​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 new Oklahoma pond/water feature owners are concerned about the effects of sunlight for pond fish. This is an important issue, and the solution will depend on various factors. In Oklahoma ponds/water features, sunlight can be beneficial to your fish, but it can also harm them, and the outcome largely depends on the pond’s construction, location and how it is maintained.

​When a pond is directly exposed to sunlight without shade the temperature of the water will increase. This increase in temperature will lower the amount of oxygen which is accessible to the fish, while also promoting the growth of algae. Fish which are exposed to excessive sunlight may also receive sunburn. Each pond is unique in the manner in which it will respond to the sun, and while ponds which are big and deep may not have much of an issue, the smaller ponds which are typically found in backyards may be adversely impacted.

Algae enjoy sunlight and will thrive when exposed to it. If your pond contains koi they should be exposed to no more than a few hours of sunlight per day.  Anything more than this could be problematic for them. The typical pond will receive between four and six hours of sunlight per day.

​The best way to manage your Oklahoma pond’s exposure to sunlight is by adding shade. Terrestrial shade can be created by adding marginal plants or trees near the side of your pond. However, during fall leaves will fall from the tree and will cause serious problems if they are allowed to accumulate in the water, so you will need to perform netting or clean them out. Papyrus or other tall plants will provide excellent shade for the fish.

Aquatic plants can also be used to help manage Oklahoma sunlight, and some of the best include water hyacinth or water lilies, which create shade beneath the water that can be used by your fish. The lilies can be planted via plant bags and or baskets and situated in advantageous locations throughout the pond. An alternative to the planting of trees could be a canopy or man made structure which will cast shade over the pond. The right canopy can also add style to the area.
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Perhaps the easiest solution is fish shelters or caves. The shelters can be placed in the water and will allow the fish to swim beneath or within to get shade whenever they need it, while caves will also perform the same function, although constructing them may be more complex. In addition to protection from sunlight, these structures will also protect your fish from various predators.

​Just as too much Oklahoma sunlight is bad for fish, too much shade is equally so. The most ideal ponds are those which have some areas reserved for sunlight, while others which are reserved for shade. This will give the pond a balanced temperature which will make your fish healthy and happy.

Oklahoma ​ponds/water features need a good balance of sun and shade.  If your pond doesn't have partial shade from trees, make sure to add plenty of plants to provide shade, vitamin D and protection from predators.

​​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.

Oklahoma Ponds and water features are a beautiful addition to any home and will be where you spend the most amount of time. Make sure you pick a pond/water feature that is right for you and your space. This blog is going to walk through most of the different variables that can affect the cost of an Oklahoma koi pond and help you set realistic expectations of the total cost. 

We’ve all been to a high end restaurant that has lobster on the menu with “market price” as the cost. Since we don’t know the exact cost of the lobster, most of us opt out of it. This goes for ponds/water features too. Money and budget are already tricky to deal with, and it’s especially true when a contractor is giving you the runaround. We believe in a very open and honest process here at Continental Ponds, and pricing is no exception.  Whether you’ve got a set budget in mind, are in the beginning stages of your water feature project, or want to know the cost to build a pond, we’re here to be a transparent voice.

​Choosing the right pond with the right options in the beginning will ensure that you get a pond that provides you with the best experience with the least amount of effort. By doing your homework and learning about the potential enhancements available for your pond before making your purchase, you will tailor a pond that is perfect for you! In the pond consumer world, many people don’t take the time to get educated prior to choosing their contractor. These  shoppers look only at the bottom line (price) to determine who is the “best fit” for their project. This can commonly lead to an unhappy ending to their pond experience. Inferior filtration leads to high maintenance or a system that just won’t work. Aesthetically, they didn’t get the “pond they were dreaming of” (ugly). I have heard countless tales of how the experience just wasn’t what they were looking for. The worst part of this story is that it actually costs you even more money to remove the bad pond before you can have someone install a great one! So from here let’s help educate you on what some options are, and how that will affect the cost of your pond.

In Oklahoma, we have a ton of predatory birds; unfortunately fish are easy pick'ins if your pond does not have a fish cave. We build your pond accordingly to protect your fish, adding a fish cave will ensure your fish have a place to retreat when scared or hibernating and be protected from predators above.

