FAQ
When seeking answers from the pond and water gardening industry, you will discover differing opinions. One source may tell you to build your pond bigger and one may say smaller. One source may say feed your fish regularly, some may say don't feed at all. On and on the difference of opinions continues. Therefore you will have some trial and error on certain choices. Here is a list of frequently asked questions that we get at Backyard Blessings:
How big should I build my pond?
The size of your pond or water feature depends on your space available, the function of your water feature, and your budget. Generally speaking, the larger the pond, the easier the pond can form a fully functioning ecosystem. We hear many times over from our customers that they wish they would have built the larger one from the beginning. If you have the resources, go with a bigger water feature.
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How many fish can I put in my pond?
As long as you have proper biological filtration for your pond, as a general rule we recommend up to 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons of water. For example, if your pond is 3000 gallons, you could have up to 25 fish that are each 12 inches long, assuming that you have proper biological filtration.
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How much food should I feed my fish?
One of the major contributors of algae green pond water is from overfeeding fish. Try to feed your fish on a regular feeding schedule and less is better. Don't allow the fish food to get pulled through your pump or skimmer and put in only enough food that the fish can eat within 10 minutes or less. In Indiana, STOP FEEDING your fish in the winter, unless you bring them inside. Feeding the fish in the winter can be fatal.
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Why cant I see the bottom of my pond?
Especially after storms, a lot of times debris get stirred up or washed into your pond and may be cloudy for a few days. If you have a persistent issue with dark water, the reason is usually related to your filtration, aeration or circulation. Communicate with a Backyard Blessings specialist to find the appropriate solution.
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My pond is green, what should I do?
Green water is natural to some extent. And then, there is excessive green water. Try not to feel like a failure if you are experiencing excessive green water, it literally happens to the best pond keepers. Algae forms due to excessive nutrients in the water, therefore make sure you have enough plants in your pond water to absorb many of those nutrients. Most pond keepers have to add additional algae treatment and preventative of some sort to their pond throughout the year. Contact Backyard Blessings now to create a custom treatment plan in order to keep your pond clear and thriving all year long.
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Should I add salt to my pond?
We recommend a .05% to .1% salinity level in your pond. Do NOT add too much salt to your pond. Do NOT put table salt in your pond. Table salt has iodine in it, and that is not good for the fish. Use non-iodonized salt, like sea salt or kosher salt. Make sure it has no additives.
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Do I need to test my water and how do I test my water?
We recommend doing at least once a month testing on your pond water for ammonia, ph, and salt. You can purchase a liquid test kit, or you can get the easy to use test strips, both available at Backyard Blessings.
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Can I put frogs in my pond?
Frogs are fine to have in your pond. They will sometimes eat smaller fish. Make sure they have a way to get out of your pond.
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Are turtles ok for my pond?
We recommend that you do the proper research on the type of turtle that you want or that you have. Some turtles can actually puncture your liner because they have sharp claws and want to dig in the bottom. Any turtle questions get forwarded to our friends at Indiana Turtle Care in New Palestine IN.
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Some crane or bird ate my fish, how can I keep it away?
The most common predator of your prized pond fish is the Great Blue heron. This big and beautiful bird is considered an enemy by many pond keepers. We recommend placing a heron decoy around the perimeter of your pond, this works in about 80% of the applications. We also recommend creating safe areas for your fish under the water surface, by creating flagstone ledges and other tunnel like structures. There are other options available, so contact us to help create a solution for your specific needs.
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Do you guys fix ponds?
Backyard Blessings does fix ponds. We receive inquiries for everything imaginable when it comes to fixing a pond or water feature. Cracks, breaks, leaks, unknowns, what do I do's, pump replace, liner replace, waterfall repair, whatever it is we can fix it or replace it.
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Should I clean out my pond? Do you clean out ponds?
We strongly encourage pond cleans. Most people like their pond fresh and clean in the Spring. We do pond clean outs and we recommend doing them in the Spring. After the clean out, our recommended treatment plan begins in Spring and keeps your pond healthy all year long, its vital to get started right for the year.
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