The Purpose Of Pond Filter Pads | Rochester New York (NY)Filter pads (or other filter media) have an important role in your water feature, the purpose of filter pads is to keep a lot of surface area that will help to grow the beneficial bacteria. In reality should not be cleaned very often. This beneficial bacteria helps to balance your ecosystem water feature and are responsible for maintaining crystal clear healthy water; break down organic waste – in the form of sludge, and breaks down ammonia – from fish waste. Also, some customers mistakenly believe this beneficial bacteria is “crud” and will unfortunately wash it off. Once removed, the process of growing beneficial bacteria will have to start all over again! Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls recommend to only clean your filter pads a couple times a year. Once during the spring clean out and again during fall shutdown. In some cases a third mid summer cleaning of filters can benefit the pond as well. Most filter pads will last a year or two before you should have to replace them. How To Identify If Your Pond Needs Its Filters Cleaned (Summer Maintenance)
*Because each pond is unique, there are more examples but these are the most common. Not Sure What Type Of Filtration Is Right For You? We Can Help! Call Us For A Pond Design Consultation 585-442-6373
0 Comments
When Is The Best Time To Clean My Fish (KOI) Pond | Rochester New York | NY The best time to perform a koi pond clean-out in Rochester NY is the early spring, before your water garden completely awakens from its winter dormancy – ideally before the water temperature in the pond creeps above 55º F. Spring is in the air, and it’s finally here! This season brings extended daylight, rising temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna. Also, it is the time when your hibernating koi fish emerge from their hiding places to stretch their sleepy bodies. Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls is ready for your annual Spring pond cleaning..... Are you? Why Is Pond Cleaning Important?Pond maintenance and cleaning are designed to help you accomplish one thing: Enjoy your water feature more!
You may find yourself outside enjoying your pristine oasis more with loved ones. Can I Wait To Clean My Pond Out?If a clean-out is performed when the water is warmer, after bacteria colonies form, the balance of the ecosystem will be thrown off and your pond will go through another period of algae blooms before the bacteria colonies become re-established. Be patient, your pond will naturally balance itself provided you don’t have a fish overload.
Hire Acorn Ponds to get your pond/water feature looking it’s best! Call today for a pond cleaning quote. Let our experience work for you, contact us now! 585-442-6373 NY|Beneficial Pond Bacteria|Pond Water Treatments|Rochester|New York|Near MeThe very short answer: Yes! Each year as we maintain ponds in Rochester NY, we consistently remind our customers to add beneficial pond bacteria to their ponds & water gardens. This is to maintain a consistent balance of beneficial pond bacteria to provide consistent water quality and water clarity for the pond’s ecosystem. Why Add Beneficial Pond Bacteria If It Will Grow On It’s Own?Honestly, we asked the same question and were skeptical to consistently add this extra liquid “stuff”. We felt as though the pond and filtration would maintain the proper pond bacteria levels without supplementation and this does happen to a certain extent, however… We decided to test products to see if they really made a difference. Over the course of a year, we consistently added beneficial pond bacteria and a sludge bacteria to one pond and not another, both having similar fish loads and proper filtration. The results were dramatic. The pond with “stuff”, added consistently, was gin clear with no green water in the spring and a 3 week filter cycle ( pond enthusiasts: a filter cycle is how quickly water quality results showed 0 for ammonia and nitrites). Also, in the fall there was very little sludge build-up on the bottom of the pondand every stone was visible. The fish were also very lively and looked extremely healthy.
By this time we felt as though we had answered the question of: Is it worth adding pond bacteria? Yes, in our opinion it is 100% worth it to add pond bacteria and sludge reducing bacteria. Read Acorn Ponds Info About Our Bacteria Dosing System |
Have you ever forgotten to add your water treatments to your backyard pond only to be reminded by an abundance of algae growth? The Aquascape Automatic Dosing System will help keep your water feature looking great all year long! |
*Just Because We Added Some Liquid Bacteria To The Pond???
Adding beneficial pond bacteria is a way of supplementing and keeping pond bacteria levels steady so the bacteria are consistently keeping up with the ammonia and fish waste levels. This is somewhat similar to us taking vitamin supplements for our bodies in an effort to keep our vitamin levels consistent.
Adding beneficial pond bacteria eliminates high and low bacteria level swings which provides us with a cleaner and clearer pond, as well as a healthier environment for our fishfriends.
Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls is Western New York's including Pittsford, Fairport, Webster & beyond premier water garden and koi pond contractor. Building, maintaining, and helping customers with their ponds is our passion, hobby, and most of all fun and rewarding.
