Ponds are a great addition to any garden large enough to fit one.
They don’t just look great – they also provide a perfect habitat for fish and other aquatic animals.
Keeping your pond clear and pristine is crucial to making sure your pond looks great and the water is safe for fish to live in.
As any water gardener will tell you, clear water is important in your pond.
But keeping your pond water clean and clear can be tricky, especially if you’re new to pond maintenance.
So how are you supposed to look after the water in your pond?
If you’re having issues with keeping your pond water clear or simply want to know how to avoid any issues with the water in your pond, then you’re in luck! In this handy guide, we’ll take you through everything there is to know about maintaining the water quality in your pond (see also ‘The Best Pond Water Wheel‘).
So read on, and learn how to keep pond water clear!
Keeping Pond Water Clear: What You Need To Know
When it comes to keeping your pond water clear, you need to think about what’s going into the pond as well as what’s coming out of it.
There are several factors that can affect the quality of your pond water.
These include the quality of filtering and water pumping, how often you clean the surface of your water, and even the temperature of the water itself.
One of the biggest issues associated with dirty pond water is algae, which can be extremely harmful to fish, other animals, and plants that are in your pond.
In order to keep your pond water clear, you need to make sure that your pond is getting the appropriate level of care.
This includes regular maintenance of the pond and water, including cleaning up debris and testing the water quality, as well as making sure that you’re using the right types of water filters and pumps for the job.
So let’s take a closer look at the best ways to keep your pond water clear.
How To Keep Your Pond Water Clear
Now that we’ve covered some ways your pond water can become dirty and cloudy, let’s go over how you can stop this from happening.
1) Use The Right Size Water Pump
The first step towards keeping your pond water clear is ensuring that you have the correct size pump for the job.
If you’re looking to keep your pond water crystal clear, then you should use a pump that can circulate the water in your pond at least once an hour.
This is harder in larger ponds, and you’ll need to make sure that the pump is the right size to get the job done.
You will also need to keep the pump free from blockages; using a skimmer to catch debris like sticks and leaves will keep your pump running at its best.
2) Use The Right Filtration System
Like with your water pump, the filtration in your pond will need to match the size of the pond.
Filtering the water will keep it as clear and clean as possible by removing debris from the water and catching waste to stop the build-up of bacteria in your pond.
You should always get a filter that is meant for more water than your pond holds so it is certain to filter the water properly.
3) Remove Debris From The Water
One of the biggest causes of algae is dirt and debris in the water.
If sticks and leaves fall into the water and start to decay, they can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Removing these from the pond water as soon as possible will stop them from decaying to reduce the risk of bacteria and algae making your pond’s water go cloudy.
You can use a pond net to clear out any surface material, while the skimmer and filtration system should catch any submerged debris (this is also why a good filtration system is important!).
4) Don’t Overpopulate Your Pond
Having too much animal life in your pond can easily lead to the water becoming murky.
Insects, fish, and other pond-dwelling animals will leave dirt and waste in the water, which in turn attracts more bacteria that will impact the water quality.
Fish, in particular, are major culprits here; not only do they produce more waste than other animals in your pond, but their waste also causes the ammonia levels in your tank.
This can be severely harmful to your fish, any plants in your pond, as well as to the water itself.
Limiting the number of fish in your pond will make it easier for your filtration system and water pump to maintain good water quality and keep your water clear.
5) Keep The Water Cool
Warm weather is one of the nicest times to see your pond when the sun is glittering on the water.
However, keeping your pond’s water at the right temperature is important when trying to keep the water clear.
Algae thrive in hotter temperatures, also you’ll need to make sure the water is cleaned regularly when the weather starts getting warmer.
The heat can also affect life within the pond and increases the risk of plants and fish dying during hot weather.
If this happens, the decay can have a big impact on the water quality in your pond.
Keeping the pond cool, whether through the shade, an aerator, or some other method, will keep the water in its best condition so your pond water stays clear.
Final Thoughts
Looking after your pond is key to keeping the water clear.
Maintaining clear pond water is beneficial to the plants and animals living in it and will make sure that your pond looks as good as possible year-round.
So now you know how to keep the water in your pond clear, all that’s left for you to do is put your newfound skills into practice. Good luck!
