Skip to main content

Are You A New Pond Owner?





Did you recently move into a new home and discover you are now the proud owner of a backyard pond?

Perhaps it was a feature of the property that peaked your interest but you haven't the first clue about the care and maintenance of your new pond?

For first time pond owners, learning how to manage your new water feature can be pretty overwhelming.  This is especially true in the case of a new homeowner because you likely do not know the history of your pond, how it was built or in what ways it was maintained.  This can lead to frustration and a large amount of time or money wasted just trying to figure it all out. 

When it comes to ponds, there are quite a few areas that need to be addressed.  First of all, what is the condition of your pond?  You should know how deep it is, what systems are in place for aeration, if there are fish, what aquatic plants are there and how they benefit the overall ecosystem.  This can take some time to learn but is vital information for understanding how to care for your pond.  You can do-it-yourself or contact a pond maintenance professional to inspect your existing water feature.

The most important aspect is the aeration system in place.  This circulates oxygen in your pond and is crucial for the growth and survival of plants, fish and beneficial bacteria.  Keeping that oxygen flowing properly and maintaining healthy circulation helps remove harmful gases and restore balance to your ecosystem.  When you acquire a pond that is already on site, you have no idea what systems are in place.  If it does NOT have an aeration system, you should make plans to remedy this as soon as possible.  If it DOES have an aeration system, you need to have it inspected and/or tuned up to make sure it is functioning properly. 

Another important aspect is weed control.  Weeds and algae can grow out of control and strangle your pond, negatively affecting your water quality.  Plants like cattails, bulrush and water lilies that are allowed to run rampant can wreak havoc on a closed ecosystem.  It's crucial to eliminate the overgrowth and knock those weeds outta there.  If left alone, they can break down and create the muck that turns a clear, beautiful water feature into a cloudy, gross mess.

The one thing you should know about ponds is that they require routine maintenance.  They are definitely NOT set-it-and-forget-it features.  It needs beneficial bacteria to keep the water clear and break down muck, system checks and repairs, cleaning, trimming, weeding and a nice balance of the right chemicals to keep your levels across the board.  Make time in your schedule to care for your pond often or schedule a regular pond service company to manage it.  Either way, giving your pond the appropriate care it deserves is vital in having a beautiful and awe-inspiring feature that brightens up your space and inspires smiles for years to come!


Moving can be hectic enough.  Contact Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance at 708.586.2393 or visit our website, laughingwatersinc.com, to let our pros take the stress and worry off of your shoulders!



Labels:
Location: Schaumburg, IL, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chicago Pond Service Tip 2

One Of The Best Things You Can Do For Your Pond Is Keep Mowed Grass, Fallen Leaves And Tree Branches OUT Of It! Water features and ponds look stunning in backyard settings but not many people realize the maintenance that goes into them to keep them running in peak shape.  For many homeowners, they simply don't have the time, equipment or know-how to repair equipment, properly balance pH or keep fish and plants thriving. DIY can be overwhelming but the absolute greatest thing you can contribute to your pond is the simple act of keeping foreign objects out.  When the season changes or a big storm has passed through, scope out your pond and the surrounding area for branches, twigs and leaves.  These things can decay in your pond and completely throw off the pH, disrupting the delicate balance of your tiny ecosystem.  It's important to keep any trees or shrubs nearby well-trimmed. Another major disruption to your pond's chemical balance is grass...
Post a Comment
Read more

Too Soon To Start Thinking About Spring Start Up?

  ABSOLUTELY NOT! When it comes to opening your pond and water features for the Spring, it's never too soon to have an action plan in place.  How you care for your pond during Spring start up sets the tone for the entire year.  Would you rather have everything running efficiently and looking beautiful or be fighting algae and poor functioning pump systems? Laughing Waters Pond Maintenance has dedicated nearly twenty years to servicing commercial and residential water features around Chicagoland. With the proper equipment and industry knowledge, our professionals keep your aquatic environment thriving and awe-inspiring year after year.  Save precious time and money by having the experts maintain your backyard, public space or business courtyard water ecosystem. Clean Out Filtration and Re-Install Pump or Skimmer Pump System and Critical Component Repairs  Fish and Plant Health Water Changes Chemical Balances Landscape and Foliage Upkeep  Landscape and Foliag...
Post a Comment
Read more