If you have a pond that has fish, how many times do you observe what happens to the ecology of the pond? It is important to know what to look for when certain conditions change and what they can mean for you and your pond. We all know or should know that when the water starts to get cloudy, it is a good indication that our filtration system needs attention. The results of not addressing this situation can cause you to have sick fish that live in an unhealthy water environment. This is just one example of how to observe your fish and your pond. Let’s take a look at some others.

If you start to notice that your fish are eating your vegetation, you may want to increase your feeding to see if this prevents them from eating your plants. Common Koi will completely destroy vegetation in a pond unless this is not immediately addressed. Personally, I developed a wire cage system that sits over my water lily pots that allows the lilies to grow through the wire mesh. This keeps the hungry Koi away from the root structure of the plants. For more information on this system, visit my website.

Watch the algae growth on your fish and in your pond. Algae is something all veteran pond builders have dealt with over the years at one point or another. If you see green slime growing in your pond, then you have algae. As a pond owner, you can control these outbreaks of this messy green sludge that makes your pond look ugly and can even clog your filtration system. So what causes this buildup? First, look at how many fish you have in your pond. Many pond owners use this scenario; 20 to 25 gallons of water per inch of Koi. An example would be; Let’s say you have 50 inches of fish. If we take 20 times 50 we would get 1000 gallons of water. Many things can go into this formula, such as the number of plants in your pond, the type of filtration system, and whether your pond receives too much sunlight. It is very important to overfeed fish, as the more they eat, the more waste they generate. I know from experience that plant coverage should be at least 60% coverage of your pond. As your plants grow, you will notice less and less algae. I use water lilies because it also offers protection to the fish from the sun and predators. Fish food is another contributing factor to the algae problem. Feeding your fish too much food can cause excess food to settle to the bottom of the pond, which will contribute to algae growth. Again, you need to observe your fish and your pond to make sure you maintain the proper balance for a healthy living space.

One more thing that helps keep your pond clear is making sure to remove leaves and debris that may fall into your pond. Decaying debris can turn your pond bitter quickly and can contribute to making your fish sick and ill.

The best I can tell you about this is to watch your fish and pond before any of these scenarios occur. As in any business, preventive maintenance is the best way to tackle problems before they happen. With this approach, your pond will maintain its beauty and clarity for many years.