​A fish cave is a structure built into the bottom of the pond to provide cover and can be built simply or elaborately as your budget allows.

Continental Ponds base model ponds with installation starts at around $5995.00. The more complexity, upgrades, and features will affect the price. We urge that you don’t make a fast decision on your pond do your research. Don’t be fooled if it sounds too good to be true it is!

​This package includes the installation of an 11’x15’ pond with optimum filtration. It also includes a stream that is up to 8’ long and multiple waterfalls.  When our team is completes the base project, the home owner is ready to have the power run out to the pond-edge, install the landscaping, and spread mulch (unless these items were added on in the design process). 
This package can be $11,995 - $25,000 depending on options.

​Custom ponds are, well custom…They can be any size, shape, depth, etc. They are limited only by your space, budget, & imagination! We can meet your needs, either residential or commercial, for any design or purpose and can show examples of great projects around the world that we have been a part of in the past. Determining the goals for a custom project is the first part of the design process! How koi pond costs compare to other water feature types As you can probably see, the price range on koi ponds varies quite a bit since there are so many factors that determine what is required for the perfect pond for you. Everyone has different tastes, goals, and budgets when it comes to designing and building a water feature. In comparison to other types of water features, I can give some ball-park pricing ranges to help identify how much other types of features may cost.

​​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.

​Unlike many pond products today, whose manufacture has been outsourced to developing countries, many EPDM pond liners and accessories are 100 percent made in the USA. This means their design quality and standards are superb. Many of these pond liners are sold with underlayment which has a strength that is high tensile. This is essentially an additional isolation layer that is placed beneath the liner. The underlayment will provide you with a long lasting and stable foundation which can be used with waterfalls, water gardens or Koi ponds.

Turtles can make an excellent addition to your Oklahoma backyard ecosystem koi pond.  They are quiet, happy creatures that require little maintenance or care and have an extremely long lifespan. The best type is aquatic, as they will rapidly acclimate themselves to the Oklahoma ponds and water feature environment. Below are some additional things you’ll need to know.

​Another thing to consider when adding turtles to your Oklahoma pond is the climate and plants. Those living in the north where winters are cold might only be able to live outside during spring and summer. Unlike fish, turtles have little protection against freezing temperatures, and although they can hibernate outside, doing so can be risky. The best solution is to bring your turtles indoors until spring. Here in Oklahoma we leave our turtles out except for those few occasions we get extremely cold for an extended period of time.

Turtles can deal serious damage to your plants, especially the aquatic ones. This is because they enjoy eating them, so you have to be mindful of the type of plants you have. The best plants for turtles are water hyacinth, tape grass, fairy moss, and water lettuce.

​The last consideration is fencing. If you already have turtles, fencing-in your Oklahoma pond or water feature will prevent most predators from getting in and keep the turtles from escaping. If your pond is not fenced in, there is greater chance wild turtles will find your pond, but know that they may only be temporary residents. Turtles love to wander and explore, and it is encouraged that you don’t overly restrict their natural freedom when it’s not necessary, such as in the case of a rescued and rehabilitating turtle.

To learn more about the different species of water turtles found in Oklahoma and how to identify them see the link below.
How to identify Oklahoma Water Turtles.

​​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.

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.

​Whether man-made or natural, ponds are attractive to male frogs in particular as they will hibernate there during the winter months, lying dormant beneath the water. However, they still require oxygen to live, which is why you will want to monitor the pond when it freezes and thaw a portion of it by putting a hot pan of water on top. Frogs also like ponds which have lots of shade as it makes the area attractive for breeding.

​Creating the right pond environment will attract frogs, but it may take a few years for them to appear. Many pond owners become impatient and decide to drive down to their local pet store where they buy a frog and then introduce it to their ponds manually. This is a bad idea. Frogs that are introduced in this manner may either die or simply leave. It is also important to remember that frogs are fragile creatures. If you use nylon mesh in your garden it must be taut and no more than 1.5 inches otherwise it can trap and kill them. If you have cats, dogs or other pets, they should be kept away from the pond otherwise they could also kill the frogs.

​​​​​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.