Tag: Fish Pond Repair Near Me

5 Tips to Winterize Your Pond

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

Winter can take a toll on your pond. As water temperatures drop, a thick layer of ice can form on the surface of your pond. As a result, toxic gases can get trapped in the water, increasing the risk of a fish kill. Cold temperatures can also harm your plants, and even kill them.

Winterizing your pond is a great way to protect the plants and fish in it. Here are some tips to prepare your pond for cold weather.

Treat Your Pond Water

Cold water bacteria help maintain water quality by decomposing organic debris like fish waste. Consider adding cold water beneficial bacteria to your pond. A good cold-water bacteria treatment makes pond maintenance a breeze. As a result, you spend less time maintaining your pond and more time enjoying it. Top-of-the-line treatments are designed to work in water temperatures as low as 32 degrees.

Install Pond Netting

Why wait for leaves and other debris to end up in your pond and then remove them, when you can prevent them from making their way into your pond by putting a net over it in the first place? Remove the leaves and other debris in your pond net at regular intervals.

Remove Leaves and Debris

If you haven’t installed pond netting, use a long-handled skimmer net to scoop out debris from the surface and bottom of your pond. If you fail to do so, the debris at the bottom of your pond can decay over time, affecting pond water quality. Therefore, even with pond netting, you will want to clean your pond periodically.

Trim Back Dead Foliage

Trimming dead foliage in your pond is a great way to remove excess organic debris that would otherwise decompose in the water. Trim back any hardy marginal plants and leave them in the water. Remove any tropical plants from your pond and move them inside your home.

Feed Your Fish Less Frequently

Fish slow down their heart rate and metabolism in winter. As a result, they tend to be less active and need very little to no food to survive. If you overfeed your fish in winter, they may excrete more. Fish excreta is a source of ammonia. Ammonia is also produced when uneaten fish feed completely breaks down or metabolizes.

If allowed to accumulate, ammonia can affect pond water quality. To prevent water quality problems, stop feeding your fish once the water temperature goes below 50 degrees F.  

Whether you want to add a pond or any other water feature to your backyard, Atlantis Water Gardens has got you covered. Our experience enables us to bring our customers’ vision to life. To schedule a fish pond repair near you in Randolph, call 973-627-0515.

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How To Fix a Leaking Fish Pond

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

Is your fish pond losing water faster than usual? If the temperature hasn’t risen, you may be dealing with a leak. Holes and cracks in construction materials are one of the most common causes of pond leaks. Holes and cracks in the pond liner result from shoreline erosion. Pond liner damage can also be associated with aging of the liner.

Many homeowners put off fish pond repair. This could prove to be a grave mistake. The longer you wait to address a leak, the worse the problem gets. If left unaddressed, even minor pond leaks can snowball into major problems leading to costly repairs.

Follow this step-by-step guide to locate and fix a pond leak.

Locate the Leak

First and foremost, try to locate the source of the leak. Fill your pond and visually inspect the edges for overspill. Check the outer perimeter of the pond for dampness. If you do not notice any water spilling over and there are no damp areas around your pond, shut down your pump and turn off the auto-fill valve. Is your pond still losing water? The leak is most likely in the foundation or liner.

If your pond does not lose water with the pump turned off, then the leak is most likely in the plumbing. In this case, inspect your pond plumbing or external components such as skimmer box, waterfall box and external pond filter. A common place for plumbing leaks is pipe fittings.

Remove Your Fish and Aquatic Plants

Before repairing your pond, remove your fish and plants. To prevent fish stress, use water from your pond in your fish’s new location. This will allow them enough time to adjust their body chemistry.

Repair Your Pond

Once you have drained the rest of the pond, follow these steps to fix a pond liner leak:

➢ Get a pond sealer. Clean the damaged area.

➢ Apply the sealer to the surface of the liner.

➢ Allow it to cure for 24 hours.

If you are using a patch kit:

➢ Thoroughly clean the damaged area with a solvent wipe. After you have got rid of accumulated dirt and dust, wipe the area.

➢ Scrub and dry the area using a dry scrub sponge.

➢ Apply the release paper to the tear.

➢ Use a seam roller to make seams flat and tight.

If the diameter of the tear exceeds 5”, consider replacing the liner.

How to Repair a Concrete Pond Leak

Follow these steps to fix a leaking concrete pond:

➢ Prepare the damaged area by cleaning it

➢ Apply the sealer to the damaged area

➢ Let the sealer dry

At Atlantis Water Gardens, we have years of experience designing, installing, repairing, and maintaining water features. Our ability to turn dull outdoor spaces into oases sets us apart. To schedule a fish pond repair near you in Randolph, call 973.627.0515.

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4 Things You Should Never Do To Your Pond in Winter

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

Cold temperatures can impact your pond and the plants and organisms in it. A thick layer of ice can prevent sunlight (from entering) and gases (from escaping your pond), affecting water quality.

