tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68116829158649565792024-03-13T05:46:59.103-07:00Ornamental Pond & Garden ExpertsHello, thank you for checking our blog. We are here to provide information, photos, and ideas relating to ponds and gardening. We currently have two websites relating to ponds and gardening. We own a company called "Ornamental Pond Liner Co." as well. We are here to reach out to the community and offer help and advice for gardening and fish hobbyists.PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-48477195726446321042008-01-14T06:26:00.000-08:002008-01-14T08:59:50.409-08:00Curving Your Pathway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4tzoHHOqGI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1RIwfQ30iRo/s1600-h/sond-steps-path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4tzoHHOqGI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1RIwfQ30iRo/s200/sond-steps-path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155341331396995170" border="0" /></a><br />Whether you build a path with flagstone, fieldstone, cobblestone or whatever other stones that can be used in a path, it is recommended to curve the path when possible. Curving paths look more natural and more pleasing to the eye. Now, you don't have to make it complicated and add twists and turns at every corner. A pathway shouldn't swerve just because you felt like having it do so (but, that is your choice); you need to have a reason to make it turn.<br /><br />The curve could accommodate a tree, shrub, boulder, birdbath, or any object you can route the path around. A curving path through a flower bed looks better than a straight one. Accent the curve by placing tall, distinctive perennials or a shrub on the inside of the curve. A curve or curves can help keep a path on a slope from being too steep. A path leading around the corner of a building should curve to provide the shortest route to the side yard.<br /><br />Making a path curve so that it disappears from sight brings out a bit of mystery. People will ask:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"What's around the bend?"<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span>A visitor's curiosity can be rewarded if there's a nice bench, a hidden water feature, a unique planting feature, or an overall change in the style of the garden to discover.<br /><br />Do all pathways really need to curve though? No, not really. Straight pathways lend formality to a garden, and a formal tone may be the look you want. A wide, straight pathway of flagstone (as described in our last two blogs) or cut stone leading from the street to the front door of a home makes an impressive statement. If the style of the garden is formal and includes garden beds defined by straight lines, curving paths may look out of place.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></div></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-8873563637557377622008-01-13T08:16:00.000-08:002008-01-13T08:56:35.006-08:00Flagstone Paths: Design, Use, and Cost<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o6I3HOqDI/AAAAAAAAAFE/HQ393NzpIR4/s1600-h/flagstone-path-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o6I3HOqDI/AAAAAAAAAFE/HQ393NzpIR4/s320/flagstone-path-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154996647386589234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Design and Use</u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flagstone</span> is an excellent choice for paths in well-traveled areas. It brings a natural elegance to the garden and is suitable for both primary and secondary paths. When flagstone is fitted together tightly and care is taken to create a clean edge, the material matches the mood created by the most stately homes and formal landscapes.<br /><br />Fitted more loosely, <span style="font-weight: bold;">flagstone pathways</span> complement all other styles and sizes of homes and yards. It's preferred by professionals to use limestone and sandstone for pathways in shady areas, where the lighter hues (a gradation or variety of a color) of the stone make the pathway more visible (usually in the evening).<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o_j3HOqEI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ZfUY39ytEL8/s1600-h/granite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o_j3HOqEI/AAAAAAAAAFM/ZfUY39ytEL8/s200/granite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155002608801196098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Granite</span></div><br />In hot, sunny areas, the darker tones of <span style="font-weight: bold;">slate</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">granite</span> create a cooling effect. Direct sunlight will also cause the rich and varied colors of <span style="font-weight: bold;">granite</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">quartzite</span> to sparkle and shine. If you like color and brightness in a garden, you might want to consider trying these types of stones.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o_znHOqFI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4WNbXvabMeA/s1600-h/Quartzite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4o_znHOqFI/AAAAAAAAAFU/4WNbXvabMeA/s200/Quartzite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155002879384135762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quartzite</span></div><br />Flagstone is sturdy whether set in mortar or not. Even the heaviest wheelbarrow loads or lawn equipment traffic will not mar or damage a properly installed flagstone path.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Cost</u></span><br /></div><br /></div>Flagstone prices vary greatly across the country; the closer you live to an area where stone is quarried, the less expensive the stone is. Of the many types of pathways that can be built in a garden, flagstone falls in the upper-middle cost range. We will discuss cost compared to other pathways in later blogs.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-86694048451791720392008-01-12T07:56:00.000-08:002008-01-13T08:16:36.836-08:00Flagstone Paths: Characteristics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4jj3HHOqBI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xM88iDKtEjw/s1600-h/flagstone1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4jj3HHOqBI/AAAAAAAAAE0/xM88iDKtEjw/s320/flagstone1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154620309467211794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flagstone</span> is a traditional favorite for stone pathways. It comes in various colors and stone types, looks great in all kind of settings, and is available in a wide price range. And the best thing is, anyone with some free time and determination can install flagstone paths that are as long lasting and attractive as those installed by <span style="font-weight: bold;">landscape professionals</span>. Now, we will be discussing a number of areas regarding flagstone pathways, from characteristics, to its design and use, and also the cost. There is a lot of ground to cover, so let's get started with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Characteristics</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4jrZHHOqCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/q7cQTZUFibg/s1600-h/flagstone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 216px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4jrZHHOqCI/AAAAAAAAAE8/q7cQTZUFibg/s320/flagstone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154628590164158498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Material Characteristics<br /><br /></u></span><div style="text-align: left;">Flagstone is sold under two classifications:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Flagstone</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> - large, irregularly shaped sheets of quarried stone</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Flagstone Steppers</span> - smaller pieces of the same material</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;">Flagstone is generally 18 to 40 inches in diameter. Larger sizes are heavy; much more weight than one person should lift (unless you are a bodybuilder). Flagstone is best used for pathways that are 3 to 4 feet wide or wider. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Flagstone steppers</span> are usually 12 to 20 inches in diameter. They are called steppers because they are of the size typically used in <span style="font-weight: bold;">stepping-stone paths</span>. One adult person can work comfortably with steppers. Steppers are best used for <span style="font-weight: bold;">narrow pathways</span>, ones 16 to 30 inches wide.<br /><br />Thickness of <span style="font-weight: bold;">flagstone</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">steppers</span> varies between a 1/2 inch to 4 inches. Stone 1/2 inch thick should be used only where it will be set in mortar. Flagstone and steppers 1 1/2 to 3 inches thick are considered standard sizes, and work well for both mortared and dry-laid paths.<br /><br />Types of flagstone and steppers include <span style="font-weight: bold;">limestone</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">sandstone</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">slate</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">quartzite</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">granite</span>. This gives you a wide range of prices, textures, and colors to work with. Depending on how the stone was quarried, surface texture of flagstone and steppers will vary from almost counter-top smooth to rocky mountain rough textures with surface variations around a 1/2 inch.