The Complete Practical Fishpond Book

Book excerpt: 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.