To avoid
most maintenance problems with ponds and fountains, you
need to do it right the first time. That means you'll need
to do your homework about the environment in which you'll
build your pond and install your fountain. "Think of
a pond as a big aquarium," says Steve Springer, president
of the Waterscapes division of OASE in Camarillo, California.
"The major and critical aspect of creating and maintaining
a pond is protecting the biological balance of everything
in it." You will be creating an ecosystem, and everything
that goes into it must maintain that environment.
"The
key to maintaining your pond is the water factor. Installing
and maintaining aerating and water cleaning equipment, and
adding the appropriate bacteria will keep the pond environment
stable and healthy for the plants and fish you want to put
there. It takes time to get the proper water balance, usually
about 6-8 weeks for a brand new pond," says Springer.
Maintenance
calls for commercial ponds vary, depending on where you're
located. According to Dirk Rohloff, owner and president
of Pacific Water Art, in Mountain View, California, it depends
on climate, environment, landscape plants around the pond,
and the grading and drainage patterns which affect runoff
into the pond. "Each pond or water feature has its
own personality; subsequently, some require twice weekly
maintenance, others require only once a month," Rohloff
says. Often with large ponds, the water quality can even
change from week to week, due to the amount of nutrients
in runoff and debris in the water. Some contractors, like
Mike Graham, vice president of operations for Landscape
Concepts Management in Grayslake, Illinois, offer a weekly
contract through the growing season. This allows the contractor
to keep an eye on changing conditions.
Before
& After
Residential pond maintenance differs from commercial maintenance.
According to Michael O'Keefe of Aquatic Landscapes in Dallas,
Texas, "The residential pond doesn't have the same
runoff problems as the commercial pond; it doesn't collect
fertilizer and street oils. So a maintenance program is
not as intense."
Nearly all contractors teach residential clients to maintain
their own water features, usually by their request. O'Keefe
explains that the homeowner enjoys working with his pond
almost too much, to the point that sometimes he has to tell
him to leave it alone because it's too clean. Therefore,
the majority of maintenance contracts for pond maintenance
are for commercial ponds, and it's a lucrative business.
Pond
Problems
Bill Wingo, aquatic biologist and owner of Lone Star Fountains
and Magnolia Fisheries in Flower Mound, Texas, says that
submersed aquatic weeds and algae present a constant challenge.
"The degree of aquatic vegetation growth is a function
of water depth, water clarity, weather patterns, and nutrient
loading. In addition to being an eyesore, algae clog filters,
pump inlets, and other equipment. Silting is accelerated,
oxygen levels reduced, and bad odors result," he says.
The pond's use and state regulations influence the treatments
selected. "Ideally," Wingo adds, "aquatic
plant management should be a combination of methods that
work harmoniously with the environment." There are
a number of techniques that help maintain the pond environment.
These include pond aeration, filters, controlling runoff,
biological methods, and the use of aquatic herbicides.
Pond
Aeration
Aeration is a common and effective way to maintain good
water quality and kill or prevent the growth of algae. Aerators
promote a healthy fish habitat, reduce nutrient problems
due to lack of oxygen, reduce odor, and increase decomposition
of organic matter.
Two
types of aeration are generally used: floating fountains,
also called surface aerators, and bottom-diffused aerators.
Fountains come in a variety of sizes and spray patterns.
Some are even designed to alternate between patterns. While
very functional, fountains and aerators also add drama to
a landscape, especially when lit at night.
Rodney
Bulava, manager of the water feature department for Landscape
Concepts Management, says his company uses a variety of
aerators. He suggests being cautious with floating fountains
alone for putting oxygen back into the water, because he
has found they don't grab the deep water. To counter this,
Wingo says, "Fountains can be equipped with suction
tube extensions to pull water from greater depths. This
enhances mixing and oxygenation of the pond."
Bottom-diffuse
aeration systems are the most efficient for providing oxygen
flow within a pond, according to Wingo. In very deep ponds,
these are not visible as they do their work. They can also
be combined with a fountain, for aesthetics.
Maintaining
Aerators and Fountains
Many maintenance calls for aerators and fountains occur
in the aftermath of thunderstorms and after power interruptions,
which stop the work of the water-cleaning equipment, says
Wingo. Storms blow debris into ponds, which can overtax
a filtration system. Plastic bags present special problems,
because they tend to clog up the suction screen and restrict
water flow to the fountains. Having the proper skimmer,
a device that strains the large debris, in place in front
of the pump and filter will prevent most clog problems,
says Springer. If the debris makes its way into the propeller
shaft and locks up the fountain, then the pump may need
to be removed and cleaned or repaired. It's a good idea
to schedule a maintenance check after a major storm.
