What a pond wants, what a pond needs!

Ponds require a lot of maintenance, and some knowledge. What do you need to maintain your pond? Well, here is a list of things required for keeping your pond clean, clear, and your fish alive:

1. Pond Test Kits - The water in your pond is an essential factor in how your fish will live. If you neglect your duties at pond sanitation, your fish will pay the price. Pond test kits test ph(measuring the acidity of a solution), salt, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. In the beginning, you might have to check these levels frequently (at least once a month). Over time you might not need to do it monthly, but it's still a good habit to do pond water testing.

2. Quarantine Tank - There are arguments on whether this is necessary. Well, if you sent a diseased fish (even if it's an expensive diseased fish) into a small environment with other fish, wouldn't they get sick? I'm sure they would. One diseased fish can wipe out your entire pond population.

3. Filter- A good, high-quality filter goes a long way in keeping water free of harmful chemicals (Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia), and gets the green out of your water. You might also need to consider other products to get rid of harmful chemicals, sludge, and algee that will surface in your pond.

4. UV lights - There are many great uv lighting systems for ponds out now. Do a google search (example: Pond UV Lights), and you'll find some good systems. What UV lights do is clump green algae together, so they are large enough to be picked up by filters. This is a great thing to have in any pond, and will help keep your water clean.

5. Aeration - This can be in the form of a waterfall or fountain. Some companies use windmills and more complex systems for bigger ponds. Fish need oxygen, and this will help keep the pond from freezing during the winter time.

6. Skimmer - This cleans out debris (leaves, twigs, etc) that might enter the pond (especially if you live in the country side, where trees are plentiful).

7. Net - This will protect the pond from falling leaves and twigs, but will give predators (raccoons, cats) a run for their money and protect your fish. There are other technologies that help protect fish from predators and winter season. Do some research on new pond and garden technologies.

8. High-Quality Food - Pretty self-explanatory, but make sure the food is specialized for your type of fish (goldfish, koi).

9. Research - Confused about how to install this liner? Can't figure out how to put so & so's filter together? Do some research. There are many internet and companies who specialize in every type of product available for ponds, so do some research and ask.

I hope this has helped. Expect more blogs on various topics concerning fish, gardening, and ponds. Maybe even a frog article, until next time.