<br /></div><br /></div></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-36828680980400114872008-01-11T07:03:00.000-08:002008-01-11T07:32:38.814-08:00Stone Pathways: Introduction (Part II)<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4eG63HOqAI/AAAAAAAAAEs/asOFT2KyGjw/s1600-h/stone_pathway1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154236644333627394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="208" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4eG63HOqAI/AAAAAAAAAEs/asOFT2KyGjw/s320/stone_pathway1.jpg" width="176" border="0" /></a> <strong>Secondary pathways</strong> lead out into the garden, either branching off from main pathways (like streets), or existing on their own. These paths can be narrower, with widths as little as 16 inches. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Why?</span> Because a narrow path slows walking to let visitors enjoy the view of your garden.<br /><br />When choosing pathway styles and materials, consider the materials on your home's exterior. Homes finished in brick, stone, stucco, wood, aluminum, or vinyl siding all have color. The color of the stone used when building a main pathway can match, complement, or contrast with the color of the home.<br /><br />The architectural style of the home is another important consideration. Sleek, mortared pathways of cut slate or bluestone will probably look weird leading to an older, cottage-style home. Nor will meandering paths of fieldstone of cobblestone match the mood created by a modern-style home.<br /><br />If you need some good starting points for deciding on what kind of pathways will look good, here are a few quick tips:<br /><ul><li><span style="color:#000099;">Flagstone has been a favorite material for paths. Plants grow between the stones, which help give it a rustic look.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000099;">Space stones along a stepping-stone path to allow a slow walking pace for guests.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000099;">Gravel paths are great for strolling through gardens. They are easy to install and to move as the garden changes. Consider this if you are a beginner.</span></li></ul><p><span style="color:#000000;">Now that you have been introduced and given a better explanation of how pathways work, and what they do for your home and garden, we'll get even more detailed with each specific type of pathway. </span></p>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-59330098489781290142008-01-10T08:42:00.000-08:002008-01-10T09:20:31.841-08:00Stone Pathways: Introduction (Part I)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Pathways will lead us somewhere. That is their sole purpose. When you are walking in the woods, you usually see a trail. When you walk outside, you have streets intertwining with one another, or even leading to a dead end with a trail into the woods. When you ski down a hill, you might see flags to show you where to go, because if you go elsewhere you might get hurt. These are all pathways, because they guide you.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4ZOSHHOp9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/3Pi0yiArWuo/s1600-h/stone_pathway.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4ZOSHHOp9I/AAAAAAAAAEU/3Pi0yiArWuo/s200/stone_pathway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153892896626091986" border="0" /></a>Pathways not only guide you from place to place, but they guide your eyes as well. When designing pathways, consider both the practical and aesthetic possibilities within your yard and garden. Depending on your taste, you might go for one or the other specifically.<br /><br />Make sure to start your design by laying out the main pathways. These paths are the routes leading to and from the house. Also ask yourself this question:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">"Where do I travel most in my yard?"<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you travel to your shed (if you have one), that might be an ideal place to have a pathway. But, the main pathways for most home owners lead from the street or sidewalk to the front door and also from the garage or driveway apron to the back or side door. If you want to see a good example, it's right outside your front door (literally). These pathways need to be the widest and easiest to walk on. Why? Because this is what you'll be walking on when you come home from grocery shopping or clothes shopping.<br /><br />A 4-foot-wide pathway allows two people to walk side-by-side very easily. Guests parking on the street or in the driveway and walking to the house will be appreciative of this. Pathways with smooth surfaces and few irregularities are best for guest entryways, but also can help if you are on a date or taking a walk with your spouse.<br /></span></span>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-64302463937525201672008-01-09T08:11:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:15:44.061-08:00Stone Landscaping: Stone Uses (Part II)<span style="color:#000099;">Hello, today we are going to finish up "</span><span style="color:#ff0000;">Stone Uses</span><span style="color:#000099;">". There are a few more different uses for stone in a garden. If you are into having nature at your door, or having an ancient-like appearance in your garden, read on. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Fountains/Water Bowls</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153512594451900322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4T0ZnHOp6I/AAAAAAAAAD8/PVxpNzqJzKY/s320/stonefountain.jpg" border="0" /><br />A manufactured stone fountain or a custom-built fountain of your own style can add an important element to your garden-the sound of water splashing. It gives that feeling of true nature. Just think of stone fountains as audible sculptures; any garden can be brought to new life by their presense.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Ruins</span></span> </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153515961706260402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="234" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4T3dnHOp7I/AAAAAAAAAEE/olp2P4V4gkc/s320/garden-ruin.jpg" width="255" border="0" /><br /></p><p>Even if you don't have a centuries-old stately manor or a castle, you can still have a stone ruin in your garden. Stone structures built to look like the remains of a stone wall or structure from centuries before, become a delightful surprise when visitors (friends/family) discover them in a garden.<br /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Water Features</span></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153518701895395266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4T59HHOp8I/AAAAAAAAAEM/EUS4nNlFCMA/s320/stone-water-feature.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="left">Pools, ponds, streams, and waterfalls bring a soothing sight and sound of water to a garden. It's a great visual as well, putting the mind at ease as you enjoy the beauty of nature (even though it's man-made nature). Water features give gardeners unlimited freedom to create magical, one-of-a-kind landscapes.</p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000099;">Now that you have an idea of what you can do with stone, our next blog will start getting into the nitty-gritty of stone landscaping. We'll be diving into stone pathways for the rest of this month. I know I've mentioned many other ways to use stone, but with so much information it's hard to cover everything at once. </span></p>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-10641377028665163272008-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:002008-01-08T09:02:26.463-08:00Stone Landscaping: Stones Uses (Part I)<span style="color:#000099;">Besides stone's use in pathways, walls, steps and patios, stone can be used for many other things in a garden. These are much smaller projects, but still can add new life and value to your garden. It'll also help people notice your plants better, because the stone will accent the plant. </span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Rock Gardens</span></span><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153140530024982370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4OiAnHOp2I/AAAAAAAAADc/BFrj2GV_VgY/s320/RockGarden.jpg" border="0" /><br />The rock gardens of today take many more forms than those of Victorian times. Early rock gardens were usually on sunny slopes and made to resemble windswept, natural outcroppings. Only true alpine plants were used. Today, rock gardens can be in any part of the garden, and can include any plants you desire.<br /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Outcroppings and Accents</span></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153142402630723458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4OjtnHOp4I/AAAAAAAAADs/t57LoON5fqM/s320/outcropping.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Outcroppings of boulders can carry the rugged, permanent presence of stone throughout the landscape. Make sure to arrange boulders carefully, so they appear to have been in place long before the house was built. This is one of the most appealing displays to the eye, and the most natural-looking.