​Beautiful ponds and beneficial bacteria go hand and hand!   Beneficial bacteria helps keep algae at bay.  Bacteria is very important to have in a pond.  We recommend 3/4" gravel in the bottom of ponds to provide a place for beneficial bacteria to colonize.  While bacteria occurs naturally in a pond, it is difficult for it to keep up with an enclosed ecosystem. Things like fish load, uneaten fish food and organic debris disrupt the balance of the ecosystem and can cause unwanted algae.  The regular addition of beneficial bacteria on a regular basis helps prevent this. You may have purchased a variety of pond treatments and aren't sure what is what.  Beneficial bacteria is completely safe for fish and animals, just be sure to use as directed.

​Liquid bacteria jump starts the ecosystem as it works more quickly.  However, dry bacteria offers different strains of bacteria which provides a diversity to increase overall stability of the whole system.  Good bacteria along with aeration, fish and plants create the balanced ecosystem that is a beautiful pond. 

​There are countless strains of bacteria and there are different strains in different products.  Some products have a higher concentration of bacteria than others.  For instance, the dry beneficial bacteria from Aquscape has a 3.0 billion CFU per ounce potency.  The cold water strains have about 1.5 billion CFU.

​There are strains of beneficial bacteria that will die once the water goes below a certain temperature. Cold water bacteria can be added down to the water temperatures at 35 degrees. Regular bacteria can only be used down to about 55 degrees.  Temperature is a big reason why we see algae blooms in the springtime.  Just as different trees and flowers bloom at different times, the various biological elements of the pond "wake up" at separate times too. The plant life and the bacteria come to life just slightly after the algae.  This is why we see algae blooms in the early spring - the other plant hasn't gotten to work yet and gives the algae a head start.

​It is the algaecide that you want to be careful with!  Algaecide can harm fish and animals if not used correctly.  It also kills beneficial bacteria- disrupting the eco system we are trying to balance! 

Ponds and beneficial bacteria go together! Add bacteria:

• Once a week (from March to November)
• The day after it rains (extra dose)
• Twice a week in hot temperatures
• More often if you are having a green water issue  (try adding different types of bacteria to get a better variety of strains in).

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. ​

BioFalls are very simple yet effective fish pond filtration systems that don't require much care.  However, spring is the perfect time to check on those filter pads to see if they may need replacing.  The filter pads are cleaned a few times a year but are quite frequently forgotten about.   What really determines if you can reuse these pads or if you should just replace them? 

Inspection of the BioFall filter pads is one of the items we check off on all our pond clean out services. In general the BioFall filter pads can last up to two years, we recommend not going more than two years on a set of pads.  We normally recommend changing one out each year as most biofalls have multiple filter pads.

Why? 

1. They get clogged and start to breakdown.  Even if you clean them frequently, "stuff" is most certainly stuck in the middle clogging that filter pad.  "Stuff" you can't see
2. The filter pads start to break down and fall apart.  Not to the point that you are going to have thousands of pieces of filter pad floating in your pond, but ripping.  If you remove the filter pad to clean it and it rips, that means it's time for a new one.  

Before you even potentially waste your time or water, check the filter pad for rips or tears.  If you see none, check the strength of the filter pad.   What rip it?  Yes, try to rip it, but leave your Hulk strength at home.  It really doesn't take much to rip that filter pad if its shot.   If either of these happen, go  invest in some new BioFilter filter pads, it's time. 

Should your pads look good, aren't tearing, and you've replaced them within two years, rinse/wash those puppies down and use them another year.    
Filter Pad Cleaning Tip:
Rinse the filter pad down with water, then lightly hit the pad against a solid tree trunk.  You'll be shocked at all the sludge and "stuff" that comes flying out of the filter pad.  BE AWARE: It will look like a giant bear has pooped all over the tree... rinse the tree down with a hose and you're all done. ​
Lastly, if your pond was a mess the prior year or is now and they pads are caked with pond sludge, replace them.  No matter how much you clean and knock them off, they will be clogged.  Clogged pads don't allow water to flow through them, essentially rendering the pads completely ineffective. 

