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Pond Leaks, Pump Issues, Green Water

Did you buy a house with a pond and have no idea how to care for it. Or maybe you have a pond that that loses water constantly. Is your pond always pea soup green? Are predators eating all of your fish?

These are common pond problems we see everyday.

If you suspect your fish might be sick, add a water conditioner (detoxifier), boost aeration, and do a 25% water change (at minimum). It is imperative to monitor sick fish and their symptoms. Sick fish generally show outward signs of illness; if nothing appears wrong on the outside, odds are your issue is water quality.

Water Quality

Ammonia - High ammonia, a byproduct produced by fish, can be deadly if not treated properly.

Parasites

External Parasites -...

Coming Soon

There are a few reasons a pond might become foamy. Although often harmless, it is important to monitor any build up of foam on the surface of your pond as it can require immediate maintenance for ponds with fish.

Fish Breeding

Are your fish more active than normal? Are your smaller fish chasing around your larger fish? Does your pond smell...fishy? If that's the case, your fish are most likely spawning. This usually happens from May to July. When spawning, fish expel gases (ie ammonia) which creates foam on...

If you have a proper filtration system, adequate aeration, and healthy plant material, you shouldn’t need a UV filter. You should generally be able to keep your pond water clear without added equipment (ie UVs, Iongens, Dosing Systems, Chemicals). That said, some ponds thrive using UV filtration.

Clearing Green Water

A UV filter can help in clearing green water. Small single-celled algae will pass through the media in your biological filter. However, when this single-celled algae passes through a UV, these cells...

As a disclaimer, we are located in Zone 6, so some of the following information might not apply to everyone. These are aquatic plants we like planting in our ponds and on our installations.

Pot or No Pot?

If you have a gravel bottom pond, plant your aquatic plants directly in the gravel. Take the plant out of the pot, rinse off any soil, and plant directly in the gravel. Use large boulders to stabilize taller plants while preventing koi from pulling them out.

If you have a liner/preform pond, keep...

Koi.

If you spend the money to build an expensive koi pond, why cheap out on the fish?

There is a big misconception that koi are hard to care for, but with an adequately sized pond and proper filtration, koi are actually better for your pond than goldfish. Koi spend most of their time bottom feeding on both algae and debris while goldfish primarily eat, sleep, and poop.

Koi also love eating plant roots, thus eating most of their fertilized eggs resulting in fewer babies. Goldfish don't. This is why...

Our Awards - Excellence in Design (awarded by The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. and The Landscape Design Council)

Although we didn’t win best in show, this was one of our most colorful displays yet. We focused mostly on the forcing of our plant material this year and, although not how it would play out in nature, getting 30 different species of plants to flower at the same time...in February...is definitely a challenge. Maybe not best in show, but still one of my favorite displays.

Congratulations...

To stop predators from getting your fish, it is important to have a hidy cave in your pond so your fish can hide from dangerous predators. A few round rocks with a flat stone on top will make a natural yet adequate spot for your fish to hide. It is also important to have good plant coverage (ie water hyacinth, pond lilies, and marginal plants) on your pond's surface to provide extra coverage.

Net Your Pond

Although not the most aesthetically pleasing, netting your pond is the best defense against herons. Pond netting...

Your pond should be at least 2' deep to survive the winter in Southern New England. Any depth more than 4' is excessive.

If you're asking yourself this question, odds are, you have too many fish...

A good rule of thumb is that you should have 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons of pond water. Meaning that a 10 inch fish should be housed in a 100 gallon pond.

Keep in mind, filtration and aeration play a large part in fish keeping so proper husbandry can result in keeping more fish in a smaller area.

Koi, although larger, are a cleaner fish compared to goldfish. However, goldfish are more hardy, so the type of...

Yes.

If your pond is less than 3,000 gallons, it is recommended that you fully drain your pond every spring. The buildup of organic materials (ie leaves, fish waste, and natural debris) will leach tannins into your pond ultimately turning your pond water tea color.

For larger ponds, we recommended a partial cleaning every year with a full cleaning every 2 to 3 years.