</p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Planter Boxes</span></span> </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153144520049600402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4Olo3HOp5I/AAAAAAAAAD0/yFZH8aou8lw/s320/Planter-Box.jpg" border="0" /><br />If you want a good stone landscaping idea, I got two words: planter boxes. You might want to consider building a long, narrow stone planter box along the edge of a patio (the one pictured above is built on a street corner, not really ideal for your needs). Or, you can have two matching boxes flank the entrance to the driveway or the sidewalk leading to the front door. Usually constructed of cut wallstone, planter boxes can be any shape or size.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Next blog will finish up stone uses. After stone uses, we start getting into the specifics of each of the possibilities we have covered. If you want to know what possibility will be covered, check back here tomorrow and I'll tell you. </span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-9145914285593455122008-01-07T14:59:00.000-08:002008-01-07T16:26:38.794-08:00Stone Landscaping: What are the Possibilities? (Part II)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Are there other possibilities for stone landscaping? Yes, since I only covered three, I will conclude the possibilities today. There are <span style="font-weight: bold;">three</span> more possibilities to arrange stone. There are more uses for stone, but we'll cover them next time. For now, let's discover the possibilities.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Patios and Outdoor Living Spaces<br /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4Kw93HOpzI/AAAAAAAAADE/M2NVHWUIiec/s1600-h/stone_patio.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4Kw93HOpzI/AAAAAAAAADE/M2NVHWUIiec/s320/stone_patio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152875500478048050" border="0" /></a><br />Your yard can become an extension to your own home when you develop outdoor "rooms" that define and showcase your family's way of life. Stone is great for creating a place for dinner when you have family and friends over. It's also great as an entertainment area, or a place to sit back and relax.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Container Spaces<br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4K00XHOp0I/AAAAAAAAADM/KgxfU6r-7hE/s1600-h/stone_container.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 216px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4K00XHOp0I/AAAAAAAAADM/KgxfU6r-7hE/s320/stone_container.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152879735315801922" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Stone is great for developing surfaces where you can put containers filled with plants. A pot of annuals set on a small gravel or flagstone floor with the garden bed can become a bright and colorful focal point. Stone pillars of different heights, topped with plant in containers, also provide great displays of a garden.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;">Garden Edging</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4K-23HOp1I/AAAAAAAAADU/E2Qw-JvvLPg/s1600-h/garden_edging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4K-23HOp1I/AAAAAAAAADU/E2Qw-JvvLPg/s320/garden_edging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152890773381752658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Any kind of stone can be used to edge garden beds (stone, brick, cement), implementing an extra dimension of color and texture. A garden bed edged with one course of fieldstone brings out a casual, country feel to its property. A raised bed edged with cut wallstone creates a more formal, urban look.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">That brings this part of <span style="font-weight: bold;">stone landscaping</span> to an end. This doesn't end our stone landscaping guides and tips though. For this entire month, we will be covering stone landscaping's potential for gardening and ponds. This is a great things for gardeners and pond keepers. We will dive into many topics with this category, so check back daily for more information on stone landscaping.</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-41010000977215495372008-01-06T10:16:00.000-08:002008-01-06T11:57:17.317-08:00Stone Landscaping: What are the Possibilities? (Part I)<span style="color:#000099;">Choices, choices, and more choices. When it comes to choosing how to use something, you might not think of every creative way to use something. When it comes to stone landscaping, there are a lot of ways to use stone. With some planning and hard work, you will have a scenary that will catch anyone's eye. And even with every category of stone landscaping, there is even more variety. The only limitation is what your mind can think up.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152446231381714722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4EqjHHOpyI/AAAAAAAAAC8/lCCujShjUh4/s320/pathway1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Stone Pathways</span></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Stone pathways can be constructed in many ways, each with a different look and style reflecting the artistry of the person who put it together. Pathways serve the purpose of providing a route through the garden to any visitors. The look, size, and style of a stone pathway is an important landscape accent, and can be considered a part of the garden itself. </span></div></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152438801088292610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4EjynHOpwI/AAAAAAAAACs/DwgGPEf_5WM/s320/Stonewall1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="BACKGROUND: #000">Stone Walls</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Not many features in a home garden can not match the charm and ageless appeal of a stone wall (look at the great wall </span><span style="color:#000000;">of china, and historical landmarks all over the world). There is something about stone walls that appeal to us: their strength and permanence (it's stone and cement, only a bulldozer or a giant can knock those down). And guess what? Building a stone wall is not difficult at all (look to future blogs for information on building them).</span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></span></span> </div><p><br /><br /><br /> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152444504804861714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="238" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R4Eo-nHOpxI/AAAAAAAAAC0/XuvGt9GPNTY/s320/stonesteps1.jpg" width="248" border="0" /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="BACKGROUND: #000000">Stone Steps & Staircases</span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;">Stone steps & staircases combine a simple purpose with a strong visual presence to add eye-catching beauty to your home garden/landscape (however you prefer to call it). Two or three single steps along a gradually rising pathway bring a visitor's eyes downward. If you have plants that you would like a visitor to notice, put them right along the sides of the steps (see picture above). A more formal, cut-stone staircase leading to a home's front door is something people normally do. If you design it well, people might feel like they are getting a red carpet treatment or entering a fancy home (as long as you keep the house clean!). Simple design ideas can bring beauty to any home. This is just one way. </span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span> </p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000099;">Next time, we will finish up with the possibilities of stone. Then, we will dive into stone uses. </span></span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"But, wait! Aren't these possibilities stone uses?"</span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#000099;">Yes, they are, in fact, ways to use stone. But, you can get more specific with ways to use stone. These are big projects to build around a garden. There are other ways to use stones. How so? Tune back here this week and I'll tell you. </span></p></span><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-73570161548593706582008-01-04T10:06:00.000-08:002008-01-04T11:05:23.086-08:00Stone Landscaping: What is it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R358_XHOpsI/AAAAAAAAACM/7fIQ_FAwxXA/s1600-h/landstone1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R358_XHOpsI/AAAAAAAAACM/7fIQ_FAwxXA/s320/landstone1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151692451736364738" border="0" /></a><br />When you are in the wilderness, you might see a real pond, river, or lake. These weren't built by man, nature created these designs. Nature has ways of telling us the great ideas and things we can do with our own garden. Do you see the picture? It shows stones and a waterfall going into nature's pond. Well, who says you can't have that on your lawn. If you have a lawn, then it might be very possible to have a similar (but more modern) look as this picture shows. Or, possibly something better.