 Recap: When to replace your BioFilter filter pads. 

1. Ripped or torn filter pads- Replace 
2. 2 years or more in use- Replace 
3. Disgusting pond and filter pads won't come clean- Replace
4. Just don't want to mess with them- Replace

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. ​

​After the media pads of the filter have been hosed down, you can help the beneficial bacteria increase their population by seeding the pads with additional bacteria. They will reproduce rapidly and will assist in the decomposition of debris. By using these techniques you can prevent the filter from becoming plugged without having to clean it.

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.

Each year we have several clients here in Oklahoma contact us about a "String Algae" bloom in their ponds/water features that occurs in the colder months. (The stringy green stuff that sometimes forms on your waterfalls, streams and rocks).  The reason for this is the unseasonably warm weather we have been having here in Central Oklahoma.  Your plants have already gone into dormancy for the winter so they are not using nutrients from the water the way they would in the springtime since the nighttime lows are still down in the mid to low 30's.  However, the water is warming enough in the daytime to cause some biological activity thus causing a nutrient increase in the water.  Since the plants are not actively using nutrients, Mother Nature is taking over and offering "String Algae" as a solution to remove the nutrients and keep your water healthy.

WARNING....... DO NOT FEED YOUR FISH!!!

Even though the air temperature may warm up and your fish seem active during the day, the average water temperature is still below 55 degrees and your fish's metabolism will not support normal feeding. ​

If the String Algae becomes excessive, there are some steps to control it. 

Add some Cold Water Beneficial Bacteria.  It is a more concentrated bacteria made for cold weather when regular bacteria will not colonize and filter nutrients. Remove excess leaves and debris from the pond. Dead leaves provide excess nutrients in your pond, giving algae a great source of nourishment. If the string algae isn't affecting the flow of water to your skimmer and waterfall, just pull out the excess using a fine net, a stick or your hands.

CAUTION!!! 

Do not use your bare hands to remove this algae. Even though the air temperature may be warm, your water temperature is still VERY cold. You should wear waterproof garden gloves.  

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.

Each and every year we get numerous calls about frogs, toads and tadpoles in and around the Oklahoma metro area ponds and water features. These amphibians are loud and obnoxious early in the year when it's mating season. You know that loud squeal that makes you jump out of bed and scream at them! Just remember you have a natural ecosystem in your yard they call home, along with other wildlife. But have you ever wondered....

​Frogs - Smooth skin, high round bulging eyes, narrow body, longer hind legs than a Toad, takes long high jumps and must live near water.

Toads - Tough bumpy looking skin, football looking eyes, wider body than a Frog, less powerful legs, runs and takes small jumps, does not need to live by water.

​Ponds that are at least 2 ft. deep, will not freeze solid, even when winters are very cold. When amphibians become cold, they need very little oxygen and burn very little food. Frogs will appear sluggish and lethargic as body functions slow down as the temperature drops. Ice crystals form in such places as the body cavity, bladder and under the skin, but a high concentration of glucose in the frog's vital organs prevents freezing. A partially frozen frog will stop breathing, and its heart will stop beating. It will appear quite dead. But when the hibernacula warms up above freezing, the frog's frozen portions will thaw, and its heart and lungs resume activity--there really is such a thing as the living dead!

For more information and pictures about Native Oklahoma Frogs and Toads - https://www.aza.org/frogwatch-usa-oklahoma

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.

Tea-colored water is something that happens to most Oklahoma City outdoor koi ponds and water gardens, and for those encountering it for the first time, it can be quite distressing. This is when your Oklahoma pond is clear, but the water has a distinct brown or orange color to it. Like many other Oklahoma pond and water garden problems, you have to understand and address the root of the problem to get to the solution.

​Tea colored water is caused by the buildup of tannins in the water. The substance is a natural occurring by-product of decomposing organic matter that enters your pond water, leaves, sticks, pecans, acorns and even driftwood breaking down in some way.

