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Keeping your Water Garden Clean
Water purity is a major concern for water gardeners. A poorly
kept water garden is unsightly, foul smelling, and a breeding
ground for unwanted mosquitoes. No water gardener wants their
treasured space to be any of those things.
Algae is the main indicator that pond water is out of balance.
When you see algae growing in your pond, you need to take action
immediately, before the problem gets out of control. To combat
algae, you can use plants, fish, filters and pumps. Most likely
a combination of these things will suit your water garden setup
best.
PLANTS
To combat the growth of algae, the water gardener can include
some oxygenating plants in the waterscape. These plants, placed
on the bottom of the pond, will help create oxygen in the water.
Some of these plants stay entirely unseen and underwater. Other
varieties can lend much beauty to your pond. Either way, they
promote aeration, a necessity for clean water.
Water lilies, for example, are deep-water aquatic plants, the
pots containing their roots usually need to be 1-1/2 to 2 feet
under water, but their floating leaves and flowers are a
beautiful addition to your water garden. Lotuses also rise above
the pond with their beautiful flowers and foliage.
FISH
If your water garden is large enough, and has some
shadowed
spots for fish to hide and stay cool in the hot summer sun, you
might consider adding fish to your pond. Fish do a good job of
controlling the growth of algae as well as pests like freshwater
snails and mosquito larvae, which they consider a wonderful
snack.
But however much fish clean the environment they also add to the
problem with their waste. Therefore, if you choose to add fish
to your waterscape, you might also decide to add a biological
filter, which converts fish waste into beneficial nitrates.
FILTERS AND PUMPS
For small water gardens, a simple submersible pump, operating
silently on the pond floor, will provide sufficient aeration to
satisfy aquatic plants and animals.
For large ponds, or to operate streams and waterfalls, a
recirculating pump would probably be best.
Filters range in size and complexity from a simple strainer
basket to a customized biological system. Mechanical filters
strain water through activated charcoal or fiber to remove dirt
and debris.
Check with your nursery or your landscaper to determine the best
pump and filter combination for your pond.
About the author:
Learn more about water gardening and other garden and landscape
topics at GardeningBay.com
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