Pond Problems

Whether you’ve just built a new pond or you’ve moved into a house with an existing pond, you are likely to encounter some ‘new pond’ problems. Things can also go horribly wrong, very quickly in a pond. The important thing for your pond and fish is to know what to do when things do go wrong. Quick! The clock’s ticking.

Ammonia in a fish pond and aquarium

Controlling Ammonia in a Fish Aquarium

Keep garden pond and aquarium ammonia under control and understand the nitrate cycle for tank health.

Ammonia is sometimes referred to as one of the “invisible assassins” in aquaria (along with nitrite). The only acceptable ammonia level in an aquarium is zero. . . . → Read More: Ammonia in a fish pond and aquarium

Controlling blanket weed in garden ponds

Blanketweed or string algae is a big concern for many pond keepers. Green water is another unsightly algae problem, making a pond resemble pea soup. Blanketweed is another type of algae that forms an unsightly and smothering ‘blanket’ across the pond surface and throughout the pond. . . . → Read More: Controlling blanket weed in garden ponds

Garden pond power failure

We live our lives at the mercy of the National Grid. From the sounding of the alarm clock in the morning and our first cuppa through to a night spent in front of the TV, with another cuppa, our lifestyle and electricity are inextricably linked.

We can . . . → Read More: Garden pond power failure

How to inherit a pond, fish and koi in a house move.

A surprising number of people who own a pond were introduced to water gardening by accident. Their foray into the outdoor aquatic world arising as a result of a house move, having a pond fall into their lives.

Little did they realise that by buying that house . . . → Read More: How to inherit a pond, fish and koi in a house move.

How to run in a New Pond

When planning a new pond, we are careful to create a water feature that blends in well with our garden, in its size, shape and design. Our pond must also be designed with our fish and plants in mind, making sure that the finished project is . . . → Read More: How to run in a New Pond

Keeping herons off a garden koi pond

What if….I want to prevent a heron from taking my fish?

Considered to be the world’s best fisherman, herons have an unmistakable shape and are superbly equipped for their lifestyle. This magnificently marked bird has a keen eye for ponds, however small and are particularly attracted by . . . → Read More: Keeping herons off a garden koi pond

Koi pond pump filter failure

My Koi pond has been up and running for three years now with no problems. But when I went out to the pond this morning the water had stopped circulating down the waterfall and everything had gone quiet.

Luckily my neighbour who is also a Koi keeper . . . → Read More: Koi pond pump filter failure

Moving house with koi or goldfish? Step by step guide

House prices are rising, interest rates are low and apparently on average, there are 5 people wanting to buy each house that comes on the market. There has never been a better time for you to sell, but for your koi, there is never a good . . . → Read More: Moving house with koi or goldfish? Step by step guide

Moving house. Moving koi

Q: We have just sold our house and are in the process of packing up to move in a couple of weeks. Thankfully the new house does have a pond so I am not worried about where to put my Koi when we get there, just . . . → Read More: Moving house. Moving koi

My pond is leaking and the water level is dropping.

I’ve been experiencing a drop in the water level of my pond over the past few weeks. How can I find out if my pond is leaking? What can cause a pond to leak, and how can I fix the problem?

Unfortunately, leaks are an eventuality waiting . . . → Read More: My pond is leaking and the water level is dropping.

New pond fish die

Quite a common problem experienced by fish keeper is losing fish after they have recently been
introduced to the aquarium.

There are 2 likely causes:

1. If the aquarium is a new set-up, then fish are lost through a phenomenon known as ‘New Tank Syndrome’
- but is more accurately . . . → Read More: New pond fish die

New Pond Problems in a small pond.

Dear Ben,

I have got a little pond, only 5ft x 4ft, and 18in deep, I have six little koi (5in long) and eight little orfe (2in long maximum). My pond has a filter pump going through a UV clarifier and into a box filter, it is . . . → Read More: New Pond Problems in a small pond.