<br /><br />No material used in the creation of landscapes can equally match up to the versatility, impact, and power of stone. Putting stones into your garden design opens a door to infinite design possibilities. That is because no two stones walls, pathways, or patios can look exactly the same. Why? Well, no two stones or slabs look the same. If you do happen to have two or more stone walls that look the same, you would probably be a good candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records.<br /><br />Large, jagged stone outcroppings may gather more interest than the trees or plants they accent, while a gravel pathway may go unnoticed by the visitors moving along it. When stone is cut, chiseled, stacked, or fitted into a landscape design, it showcases how skill and artistry can blend together to create personal, artful masterpieces (with a nature-like quality of course) to your landscape/garden.<br /><br />If you see a stone and think, "They are just rocks, how can I use them in a garden?", you'll soon discover that those "rocks" can make objects and arrangements that will take your landscape/garden to a new level of beauty and elegance.<br /><br />So, what are the possibilities? How can they be arranged, and to look like what? If you think they were good for "stonehedges" or "cavemen", then in our next blog we will open your eyes to real possibilities. Tune in next time for more information and ideas for your garden, involving stones.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R36C8nHOpuI/AAAAAAAAACc/DU3blCs-rRQ/s1600-h/stonelandscape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 199px;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R36C8nHOpuI/AAAAAAAAACc/DU3blCs-rRQ/s320/stonelandscape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151699001561491170" border="0" /></a>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-90810256485635740942008-01-03T04:29:00.000-08:002008-01-03T05:43:08.187-08:00Koi Food: Fads/Trends & How Winter makes Fish Slim (Part 4)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3zWYHHOpqI/AAAAAAAAAB8/rDyZEcd4H-s/s1600-h/koi3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3zWYHHOpqI/AAAAAAAAAB8/rDyZEcd4H-s/s320/koi3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151227783519577762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This last blog of this multi-blog series discusses two last topics with koi food. We will be discussing food fads & trends, and also how winter can help your fish.</span><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Fads/Trends</u><br /></div><br />There have been fads for koi food, some which have been proven, and others that provided little nutritional value for fish. Let's take a look at a few popular ones.<br /><br />One fad to come along was vitamin C. It was praised by food manufacturers, and was put <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3zZQ3HOprI/AAAAAAAAACE/diz5HR5gVOo/s1600-h/Orange.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 29px; height: 29px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3zZQ3HOprI/AAAAAAAAACE/diz5HR5gVOo/s200/Orange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151230957500409522" border="0" /></a>into every type of fish food. It eventually lost its appeal after being on the market for a while, but made a comeback when stabilized vitamin C was introduced.<br /><br />Later on, color additives started to become popular. They are still used today, but have decreased in popularity and usage after researchers found that too many additives caused undesirable pinks and whites in koi.<br /><br />Other fads that came around were high protein (read past posts about how much protein a koi really needs), and additives to boost the fish's immune system. Supplements also hit the market such as bugs (protein), shellfish (skin health), and garlic (encourages appetite).<br /><br />One of the fads going on today (or possibly yesterday), is saki (for digestion). Saki can be found in Hikari-saki food.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Winter Weight Loss For Fish</u><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's been observed that fish down south are more obese than fish up north, but why? Well, because fish have a chance to burn up the fat they gain during the fall. But, southern states have shorter winters than the north, so the fish down south don't burn off as much fat.<br /><br />A lot of veteran pond owners warn not to overfeed fish. But, this is in the hands of the owner of the fish. Just remember, fish don't need much food because they expend very little energy to sustain life.<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Well, this concludes our blog on "koi food". Our next blog will start diving into gardening. We don't call ourselves "Ornamental Pond & Garden Experts" for nothing. Tune in tomorrow for more information on your pond and gardening needs.</span><br /></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-40118063459744602332008-01-01T13:51:00.000-08:002008-01-03T05:44:01.945-08:00Koi Food: Filter & Weather Influence on Feeding (Part 3)<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Our next topic in this multi-blog series is how the filter and the weather can influence how you feed your fish. Let's start with your filtration system (if you don't have one in your pond, now is the time to invest in one). After that, we show you how to feed according to the current weather.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />All pond owners (with fish of course) know that the type of filter, and the number of fish in any pond, determines how much you should feed each day. The filter's performance and resulting water quality can show if you are feeding too much. Make sure to watch your water, because that indicates if you feed too much or if there is too much waste.<br /><br />Some fish foods put a higher organic load on filtration systems (no matter how good or bad the filter is), which include extremely high protein foods. A safe protein amount to stick to in fish food is 36 percent, since it gives less load on the filter and a good amount of protein for fish. You can go higher, but fish can only digest protein up to a certain point.<br /><br />Fish digest protein and release ammonia, which is eaten by pond bacteria and converted into nitrites. Filters will convert nitrites into nitrates (a less harmful form of nitrite). But, if too much ammonia is released, and the filtration system is overloaded with work, your koi or other pond fish will become ill.<br /><br />What you can do is add a better filtration system or upgrade your current one (if possible), or adjust the food amount and type of food you give to your fish.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">-------------------------------------------<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Water temperature <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">can provide a better feeding guide than the actual seasons for beginning pond owners. Some pond owners change the feeding procedures for every five degrees of temperature. It is also good not to feed koi fish when the water is constantly 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.<br /><br />Here is a chart you can follow, as an example for feeding procedures. But, do some research and experiment to see what results work best for you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">50 degrees or below:</span> Don't feed<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">50 to 55 degrees:</span> Wheat Germ only, no Food Pellets<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">55 to 60 degrees:</span> Wheat Germ and Food Pellets<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">60 to 70 degrees:</span> feed three times a day<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">70 to 75 degrees:</span> feed four times a day<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Over 75 degrees:</span> five to six times a day, and supplements (watermelon, oranges, grapefruit, freeze-dried krill, etc)<br /><br />Food shouldn't be given at low temperatures, some pond owners will even cut off food supply at 55 degrees or below. This is because a fish is a cold-blooded creature, and their body moves with the water, and it can slow or speed up their circulation (depending on the temperature). The bacteria in fish slows down, and if they are fed in colder climates, food will not digest fast enough and could causes diseases (such as ulcers).<br /><br />Wheat germ is good to feed in these colder temperatures because it digest easier (it's plant protein). But, koi don't usually need food in winter, since they don't need to maintain a body temperature. So, you can get away with not feeding anything to fish in low temperatures.<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Our next blog is going to finish up this series with information on koi food fads and trends, and speak about how the winter can help keep koi trim. After this series, we are going to take a break from ponds and help you out with gardening. Then, we will look to answer some questions concerning goldfish. Feel free to drop off comments with any questions, and we'll consider using your questions in future blogs.</span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-24777853826818676742007-12-29T12:32:00.000-08:002007-12-31T13:37:31.869-08:00Koi Food: Pellet Diversity & Fresh Fish Food (Part 2)<div align="left"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3lEkXHOppI/AAAAAAAAAB0/PLN0_04vMUA/s1600-h/koifood.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150223040345187986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3lEkXHOppI/AAAAAAAAAB0/PLN0_04vMUA/s320/koifood.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Welcome back! We last left off discussing how a fish is made up biologically and what nutrition they need to stay healthy. Next, we go more in-depth with food pellets and why you should buy fresh, dry fish food.</span><br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>Pellet Diversity</u></span></div><br /><div align="left">Food pellets come in a variety of packages, sizes, and contain different ingredients. Well, which variety and brand is right for your specific "koi"? Is it really the right food, or just hype with pretty packaging? With so many types of pellets to choose from, a few guidelines can help you pick the right food for your "koi".</div><br />Pond owners don't agree on the percentage of protein content that is best for their specific fish. But, the one thing every serious pond owner does agree on is reading labels and buying fresh food. It's very important you do this, so you know what you are getting.<br /><br />Federal regulations set standards for what can be used in animal feeds. If a package of feed is labeled as koi food, goldfish food or koi and goldfish food, it has to be a complete diet, and federal standards must be met.<br /><br />But, even with this in mind, all pellets are diverse. Some foods are processed better and contain fewer fillers (chemicals, additives not necessary for nutrition). Make sure to read the ingredient label on any fish food you buy.<br /><br />Even though food labels break down ingredients by a percentage of proteins, the types of proteins in fish food is very important. A balance of amino acids produces the necessary muscle growth fish need. The wrong combination of amino acids produces <span style="color:#ff0000;">excess waste</span> and <span style="color:#ff0000;">high ammonia</span> levels in ponds.<br /><br />Even though packages don't usually show their amino acid composition, koi owners should look for two essential amino acids: <span style="color:#ff0000;">methionine</span> & <span style="color:#ff0000;">cystine</span>. Also look for <span style="color:#ff0000;">Alaskan pollack</span>, which is considered the highest-quality fish meal protein out there. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Oily herring</span> is another important protein, and considered the second-best fish meal protein out there. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Herring</span>, <span style="color:#ff0000;">anchovy</span> and <span style="color:#ff0000;">menhaden</span> fish food all contain a higher percentage of protein than <span style="color:#ff0000;">white</span> fish food because they come from whole fish. Herring fish food has 72% protein, the highest of all four.<br /><br />Pond owners must also choose from foods that <span style="color:#ff0000;">sink</span> or <span style="color:#ff0000;">float</span>. Yes, even that is a factor in how you choose your fish food. There are pros to both. Sinking food is good because it naturally goes to the bottom-feeding fish. Floating food allows you to see your koi's state of health (you can look for ulcers and scale damage on their surface - just as long as you keep your pond clean! Refer to previous posts for more information on that).<br /><br />Also, keep in mind that the price you pay for food, does <span style="color:#ff0000;">not</span> define how quality of a food it is. Rating the ingredients between fish foods is the best way of choosing the best quality food at the best money value. One ingredient to avoid in any fish food is <span style="color:#ff0000;">corn</span>. Corn might be good for humans, and is used in many animal feeds (chickens), but it's too high in starch and provides almost no nutritional value for fish. So, try to avoid corn unless you are raising chickens.<br /><br />The purpose for buying fish food is also a factor. The reason for buying fish food (despite keeping your fish alive of course) is something to keep in mind when purchasing. There is food for maintaining your fish's current health, food for quicker growth, food for bulking up fish, or food for adding more color to the fish's skin. So, make sure you know "what" you are buying the food for specifically.<br /></div><p align="center"><u>Buying Fresh, Dry Food</u></p><p>After you found the right fish food for your particular fish (whether it be koi or goldfish or whatever fish you have in your pond), making sure the food is kept fresh is your next step in proper fish nutrition. Try to keep your food supply around a 3 month cycle. Every 3 months, you buy the amount of fish food you need to last those 3 months. </p><p>Finding a distributor who does a lot of business, is a guarantee that the food they have isn't old , and close to expiration. Also, find out if your dealer stores their fish food in a refrigerated area. This will keep fish food fresh, for longer periods of time. If not, as long as the food is fresh, you are in the clear.</p><p>It's rare for fish food being sold to be expired, but check anyway (remember, it's your money). Try to go for vacuum-sealed packages and heat-processed foods. These packages will have food that degrades slower, and they usually contain the best vitamin and mineral values.<br /><br />All pond owners should keep food in a cool, dry place. They should have their food placed in airtight containers, because fatty acids in food pellets can go bad if exposed to air.<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<span style="color:#000099;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#000099;">Our next blog will continue this multi-blog series, with information on how your filter can be an influence on food load. We will also discuss feeding procedures to follow during different seasons. Until next time.....</span></p>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-33223066635335910872007-12-26T14:53:00.000-08:002007-12-26T15:57:51.225-08:00Koi Food: Proper Nutrition & The Biology Behind It (Part 1)<u></u><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3LdRHHOpoI/AAAAAAAAABs/5a0S9VrI_yc/s1600-h/koi1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148420610074781314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R3LdRHHOpoI/AAAAAAAAABs/5a0S9VrI_yc/s320/koi1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000099;">The above picture is a picture of your typical "<span style="color:#990000;">koi</span>" fish. I used this picture as an example, being that a beginning hobbyist might not know what a koi looks like. I'll have more pictures of the fish I am using for this multipart blog. I could discuss history, anatomy, or how to raise a prize koi. But, I am sure you are just a home owner, who wants to keep things simple.<br /><br />So, what is one thing you need to know about "<span style="color:#990000;">koi</span>"? Well, you need to know how to feed them. You think something like that would be very simple. But, it's a broad subject that needs to be thought out. Or else, you might have to do trial and error and find what helps your fish and what doesn't. To be honest, I would prefer you know "koi" fish food basics.</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><u>Biology of a "Fish"</u></div><br /><div align="left">All pond owners who have "koi" should know some basics about fish biology. Well, consider this "Fish Biology 101". If you know how the fish digestive system works and the nutritional needs of fish, you'll know what fish food is good for the fish and what is just a marketing ploy. </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">When a koi eats a pellet (the way fish food is produced, pretty self-explanatory), the food is first met by the fish's pharyngeal teeth (the fish's teeth, which is attached to the jaw). The teeth crush the food, and pass it from the esophagus right to the intestines. Koi fish don't have stomachs, unlike humans and many mammals. The intestines of a koi fish are four to fives times the length of the fish, and handle most of the food digestion.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Since koi are cold-blooded fish, their body temperature reflects their environment. When winter comes, all of the koi's body processes (circulation, digestion, and growth) slow down greatly. Keep this in mind when feeding koi fish in the winter. </div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><u>Proper Fish Nutrition</u></div><br /><div align="left"></div>In the wild, a koi fish eats plants, seeds, insects, and eggs. In a nutshell, whatever it can find that's beneficial, it eats. Well, unfortunately, your pond isn't comparable to the wild when it comes to nature's food. When keeping your homemade pond in tip-top shape, you have the challenge of finding fish food and supplements to replace all of these natural foods.<br /><br />See what I mean? Wasn't as easy as you thought.<br /><br />Well, thanks to science, humans have discovered what a koi needs to survive. In nutrition terms, kois need 10 essential amino acids (this makes up 25% to 50% of their diet). Fats should make up 12% of their diet. It's prefered to use unsaturated fats, because saturated fats (sucrose, lactose, starch, etc) are hard for koi fish to digest. Even though koi can naturally produce most of the fatty acids that they need, linolenic acids (they sell this as a supplement online, or in pet stores) that are necessary for growth, need to be provided in food (or in this case, pill) form.<br /><br />20% of the koi diet should consists of carbohydrates. Even though this is a primary source of energy, too many carbs can cause fatal levels of blood sugar in koi fish. You can find carbohydrates in pellet form or in koi fish food. But, make sure you check the nutritional facts first on whatever food you see for koi.<br /><br />As for fiber, it has been found not to be essential to most pond fish. But, many koi specialists say "wheat germ" supplements are great for koi fish in the winter. This is an added tip to keep in mind. Who knows? Maybe you'll build that prize fish without even realizing it.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Next time, we'll go more in-depth with food pellets, and what type of fish food to get from the pet store. I'll have the blog up within a few days, so if you are deciding to get koi or have koi...be patient. This information should be considered a stepping stone. It helps to do research and ask other experts in the koi field what type of koi fish food to get. But, consider this for your blue print.</span>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-26666174947002415462007-12-17T11:33:00.000-08:002007-12-17T12:25:49.036-08:00Water Plant FAQ For Beginning Pond Enthusiasts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R2bPenHOpnI/AAAAAAAAABk/IuxxQ3493L4/s1600-h/waterplant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R2bPenHOpnI/AAAAAAAAABk/IuxxQ3493L4/s320/waterplant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145027749119698546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Question #1: </span><span>I have put some water plants in my pond, but when am I supposed to fertilize them? What can I use to fertilize them? Help!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Answer #1: </span>Your water plants should get their first dose of fertilizer in the spring. The exact time to start fertilization would be when your water plants start to sprout. A majority of water plants do well with consistent monthly feeding, with biweekly fertilizing in July and August (around the same time you are tanning in the sun). Stop Fertilization a month before winter in your area.<br /><br />You can use any general plant fertilizer for water plants. The only problem you should be concerned about is how to get the fertilizer to the plant without turning your pond green. Algae feeds on fertilizer. How can you combat against this problem?<br /><br />Easy!<br /><br />Just use a fertilizer in tablet form. Be sure to push it into the soil and cover up whatever hole you create with more soil. This will prevent the fertilizer from dissolving and releasing its nutrients back into your pond.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Question #2:</span> What is the best waterlily to grow in a container pond? I need to know!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Answer #2:</span> A container pond is small, only taking up about 3 or 4 feet of space. It also gets warm in the summer. So, to have waterlillies that will function properly in this type of pond, you need ones that will stay compact and can tolerate warmer water.<br /><br />Miniature waterlilies are the most suitable candidate for these types of ponds. These waterlilies are very small, only being a few inches wide. Miniature waterlilies include 'Laydekeri Rosea', 'Joanne Pring', 'Helvola' and others.<br /><br />Small hardies can grow real nicely in container ponds. These flowers can range from 4 to 5 inches in width. Hardies include 'Walter Pagels', 'Perry's Baby Red', 'Little Sue' and others.<br /><br />Tropical lilies like 'Dauben' are great for container ponds as well.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Question #3: </span>Is it really necessary to have water plants in my pond?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Answer #3: </span>The answer depends on what you want to get out of your pond. If it's a large fountain that is used for giving the birds a bath or splashing water, forget about water plants entirely. If you have a large koi pond, water plants might distract viewers from seeing your beautiful and expensive fish. If you want a pond that imitates ponds found in nature, water plants are a must.<br /><br />Water plants add color to a pond. They also provide shade, keeping the pond cool in the summer and protect the fish you have in your pond (even the expensive prize koi). They also help reduce the amount of algae that can grow in your pond.<br /><br />Some plants filter the water, such as <u>water parsley</u>. Certain grasses and sedges are good for fighting against pond algae (remember an earlier blog mentioning how plants can battle algae), like umbrella grass, cattails, soft rushes and others.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Look out for more Water Plant FAQs in the future. Until next time....</span></span></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></span></span></div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-4122564618722999442007-12-10T15:24:00.000-08:002007-12-10T16:05:06.855-08:00The Fight against Pond Algae (Part 2: The Solution) - Aeration & Testing The Waters<div align="center"><span style="color:#cc0000;">Welcome back, it's been some time. This is the last part of our "Fight against Pond Algae" series. It's been a long road, with a lot of information, but our journey comes to a close with two final ways to kill pond scum. </span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><u>AERATION</u></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Since algae needs oxygen to survive, as well as fish, the fight for oxygen can give your fish more of a struggle surviving (aside from grabbing their fish food before the other fish does). But, increasing oxygen through aeration can give your fish that oxygen supply it needs. </div><div align="left">Aeration allows the water to move continuously, which disrupts algae growth and dead spots that refuse to go through your filtration system. Also, when oxygen levels are down, your filtration goes down. Air pumps, water movement (like water falls), and diffusers (air domes) help give your pond optimum oxidization. </div><div align="left">Another helpful way to increase oxygen levels is to replace 10% of your entire water supply in the pond on a weekly basis. This will get rid of pond bacteria and fish pheromones (which will reduce the growth of your koi - ouch!). The more pond bacteria and pheromones your fish are exposed to, the more likely they'll get sick. And they can't get well when they are sick and surrounded by pond waste. Imagine you get sick and instead of being brought to a hospital, you are left in an alley way that's filled with garbage and rats. Take these tips into consideration, and everyone will be calling you "Fish Doctor". </div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong><u></u></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><u>Testing The Waters</u></strong> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Our last part is one of the most important things to consider, and without doing this you are making your pond build up into that dirty alleyway I just mentioned. That is to test, test and test!! Test the water in your pond!</div><div align="left">Your pond needs balance to be healthy. When a pond is out of balance, it helps pond algae grow and kills fish. Many pond enthusiasts test their water regularly (once a week at least) for nitrate, oxygen and pH levels. You should also test your pond temperature. Results of these tests can give you warnings of filter problems, overfeeding, or high ammonia (from fish waste - result of overfeeding). </div><div align="left">You can also use herbicides and algaecides as a way of stabilizing your pond. But, you should know how these chemicals work and what effects they will have on your fish. Check out forums and fish community boards for information on what herbicides and algaecides are good to use. Also, do a google search and research products before buying them. Ask questions to the vendors, because the use of these chemicals does require some knowledge beforehand. Trial and error can cost you hundreds that could have been saved with a few minutes of reading. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#663366;">Well, I hope this long guide has helped. If you follow these tips, you will eventually have a pond that never gets dirty and pond algae becomes a distant memory.</span> </div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-20574395692435750032007-12-05T10:17:00.000-08:002007-12-05T11:02:29.972-08:00The Fight against Pond Algae (Part 2: The Solution) - Fish N' Plants<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R1bszflf4SI/AAAAAAAAABc/548XcgOqxDo/s1600-h/clipart_animals_fish_024.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140556394086261026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R1bszflf4SI/AAAAAAAAABc/548XcgOqxDo/s320/clipart_animals_fish_024.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We left off our last blog discussing ways to get rid of pond algae. I mentioned two ways to get rid of pond algae, that you probably already have in your pond or should have. What could those two things be? This should be easy to guess (hint: It's in the title). Give up?<br /><br />The answer: Fish & Plants<br /><br />Now, you might be thinking, "Doesn't pond algae make fish sick and kill them?"