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| Fishpond makeover |
| A courtyard pond is given a new lease of life. |
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A pond can be a beautiful feature in any garden — even a small courtyard can be brought to life by the sound of running water. Unless the pond is like this one.
Reg visits a pond that Our House created as a part of a makeover just over a year ago. Unfortunately, through lack of time the owner has neglected her pond which now looks like a fish's worst nightmare. With the help of 'pond specialist', Tim Arnold, the rejuvenation of this gloomy swamp will breath life back into the courtyard.
Tim Arnold runs his own business, Beautiful Ponds Watergarden Maintenance and specialises in the construction and maintenance of water features in the garden. This pond isn't the worst Tim has seen but he says there is a surprising amount of algae suspended in the water.
Tim brings the pond to life by following some simple steps:
1 The pond has to be drained of the grimy water. Using a scrubbing brush and 'elbow grease' the algae has to be removed from the sides of the pond. In the case of a severe algae bloom, a fungal outbreak or an extreme case of parasites, chemicals may be used to clean the pond (this should be left to a professional).
2 Plants are chosen and placed in the pond. Tim chose a miniature Arum which has a white trumpet flower; two miniature water lilies; oxygenating weed (Myrophyllum or Mare's Tail) to sit on the bottom of the pond and duckweed to float on the top for some green cover. The plants are small but they play a part in keeping the water clean because they compete with algae for the same food source. When selecting plants it is important to choose fresh looking and clean specimens that are free from algae and weeds. You don't want to introduce these into your pond.
3 The pond is filled with water.
4 Using a water ager to neutralise the chlorine and a pH buffer Tim treated the chemical balance of the water. The pH of a pond should be between 6.8 — 7.4. Tim used a small white tablet which gradually dissolves to release chemicals that bring the water back to neutral — this type of pH buffer saves the hassle of using pH test kits and chemicals.
5 The fish are released. Not all fish are suited to pond life or easy to manage. The choice is better made with advice from a professional. Tim chose six Rosy Barbs. Good oxygen levels are vital to the survival of a fish. Additional oxygen can be achieved with the use of a fountain; as the water splashes, it agitates the water and adds oxygen.
Pond Maintenance
Tim says the best kind of on-going maintenance is preventative maintenance, which includes keeping the water free of fallen leaves as they rot and encourage the growth of algae. If the pond is kept clear of leaves and pond plants are regularly trimmed, it will not have to be cleaned often; perhaps once every couple of years to remove decaying organic matter from the base. NB: After cleaning, the water chemistry must be checked again.
Light pruning, repotting and fertilizing the plants every spring will keep them flowering and looking green and healthy. Dead and dying foliage should be removed.
Fish generally require feeding once a day. They will feed on insect larvae as well which means pests won't usually be a problem in the pond. If large infestations do form, such as aphids on plants, they can be removed by hand or washed off leaves with a hose. Chemicals should not be used because they can be harmful to the fish.
If the fish start to die or get sick, the water becomes smelly, the plants turn yellow or die or if the pond needs to be topped up with water constantly it is best to contact a professional.
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More Info
Tim Arnold
Beautiful Ponds Watergarden Maintenance
Ph: 02 9655 1260
Fax: 02 9655 1261
E-mail: tarnold@smartchat.net.au
Water plants, products and fish supplied by:
Arcadia Lily Ponds
151 Arcadia Rd
Arcadia, NSW
Ph: 02 9655 1670
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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