Ponds, fountains, or cascades can become an unusual decoration of your garden. However, you have to remember several important accessories considered to be its equipment if you decide to make a water reservoir in your garden. That will help you keep the pond clean, and the life in it will develop smoothly. Spending time in nature and observing fish in your pond will have a calming effect on your mind. It is worth keeping this part of your garden in the best condition. In this article, we present the most necessary equipment for your pond.
Table of Contents
Pond aerator
A pond air diffuser is one of the primary devices to be installed in your pond. Its use cannot be overestimated. Pond aerators are ideal for supplying the pond with sufficient oxygen. Only in this way can all microbiological processes occurring there run smoothly and correctly. Depending on the size of your pond, choose an aeration device with the right power. Place the equipment at the edge of the pond and drown the air hoses in the water. In this way, the supply of oxygen to the pond is guaranteed in winter under the ice cover. Also, installing a fountain or a water cascade can help to oxygenate a pond.
Thermostat to maintain the right temperature
The thermostat is a handy device when you grow fish in your pond, and you want them to survive the cold winter without any problems. The thermostat allows you to turn on the heater automatically in the pond when the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius. Maintaining the right temperature is especially important in water reservoirs that are not too deep. Deeper water reservoirs do not freeze in the lower parts, where fish could overwinter. However, shallower water ponds are exposed to freezing entirely, so getting a heater with a thermostat is better. Using the thermostat and turning the heater on only when needed reduces the costs incurred by using the heater.
Biological preparations for removing algae and silt
The mud naturally forms in every pond. It must be removed to prevent rotting. The decomposition of excess silt leads to the turbid of the water, accompanied by an unpleasant smell. Special preparations remove some sediment falling to the bottom of the pond and forming silt. It is also worth stocking up anti-algae agents. Biological agents work on the principle of reducing nitrogen compounds contained in water, therefore inhibiting algae growth. Remember to choose products that do not contain harmful algicides, and do not destroy bacteria that support filtration.
These biological preparations should be harmless to fish and plants, colorless and leaving no residue. UV lamps deserve separate attention. They can be installed as a filter element or separate devices. They emit ultraviolet light that destroys unicellular organisms, e.g., algae that plague every water reservoir. The visual sign of a massive bloom of algae is the greenish color of the water.
The lighting of the pond and its surroundings
Individual elements of the pond can be emphasized by properly selected lighting. Lamps should be taken into account already at the construction stage because you will have to hide cables, installations and plan the place of connection to the electricity. You can choose spotlights, solar lamps, or underwater LED lights for lighting. But they are also floating lanterns that emphasize the water mirror. It is worth lighting the most spectacular parts of the pond, such as the cascade, fountain, tall plants, figurines. Sometimes in larger water reservoirs, the edge zone can also be illuminated. In this case, the shoreline is lit, because the lighting installed on or below the water surface simply disappears.
Pump-assisted water purification
One of the essential pond equipment is a water pump with a filter. It is difficult to talk about keeping the water clean and fish farming without this compatible connected equipment. Filtration done by plants alone is not enough. The pump should be placed in the lowest possible position in the pond, preferably on a flat stone to reduce the risk of contamination. The pump must be adapted to the filter, and it should be placed as far as possible from the filter to increase the water flow.
Filters can be divided into pressure filters and flow filters. The first one is recommended to be used in water ponds with a capacity of up to several cubic meters. The second can be installed regardless of the pond size. The incoming water in the pressure filter can be directed directly to the fountain or cascade. In the case of a flow filter, the water pressure is too low to do the same.
Summary
On summer days, water attracts like a magnet, everyone tired by the heat. Refreshes the air, creates a pleasant microclimate, and introduces a pleasant mood. At least that’s why it’s worth having even a small pond near the house. By choosing all the additional equipment you need for your pond, you can create a beautiful vibrant ecosystem in the middle of your garden.
