Algae - Green water causes and solution (1)
Everything necessary has been done to have a relaxing and amusing environment. You are indeed ready to enjoy your garden. Within days, you started noticing pool water turning green. Just like several other new gardener, I know you will panic somehow.
Yes! It really worth it afterall you invested a lot both in time and money to have a clear pool - but then there is no need to panic. Green water is inevitable, natural and harmless changes in water caused by algae.
Algae are the product of tiny spores that are drifting about everywhere that thrive under the influence of sunlight and warmth combined with high carbondioxide and dissolved mineral contents in the water.
In a newly stocked pool there is always high mineral salt content as a result of planting soil dissolving in tap water. Since the new plants have not yet develop the growth that' s needed to cut off much of the light at the surface, and also use up a lot of mineral salts. Sunlight will have more effect during this early period, and the result will be change of garden pool water's colour.
It's natural to find algae wherever there is light and water. Algae are simple types of plants life ranging in form from microscopic specks to seaweeds. There are several types of algae. We have the free-swimming algae, the filamentous forms, the blanketweed among others.
Algae - Green water Garden colour causes and solution (2)
In the first part of this article we discuss about causes of green water and forms in which algae exist in pool. Today we will be discussing more about each forms and possible precautions and solutions.
Free-swimming algae are the most common form of algae. They are individually minute, and produce a total effect that makes the pool look as if it is filled with green thick pea soup.
The blanketweeds form are the type that makes tangle masses of long silky threads, if they are not remove in time they can be shocking nuisance. Free filamentous form grow strand that makes a short furry growths on lilly stems and the sides of the pool.
Another, which forms floating brown scummy blobs, occurs less frequently. Algae are an unsightly nuisance rather than a menace. But it's not much consolation to know that fish are perfectly happy swimming around in the pea soup if it is so thick that you can't see whether there are any fish in the pool or not.
Despites it's existence in several shapes, algae don't really have much harm if any at all to your pool. You don't really have to panic. That is how things are at the beginning. Everything is usually and always in favour of the algae and they duly appear and fill the pool. If you ignore it and provide the pool is well designed and properly stocked with plants, it will go away.
So some of the precautions you need to take are as follows:
Make sure that the pool is well design as this has a profound effect on it's liability to suffer from the green water nuisance.
The pool has to be well stocked with necessary plants and at the right time. The growth of the plants will reduce surface area exposed to sunlight, which eventually produces algae, on time.
Planting adequate oxygenating plants will help in reducing algae and possibly remove green water faster. The oxygenating plants will consume most of the mineral salts available in the pool that aids algae growth. Also the foliage of the water lilies and floating plants will deprive them of light. So as a result of this they will vanish and you have overnight clear water in your pool.
When there is notice of growth of algae in you water don't take the tempted step to change the pool water as that will eventually leads to algae production and green water within days.
.
Basic things you need to know about container water garden
Container water garden is a very simple alternative to normal garden pond. It's often preferable because of its' simplicity and space. To have a nice, complete container water garden you need containers, plants, bricks, gravel, heavy soil, ferterlizer tablets and a garden hose. You can find almost all the above listed materials in most home and garden supply stores.
To build a container water garden you need to first choose a spot for your garden. You need to make sure that it's not under overhanging tree. Also there is need of direct sunlight daily and a nearby water source. Also, when choosing your container you need to make sure that it's easy to drain, non-porous and deep enough to support the plants you want to grow.
Planting is a simple process. First get a suitable pot for your plant. Then find mud-clay like soil. Fill the pot with the soil and put a fertilizer table in the soil, then carefully place the root of the plant on the soil and lightly tamp it down. Then cover with an inch or so of pea gravel. Pot all your plant this way.
After potting your plants carefully place the pot in water, with a few inches bellow the surface of the water. Then use a well laid bricks to aid the arrangement of the pots in the container.