We take great pride in our attention to detail and careful planning from the design process throughout the construction of any water feature you can dream up. Beyond construction of your water feature, we also specialize in the maintenance of anything and everything related to waterscapes. Our vast knowledge of koi and pond fish will always be at your fingertips, whenever you need help.
Keep Your Pond Looking Great With Pond Maintenance Services By Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Of Rochester New York (NY) Call Us 585-442-6373
NY|What Is An Exploratory Pond Cleaning|Water Feature|Service|Rochester|New York|Near Me
Pond (Exploratory & Analyzation) Cleaning Services - Rochester New York (NY)
Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls 585-442-6373
Serving Rochester & Western New York (NY) Areas
Are you buying a home or have you recently purchased one that has a water feature or pond in Rochester or Western New York (NY) and would it be a good idea to hire a professional pond company to clean, assess, and educate you on the system you have? Having a true pond professional (Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls) figure out and explain everything to you regarding your new water garden and what it is that you need to do for maximum enjoyment can save a lot of headaches down the road. |
Peace Of Mind With Your New Water Garden
As we know not all ponds are created equal and having extensive pond knowledge will allow a good pond contractor to help guide you. Let's face it, "peace of mind" is everything! It is a state of mental and emotional calmness, with no worries, fears or stress. In the state, the mind is quiet and you can experience a sense of happiness and freedom. Escaping from the stress of life by a beautiful and enjoyable pond will definitely create "Peace Of Mind". |
The first step is to drain out all the water in the pond to see what is going on. All aquatic life(fish, frogs, etc.) are placed in large holding tubs. The plants remain in the pond. Once the water is out, everything in the pond is examined and explained to the homeowners. It is always important for one homeowner to be present to actually see and understand what is happening. This is time well spent as trying to understand through a phone conversation can be very difficult. The filters are also cleaned and inspected at the time of service. At the end of the cleaning Acorn Ponds provide the homeowner (a written report if desired) a report of all their findings. Basically, the Acorn Ponds team will explain to a new pond owner what they have, and what they can do to make it better and lower maintenance. |
We Recommend Fully Draining & Cleaning Your Koi Fish Pond At Least Once Every Year Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Can Help You, Call Us 585-442-6373
Other Helpful Links About Ponds:
Recreational Pond Build During Pondemonium 2017 - Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls of Rochester NY
4/12/2018
NY|Recreational Pond Build|Pondemonium 2017|Rochester|New York|Near Me
Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls of Rochester (NY) travels to Chicago in August 2017 to help in the construction of another recreational pond as well as learn state of the art pond building techniques led by Brian and Ed from Aquascape Inc.
Tom of Acorn has been attending conferences and pond builds every year since 2004 and "this was one of the best" says Tom. The pond was part of a backyard renovation is 30'x60' and 6' deep with a 75' stream, 15,000 gallon reservoir to capture rainwater and has a 15'x20' wetland filter and bottom up-flow system to keep the water crystal clear. Aquabloks and a 4” drain were installed under the pond as part of an Infrastructure that will protect the pond for years to come.
Also included in the design of this beautiful natural stone water garden/swimming pond were multiple waterfalls with diving rocks, led lighting system, a bubbling boulder, skim cove or intake bay with external pumping system as well as hardscaping and plantings.
Pond Construction Material Information & Specs
- More than 200,000 tons of rock were used.
- Water storage chamber can store up to 9 inches of water before discharging to street.
- 2 recirculating pumps totaling 30,000 GPH.
- Water is forced through gaps in the flagstone (on pond bottom) to create jets.
Construction Of The Pond
It is always a privilege working alongside some of the best pond builders in the world doing what we all enjoy most....building ponds! Here a few photos below that show the construction of this amazing water feature. I hope we have given you a few landscape ideas that might help you with your backyard project in Rochester NY.
Hire Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Of Rochester New York (NY) To Install Your Backyard Pond. Call Today! (585) 442-6373
Effective Way To Filter Pond Water | Rochester NY| Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls
1.- Biological filters use bacteria to break down pond wastes, converting them into less harmful compounds that can be used as aquatic plant fertilizers.
2.- Mechanical filters trap and remove debris and sediment.
3.- Water sterilizers pass water through a tube that houses an ultraviolet bulb, killing living microscopic particles in the water.
A good biological filtration system, teamed with a proper mechanical filter toremove solids before the water enters the biological filtration unit, is the most effective way to filter water. With adequate biological and mechanical filtration, the need for sterilizers is eliminated altogether, thereby ensuring a natural ecosystem pond.
