Although Pondless waterfalls are very low maintenance, they are NOT maintenance free. Pondless waterfalls contain various sizes of rocks, which form crevices that trap debris, such as leaves and twigs. Over time the breakdown of debris will "muck" up in and around your pump causing it to clog. This debris is often overlooked and needs to be removed regularly because leaving it will promote the growth of algae and other problems. 

To prevent this from happening we suggest using Beneficial Bacteria to help break down this debris. In addition, we suggest removing debris from your pondless waterfall at least once a week, and more often as the leaves are falling. In the Fall, if your pondless waterfall is surrounded by tree's we recommend covering it with a net. These disappearing waterscapes can also be turned off and a blower can be used to remove leaf debris in a now dry creek bed each fall.

We recommend having your entire pondless waterfall cleaned out at least once a year. So whats included in a pondless waterfall clean out.... Drain, Rinse and refill the pondless, add bacteria, sludge removal, pressure wash rocks & gravel (if needed), thin out overgrown aquatic plants, winterize plants (seasonal), remove excess debris and leaves, water quality inspection, lighting check, pump maintenance inspection, liner inspection, re-stack rocks, stream & waterfall face lift (adjust rocks, add gravel, etc).

So you ask, whats the cost of a pondless clean out! Most pondless cleanout are $450 depending on the size of the feature and when it was cleaned out last.

 How will you care for your pond while traveling? It is very important to set up everything before you go.  Here are some tips for a worry free trip: 

​ Circulation -Make sure to let the pump run while you are gone to assist with oxygenation and circulation.  Stagnant ponds just get gross! 

​ Filters - Clean all filters, flush canister filters (if you have it) and remove any dead plants before you leave. 

​Predators - If you have had any problem with heron or other predators, set up a net over the pond.

​Feeding the fish - Put in some slow release fish food.  Basically, the fish will do best if consistency in their feeding schedule is kept. If you have a human feeding them make sure they understand NOT to over feed them. ​Consider giving them a measuring cup at the correct amount of food for your fish and tell them to use that and even if the fish tell them they are STARVING not to feed them more (cause they lie). ​

​Pump Safety - Install a Pump Safety Switch - this is a little gizmo that will turn off your pump if the water gets too low - ensuring that your pump will not burn out!  If you have a neighbor who could come by and just peek in at the pond each day just ask them to:Listen to make sure the pump is not making a weird sound.  

​Bacteria - Put in an Autodoser to have beneficial bacteria consistently going into the pond.

Water Level - If you have a house sitter, ask them to pay attention to level of the pond in case it suddenly develops a leak (Leave them detoxifier in case they need to put water in)

​Plants bring a new level of beauty to any Oklahoma pond, but they are much more than just good looks! Plants in an Oklahoma pond are the natural workers of a healthy ecosystem. They use nutrients that fish are adding to the water (fish poop!) and therefore become living filters! Too many nutrients in the water can cause algae blooms and sludge. Too much sun on the water can contribute to algae growth as well. While plants are sitting there looking beautiful, they’re actively providing filtration. When plants cover 30 to 40% of the surface area of the pond, it will reduce the temperature of the pond, helping reduce algae blooms. 

Each year we have several new Oklahoma pond owners contact us and want information on their pond.  One of the most important things to know is how many gallons of water is in your pond.  Below we walk you through how to calculate how many gallons of water is in your pond.

How are  gallons of water in a pond calculated?  To find the gallons of water in a pond, we use the calculation of length x width x 80% x average depth x 7.48.  Why 80%?  Ponds are usually not square, but about 80% of a square. You may have a round pond that is shaped more like a kidney bean, an off centered oval or a natural flexible shape.

What is with the 7.48%? There are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic square foot.

(L x W x 80%) x average depth x 7.48 = gallons in a pond.

So  a 10 x 8 pond with an average depth of 2 ½ feet it would look like this:
​
10 x 8 x .80 = 64.  64 x 2.5 x 7.48= 1,196.8 gallons.

​When you purchase beneficial bacteria, algaecide or other products, the directions will specify the amount to put in based on the gallons of water in the pond. While it may not seem like a big deal, over dosing a pond with a product will mess up water chemistry and could cause fish and plants to die.  Always know the gallons of water in your pond for safe addition of products to help your pond stay in balance. 