<br /><br />Yes, if pond algae builds up and isn't taken care of, it will kill your fish eventually. But, the formula works two ways. Fish can eat up algae. The best type of fish to get the job done would be koi fish. Having one or two of these bad boys can do your pond some good, just as long as they play nice with the other fish. Make sure you don't have fish too small with your bigger kois, or your koi fish might perform a disappearing act on your small fry.<br /><br />The stocking rate for fish should be 250 gallons per fish. This can depend on the size of the fish. Our pond has a koi and two catfish, along with other cold water fish (maybe 10 altogether) and it's only 500 gallons. So, this figure can be broken and some people might break it to give their fish a fighting chance against algae. Ether that, or they just like to have a lot of fish in their pond despite the size. For bigger ponds, you might see a couple dozen koi in one pond. Algae will dare not infect your pond when your numbers are that high.<br /><br />Another quick tip: Watch how you feed your fish. Overfeeding can be an issue when it comes to pond algae. The waste a fish produces from the food you feed it helps to fertilize pond algae. But, high quality fish food produces less fish waste. So, if you are looking to save a few dollars by getting cheap fish food, think again. If you buy a puppy, you want it to grow up good, so you buy it good dog food. Whatever will best accustom to your fish is the safest way to go. If you are a little short on cash, but a small supply of lower quality fish food, until you can afford the good stuff. Or, get the second best type of fish food.<br /><br />We also brought in plants as a factor in eliminating pond algae. Plants can shade a pond to take up the space pond algae uses in order to grow. They can also provide shade for the fish. the only drawback with plants is that they produce oxygen during the day, but consume oxygen from your pond at night. The one positive thing about plants is that they balance nitrate levels.<br /><br />Another small drawback is your plant will decay and drop leaves into your pond, which will put more workload on your pond filter. One thing to keep in mind with filtration is that it can't be overloaded with decayed plant matter or it will crash and burn on you down the road. If you design your pond well, plants can be a great help. But, plants shouldn't be put into a pond just for show. Do some research and decide what plants and how many you want in your pond. It could be your saving grace, or your worst enemy.<br /><br />The last blog in this pond algae topic will cover the last two factors in fight against pond algae. Find out what they are by checking back soon.<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/claim/jmz5f3znsh" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-47392699560497852492007-11-27T18:06:00.000-08:002007-11-27T19:48:58.731-08:00The Fight Against Pond Algae (Part 2: The Solution) - Filtration101<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0zOak5J-ZI/AAAAAAAAABU/Mm8LsszdVHA/s1600-h/clearwater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0zOak5J-ZI/AAAAAAAAABU/Mm8LsszdVHA/s320/clearwater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137708230898219410" /></a><br /><br /><br />Welcome back and sorry for the wait. We last discussed Pond Algae, and why it's a problem as far as ponds go. Well, how do you go about getting rid of this pond scum?<br /><br />You can ask yourself one thing for starters:<br /><br /><b>"How is my pond filtration system?"</b><br /><br />Can you consider your pond filter great, the best, decent, okay? If you don't know how good or bad your pond filter is, or don't have a pond filter (I highly doubt this), then you might have found one of the culprits to your green pond problem. <br /><br />Filtration is a key element in keeping a pond clean. The quality of the filter will reflect the water quality of your pond. <br /><br /><u>Keep in mind two things with your pond filter</u>:<br />A. The Filter Size<br />B. Turnover Rate<br /><br />Now, to figure out the size filter you need for your pond, you have to do some calculations. You can calculate by pond volume, or surface area. <br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />To calculate total pond value, you must find the area and then multiply the area by 7.5 to get the gallons. This can be tricky because of different pond shapes. <br /><br /><u>Rectangle/square</u>: length x width x depth x 7.5<br /><br /><u>Oval</u>: Measure from center to most farthest edge, then center to the closest edge. Multiply the two values together, and then multiply the total by 3.14 (pie). Once you get the area, multiply that by 7.5<br /><br /><u>Circle</u>: Measure the radius (length in feet from center of edge), and then multiply the radius by itself, and then by 3.14. Multiply the result by 7.5<br /><br /><u>Abstract, Oddball Shapes, and Oblong</u>: Break abstract and irregular shapes into simpler units, and then calculate the area of each and multiply the total by 7.5. Or, multiply the maximum length by the maximum width, and multiply it by 7.5. <br /><br />*For <b>oblong</b>, break the pond into a square and two half circles. Calculate the area of the square, and then make the two half circles one and find its area. Add the two results together, and times it by 7.5.<br /><br />You can also figure out the surface area of a pond, use the same formulas to find the area of the pond. Since it is recommended to get a filter 1/3 the size of the total surface area, divide your areas by 9. So, for example, a rectangle formula would be:<br /><br />length x width ÷ 9<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Now, we have <b>turnover rate</b>. But, what is turnover rate? Well, turnover rate is the rate at which your total pond volume is circulated through your pond filter system. If you have a bio filter, this is very important.....<br /><br />"A who-sa what filter?" <br /><br />If you scratching your head at the type of pond filters that are out that, then here is a small breakdown.<br /><br />1. Bio-pond filters (uses bacteria to breakdown waste)<br />2. Mechanical pond filters (uses filtering mechanism to trap particles for later disposal)<br />3. Pressurized pond filters (force going into filter and out of filter are equal)<br /><br />Some filtration systems combine both bio and mechanical elements to make a "super filter". Check your nearest pond dealer, or online store to see what is out there.<br /><br />Our next blog continues the fight against dreaded pond algae. There are other ways to keep the pond clean. Some of these pond algae killers are ones you might already have in your pond and not even know it. What are they? Tune in next time to find out.PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-77164509243691128672007-11-20T18:42:00.001-08:002007-11-21T04:05:03.061-08:00The Fight against Pond Algae (Part 1: The Problem)<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0QZrk5J-YI/AAAAAAAAABM/PUHPG8vsbqo/s1600-h/bluegreenalgae1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0QZrk5J-YI/AAAAAAAAABM/PUHPG8vsbqo/s320/bluegreenalgae1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135257711537682818" /></a><br /><br /><br />There are over 5,500 species of green algae that can manifest itself in fresh pond water (well, water in general that is subjected to the outdoors). Spring and summer time is the worst season for green algae, because it gives algae everything it needs to harvest at a fast rate. <br /><br />Why is that? Well, because a plant needs three basic ingredients to grow: sunlight, nutrients, and oxygen. During spring and summer, it gets all of these to its roots desire. Algae can come in single-celled or multi-celled forms. Single-celled algae (phytoplankton) is 15 microns. Multi-celled Algae can grow up to 5 feet and form blanket weed. Blanket weed can grow up to a foot a day under nice sunny conditions. <br /><br />Some of your experienced pond contractors will refer to this spring time problem as "New Pond Syndrome". What this means is that when spring comes and your pond is up and running (with filtration working), you will get green water. In the winter, a lot of people will shut off their filters because of the weather conditions. When spring comes, the filters are running full speed. But, since the winter produces fish waste and pond scum, the pond filter has to play catch-up.