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Winter can be a challenging time for water features. Water features in areas such as Denville that experience snowfall can freeze over in winter. Freezing temperatures can damage the seal and pump of your water feature.

Follow these tips to protect your outdoor water feature during winter.

Drain Your Water Feature

When water freezes, it expands and can crack and damage your water feature. If this happens, you may end up spending a ton of money on expensive repairs or may have to replace them. To prevent damage to your water feature, drain it. Clean it with a bleach solution (one tsp. bleach and one-gallon water).

If you face difficulty draining your water feature, cover it with a plastic sheet to trap heat. Use bricks or large rocks to secure the borders of the sheet. It will keep the sheet stable in windy conditions.

Remove, Clean, and Store Your Pump

Remove any pumps connected to your water feature. Fill up a bucket with warm water and immerse the pump in it. This will prevent it from drying out.

Debris and algae can clog your pump. To prevent this from happening, clean it thoroughly. To clean your pump, soak it in a mixture of water and vinegar and pump clean water through it.

Once your pump dries, store it in a garage or storage shed.

Turn Off Outdoor Waterfalls

When temperatures decrease, and your waterfall freezes over, ice dams can form. Ice dams can divert water away from the recirculation system. This will trigger a chain reaction, which in turn will encourage more freezing. To prevent ice dams, turn off any outdoor waterfalls.

Care for Plants and Fish

Winter can be a challenging time for the fishes and plants. Cold weather can damage plants. If you have fishes, remember that their metabolism slows as temperatures decrease. If you continue feeding your fish regularly, the excess (uneaten) food will decompose, promoting mold and fungal growth. Excess fish food can also cause a rise in nitrate and phosphate levels in the water.

To maintain good water quality, feed your fish less often. Consider switching to a fish food with low protein. To protect aquatic plants, trim them and move them to the deepest part of the pond.

Looking for a garden water fountain expert near you? Look no further than Atlantis Water Gardens. We will help you choose the right water feature for your garden. Our team will transform your backyard into an oasis of relaxation. To make an appointment, call 973.240.5833.

Installing a water feature in your backyard is one of the most effective ways to spruce it up. In addition to enhancing the curb appeal of your home, a water feature will help create a relaxing and calming environment, transforming your backyard into an oasis.

Here are some famous water features worth your consideration.

Fountains

If you want to add water to your garden but are short on space, consider garden fountains. You can either opt for a self-contained fountain or add one to your pool or pond. There are several styles from which you can choose a model that best suits your needs and budget.

Ponds

There are several environmental and health benefits of ponds. Ponds support local wildlife and can help conserve water. A pond can increase the overall value of your property and reduce toxic chemicals in groundwater.

Ponds are incredibly relaxing. Studies show that water’s mere sight and sound can induce burst firing of feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters that promote mental and physical wellness.

Local wildlife such as newts, insects, toads, frogs, and birds get naturally attracted to ponds. Once your pond is ready, you will get numerous opportunities to enjoy wildlife antics.

You can also add fish to your pond to make your experience even more enjoyable. Many pond owners add rockeries and fountains to make their ponds look more attractive and functional.

If you have pets or kids, install a pond safety guard designed to prevent children from falling in the water.

Pondless Waterfalls

Pondless waterfalls are a perfect solution for people with smaller properties. These are constructed from rocks and pebbles.

A pondless waterfall is a recirculating waterfall. As the name suggests, it does not include a pond. A pondless waterfall works by circulating water contained in a reservoir up and through the spillway.

Because a pondless waterfall does not have a pond, there is no risk of a child or pet drowning. You will need different types of rocks and a heavy-duty pump capable for pumping water to the top of the waterfall.

Streams

If you have an extensive garden, consider building a stream. You can use rocks and plants to make your stream look natural.

Need help with choosing the best backyard fountain near you? Look no further than Atlantis Water Gardens. Nothing excites us more than transforming ordinary backyards into relaxing outdoor oases. To discuss your project with our team, call 973-627-0515.

Adding a pond to your backyard is one of the most effective ways to enhance the value of your property. In addition to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your property, a pond will help create your personal sanctum.

The sound of flowing water soothes the brain and the soul. You can immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of wildlife in your garden to escape the mundane and experience life.