​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
 
Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

​There are several potential things that could be causing this white foamy stuff. Here is a quick list we put together with a few solutions.
​

1. Organic Material - The most common cause of foam build up is organic material in the pond.  Organic material build up is leaves, uneaten fish food, gunk or even a dead fish!  These things may not have dissolved into the water and can cause foam. Removing them is a good start to get rid of foam!  Make sure you are not feeding the fish too much.  They should be able to eat what you give them within a few minutes.  Remember they can munch on algae and bugs too, so feeding them everyday is not mandatory. Adding Foam Free by Aquascape can help, but to really get your pond in balance, add beneficial bacteria on a regular basis.  If this is a consistent problem, you may want to check with a professional to see if you have the right filtration.
2. New Liner - If you have recently had the pond or stream installed or relined, it could be the off gassing of the liner.  This will dissipate in a few days.
3. Spawning Fish - If your pond is the perfect environment for fish.....they might be feeling a bit frisky.  This spawning can cause large amounts of foam.  Don't add products in the pond at this point.  You'll need to wait until they stop spawning.  Did you know the babies are called "fry"?
4. Soap - Once in a while someone puts soap in a pond.  This gets crazy nuts with bubbles.  If this happens, you'll need to do a water change right away!​​

 ​​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving all your Oklahoma pond problems!
 
Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

​One question we get frequently from Oklahoma koi lovers is, "What's better to use Lava Rock or Bioballs?" The short answer is, "it depends." Just like shopping for anything else there are advantages and disadvantages to both, as well as cost. 

With an assortment of filter media out there in the pond world from filter pads to bio-ribbon to lava rocks to bio balls. The purpose of your filter media is to house billions of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that keep your Oklahoma pond alive, crystal clear and algae-free. Let's take a look at the lava rock versus bioballs debate.

​Lava rock – the igneous rock that forms as an erupting volcano's molten lava cools and hardens – is very porous. When chunks of it live in your filtration system, you provide a lot of surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize and grow. That's what makes it such a great filter media.

It does have some drawbacks:

• Clogs up: Over time, the porous rock can become easily clogged with muck and debris. Once the holes and pockets are clogged, they can become very difficult to clean out – which ultimately creates less overall surface area.​
• It's Heavy: They may be porous chunks of rock, but hefting bags of it takes some strength – particularly when its wet and full of gunk.
• Hard Water: Lava rock naturally contains a variety of minerals, including iron and magnesium, that could affect your water's pH, making it harder. Hard water can make it more difficult to treat algae blooms.
• Hard to clean: It seems you can rinse and rinse but they never come clean especially compared to the bioballs.

​Bioballs, are plastic spheres made up of dozens of thin rods that provide plenty of surface area for beneficial bacteria to thrive. 

Compared to lava rock, bioballs have some definite benefits.

• Easy to Clean: Bioballs can also become clogged, but they are easy to clean. Just rinse them off with water from your pond and you will be good to go.
• Shape Shifters: The round shape allows bio balls to easily conform to any filter, no matter its shape.
• Indefinite Lifetime: Because they are made from long-lasting material, bio balls will not degrade and will function equally well year after year.
• Lightweight, Easy to Handle: Each one of the tiny, plastic spheres weighs a scant 0.3 ounces; 200 of them weigh a whopping 3 1/2 pounds. They are easy to deposit and remove from your filter thanks to a mesh filter bag.
  

Back in the early years we did not have much of a choice. There were the old hair rollers, sponges and a few other things people were using. Now we prefer using bioballs. Being lightweight and easy to get in and out of the Biofalls makes this an easy decision. Granted we still have a few features out there that still have lava rock in them. 

​Good filtration starts with good media. When starting your Oklahoma pond in the spring and periodically through the season, make sure to check that all your filters are in good working order. Doing so will save you time, hassle, and money because you will stay ahead of any potential problems and avoid dealing with insufficient filtration.

​Strategies For Preventing A Plugged Oklahoma Pond Filter
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​When do I need to change my BioFalls filter pads for my Oklahoma fish pond?

​​For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving all your Oklahoma pond problems!
 
Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

​Many people love the sound of running water and there are a large variety of different Oklahoma water features or outdoor fountains you can find to give you the exact effect you want. However, just as your garden and pond need maintaining to keep the looking great, so does your outdoor water fountain. During the winter months you will probably spend less time in your garden and your water feature may be neglected. You will only notice there is a problem when the sun starts to shine, and you turn it on again.  There are a number of problems that can occur.

​There are a number of problems that can cause this. These include just to list a few:

Have you plugged it in: This may sound obvious, but it is surprising the number of people that “forget” to plug it in AND switch it on.

It’s broken: You may have had your water feature for a while and it may just have run its course and no longer works due to the age of its components.

Faulty wiring: If you have not checked your outdoor fountain during the winter months the electrical wiring could have deteriorated or been chewed through by a small rodent. Check for any breaks in the wiring.

Ensure there is enough water in the water feature: Sometimes water can have evaporated quite a lot since you last turned it on and if you haven’t checked the water level before switching it on, it could be ta simple fix.

​The first thing to look at if the water is not running very smoothly or efficiently, is the pump. It may have become clogged up with debris or leaves from the winter months. Whilst looking at the pump, you should also check the inlet valve as well as the suction lines. It’s a good idea to clean these out in any event, just to ensure they perform at their optimum.

​If you have a leak in the seal or the suction lines, water may seep out, which can give a slow trickle rather than a water feature. If there is a leak, then obviously this needs to be repaired as the water pressure will be lower. Once the repair has been done, then you should see an increase in the water supply.

