Picture Perfect Ponds
Most ponds, especially if they’re 3 or 4 years old or older start to show signs of aging, or what biologists call “eutrophication”. Ponds begin to collect nutrients and organic matter which contribute to excessive pond algae, invasive pond weeds and vegetation we might not necessarily want. This is a natural process in a pond’s life cycle but can be prevented and even corrected with something as simple as aerating your pond.
Bottom diffused aeration or “pond aeration” adds much needed oxygen to the bottom of your pond as it creates vertical water movement. Adding oxygen to a pond is similar to aerating an aquarium. No air in the aquarium and water turns green; add air and the water cleans itself through a natural filtering system. Adding air via the bottom of your pond or lake and circulating water upward helps break down excess nutrients and organic matter that accumulate on the bottom, which means the algae and weeds have less nutrients to feed on.
Vertical water movement helps eliminate thermal stratification. Remember when you were a kid and swam in a pond? You know it gets colder the deeper you go. That cold water is essentially stagnant, if left to its own devices. It doesn’t make contact with air and sunlight, the great “cleansers” of water. These layers, if left intact, can potentially cost you fish when a pond “turns over” in the spring or fall. Bottom diffused aeration or simply “pond aeration” puts a stop to stratified pond waters.
Aerating the bottom of your pond can best be accomplished using electric pond aerators, solar aerators or taking advantage of wind energy using one of the newer wind driven aerators or “windmill aerators” on the market that are designed to produce > 3.0 CFM of air and start at low wind speeds. Newer systems, like those manufactured by Outdoor Water Solutions, carry longer warranties and produce significantly more air than some of the systems developed 20+ years ago.
Other options to help keep your pond clean include adding a pond dye to help filter some of the sunlight and adding an all natural bacteria or enzyme based product to help break down some of the organic matter and excess nutrients. Many of the copper based algaecides can also be used to control existing algae in a pond but do not prevent it from coming back.
Start enjoying your pond by keeping it clean! You will also keep your fish healthier and help protect your investment in fish by adding some much needed air to your pond!
This article was brought to you by Outdoor Water Solutions and Bob Lusk, the “Pond Boss”.
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