You cannot create a pond and forget it. Ponds, like everything else, require regular cleaning and maintenance. A dirty pond is unsightly and can become an eyesore. Dissolved oxygen concentrations are low in dirty ponds which is detrimental to aquatic life.

You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out ways to keep your pond clean and healthy. Just follow these simple tips to keep pond water clean.

Use the Right Pump for Your Pond

Your water feature’s pump plays a critical role in maintaining your pond. A pump circulates the water, helping introduce additional oxygen into the pond. Oxygen in your pond is vital to sustain plants and fish in it.

Proper pump sizing is critical to the health of your water feature. Your pump should circulate the water at least once every hour. If your pond contains 1,000 gallons of water, your pump should be capable of pushing a minimum of 1,000 gallons per hour.

Other important factors to consider when choosing a pump are the height of your waterfall and the length of the pipe that runs from the pump to the water feature.

Remove Debris from Your Pond Before It Decays

If you allow decaying leaves, fish waste, and leftover fish food to accumulate in your pond, ammonia levels in your pond will go up. Elevated ammonia levels in your pond is a recipe for disaster and can stress your fish.

To prevent this from happening, remove debris such as drying leaves and plants and uneaten fish food from your water regularly. Prune the plants near your pond. During the fall season, install a protective pond netting over your pond to prevent leaves from falling into the water. Add beneficial bacteria to keep your pond healthy.

Maintain the Right Balance of Plants

Plants in your pond play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem. They absorb excess nutrients and help filter the water.

Many plants, such as water lilies, help maintain ideal seasonal temperatures by shading the water. Do not use too many plants as they can cause oxygen deficiencies at night (when they take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide). Use marginal plants, floating plants, and oxygenators.

Maintain a Healthy Fish Population

A good rule of thumb is to have no more than 10” of fish per 100 gallons of water in a pond. If you have more fish in your pond than it can hold, you will have to deal with excessive fish waste.

Are you looking for a pond builder specializing in installing garden fountains near you? Look no further than Atlantis Water Gardens. Over the years, we have helped several homeowners turn their backyard into an oasis. To get more information about our services, call 973-627-0515.

Nature is peaceful in many ways. It helps us calm our minds in chaos. Often, adding little things to our home can make it more peaceful. Many people like to have koi ponds in their houses to maintain positivity around them.

You can search for “koi pond construction near me” to get the pond of your dreams designed and built in your home’s yard. It’s imperative to take essential care of your koi pond during winter. Since winter is just around the corner, you’ll need a survival guide to winterize your koi pond.

What is a Koi Pond?

A koi pond is a small water garden that can be built inside the house or in the backyard. The pond is created to preserve the health of koi fish in the pond. Nishiki koi or Japanese ornamental carp are mostly the reason why koi ponds are built.

In Japan, koi fish are unique because they are a form of carp that is very colorful and has a particular lineage. Just like dog breeds, people in Japan take the breeding of koi fish very seriously. Hence, koi fish are to be kept safe and healthy in a protective pond.

The Importance of Water Temperature in the Winter

Koi can be overwintered in the pond successfully by following a few simple rules:

• Stop feeding koi once the water temperature drops below 50 degrees. Water thermometers are relatively inexpensive and are a valuable tool for your koi pond.

• Koi can’t properly digest food in cold water and it can rot in their stomach, leading to sickness/disease. Using a Cold Water Koi Food in the Fall will help prepare koi for overwintering.

• It’s important to keep a hole open in any ice that will form on the surface of the pond for proper gas exchange. Using an aerator, placed approximately 1’ down from the surface, will keep a hole open in the ice and provide aeration to the pond as well. A pond de-icer can be used in conjunction with an aerator to keep a hole open also.

• Keep the pond free of debris and clean going into the winter months. Using a net to cover the pond in the fall will help prevent leaves from collecting in the bottom.

To learn more about preparing your koi pond for the winter, click on this link to watch our Winter Pond Preparation Video. Atlantis Water Gardens also has a popular YouTube Channel that has lots of great information about Koi Ponds, Water Gardens, Backyard Fountains and Waterfalls at Atlantis Water Gardens.

At Atlantis Water Gardens, we offer services of koi fish ponds and other water gardens. You can contact us at 973-627-0515 to get advice on maintaining a koi pond, and get the preparatory services before winter to make them healthy. We also provide other water garden services that you may want to check out.