Frequently asked question

Pond and Water Feature FAQ's

If you're planning a pond or water feature or if there is something not quite right with your feature pond or fish pond, check our Frequently Asked Questions below to see if we have the answer. If not, feel free to contact us for some free - and local to Brisbane - advice.

1 - What's a good location for my pond?

The overall health of your pond will depend on its location. If you want to maintain it for several years to come, you should choose the location carefully. Keep the following considerations in mind:

Sunlight - Aquatic life in the pond will require some exposure to sunlight. Plants and fish will thrive if the pond is exposed to the sun for a few hours during the day.

Run-off - Run-off is a big concern because it can actually kill the plants and fish in your pond. Run-off is water that flows off your landscape and backyard into your pond. This water will carry fertilisers and pesticides with it and that can harm the aquatic life.

Trees - If there are trees overhead, they can block sunlight from the pond and create dark areas. A few small trees with some shade won't have much impact on the pond. In fact, small shade would help keep the water clear of algae. But a big tree that provides plenty of shade will block sunlight and create an unhealthy environment.

Visibility - You should be able to enjoy your pond so it's a good idea to choose a location with good visibility. Just make sure that the pond is visible from your home or patio.

2 - How Deep Should my Pond Be?

That's a good question. Most people don't realise that the depth of the pond can have an impact on its health. Shallow ponds are easily influenced by changes in weather and evaporation.  The temperature and the pH levels do fluctuate quite a bit in them. Deeper ponds aren't influenced by the temperature variations outside the water and provide a more stable environment to the fish and plants. The depth depends largely on the region and the kind of fish you plan to keep.

In Ontario, usually a depth of 2 feet or less does not come under the statutory requirements of a swimming pool. This means it will not require a pool fence. Such a pond can easily sustain plant-life and goldfish. A pond of this depth isn't easily influenced by the fluctuations in weather.

You need water of at least 2 feet if you plan to keep Koi fish in your pond. They're more vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature and deep ponds are more stable.

3 - Why are Plants Great for a Pond?

Ponds require a delicate balance to thrive. Today, we use things like biological filters and UV clarifiers to maintain that balance. However, you can achieve it naturally with the help of aquatic plants. While this process does take time, plants will help create an ideal environment for your fish. There are many other advantages of introducing plants in your pond, including:

Like all plants, aquatic plants consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. They naturally replenish the amount of oxygen in the water. If you have the right number of plants in your pond, you can be sure that it would always be fresh and well-oxygenated.

Plants also provide shelter to your fish. Sometimes they would need to hide from the light and the sun and plants provide ample shade for that. They also provide shelter for the fish to breed and lay their eggs. Without plants, the fish won't thrive and stay healthy.

Plants compete against algae for light, CO2, and nutrition. Just their presence is enough to discourage algae growth and keep the water clear. The shade by the plant also doesn't allow the too much sunlight to penetrate into the pond. That discourages algae growth as well.

As you can see, plants can be very beneficial for your pond but you need to pick the right plants.

4 - What Kind of Aquatic Plants Should I Introduce in My Pond?

There are many different kinds of plants that you can introduce in your pond. They're broadly divided into 3 categories:

Floating Plants - As the name implies, these are free-floating plants that remain on the surface of the water. The roots don't attach to the bottom of the pond so these plants are definitely free-floating. The best examples of these plants are water hyacinth, water lettuce, water lilies, lotus, and water poppy.

Shallow Water Marsh Plants - These plants are usually planted at the edge of a pond and aren't fully in water. The best examples of these are umbrella plants, water iris, and horsetail.

Submerged Plants - These plants are completely submerged and are usually planted in pots and placed on the bottom of the pond. Submerged plants help maintain the health of the pond by consuming nitrates and carbon dioxide. They produce oxygen and keep the water clean. The best examples of these are fanwort, elodea or American waterweed, ludwigia or water purslane.

These plants will be an excellent addition to your pond and will help create a great environment for your fish.

5 - How Can I protect Fish From Birds?