​If you water feature has frozen over the winter months, then there is the possibility that it has damaged the pump. It is always best to try to remove the pump during winter and replace it again in the spring or summer.

If there is no water inside the pump, for whatever reason, then it will not work. You will need to ensure the pump is below the water line and filled with water.

​If you need help with any aspect of a troublesome fountain, why not give Continental Ponds a call (405) 834-2291. We are always happy to advise or carry out a water feature installation or repair for you.

​ For daily pond tips Monday thru Friday like and share our facebook page. To receive our monthly newsletter click here. Remember we are always just a click away from solving your pond problems!
 
Continental Ponds is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore, Nichols Hills, Edmond, Yukon, Shawnee, Newcastle, Mustang, Bethany, Piedmont, Guthrie, Jones, Chandler, Midwest City, Del City, Shawnee, Tuttle, Blanchard, Bridge Creek , Warr Acres, Woodlawn Park, Lawton. Fish and Koi Pond Maintenance and Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily tips and inspiration.

​Some Oklahoma pond owners wonder if it’s possible to bring water lettuce inside during the winter months, placing them in an aquarium until the spring. This is one of those questions that don’t really have an answer that is clear cut. While technically you can, there are a number of things that should be taken into consideration.

​Water lettuce, also known as Pistia, is an aquatic plant. No one is certain of its exact origin, but it is believed to be pan tropical, which means it isn’t naturally found in places that have a cold climate. Its leaves are soft and thick and will typically have the shape of the rosette. When added to a pond or water garden it has a tendency to float along the surface and the roots are submersed below the leaves. The leaves can reach a length of 14 cm and will not have stems.

Water lettuce has a lighter green color with margins that are wavy and veins that are parallel. This plant will usually be covered in small hairs which produce structures which are basket like and used to capture air bubbles, which are responsible for boosting the buoyancy of the plant. Its flowers are dioecious, which means that they are hidden in the plant’s center. When the plant is fertilized correctly, miniature green berries should appear. Water lettuce is quite popular in aquariums which are tropical as they can be used to provide coverage to fish, and it also competes with algae for water nutrients, which prevents the occurrence of algae blooms.

​Although water lettuce can be kept indoors when the weather turns cold, it is high maintenance to do so. For one, you will need lots of good lighting. The plant will also need a bit of clearance should it float to the top of the tank, and will not perform well if you attempt to press it beneath the lid so it is best for the aquarium to have top which is open. With these two things set in place the plant is likely to survive until spring.

Additional steps that should be taken include storing the lettuce in a greenhouse enclosure which features shallow pools. The temperature in this environment should be warm, around 70 Fahrenheit or higher, as water lettuce prefers extensive sunlight. It is extremely important for pond owners to compost their water lettuce after first frost and purchase fresh water lettuce for the coming season. The reason for this is because water lettuce is one of the more affordable plants, and you may find that the cost of maintaining it indoors is much higher than simply replacing it. Many experts recommend using this plant as the annual within the pond, and then bringing them inside for to serve as a temporary plant feature once temperatures drop, or to compost them completely.

Water hyacinths put out soft purple blooms that can be from 4 inches to 12 inches tall! I have observed that the hyacinth in my pond d not bloom but the ones in my waterfalls do.  My theory is that because they are very sensitive to water temperature, that the pond water is a little too cool.  The stream water is more shallow and therefore has warmer water. If you have blooming hyacinth in your pond, take a picture and shoot it over to us!  Also if you want your hyacinth to bloom try putting some in the stream or waterfall and see what happens. ​

Reproduction - Having one is like having 100! 
Water hyacinth reproduce extremely quickly by putting out multiple shoots with new plants on them (plantlets).  They will stay attached for a while but when picked up or moved these easily break apart.  These new plants will follow suit and before you know it there are more hyacinth that you can imagine.
Luckily, they are annuals here in Oklahoma (Zone 7) which means they will not over winter.  When there are too many, just throw them out! (also great for the compost) Originally from South America, they are very sensitive to cold water. In southern states where the weather is much warmer they are even outlawed as even 1 plant let go in a natural waterway can over grow to the point of needing to be removed! 

​Here in our lovely zone 7 these plants provide excellent filtration.  Their roots hang down into the water, often growing down 12 inches long.  They consume the nutrients found in the water, removing it so that algae has less food. 

If you have given up on water hyacinth because they were floating into the skimmer, or you don't want the fish eating them try one of the following:

• tie them with fishing line to a rock so they can't be swept into the skimmer
• Buy a hula-hoop and tie down with fishing string
• purchase a floating plant net that protects them from the fish eating the roots, allowing them to continue to provide filtration and keeps them form getting in  the skimmer.  You can easily use fishing line to tie them to a rock and it will hardly be visible.  
• put them in the waterfall
• put them in the biofalls