The next thing you may want to do is add pump in case you want fountain or water fall. It's advisable to follow manufacturers' instruction on laying the pumps. Then add fill your container with water. Make sure that the pots are submerged under a few inches of water.
Short quick tips for new or would be ponds owners.
Water garden provides relaxation environment for pond owners. They open several dimensions of beauty lots of new gardeners may never thought about. The joy pond owners' gets from having garden are endless - which shows the reasons why most garden owners are so obsessed. Here are a few tips to keep in mind…………
When locating your garden consider early morning sun. You must also remember that at early stage, if the exposure to sun is much then you are calling for green water trouble.
Avoid external particles falling into your pond. Leaves falling from large trees, stream of chemical and dust particles from close to the pond. They will decay, contaminate the pool and make the fish less vulnerable to disease
Don't stock your pond immediately; allow the water in your pool to rest for upto seven day most especially when the water you fill your pond with is from tap water. This will allow chlorine to settle down.
Don't be tempted to stock your pool first with fish. Do it right by stocking with submerged oxygenated plant first. This will allow the plants to have the root well immersed. However if you do it otherwise the fish will not allow the plants growth and it will be frustrating.
If you start stocking with plant it will limit growth of algae. Since the plant will provide shade for the water and the sunlight reaching the water will be limited, thus reducing the rate at which the water turns green.
Bog Plants - a complete accent to a water garden
Plants are very important to water garden. There are several types of plants, each adding unique feature to water garden. There is a group of plant that accent a water garden with seasonal flower colour and/or all season foliage accents. They also vary in leaf size, height and texture. Bog plant is the most popular in this group. They beautify water garden in several ways, and be used to hide liner, tubing or a power cord when planted at the edge of the pond
When planting you need to consider the variety you are dealing with. Though, generally you need to provide a container that's large as possible to allow the plant plenty of room to spread freely. However, some still do well in less surface area.
You need to also consider the soil type too. Bog plant will do well in soil from flower bed, vegetable garden or lawn. Avoid the use of subsoil, gravel or sand as they will likely dimish the growth of the plant and make it susceptible to damage by aggressive fish.
If you plant it properly you will start noticing growth within days. However, to aid the growth application of fertilizer will ensure flowering and good growth.
Planting bog plant is a simple process. You start by filling the pot loosely with soil, then place the appropriate fertilizer tablets into the bottom half of the soil and cover them. The will aid its growth. Having done that, place the root near the surface and then add a small amount of soil to pack around them. Then gently compress the soil into place to anchor the plant.
Water Garden Pump - how to choose it.
Pump is used in several ways when setting up your water garden. You can use pump to power waterfall, operate fountain or for water recirculation with no visible water movement. They vary in size as well. As a matter of fact the measure of size of the pump to use in a garden is determined by the end result we are trying to achieve in our garden with it.
To have visually effective and free water flow in waterfall, 100 gallons of water per hour per inch of water fall width is needed. A waterfall eleven inches wide needs 1100 gallons of water flow per hour or more.
To determine the outlet height you measure the vertical lift from the pond surface to the height of the top spillway. One foot must be added for every ten feet of distance from the pump to the top spill way. You can then match the total outlet height to the chat for each pump to choose the correct flow rate for your spillways.
Try to seek specialist advice when choosing pump for any of previously listed purposes in other to get a desirable and professional result.
Different types of water garden plants and their general characteristics. ( I )
To have a complete water garden, there is need for water garden plants. Some plants are purely decorative giving necessary attraction to garden; some are grown simply for the sake of their contribution to pool balance and ecology, while others are both beautiful and functional. How many of each type a pool needs is usually calculated on the basis of the pool surface area.
There are three basics category of water garden plants. They are oxygenators, floaters and marginars.
Submerged Oxygenated Plants.
Submerged oxygenated plants are most important and functional water garden plants in the pool, because of few reasons that we will be discussing in next few paragraph. Oxygenated plants helps in consuming mineral salts dissolved in the water which is one of the main courses of green water.
