What you should know about pond care in summer
After a hard day, you can relax by the pond on mild summer evenings. In the shade of trees you can listen to the splashing of water features and watch dragonflies. But the beauty of the water oasis also requires some maintenance , especially in the summer months . Because only with proper pond care is the water quality maintained and aquatic plants and fish feel comfortable. You can find out below how you can enjoy your garden pond in all its beauty and care for the pond without much effort.
4 principles for pond care:
- Control of the water values (especially pH value and carbonate hardness)
- Cut back overgrown aquatic plants
- Compensate for water losses and refill water regularly
- Put pond pumps and pond filters into operation regularly
Why is checking the water parameters so important?
In the summer months in particular , it is important that you regularly check the pH value and carbonate hardness of the pond water . The pH value should be around 8 (=neutral) and only show minor fluctuations. Especially in a pond with fish, it is important that the pH is between 6.5 and 8. With a rapid test set , you can easily carry out the test at regular intervals.
- pH value too low:
It is usually sufficient to add tap water to increase the pH value. - pH value too high:
A cotton bag filled with peat is hung in the pond. A drop in the pH value can be seen after just a few days. Carbonate hardness is the buffering capacity of the water. In the case of pond water, the carbonate hardness is largely responsible for how well the pond can deal with fluctuations in the pH value. A carbonate hardness value between 5 °dH and 8 °dH is ideal . Test the carbonate hardness regularly with a quick test kit. Filamentous algae in particular can quickly become a problem in the pond. Under optimal conditions, they multiply rapidly in summer and completely cloud the water. In particular , lack of oxygen and too high a proportion of nutrientsresponsible for the so-called algal bloom . This must be prevented, because in ponds with optimal pH values the self-cleaning powers of the pond work and algae only find unfavorable growth conditions. With special phosphate binders, phosphate values can be reduced and the algae are starved out, so to speak.Overview of measures against algae growth
• Increase the oxygen content through pumps and water features
• Minimize the input of nutrients
• Adjust the amount of fish food to the needs of the fish
• Use of water lettuce and underwater plants (these remove nutrients from the pond and thus indirectly prevent the formation of thread algae)Buy garden pond products
Our gardening tip: With just a few supporting measures, you can activate the self-cleaning powers in your pond and ensure that biological processes work. Therefore, stabilizing the water is essential . By using Kölle’s Beste water stabilizer , the pH value and carbonate hardness are adjusted to optimal water values immediately after use.
Why is it necessary to cut back aquatic plants in summer?
Aquatic plants, water lilies, floating plants and marsh plants ensure a harmonious overall picture in the garden pond. With sufficient heat, the aquatic plants develop luxuriantly and a slight pruning may be necessary in summer. Thin out overgrown aquatic plants and make sure that no stems or leaves are left in the pond. If this pruning does not take place, the fish will suffer and the water quality will deteriorate significantly. Excessive growth of aquatic plants can lead to the pond tipping over.
The rule for the right ratio is that two thirds of the water surface should remain free of vegetation.
Is it necessary to monitor the water level of the pond?
In mini ponds and terraced ponds in particular, it is important that you regularly monitor the water level and top up with water if necessary. In July, around 120 liters of pond water evaporate per square meter of water surface, while the average rainfall is just under 50 liters. This makes it clear that every garden pond loses water through evaporation in the summer months. This can quickly lead to heat stress in small ponds . You should refill the missing water regularly. Low-nutrient water with a pH value of 6.5 to 7.5 and a total hardness of 8 to 12 °dH is ideal for this.
Our gardening tip: It is advisable to use a water stabilizer for large water changes. In this way, the pond water is adjusted to the optimal value.
Why do I have to put my pond pumps and pond filters into operation regularly?
To ensure that your fish and aquatic plants do well in the pond in summer, it is important that you use pond pumps and pond filters to ensure that the water is oxygen-rich and clear over the long term . The warmer the water, the lower the oxygen content. Pond pumps help significantly in increasing the oxygen content. Therefore, the pumps should run without interruption in the summer . The filter pump works so hard and to prolong the life of your pond pump it is important that you check and clean the pump weekly.
Our gardening tip: Modern filter systems work with the power of microbiology. In order to keep them viable, continuous operation around the clock is essential.
- pH value too low: