My aim in this book is to give essential advice on
all the main aspects of freshwater garden fish ponds. I
have tried to include some of the science of ponds while
keeping the information easy to understand. Each chapter
begins with an outline of the main points of the topic.
Each point is then expanded on. My experience with ponds
has mainly been in the warm temperate climate in Perth,
Western Australia. The principles for fish ponds are
similar worldwide but warm temperate climates like that
of Perth intensify some of the problems in ponds. This
book will therefore be particularly useful to pond
owners in sunny climates. The book begins with pond
design, starting with the position of the pond in the
garden. I discuss the consequences of different pond
sizes and depths, and of natural and artificial ponds. I
talk about the advantages of a dual pond system. I give
guidelines for these and for self-cleaning ponds. I also
say why I recommend designing the pond with a sump,
overflow, leaf skimmer, and automatic top-up valve.
Lastly, I give my colour preference for the pond bottom
and sides. Next, I advise on pond construction. Ponds
can be built with concrete, bricks, rigid polyethylene,
fibreglass or liners. I write about my experiences with
ponds made from each of these materials and also my
preferences for pipework materials. In the following
chapter, I recommend various pumps, filters (including
ultraviolet clarifiers), water features, underwater
lights and copper ionizers. Choosing the right equipment
will give you the right effect for the lowest cost and
for the least effort. The chapter on fish gives
information on types of fish, especially goldfish and
koi. I advise on when a new pond is ready for fish and
on the number of fish a pond can support. I give
information on the handling, transporting, and feeding
of fish, and on diseases and predators. The next chapter
delivers general information on water plants, why you
should have them and their role in the ecology of the
pond. Plants provide shade, oxygen, food, habitat and
cover from predators. They filter toxins and excessive
nutrients from the water. I give advice on keeping
plants, including information on fertilizer and pests.
Finally, I give recommendations for pond maintenance
including a routine. My advice is directed at pumps,
filters, pond cleanliness, exchanging water and
maintaining the pH and hardness. The maintenance is
largely directed at algae control. I discuss the various
forms of nuisance algae and control methods for
microalgae, blanket weed, and slime algae. Other advice
includes information on water testing and water
treatments. Maintaining good water quality is
fundamental to the success of any fish pond. "Good"
water quality means the water's suitability for its
proposed purpose. Water quality is affected by every
aspect of a pond, from its design and construction to
its pumps, filters and maintenance. Each chapter of this
book tells how each aspect of the pond affects the
water. Every fish pond is different. The solutions to
one pond's problems may be very different to another
pond's.
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