They provide food, shelter, a spawning medium, a refuge for fry, and oxygen for fish in the pool. As by-product of chemical process in plants, they produce oxygen, under the influence of light, but those which have their foliage on or above the water surface release it into the air. These ability of submerged oxygenated plants to produce abundant oxygen , also makes submerged oxygenated plants invaluable.
Submerged oxygenating plants have more factors needed to improve pool hygiene and balance. Despite all this good qualities they can become embarrassing in over long period if more than enough is planted to maintain hygienic and balance pool. And it's very important to always remember that they have little ornamental value.
All the following oxygenators are suitable for pools.
Callitriche (Water Starwort)
Ceratophyllum (Hornwort)
Elodea (anacharis) Canadensis
Fontinalis antipyretica (willow moss)
Hottonia palautris (water Violet or Featherfoil)
Myriophyllum (water Milfoil)
Rnunculus aquatilis (Water Crowfoot)
In the second part of this report we will be looking at other two categories of water garden plants.
Different types of water garden plants and their general characteristics. (II)
In first part we discussed about submerged oxygenated plants, their qualities and importance to water garden pool. The other types of water garden plants mentioned as well in the first part are floaters and marginals.
Floating Plants
Plants in this group are not florally outstanding. As a matter of fact some of them did not even have flower at all. However, they still contribute to the control of algae in water garden pond by covering the surface of water.
To plant floating plants there is no need conventional planting method. Floaters are planted by simple method of 'dropping-in' pond. A general stocking guide is one plant or portion for every 10 sq. ft. of surface area.
Floating plants do not need anchorage in soil - this is a common characteristic of plants in this group. However, they vary considerably in form and behavior. Among others in this group are:
Azolla caroliniana (floating moss)
Eichhornia (Water Hyacinth)
Hydrocharis morsus-range (Frong-bit)
Lemna gibbaand L.monor (duckweeds). Etc.
Marginal Plants
Unlike floating plants, marginal plants grow with their roots in shallow water, and raise their stems and flowers above it.
Marginal plants include some aggressive colonizers that are capable of swamping the more moderate - and more ornamental types. This happens mostly when mixture is planted in a trough. Because of this competitive nature container planting, with only one variety to each container, is the idea planting method.
Marginal plants are not essential to the water garden pool community in practical terms, because they perform no water - clarifying or sun shading functions, which are some of important benefits of plant to pool. However, their flowers and ornamental value of their foliage still add pleasing effects to pool.
Fish Feeding - how, when and what to feed your fish.
How to feed fish has always been the question that bothers water garden owners most than any other thing. Many wants to know - how much they should feed their fish and how often.
As a matter of fact, there is no fixed amount of food you must feed your fish with each. There are lots of factors that determine what you feed your fish, when, and how. Factors like fish's appetite and digestive ability which varies with water temperature, climatic change and also the size of the fish.
Starting from spring to autumn when fish are active you can fed them daily, or as often they are prepared to take food. However, you have to reduce the frequency of feed during colder weather period, match their diminished appetites and in really cold conditions, then they are virtually in state of torpor, do not fed at all.
After discussing the conditions that affects fish feeding, it's important we talk about what you fed your fish. To have active, healthy fish, feeding them with good nourishing food is highly recommended. Stuff like ants 'eggs', bread and biscuit meal are less nutritional and most often can cause digestive troubles to fish in pond.
Floating pellets of high-protein food is the most hygienic way to feed your fish. Pellets are highly nutritious, and they bring fish to the surface where you can watch their antics. Also it's very easy to avoid unnecessary surplus, which will decay at the bottom of the water and foul water, by netting off any pellets that remains have feeding your fish.
When your garden is well established and has abundant of plant growth - which means direct abundant growth of insect, feeding your fish will not be necessary. However, it's a good idea to reinforce the natural food supply with pellets in the autumn, to get the fish in peak condition to face the winter. You can also do that in the spring to help them recover quickly from their winter fast and to get them into breeding condition.