​Various species of plants create tannin, which is the ingredient that gives Western tea its brown color. Tannin plays an important role in protecting plants from predators, and is also responsible for the management of plant growth. They provide color as well as astringency to certain brands of wine and even coffee. But while brown is a delightful color to have in these beverages, it is the last color most pond owners want in their water. ​

​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.

Pond scum is an issue that every Oklahoma pond owner will encounter at some point. Most times it is prevalent on large ponds with very little filtration or movement. How you choose to deal with it will determine the health and longevity of your pond, so it is important to understand all the factors involved with this phenomenon.

What Is Pond Scum?
The term “pond scum” is loosely used and includes a variety of objects, such as floating weeds, plants, and leaves. The term is also used to refer to filamentous algae which create mats on top of the surface of the water. The algae typically form on the pond’s sides or bottom and eventually reach buoyancy that allows it to rise to the surface. This is due to oxygen bubbles which it produces. Once algae reach the top the pond scum will spread rapidly to cover the entire surface, giving it an unpleasant appearance which is similar to a swamp. Pond scum should not be confused with floating plants such as water meal or duck weed.

Why Does Pond Scum Appear?
Pond scum results from an increased level of nutrients within the pond. These nutrients are often combined with increased water temperature and extended daylight hours during the summer. Pond scum is also a sign that your pond is deteriorating, and anytime high nutrient levels are present this should be a cause for concern. Things which contribute to the presence of increased nutrients include overfeeding, failure to clean the pond regularly, dirty filters and overstocking.

How To Prevent And Eliminate Pond Scum
There are various things you can do to prevent and eliminate pond scum. Many pond owners resort to using chemicals, since they are fast, relatively effective and don’t cost much. Unfortunately, chemical treatment is not a good solution long term since it merely hides the pond scum for a time before it reappears on the surface again. To get to the root of the problem you may have to do extensive cleaning or hire the services of a professional. The groundwater runoff may need to be redirected, and you should remove any grass clipping from the pond water.

Another brilliant solution is the installation of plants into the pond which consume nutrients. Adding shade to prevent the pond from being exposed to excess sunlight is another option, as is using bacterial treatment. To permanently prevent and resolve pond scum, it is wise to look for solutions that get to the root of the problem as opposed to dealing with its symptoms.

Additional tips for getting rid of pond scum permanently include not over-feeding the fish, replacing your filtration systems, enhancing circulation, including aeration and reducing the stock that is present. The good news is that pond scum in backyard ponds is relatively simple to fix once you understand the underlying cause as well as the solutions. Before resolving the problem you must first diagnose it, and then enact the procedures which are needed to correct it. Remember; even after the problem is resolved, ponds require regular maintenance or else the pond scum will appear again.

​​​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!

Our outdoor design center is located at 9105 NW Expressway, Yukon, OK  73099. Please feel free to stop by for more water feature inspiration.
 
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.

​Oklahoma City pond owners often ask if their UV bulbs can be reused from one year to the next. These bulbs are one of the best tools you can use against water discoloration and issues which are associated with it. The reason for this is because when the super fine particles have exposure to the ultraviolet rays which the bulbs produce, the particles will begin clumping together, which will then be eliminated by the ponds filtration mechanical system. This results in water that is both clear and clean, given the bulb continues working in an efficient manner.

UV clarifiers are designed to eliminate floating algae which are single celled. They are less effective at dealing with blanket and string algae. Their primary purpose is to ensure the water remains clear and pristine. However, in order for them to do their jobs they need a fresh bulb from one year to the next, one which produces ultraviolet light. If you reuse these bulbs after a year has passed, they will continue displaying illumination and appear functional, but in actuality their effectiveness will decrease as time passes. The wiser course of action is to always replace your ultraviolet bulbs during spring, and plan to do the same each year.