The Job of a Pond Skimmer
There are two main types of skimmers: box skimmers and floating skimmers. Both types filter the water by removing floating debris and waste before it’s had a chance to fall to the bottom of the pond. The box skimmer is the predominant type of skimmer on the market today because it’s easy to maintain.
Box-style skimmers come with either vertical or horizontal filter mats. Horizontal mats prove to be the most effective, while providing the least amount of maintenance. In addition to frequent cleaning, vertical mats need to be constantly monitored to make sure there is enough water in the pump chamber for the pump to operate properly. An advantage of horizontal filter mats is that they lay flat so there is no sagging and they don’t lose their shape. They also never clog to the point of preventing water from passing through, so the pump chamber does not run dry.
As water enters the skimmer, the large debris is removed and the water is then further filtered through the horizontal mat. The pond water then travels through the plumbing buried underground, up to the biological filter where it’s further treated before re-entering the pond.
Biological Filtration Goes to Work
The water then flows from the bottom to the top of the filter, traveling through filter media housed inside the unit. The filter media helps with the removal of fine to medium-sized particles. The larger debris was already removed by the skimmer.
As the biological filter fills, it will overflow and cascade over its waterfall lip, cascading down rocks that have been set to create a beautiful and preferably natural-looking waterfall. The waterfall creates aeration for the pond, assisting in the circulation and health of the water. If a slower, stream effect is preferred, the unit simply needs to be sunk lower into the ground.
The Science Behind The Design For Pond Filtration
In biological filtration, nitrifying bacteria, known as facultative bacteria, absorb ammonia, and turn nitrites into nitrates, which are less dangerous. These bacteria require oxygen to live, so it’s important for the pond’s pump to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the pump isn’t running, the waterfalls aren’t flowing, and aeration is eliminated from the necessary equation to maintain an ecosystem pond. Keep in mind that if the pump shuts down, the bacteria will quickly use up all of the oxygen and die. This isn’t a good thing.
The Role of Aquatic Pond Plants
Another important component to pond filtration is the use of plants. Many gardeners add a pond to their landscape for the variety of aquatic plantsavailable, and while their beauty is certainly an aesthetic asset; a critical benefit is the work these plants do to help filter the water. |
If these excess nutrients are not removed, algae will feed on them, resulting in green water, string algae, or both. Algae control is not the only way plants help create a low-maintenance ecosystem pond. Submerged and marginal plants also provide food, shade, and protection for the fish and other wildlifethat live in and around the pond.
Low-Fish Pond Maintenance
Have A Well Balance Pond with Aquatic Plants, Fish & Filtration System Call Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls In Rochester New York (NY) 585-442-6373
Some Helpful Links:
7 Tips For Planting Your Pond|Backyard Pond Design|Rochester|NY|New York
You can apply many of the same tips and guidelines you use to create your terrestrial flower beds. Things like color, height, and planting conditions are things you’ll want to consider when it comes to naturalizing your pond with plants.
1. Create Interest with Variety. Random placement of plants with varying textures and colors will create more interest than using plants that have all the same growth habit or leaf shape.
2. Play with Colors. Choose colors you like best and consider the type of lighting your pond receives. Yellow, orange, and white help brighten shady areas, while cool blue and violet tone down the intensity of the sun’s rays.
3. Go Green. A soft, calming space is created by using different textures and shades of green foliage. The combination is effective on its own, but also looks great when accented only by white flowers. You can also play with color based on leaf selection alone, since you’ll find aquatic foliage in a range of colors such as red, purple, yellow, and several variegated combinations.
5. Short in Front, Tall in Back. This might seem like a no-brainer, but always put shorter plants in front of taller ones. Most likely, you’ll spend most of your time viewing your water garden from a deck or patio, so keep that sight line in mind when planting your pond.
7. Consider Each Plant’s Needs. Be mindful of how much sun your aquatic plants require, along with their planting depth. If a plant requires full sun, that’s a minimum of 6 hours of unobstructed (ie not dappled shade) sun per day. If you’re not sure what your plant needs, search online for information.
Have A Backyard Water Feature Project In Mind? We’re Ready When You Are. Contact Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Today. (585) 442-6373
SOME HELPFUL POND INFO LINKS:
Pond Sludge|Muck|Removal|Cleaning|Services|Rochester|New York|NY|Near Me
Sludge or muck is merely the organic waste of plants and animals that accumulates at the bottom of every pond. If you don't drain & clean your pond every year, the buildup of sludge can be overwhelming making it more difficult to get rid of. Sludge & muck buildup can lead to more pond problems as well as be detrimental or harmful to the health of your koi fish. |
The quickest way to get rid of the muck & sludge is to physically remove it. The pond must be pumped all the way down to the bottom and the muck can be removed with buckets, shovels, vacuums & power washers. There are chemicals available to aid in the removal of light muck buildup but will take time & patience working with the different products. |
How To Keep Muck & Sludge Under Control
- Keep your pond clear of organic materials such as leaves, sticks & twigs.
