a pond is perfect for your backyard oasis, the next step is to decide WHICH type of pond you're looking for.  Here are some different ponds you can design and build... Koi Pond - The most popular fish from Japan, koi are beautiful additions to any outdoor landscape.  These ponds need to be maintained and inspected regularly and built with the necessities for proper aeration and hibernation needs. Wildlife Pond - Wildlife pond are completely managed by nature.  They are typically built with no liner, pump, filter or chemicals.  They rely on rich and diverse plants to attract animals and keep the water high in oxygen.  Some creatures you can expect are frogs, insects and even salamanders.   Swimming Pond - You may be less about the wildlife and more about ...