Keeping your Water Garden Clean

Author: WJ Butler

Article: Water purity is a major concern for water gardeners. A poorly kept water garden is unsightly, foul smelling, and a breeding ground for unwanted mosquitoes. No water gardener wants their treasured space to be any of those things.

Algae is the main indicator that pond water is out of balance. When you see algae growing in your pond, you need to take action immediately, before the problem gets out of control. To combat algae, you can use plants, fish, filters and pumps. Most likely a combination of these things will suit your water garden setup best.

PLANTS

To combat the growth of algae, the water gardener can include some oxygenating plants in the waterscape. These plants, placed on the bottom of the pond, will help create oxygen in the water. Some of these plants stay entirely unseen and underwater. Other varieties can lend much beauty to your pond. Either way, they promote aeration, a necessity for clean water.

Water lilies, for example, are deep-water aquatic plants, the pots containing their roots usually need to be 1-1/2 to 2 feet under water, but their floating leaves and flowers are a beautiful addition to your water garden. Lotuses also rise above the pond with their beautiful flowers and foliage.

FISH

If your water garden is large enough, and has some shadowed spots for fish to hide and stay cool in the hot summer sun, you might consider adding fish to your pond. Fish do a good job of controlling the growth of algae as well as pests like freshwater snails and mosquito larvae, which they consider a wonderful snack.

But however much fish clean the environment they also add to the problem with their waste. Therefore, if you choose to add fish to your waterscape, you might also decide to add a biological filter, which converts fish waste into beneficial nitrates.

FILTERS AND PUMPS

For small water gardens, a simple submersible pump, operating silently on the pond floor, will provide sufficient aeration to satisfy aquatic plants and animals.

For large ponds, or to operate streams and waterfalls, a recirculating pump would probably be best.

Filters range in size and complexity from a simple strainer basket to a customized biological system. Mechanical filters strain water through activated charcoal or fiber to remove dirt and debris.

Check with your nursery or your landscaper to determine the best pump and filter combination for your pond.

About the author: Learn more about water gardening and other garden and landscape topics at <a href=http://www.gardeningbay.com>GardeningBay.com</a>