Predatory birds are a major concern for pond owners. Naturally, these birds aren't going to stop eating fish just because they're present in your pond and not some natural lake. Fish like blue heron and cranes will dive in for a feast if you leave your pond open. Unfortunately, some of these predatory birds are endangered species and can't be harmed in any way. Thankfully, there are some solutions available to you:

You can place a net above the water on the pond. This is the safest and most common solution. There are special mesh nets available in the market that you can place on the pond. That would block access. Unfortunately, that will compromise the overall beauty of your pond as these nets are visible.

You can also make the pond deep. Herons and cranes need to stand in order to hunt for fish and a deep pond wouldn't allow that. This isn't a fool proof solution but it can be effective. Bear in mind, ponds deeper than 30cm may need protective fencing to meet regulations.

Some commercial fish farms use bird scarers that are programmed to emit a loud noise every 5 or 10 minutes. Unfortunately, this sound doesn't just scare away the birds, but it can also disturb you and your neighbors. Most don't consider this a practical solution.

You can use a powerful water jet that would race across the surface of the pond every 5 to 10 minutes. This disrupts the surface and startles the birds. Eventually they learn not to hunt in that pond. Birds find this very disturbing and won't hunt in the same pond again.

If you don't mind swans, you can add a couple to your pond. These birds are beautiful and vegetarian. They wouldn't harm the fish in any way but they'll keep other birds at bay. However, you need to keep in mind that swans will consume your water plants and eventually spoil the water. Unless you constantly supply fresh water to your pond, adding swans can lead to a little extra work.

If your predatory birds can't find the fish, they won't eat them. You can create several hiding places for your fish so that they have place they can escape to when they sense a predator. While this relies on the natural instinct of the fish, it is effective. Floating plants and board PVC pipes will help conceal the fish from the predator's eyes.

6 - What is the Best Way to Clean a Filter?

Biological filters are an essential part of your pond. They need to be cleaned properly in order to ensure a healthy living environment for your plants and fish. In order to make sure you maintain good aerobic bacteria in the filter, here is what you should do:

Switch the pump off before you remove it from the water. If you don't, you'll burn out the motor.

Carefully remove the filters and examine them. You should try to develop a set schedule to clean the filter and you can determine that if you understand how long it takes to get dirty.

Rinse those cleaners with pond water; not hose or tap water. Tap water has added chemicals that kill bacteria. While these chemicals are added to kill harmful bacteria and make drinking water safe, they can also kill good aerobic bacteria present in the filters.

Leave some residue in the filters as this will help to kick-start new bacteria growth.

7 - What Water Depth Should Different Aquatic Plants be Planted in?

There are three different kinds of aquatic plants; floating plants, shallow water marsh plants, and submerged plants. These can be planted at different depths. We recommend that you consult with professionals about the ideal depths of the plants you intend to grow. Here are a few tips:

Hardy water lilies can grow well at depths of 30 to 40 centimeters.

Tropical water lilies will thrive at 30cm but can easily grow in 15 to 20cm of water as well.

Lotuses will grow well in 10 to 15 cm of water.

Emergent water plants require a constantly wet soil or at least 5 to 10 cm of water to grow well.

If your pond is deeper than 2' you do require a permit by the city to have a pond.  

You will also require an UTILITY LOCATES before we can start construction on your pond.

DO YOU ONLY BUILD LARGE PONDS AND WATER FEATURES?

We construct ponds and water features of all sizes! We customize our design to blend into your outdoor space perfectly.

DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MOSQUITOES BREEDING IN MY POND?

Since mosquitos breed only in still water you do not need to worry about them breeding if you have a pump, waterfall, or fountain. If you are still concerned about mosquitos, adding fish to your pond will ensure there are no mosquitoes breeding as their larva is a natural food for koi.

WHEN SHOULD I CLEAN OUT MY POND?

The spring clean-out should be the big pond cleaning that that is done each year. Depending on the previous maintenance of the pond, this could be quite an extensive task that should include draining and vacuuming, as well as liner repairs and filter replacements. Bronte Aquascaping Limited offers a Spring Maintenance package that will take care of the mess for you, as well as Summer and Fall Maintenance packages that will make sure your pond stays healthy all year round.

WHY IS MY WATER GREEN?

Pond water can turn green due to microscopic free floating algae. You may notice this happens mostly in the spring when the pond is getting more direct sunlight. This alga is not harmful to your pond but if the green colour persists into the summer months it may be due to an unbalanced pond. If you are seeing green water for more than a month US.