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I'm thinking of installing a pond. Where do I start?
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Choose Your Pond Type and Size
The type and size of the pond you choose depends on several factors. You will
need to
determine what's right for you based on the following...
1. How much space do I have available?
2. How much work am I willing to do?
3. How much money am I willing to spend?
4. What size pond do I want?
Your answers will help you to determine what type of pond you should have.
Remember that a large, ornate pond will require time and work to set up and
maintain and require enough funds to purchase supplies regularly. If
you’re not sure, you may want to start with a smaller pond and then
increase the size as you learn and become more experienced.
Is owning a pond a lot of work?
Not at all with the right pump and filtration system. And if you learn how to
maintain good water quality and use the right treatment products from Jungle
Pond, you'll be able to reduce the amount of work and increase the enjoyment of
owning your own pond.
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Select a Location
Be sure your location is at least 40-50 feet away from established trees. This
will prevent falling leaves and seeds from becoming a source of debris, which
has the potential to make pond water toxic and harmful to fish. Your pond
should also be in a place protected from harsh winds to prevent debris from
entering the pond. Be sure to regularly net out debris because once it sinks to
the bottom, it can contribute to the formation of sludge. Just as important is
the amount of sunlight a pond receives. Fish and plants require plenty of
sunshine, so make sure your location offers a minimum of six hours exposure to
sunlight throughout the day.
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Establish the Highest Water Quality
You will need the following to help assure you start with Good Water Quality...
CIRCULATION PUMP
Healthy ponds require circulating water—stagnant water can cause unhealthy
conditions. There are many sources available to you when determining what type
of pump to buy. Check with your local pond store, pond club or the web.
FILTRATION SYSTEM
A good filter is needed to remove pollutants and small debris from the water.
It also provides a home for the beneficial bacteria that sustain the natural
biological cycle of the pond. Just like in nature, this will help keep your
pond clean and healthy. There are many sources available to you when
determining what type of filtration system to buy. Check with your local pond
store, pond club or the web.
WATER TREATMENTS
Rivers, lakes and natural ponds have the help of mother nature to keep them
healthy through a natural cycle called biological filtration. The water you
start your pond up with is not from nature but from a water supply that's
probably been treated with chlorine and/or chloramine, as well as heavy metals.
And, although that makes the water safe for humans, it makes it harmful-even
deadly-to fish and plants. So be sure to condition the water before all of your
fish and plants are added.
Pond treatments help ensure a balanced pond of clean, healthy water. Keeping
pond water healthy and clean should be your primary goal in maintaining your
pond. If your water is healthy, you'll have fewer problems with your fish and
plants.
Use Jungle Pond water conditioners,
Pond Start and
Pond Ammonia Chloramine Remover, to condition pond water and make it
safe for fish immediately.
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Add Fish and Plants
POND FISH can be very ornamental and will add movement and color to your pond.
There are many kinds to choose from including varieties of koi, comets and
fancy-tailed goldfish. BUT DO NOT OVER STOCK YOUR POND...it can lead to water
quality problems as increased fish waste and food can affect the healthy
balance of water. Make sure you follow this rule of thumb: Stock your pond with
approximately three to four inches of fish for every square foot of water
surface in a filtered pond. It's important to condition and establish the
biological cycle BEFORE adding ALL of the fish and plants you select. All your
pond needs to start cycling is a FEW fish. Waste from the fish starts the
natural process which will lead to a healthy pond.
To help boost the start of the biological cycle, Jungle Pond recommends Pond
Clear-Zyme in blocks or concentrate. The Clear-Zyme products offer a blend of
beneficial bacteria and enzymes that will get your pond off to a great start!
WATER GARDEN PLANTS are beautiful and beneficial to the pond and its fish.
Plants offer shade and hiding places for fish. They also help deter algae
growth since plants compete for the same nutrients. Most important, they add to
the process of developing a natural biological cycle. Most aquatic plants are
categorized as either deep or shallow water plants. Their roots are usually
placed in a soil-filled pot, which is then submerged. Just as with fish, there
are a variety of plants to choose from that can add a decorative touch to your
pond. There are many sources available to you when determining what type of
plants to buy. Check with your local pond store, pond club or the web.
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Feeding Your Fish
It’s easy! Feed your fish a balanced fish food.
Jungle Pond Food offers ornamental pond fish a nutritional diet in
floating pellet form.
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Caring For Sick Fish
Just as with any kind of pet, fish can get sick too. Everything from fungus and
bacteria to parasitic problems can occur.
Jungle Pond has a variety of treatments for ornamental pond fish including
Pond Anchors Away,
Pond Fungus Eliminator,
Pond Ick Guard and
Pond Parasite Guard. Be sure to learn as much as possible about
prevention, detection and treatments available to help you with the care of
your fish (visit www.junglelabs.com for the answers to your questions on fish
care and diagnosis of common ailments).
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Plant Care
Plants also require nutrients that can help them to grow and flourish.
Use Jungle
Pond Aquatic Plant Food Tabs and
Pond Plant Saver to start your plants off right. Each
Aquatic Plant Food Tab feeds plants needed nutrients for up to two
weeks.
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Monitor Your Water Quality
Establishing, and maintaining, healthy water is easier when you regularly
monitor the quality.
Key measures of water quality are:
• pH
• ammonia
• nitrate
• nitrite
• hardness
• alkalinity levels
Jungle Pond makes water testing easy with its
Pond Test Kit featuring Quick Dip Multi-Test Strips. With five tests on
one strip, one dip reveals water quality results in seconds! It's fast,
accurate, easy and includes problem-solving charts. Be sure to test your water
at least 1-2 times per month.
Use
Pond pH Decreaser,
Pond pH Increaser, and
Pond Ammonia Chloramine Remover as needed to maintain good water
quality.
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Identify and Treat Common Pond Problems
CLOUDY WATER
Common in new ponds, suspended organic/inorganic particles such as
dirt, clay, silt and debris cause cloudy water conditions.
Pond Water Clear clumps these particles together, which settle to the
bottom of the pond for easy removal by the filtration system or by
siphoning.
DISCOLORED, CLOUDY OR ODEROUS WATER
Decaying organics in pond water give off tannins that can discolor
and/or cloud the water, as well as cause an unpleasant odor.
Pond Guard purifies pond water, leaving it crystal clear and free of
odor.
ALGAE AND GREEN WATER
Algae blooms and algae form in pond.
Pond Block (four pack) or Pond
No More Algae Liquid clear water of algae growth and prevents
it from coming back.
SLUDGE
Decaying debris from uneaten food, dead plants/algae, and fish waste
accumulates at the bottom of a pond forming a sludge layer.
Clear-Zyme,
in blocks or concentrate, contain beneficial bacteria and enzymes
that break down the sludge layer and establish a pond's natural biological
balance.
Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success
What makes Jungle Pond products work so well?
Jungle Pond developed a combination of products designed as a system
for successful pond care. The average pond keeper cares for a pond
that is 500 to 1,000 gallons in capacity. Jungle’s products are
specially formulated and packaged for use with ponds this size. Each
product has an indefinite shelf life, so there's no worry of spoilage
or outdating before the end of a pond season. Simple, yet thorough
instructions are on each package, and each product can be used safely
and effectively with any other products in the line.
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Choose Your Pond Type and Size
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Selecting a Location
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Establish the Highest Water Quality
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Adding Fish and Plants
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Feeding your Fish
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Caring for Sick Fish
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Plant Care
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Monitor Your Water Quality
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Identify and Treat Common Pond Problems
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