<br /><br />The problem with algae is that it produces oxygen during the daytime, but feeds on oxygen at night. So, when night time comes, your fish are losing their oxygen supply. Also, the fact that a pond looks disgusting with green water (see picture above), and you can't see the fish! <br /><br />There are solutions to the problem. Keeping a pond's water balanced and free of unwanted algae takes a lot of work, but the end result is a clean and beautiful looking pond. If you came this far to put in a pond, get fish, and put in a fultration system, pond maintenance should be your last (and longest lasting) priority. Our next blog will discuss solutions to the green pond monster.PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-42500831850599927892007-11-18T18:02:00.000-08:002007-11-19T04:32:27.136-08:00Garden Islands: Great Home for Plants and Ponds<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0Dw305J-XI/AAAAAAAAABA/lv0rOCOSQjc/s1600-h/islands1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/R0Dw305J-XI/AAAAAAAAABA/lv0rOCOSQjc/s320/islands1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134368417084209522" /></a><br /><br /> A Garden Island is a good way to define an area in your yard. Let’s say you have an undeveloped area in your yard and want to create a garden island there, you simply put markers three or four feet away from the adjacent planting in that area. Now, you use a hose to make a design pattern. The design should be free handed and look pleasing to the eye, keep it free flowing. Use the other plantings that border the garden island you’re creating, to give you a lay-out pattern. <br /><br />Your design will flow parallel and evenly spaced to the adjacent plantings in that area. If your yard is undeveloped, a good place to start is the center of the yard. Now create a pattern you like and a size you can handle. Later you can create other garden islands off the first one and keep on going, forming a puzzle or paisley effect, creating walkways between all the garden islands. Later you can view pictures of Garden Islands, on my web site, but for now let’s talk about construction.<br /> <br /><strong>Garden Island construction</strong>: you want to define your garden island with a bordering material. There are many items you can choose from, such as rocks, boulders, edging materials, bricks, patio blocks, pavers, cut railroad ties, cut landscape ties, and my favorite, retaining wall blocks (RWB). We will use RWB for our project. RWB can be stacked, shaped, graded or just follow the lay of the land, easily creating the desired look you want. We will do a free form, two blocks high following the lay of the land. Pick your location; use your garden hose to create the design you want. <br /><br />If there is grass, remove all the grass in your design and rake the area smooth. This will give you a good base to start laying your RWB. Now start laying down blocks next to each other, keeping all the blocks at the same height, nice and smooth. When the first row is finished, start your second row. The last block of the second row will have to be cut, because as you add rows, the perimeter will get smaller (a cone effect). Simply measure what size block you need to fill the gap, and score it with a stone chisel by hammering the block, creating a groove around the block until it separates. Now insert the cut block, and then check your perimeter for eye appeal, making sure all the blocks are the same height, nice and smooth. We are now ready to add soil and amendments to you raised Garden Island. <br /><br /><strong>Adding Amendments</strong>: The soil, whether a clay or sandy loam, should have peat moss, bone meal and a good plant fertilizer, such as Planttone added. The amount varies on the condition of the soil. The best solution is to read the manufacturers directions. Now we are ready to plant.<br /><br /><strong>Plantings</strong>: A good rule of thumb is to plant in groups of three. I would take one deciduous three like a Japanese maple, and two different types of juniper topiaries. This should be the base of your island. The rest of the plantings can be ground cover, perennials and annuals for color. Now let’s address accessories.<br /><br /><strong>Accessories</strong>: There are many accessories to choose from and that is up to the individual’s taste. It could be a bird bath or Large to medium size rocks placed strategically in the landscape, maybe a statue or ornament, like a gazing ball. The choices are endless and fun, it’s like the cherry on the Sunday. Next time we will talk about water features in the Garden Islands.PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-30134027211034694902007-11-17T09:22:00.000-08:002007-11-17T09:35:05.290-08:00The Fish Factor: Goldfish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/Rz8ko05J-WI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ZxadlI87r1A/s1600-h/clipart_animals_fish_008.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/Rz8ko05J-WI/AAAAAAAAAA0/ZxadlI87r1A/s320/clipart_animals_fish_008.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133862384037394786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A pond is not complete without fish to occupy it. Whether it's a pond built by man or Mother Nature, most ponds contain fish. Choosing what kind of fish you put in your pond depends on how much you want to spend, the size of the pond, and your personal preferences. Let's look at pricing first. Pricing can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, and that can be for just one fish! Let's have a small breakdown on the type of fish you can get for your pond.<br /><br />There are many types of fish you can put in a pond. Let's first start with goldfish. Goldfish are considered fresh water fish, which means you don't need salt in your pond for them to survive. Now, there are several types of goldfish, with prices that might range. Let's look at a few different types of goldfish:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Comets</b></span><br /></div><br />You have large red and white comets, which might cost around $10.00. They are around 4" in size. There are also Shubunkin Pond Comets, which can cost around $10.00 and range from 3.5" to 4". Comets are the least expensive fish for ponds, and won't damage your plants. They grow about double their original size (around 6" to 8"). They can be mixed with your koi fish, but there are other fish you can put in their as well. We have catfish and koi in our pond.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Fantails</b></span><br /></div><br />Fantails are the least aggressive of pond fish, and are considered delicate. This is a good pond fish for beginners, being that they can survive in extremely cold climates. These fish can cost around a few bucks, since they are smaller in size compared to comets. These fish are around 2.5" to 3", and grow no longer than 6".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Black Moors</b></span><br /></div><br />Black moors, like fantails, are considered pond fish for beginners because of their survival in extremely cold climates. This makes it safe to keep them in an outdoor pond.<br />Prices can range from $10.00 to $20.00 depending on the size you buy it at. They range from 2" to 4". They won't grow more than 4" though.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Orandas</b></span><br /></div><br />These fish are very delicate and have a hood that can be subjected to infection from bacteria or fungi that settles within. They are not recommended for beginners, and pricing can range from $5.00 (1.5" to 3"), to $30.00 (4" to 6").<br /><br />If you have a small sized pond, between 30 to 150 gallons, then goldfish are a safe way to go. If you have a medium (150 to 500 gallons) or large pond (500 to 1,000+ gallons), you might prefer going with koi fish. We'll cover that soon. Our next blog will discuss garden islands. A garden island can do wonders for appearance with your pond. We'll get more in-depth with it next time.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-size:12;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6811682915864956579.post-35940979875752725762007-11-13T12:43:00.000-08:002007-11-13T17:37:28.626-08:00What a pond wants, what a pond needs!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/RzoMtrVOupI/AAAAAAAAAAg/gDtZzo4qYRI/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132428704207518354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_K4gZRsgroKs/RzoMtrVOupI/AAAAAAAAAAg/gDtZzo4qYRI/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">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:</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. <strong>Pond Test Kits</strong> - 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.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. <strong>Quarantine Tank</strong> - 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.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">3. <strong>Filter</strong>- 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. </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">4. <strong>UV lights</strong> - 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.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">5. <strong>Aeration</strong> - 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.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">6. <strong>Skimmer</strong> - This cleans out debris (leaves, twigs, etc) that might enter the pond (especially if you live in the country side, where trees are plentiful). </span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">7. <strong>Net </strong>- 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.</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">8. <strong>High-Quality Food</strong> - Pretty self-explanatory, but make sure the food is specialized for your type of fish (goldfish, koi).</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">9. <strong>Research</strong> - 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. </span></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">I hope this has helped. Expect more blogs on various topics concerning fish, gardening, and ponds. Maybe even a frog article, until next time.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="left"> </div>PondExprt07http://www.blogger.com/profile/15745641646485079432noreply@blogger.com0