- Cut back aquatic pond plants in the fall.
- Add beneficial bacteria to your pond regularly.
- Drain & clean your pond at least once a year.
- Install a waterfall filter in your pond.
- Install a skimmer in your pond.
- Use aeration when needed in the summer.
- Don't overstock your pond with fish, koi & goldfish.
Have Your Pond Professionally Built & Maintained By Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Of Rochester New York (NY) (585) 442-6373
Pond Aeration|Koi Fish Ponds|Ecosystem Ponds|Filters|Rochester New York (NY)
Pond Aeration Ideas - Rochester New York (NY)
The addition of an aeration system is a vital element when designing an ecosystem koi fish pond to function well, stay balanced, healthy and maintain a good water quality all year long in Rochester New York (NY). |
Four Ways We Aerate Fish Ponds In Rochester (NY) New York :
- Aerators
- Solid Handling Pumps
- Waterfall Filtration
- Spitters & Fountains
Aerators
An aerator's motor is located outside the pond and pumps oxygen into the pond through tubes to stones that are located in the pond. These are great for helping to add oxygen during hot summer months when the oxygen level can decrease. |
Solid Handling Pumps
Solid handling pumps are submerged in the pond and are run continuously to add oxygen to the pond by water movement. These are great for helping to keep an opening in the ice as well as add oxygen to the pond during the freezing cold winter months here in Rochester (NY). |
Waterfall Filtration
Waterfall filters add oxygen to the water when water breaks the surface of the pond and flows to the opposite side into a skimmer. Thus allowing the entire pond to turn over from one end to the other. They also play an important role in allowing a place for beneficial bacteria to live and colonize not to mention they look fantastic when they are all rocked in and installed with lighting. |
Spitters & Fountains
Spitters & fountains are small decorative water features that can be used stand alone by themselves or installed directly into a koi fish pond. They add oxygen to the pond as well as provide a pleasing rhythm of soothing sounds that can help attract frogs & butterflies. |
Keep Your Koi Pond Looking Great With Pond Aeration Services By Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls Of Rochester New York (NY) Call Us 585-442-6373
Some Helpful Pond Info Links:
Winter Pump Care For Ponds & Water Features In Rochester NY|Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls
Remove & Store Your Pump
If you shut your pond down during the winter season in Rochester, Monroe County New York (NY) we recommend removing the pump from the filter and storing it in a bucket of water in a frost free location. The water will help maintain the life of the seals on the pump while in storage. Please note that the pump, depending on how long it has been out of operation over the winter may need to be “kick-started”. |
* Tip: Place a piece of plastic wrap over the bucket to reduce evaporation.
If you are located near Rochester, NY and need help removing your pump, preparing your pond for the winter or have any pond maintenance questions, call or Contact us, Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls at 585.442.6373.
Helpful Links With Pond Information:
If You Need Help Or Have Any Pond Maintenance Questions, Call Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls In Rochester (NY) 585-442-6373
Author
Landscape Designer / Pond Contractor, Tom Warmerdam has been designing, installing & maintaining koi ponds, water features, patios, landscape lighting & creating outdoor living area paradises all around Rochester, New York (NY) for over 30 years. His company Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls was awarded by Aquascape Inc. as one of the top 100 in North America in 2014. He has been attending conferences at Aquascape headquarters every year since 2004 in Chicago, Ill to maintain his Certification(Certified Aquascape Contractor) status.
Archives
September 2019
July 2019
June 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
December 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
December 2017
September 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
October 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
June 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
Categories
All
Aquatic Pond Plants
Backyard (KOI) Ponds
Bog Filtration
Commercial Features
Customer Reviews
Fire Features
Garden Fountains
Green Pond Water
Landscape Design
Landscaping Ideas
LED Pond Lighting
Pond Algae
Pond Cleaning
Pond Construction
Pond Contractors
Pond Design
Pond Filtration
Pond (KOI) Fish
Pondless Waterfalls
Pond Maintenance
Pond Repair
Pond Tour
Pond Water Treatments
Pumps & Plumbing
Recreational Ponds
Waterfalls
Water Features
Water Gardens
Wildlife