"The
quality of the pond denotes whether removal of the fountains
and aerators are necessary during our routine maintenance
calls," says Bulava. "We do a minimum of two mid-season
calls, and have found that plastic bags are the biggest
culprit." He uses dual intakes to avoid totally plugging
up the system.
There
are numerous brands of fountains and aerators available,
and most offer one to three year warranties. Some manufacturers
recommend yearly removal and servicing of the fountain or
aerator motor. Others are water-cooled and lubricated, and
require no routine service to remain within warranty. Nearly
all contractors remove and clean them at least once a year.
Enhancing
Water Quality
Providing enough oxygen for the pond environment is one
step toward creating the aquarium environment desired. Standard
water-quality tests are a good tool to determine the general
condition of the pond, Wingo says. These tests look at pond
temperatures, pH, alkalinity, hardness, nitrite, and phosphorus
in the water. If fish will be added to the pool or pond,
these tests will guide you in adjusting the water to sustain
fish. These tests are also helpful in gauging the extent
of the effects of runoff.
"Filtration
systems also help keep the water clean; however, make sure
you use ones that are suited to the size pond," says
Springer. Spa filters should never be used for a pond because
they are designed to be used with water that does not have
very many dissolved particles in it, and is treated with
chlorine or bromide. These filters have paper or fiber cartridges
that have to be replaced frequently.
Three
of the popular types of pond filters are: gravity, pressure,
and bio. Gravity filters should be installed where the outlet
is higher than the water level. Pressure filters can be
buried or camouflaged in a vault. Bio filters are suitable
for all pond types, whether there are plants and fish or
not. They require little maintenance, because the filter
medium is cleaned and reused.
Runoff
for large ponds is a problem that not only contributes to
an unhealthy pond but can also impact the environment. It
can be minimized by some general landscape maintenance techniques.
Graham encourages homeowner associations to leave a four
to five-foot buffer along the mowing edge. "This reduces
erosion and discourages Canadian geese," he says. Waterfowl
can add extra nutrients to the water environment. Graham
adds, "We use erosion fabric and plugs of native plants
along the shoreline, offering a natural look while growing
a natural filter for runoff."
Tom
Fochtman, owner of CoCal Landscape in Denver, Colorado,
has his crews clean the primary drain inlets and trickle
channels from streets and gutters to restrict oil and grease
pollution from streets. They also clean out silt build-up
in ditches using manpower or backhoes. And they have reshaped
the banks of drain ditches to eliminate trickle channels
into their ponds.
To decrease
nutrient overload and algae bloom from inorganic fertilizer
runoff, Graham uses water-soluble dye to prevent sunlight
from penetrating the water. This discourages plant and algae
growth. Wingo suggests switching to organic
fertilizers for the surrounding lawns. These
aren't so quickly released into the water system after a
rain.
Biological
Control
The introduction of organically-occurring bacteria, or microbes,
to restrict algae growth is a natural way of treating algae.
Microbes work by consuming the excess nutrients that algae
need to grow. But patience is necessary. This can be difficult
for the client who wants instant gratification.
"Since
chemicals work right away, the expectations are that microbes
work just as quickly," Wingo says. "Bacteria work
slowly, naturally, so we explain to our clients not to expect
visible changes in the water for three to four weeks. While
chemicals address the symptoms of the problem, microbes
address the cause of the problem."
Aquatic
Herbicide Control
If you choose chemical herbicides, there are two different
kinds: contact and systemic.
Contact herbicides achieve fast results, but may require
multiple treatments during algae bloom season. Additionally,
exposure of every part of the target plant is necessary.
Systemic herbicides are slower to kill, however they provide
seasonal control, and there is no oxygen depletion due to
rapid decomposition of vegetation.
Many
pond management companies, like Fochtman's, use a combination
of aquatic chemicals, bacteria, and aerator systems to combat
algae in the ponds his company maintains. Bill Henkelman,
vice president for The Brickman Group, Glendale Heights,
Illinois, says his company uses aquatic herbicides or bacterial
treatments in combination with aeration techniques.
"California
is much tougher than other states on the use of chemicals,"
states Rohloff, "You have to report what, where, and
how much you've added. While aquatic herbicides may be safer
than they used to be, we don't use them unless it's the
last option. We use the addition of bacteria and mechanical
filtration systems with commercial-grade sand filters that
remove solid products from the water."
Every
state requires, at minimum, a pesticide applicator's license
to apply aquatic chemicals. "Contact your state's Extension
Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, who
regulate chemical usage in wetlands," adds Wingo. "Both
of these departments maintain lists of allowable chemicals."
Pond
maintenance can save you headaches, and will also help preserve
the aesthetics of the pond or pool you installed, keeping
the environment healthy. According to Rohloff, commercial
pond maintenance contracts aren't difficult to sell. "Pond
maintenance is profitable," he says. "You're not
going to get rich, but it's steady work."