Types of water garden pool - comparison. (I)
There are different types of water garden pool. Some pools are of concrete as in pools made of rocks. There are plastic pools, glassfibre pool and other several sub categories.
We will start our discussion with plastic pool.
Plastic Pool - Unlike concrete garden that looks more natural plastic pool are made of artificial plastic materials. They are better compare to the back breaking labour and other strenuous work involve in creating concrete garden. With plastic pool the only hard labour you can encounter is digging of hole, which is still normal.
Plastic pool has other advantages over other pool type - for example with plastic pool the lining of the hole is so quick and simple that it is no work at all. It's possible to lined and filled plastic pool and stock immediately since there is not need of treatment or seasoning
Plastic pools have enough resilience to absorb without harm the kind of stresses that are fatally damaging to concrete. Some of them can certainly be damaged by the sort of accidental violence that would make no impression at all on concrete - such as falling into the pool and trying to save yourself with the garden fork you happened to be carrying at the time, But most plastics can be quickly and completely repaired, which is more than can be said for most leaking concrete pools.
In the second part of this article we will continue comparing types of water garden pool.
Types of water garden pool - comparison. (II)
In the first part of this article we discussed about plastic pool. We looked at the importance and advantages it has over other type's most especially concrete pool. However, today we will be discussing about glassfibre pool.
Glassfibre pool - like you can easily guess from the name, glassfibre pool are made by bonding glassfibre with resins on a mould. The end product is rigid and extremely strong glassfibre which takes shapes of the mould.
Looking at the wide variety of shapes in the market large number are of inadequate depth and volume, and no sensible marginal shelves and thus lacking necessary feature needs by fish and plants which they are intended to house.
Despite the inadequate features highlighted above glassfibre pools can be used to good effect where garden scale is on small side like the intimate corners. The rectangular and circular shapes are particularly suitable for patios. Glassfibre pools are extremely durable and have no disadvantages except size limitation and their high cost relative to other materials.
Installing glassfibre pool is a simple process - you have to first dig a hole of required dept and few inches larger all round the pool size. Then firm the bottom, remove stones, and place the pool in the position. To ensure proper sitting fill in round the sides, packing the soil very firmly, particularly under the shelves, and checking the top of the pool with a spirit level at intervals so that when filling is complete the top is, in all directions, absolutely level.
Types of water garden pool - comparison. (III)
In the first and second part of this article comparing water garden pool type we discussed about plastic pool and glassfibre type. We will be discussing about other types of pools today.
Vacuum-Formed Moulding - There are some small pre-shaped pools that are moulded from semi-rigid sheets of plastics as PVC and polythene, which makes them lighter than glassfibre. These pre-shaped pools are not only lighter but are designed to be as cheap as possible.
Just like any other type of pool, vacuum-formed pool type also comes with some deficiencies. They are deficient in dept and volume, and most are too small to be useful as anything but bird baths. They are relatively inexpensive and could be answer if the children want a pool of their own for keeping newts and tadpoles.
Pool Liners - Liners are the most popular method of making pool nowadays because of the simplicity and effectiveness. Pond liner technique is very simple and economically better compare to others. All that needed is to line and excavate with a sheet of flexible plastic, known as pool liner.
There are several kinds of pool liner. One of it is polythene type which has better quality compare to other type and it requires a different installation technique. It's easy and faster to set up. However, just like any other plastics and related materials polythene are highly vulnerable. So there is need to take good care of it and prevent from sharp objects and any incident that can cause damage. PVC and Reinforced PVC are other types of liners with better quality.
Water fountain - importance to garden and owners.
Water fountain is a very important mechanism for garden and the garden owner as well. They provide circulation and aeration features to any water garden. They oxygenate water which allows aerobic bacteria to process organic materials more efficiently.