​Aside from replacing the UV bulb, you will also want to evaluate the glass tube and quartz sleeve which houses it. Does it look like it should be cleaned? Debris has a tendency to collect within the glass, which blocks the strong UV rays from entering the water when it moves via the filter. All you need to do is apply CLR or a descaler and cloth which is soft so that the buildup is removed. A descaler is substances that can be used to get lime scale off metal surfaces. Just be sure to rinse the bulb and sleeve off really good before re-installing.

It is also important to inspect your filter media carefully, as well as the mechanical components within it. These include the prefilters, skimmer and pump sock. They might need to be replaced or cleaned, and although the clarifier is responsible for handling much of the water which is discolored, the filtration unit must still manage the removal of the debris. Therefore, it is essential to ensure they are operating correctly before algae starts to bloom during spring.

​UV clarifiers are outstanding when it comes to keeping pond water clear. However, it is also important to ensure your pond is well balanced to begin with. Make sure excessive nutrients aren’t present in the water, and if they are the best solution is to reduce the fish population. You might also need to cut down on the level of food they’re being given. Waste and debris will build up over time, so it is important to make sure you remove it regularly.

​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.

It’s winter time here in Oklahoma, a time when pond pumps in many water features that have skimming systems suddenly and seemingly for no reason just stop working. We seem to get many phone calls this time of year that “my pump has suddenly died, it was working this morning and this afternoon it has just stopped”.
​
After so many years in this business, seeing patterns and situations that develop at given points in the year my first piece of advice for those customers with “sudden dead pump syndrome”, after telling them to unplug the pump, is to ask them to check the pump intake to see if their neighborhood frog has it’s leg caught in the pump intake. We estimate that about 90% of the time that is what the problem is. Most of the time if the problem is brought to our attention early enough the frog can be released and be on its merry way, hopping a bit crooked, but all the same on its way. Of course that is not the case in the pictures.

If you are located in the Oklahoma City Metro and need help removing your pump, preparing your pond for the winter or have any pond maintenance questions, call or Contact us.

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. 

Pond Repair
When a pond leaks, you have the option to make repairs or completely renovate the pond – these options depend heavily on the extent of the problems. If the causes don’t inherently interfere with the structure of the pond or the health of the pond wildlife, you can likely troubleshoot and fix the specific issue. Problems that can be repaired include holes that leak or the liner detaching from the skimmer or biofalls, just to name some things that are more common. The possibilities are endless – without the guaranteed standards of a Certified Aquascape Contractor, there’s no telling what happened during construction. If the leak is caused by a hole in the liner, it can sometimes be patched. A broken pipe means you need to replace the pipe. Repairs are self-explanatory.

The most difficult part of even the simplest pond repairs is identifying the problem in the first place. We usually hear,“why is my pond leaking?”  This opens a variety of potential causes, which can be narrowed through a few key tests.

1. Walk around pond, checking for visible wet spots for possible leaks. A simple issue could be a low liner, allowing for a water to flow over the edge.
2. Fill up the pond and determine the water level
3. Turn off the pump and come back 24 hours later to check for a change in water level.

         a. If the water level is unchanged, the problem arises somewhere in the pipe or filter.
         b. If the water level has decreased, the problem lies somewhere in the pond or skimmer.
If none of these are the causes, your issue is somewhere in the pond or stream and a renovation is likely the best solution.

Pond Renovation
Renovation is considered a complete pond replacement. This means we remove the pond and replacing all parts. This is the perfect opportunity to change anything you didn’t like, and address any issues, even minor ones – you could add more tunnels for fish, install lighting, and use more plants to encourage a healthy ecosystem. You could increase or decrease the size of the pond, or add an additional or larger waterfall or other feature.

Many pond renovations we encounter come from homeowners who had a landscaping company come in and build a pond, or new homeowners who don’t know their pond’s history. Renovations can seem daunting, but are a great opportunity to save time and energy that will be spent making temporary repairs on a flawed or dissatisfying pond design.​

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!

Our outdoor design center is located at 9105 NW Expressway, Yukon, OK  73099. Please feel free to stop by for more water feature inspiration.
 
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.