When temperatures plummet, you have to be extra cautious. Take good care of your pond. Periodically inspect it and check fish and plant health.

Care for your pond the right way. Steer clear of these mistakes to ensure a healthy pond.

Do Not Overfeeding Fish

Fish metabolism dips in winter. They are unable to process most foods they eat during winter. When temperatures plummet, reduce feeding frequency or your fish may develop digestive issues.

Overfed fish will excrete more, affecting water quality. Any uneaten fish food in your pond will promote and support algae growth.

Once the water temperature dips below 70 degrees, feed your fish their staple food mixed with a wheat germ base. When the water temperature drops below 55 degrees, stop feeding your fish.

Failing to Use Water Treatments

Billions of beneficial bacteria thrive in a healthy pond. They are responsible for reducing odors as well as breaking down organic sludge such as fish food, leaves, and dead plants. Cold temperatures can kill beneficial bacteria.

To maintain water quality, add beneficial cold water bacteria to your pond every week. Look for a product that contains concentrated strains of cold-loving beneficial bacteria that can work in water temperatures as low as 32 degrees. Adding beneficial bacteria is a great way to prevent a buildup of debris that occurs in winter.

Using a Cheap De-icer

A de-icer is designed to melt or prevent ice from forming on the surface of the pond, helping maintain water quality. Many pond owners commit the cardinal sin of using a cheap de-icer. By the time they realize their mistake, it’s too late and their pond freezes over.

Look for quality de-icers with at least 1,200 watts. Consider using both a submersible de-icer and floating pond de-icer (a submersible de-icer will heat a small area, whereas a floating pond de-icer will create a hole in the ice, allowing toxic gases to escape).

Leaving Your De-icer On Or Off For an Extended Period of Time

Do not run your de-icer 24/7 as it can use a lot of energy, causing your energy bill to skyrocket. Keep an eye on the hole created by the de-icer. When it starts to close up, switch your de-icer on and run it for a day or two.

There is an exception to this rule. Remember to turn your de-icer on before going on a holiday (even if there’s no one you can rely on to switch it off after a few days) to ensure a healthy pond.

Atlantis Water Gardens is committed to creating enchanting outdoor spaces. We are your go-to team for fish pond repair near you in Randolph. To talk to one of our experts, call 973-627-0515.

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Winter Pond and Fish Care Tips

Posted on by Weston Zimmerman

Winter is a challenging time for your pond and fish. In the winter months, fish metabolism slows down, making them susceptible to infections and diseases. Cold temperatures can cause a significant decline in oxygen levels affecting water quality.

Another year is coming to an end. Winter is already here. As you prepare to ring in the new year, do not forget to winterize your pond.

Here are some tips to care for your pond and fish in winter.

  • Fish Pond Repair Near Me (Randolph)

Do Not Overfeed Your Fish

Overfeeding fish in winter is a cardinal sin. In cold weather, fish metabolic rates slow down. As your fish prepare to go into hibernation, they do not need to eat as often as in summer. If you overfeed your fish, they will excrete more, negatively impacting water quality.

Extra fish food will decompose releasing ammonia and phosphate in your pond. Both ammonia and phosphate fuel algae growth. Not only does algae look unsightly, it competes with plants and animals for nutrients and sunlight.

When your water temperatures fall to 50-60 degrees, feed your fish once every 1-2 days. If your water temperatures fall below 50 degrees, stop feeding your fish. Feed your fish a wheat germ-based food designed to aid digestion during the winter months.

Keep Your Pond Clean

Periodically clean your pond to get rid of debris such as twigs, leaves and branches before they decay. Remove any dead foliage and floating debris from your pond’s surface. Install a net to catch debris to prevent them from getting into your pond. Apply a bacteria blend to your pond. Beneficial bacteria break down waste, helping improve water quality.

Take Good Care of Your Plants

Your plants do not just enhance the aesthetic appeal of your pond, they play an important role in maintaining a balance in your pond’s ecosystem.

Unlike hardy naive plants, tropical plants cannot survive in a cold pond. To protect your plants from the winter chill, move them inside when temperatures plummet. Trim the plants in your pond. Prune plants such as water lilies so they can grow back in spring. Add evergreen plants that provide oxygen all year round to your pond.

Should You Keep Your Pond Pump Running in Winter?

Your biological filter is home to billions of beneficial bacteria that help break down toxic gases. Beneficial bacteria become dormant in winter. The oxygen produced when your pump agitates the water should be enough to keep them alive. If you shut down your pond pump and filter for winter they might die.

If your pond pump or any other pond component is in disrepair, hire a professional for fish pond repair near you in Randolph.

Whether you want to transform an ordinary pond into something extraordinary or plan to build a new pond from scratch, Atlantis Water Gardens can help. We have years of experience bringing design ideas to life. To talk to one of our pros, call 973-627-0515.

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