They create additional water movement which eliminates stagnant areas that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes thus making the environment more pleasing and comfortable. Water fountain also improve water quality and minimize odors and aggressive algae growth.
Water fountain provides complete relaxing and soothing sounds from every droplet. It makes garden more fascinating place to be most especially after stress.
Setting water fountain up is easy. You first need to get fountain fittings. For small ponds you can get mini pond jet. However you can get ' 11 feet pond jet floating fountain towers for your larger pond. Both will bless your pond with elegant lighted spray. You need to consider the nozzle style and the fitting size. However, you can even get a complete fountain kit for convenience.
Once you have the fittings. Set water pump first at the right depth, connect the fountain fittings and run the power cord to an outlet.
Water garden fish: - ailments and treatments.
The lively movement and brilliant colour are some of the reasons of stocking water garden pond with ornamental fish. When they are healthy they are normally lively and has an erect dorsal fin (the one on the back). However, when they are infected both due to insufficient oxygen or foul water they move sluggishly and their brilliant colour often disappears.
If the problem is as a result of insufficient oxygen, the water can easily be oxygenated and freshened up by the splash of a waterfall or fountain.
Also decayed vegetation like fallen leaves in the pool often turns release toxic gas as by-products to water. This turns the water toxic and thus, makes it uncomfortable for fish.
Sycamore, chestnut, laburnum and poplar leaves are bad, poisonous and not good for water pool. Their flowers and seeds must be removed often and prevented as possible in future seasons.
Fouling of pond water can also be the result of spray-drift from insecticides used near the pool from weed killer washed off the adjoining lawn, or sodium chlorate used on a nearby gravel drive. If such pollution of the water are not immediately deadly to the fish, they will certainly lower their resistance and make them vulnerable to infection by organisms like fungus that's always present in the water.
Precautions and Treatment infected fish
Since prevention is better than cure I will advice you always stick to preventive measures to avoid water contamination and eventual loss of fish to poor environment.
Avoid plants and seeds that are poisonous as possible. And if there is any need to have them at all make sure that you remove their leaves often.
Avoid intoxicating the water yourself with insecticides. Apply with all care if its must.
If you notice any unusual behaviour in your fish possibly as a result of fungus infection remove it and put it in a shallow dish to which salt (preferably sea salt) has been added at the rate of two heaped teaspoonfuls per gallon of water.
Keep the fish in the container for three days, changing the water daily and (unless the fish shows sign of distress) increasing the salt content by one teaspoonful each day. After three days hold the fish in a damp cloth and, using a soft brush dipped in weak iodine (solution 1 in 10), brush off the fungus, taking care to avoid touching areas of healthy skin. Return the fish to the pool; the treatment can be repeated after a week if the infection persists.
However it's advisable to call attention of water garden specialist in your area.
Water garden pool Lighting
No matter how attractive fountains and waterfalls can be to both eye and ear, their full decorative potentials will not be realized until they are illuminated after dark. There several ways you can illuminated your garden. As a matter of fact a visit to garden specialist shop will open your eyes to opportunities available.
You can illuminate with ordinary garden lighting directed at the pool from the surrounding garden. However, it's far more effective if light shines up from the water surface, or even below it. This can be done using special fully waterproof systems of underwater lamps and cable make purposely for that. You can use two 100-watt lamp in conjunction with a fountain/and or waterfall - you will get a startling experience doing that.
It's often better to illuminate fountain far from behind it compare to the front illumination. Same way if you want to illuminate fountain in the centre of the pool, it's better to place lamps in the far corners of the pool and not in the near corners facing away from the viewer.
Illuminating fountain from the sides and a little behind it produces brilliant coruscations against the darkness beyond when it's refracted through the droplets of water. Using two colours, blue in one corner and red in the other, turns the e whole fountain into a firework cascade of mixed red and blue sparks.
I will advice that you experiment illuminating from different angles and see one that give you best result.