Nitrite and ammonia pond problems – New Filter Syndrome.

I wrote to you last month with a query relating to murky water in my newly constructed pond. In your reply, you asked me to test for ammonia and nitrite as you suspected my water quality might be having an impact on the health and behaviour . . . → Read More: Nitrite and ammonia pond problems – New Filter Syndrome.

Overdosed my pond by accident

Whether plagued with blanketweed or afflicted by disease, there will come a time when a pond will require medication to treat a problem.

Fortunately, the majority of common ailments such as whitespot, fin rot and ulcers can be treated and controlled by adding a recognised medication to . . . → Read More: Overdosed my pond by accident

Overstocking problems with koi or goldfish.

Each Christmas, with only a few days before Christmas Day, supermarkets are absolutely packed and so are our trolleys, full of choice items that will make the festive period a happy one.

Most of us are probably guilty of over-buying at this time, getting carried away, only . . . → Read More: Overstocking problems with koi or goldfish.

Pond bridges pond lighting stepping stones

Do you believe in the ‘7 year itch’? An innate desire to try something different, becoming bored of what you set out with several years ago. All evidence in fact, suggests that the urge arrives far sooner than 7 years for pond keepers.

Our first (or even . . . → Read More: Pond bridges pond lighting stepping stones

Pond in the new house you have moved into and bought

When I leaf through “Koi Ponds and Gardens” and see, amongst many other things, pictures of various koi pond projects showing ‘before and after’ scenes, I often wonder what it would take for those same koi keepers to consider moving house.

Even more so when taking into . . . → Read More: Pond in the new house you have moved into and bought

Pond Liners – Rigid, Flexible, Butyl, UPVC

If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to visit the Lake District, or any other majestic inland water body, you would have witnessed the perfection that nature manages to effortlessly achieve without fail, in the design of her landscapes. She provides the model, against which we base . . . → Read More: Pond Liners – Rigid, Flexible, Butyl, UPVC

Pond pump fails

As koi keepers, we have never had it so good. Each year there are more quality koi to choose from than the last, there is plenty of information to support the hobbyist and the standard of pond equipment available has reached a new high.

Most pond liners . . . → Read More: Pond pump fails

Pond water is tinted coloured

I am relatively new to koi keeping, having installed a new koi pond in March this year. Taking the advice I have read in your magazine, I have been very careful to find a koi dealer who I believe I can trust.

Under their guidance, by choosing . . . → Read More: Pond water is tinted coloured

Reducing pond maintenance

We are a nation of DIY enthusiasts, – Don’t take my word for it, ask Mr B & Mr Q. We are keen to impress others by how well we can tackle a problem, eager to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in. Part of . . . → Read More: Reducing pond maintenance

Stocking a new pond with fish. Golden Rules

Most pondkeepers have experienced some problems or have heard of other people’s experiences when it comes to stocking a pond with fish.

You have designed, purchased and installed a landscaped garden pond. It has been planted for a couple of weeks, the pump and filter are installed . . . → Read More: Stocking a new pond with fish. Golden Rules

Toxic materials around the pond. What is safe?

What chemicals can leach out of pond-side materials? What effects will they have on water quality and the Koi themselves? In what ways can you seal these materials? Can you use the same sealant for them all?

When considering the topic of leaching in and around koi . . . → Read More: Toxic materials around the pond. What is safe?

What if the pond starts to lose water?

If the UK’s privatised water companies with their multi-million pound budgets suffer from the consequences of leaks and are frustrated by how difficult they are to locate then many pond keepers who have also suffered from the same problem (less the large budget!) can sympathise that . . . → Read More: What if the pond starts to lose water?

Your new house has a pond. What to do next!

Many life-changing experiences are unplanned, occurring by accident rather than by design. Consider the time that purring ball of fluff turned up at your door all those years ago and has been the most important guest in your house ever since, or the marriage proposal out . . . → Read More: Your new house has a pond. What to do next!



Kill blanketweed and string algae.