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How Deep Should You Go?


The Depth Of Your Pond Should Be Determined By If You Want Plants And Fish, Space And If You Plan To Hire A Professional Maintenance Co. Or DIY.

One of the most important decisions you can make about your pond is the depth.  If you plan on having fish or aquatic plants, you need to have a deeper pond area to accommodate growth, ample living space or, in the case of certain plants, if they need less sunlight to thrive.  For Koi ponds, you should have at least 3 feet of depth or more to not only supply them enough room but to have a larger volume of water to combat any polluting effects on the pond that the fish may trigger.

Some ponds need to be a bit deeper so fish have a chance to hibernate in winter.  Research the types of plants and fish you would like, if any, and follow the recommendations for a healthy volume of water they need to thrive in.

Another factor to the depth of your pond comes down to the issue of maintenance.  In general, larger ponds with a high volume of water are easier to maintain.  Small, shallow ponds can heat up quickly in sunlight and produce the ideal conditions for bacteria or algae growth, resulting in dark, murky water.  This simply means you'll have to perform maintenance much more frequently.  A larger volume of water can significantly aid in keeping your pond balanced.

The biggest factor in determining your pond depth is the space you have to work with.  It just might not be feasible to have a large pond with a substantial volume of water.  In this instance, it will take more careful balancing of chemicals and care to keep the pond environment stable.  If you aren't experienced with mixing the right chemicals, knowing what they do or the potential side effects and/or risks of using them, you may want to hire a professional pond maintenance company to manage it for you.  They can deal with ponds of any size and depth appropriately.

When it comes to building your water feature, consult with your water feature design and build firm.  They will be able to instruct you on the safest volume for your pond based on all the factors listed above.

For additional information, contact your Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance experts at 708.586.2393 or laughingwatersinc.com.


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