This year we are dedicating our display to a close relative and friend, Charlie Dyer, the epitome of charm. Our landscape pays tribute to his legacy and all those who were fortunate enough to have known him. In our display, a nine foot tall stairway waterfall drifting from the clouds represents a Stairway to Heaven. We are using a variety of Charlie’s favorite trees, shrubs and plants which are just waking up to help set the tone for this year’s theme, “The Charm of Spring!”

Charles E. Dyer, Jr. 88 years young, of Waterford,...

As a disclaimer, all ponds are different and the following information may vary from pond to pond.

The Overview

In general, a pond will turn pea soup green due to: inadequate filtration, lack of aeration, unbalanced water chemistry, not enough plant life, too many fish, lack of general maintenance, improper climate (ie full sun), and/or deficient good bacteria.

Inadequate Filtration

Wether your buying a professional pond kit or piecemealing your pond together; homeowners often...

To find a leak in your pond, you must first turn off the pump and let the pond sit for a day. If the water level in the pond drops, you know the leak is in the pond. If the water level of the pond does not drop, your leak is in the waterfall or plumbing.

Pond Leak

If you determine the leak to be in the pond, leave the pump off and let the water level drop until it stops losing water. The leak is going to be found at this level of the pond. You will need to look for a hole or puncture in your pond liner. If you find a hole,...

When it comes to caring for your pond fish in winter, the most important thing is to always keep a hole in the ice on the pond's surface. This allows oxygen into the pond and prevents toxic gases from building up. The following options will keep a hole in the ice.

One thing to think about is that products can/do fail. Therefore it is important to always have a backup option. We recommended using 2 of the options listed below, plugged into separate GFI outlets. This way if one option fails, or trips the GFI, you have a backup...

March 23, 2018 - Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC will be hosting a Learn Build Earn event at 505 William Street, Portland, CT 06480 at 9:00am. During the event, you will receive one-on-one attention from experienced Aquascape instructors.

It is important to clean your pond on a yearly basis to prevent a buildup of debris and nutrients which cause algae blooms, poor water quality, and can harm your fish. Do not wait for a problem to arise, prevent it and sign up for your spring pond cleaning today.

How We Clean a Pond

- Drain Pond
- Remove & Store Fish
- Clean Filters
- Remove Any Debris (ie leaf debris, muck, algae)
- Powerwash Rocks & Gravel
- Rinse Pond
- Put Pond Back Together
- Fill...

Best In Show, Most Outstanding Specimen, Best Use of Moving Water, Best Use of Aquatic Plants, Best Use of Texture, Best Use of Color, Best Use of Cultural Perfection, and Excellence in Design (awarded by The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. and The Landscape Design Council)

Ecosystem ponds work with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides an all-natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. Every piece of the ecosystem puzzle must be present in order for a true ecosystem to be in place.

We use professional grade (Aquascape Inc.) pond products backed by a strong warranty, including a one year workmanship guarantee. With our management having been in the pond industry since 1998, we pride ourselves on installing quality ponds and water features. We build...

A Pondless Waterfall is simply a re-circulating waterfall or stream without the presence of a pond. The waterfall works by pumping water contained in a large, in-ground reservoir up and through the Waterfall Spillway, allowing the water to flow back down into the reservoir. This simple recirculation system requires very little maintenance, is easy to install, and ideal for families with young children or pets that love to play in water.

Enjoy the beauty and soothing sounds of a pondless waterfall from any location in your yard....

Did you know we offer complete Fall netting services? Let us do the work for you! It is important to take certain precautions when it comes to closing your pond until Spring arrives. Our netting services aid in this process. We will trim back your aquatic plants, clean out your filters, remove your pump(s), and net your pond or pondless waterfall to help keep out falling leaf debris. Netting your pond can also help keep unwanted critters and the dreaded heron from feasting on your fish.

In addition to netting, we also have aerators...

The Convention Center will be transformed into a breathtaking event for floral and garden enthusiasts.

This will be Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC's 19th continuous year showcasing our water-features and landscaping skills.

2018's CT Flower & Garden Show (February 22, 2018 - February 25, 2018) is sure to be our best yet! We will be dedicating our entire display in memory of our wonderful friend Craig Beck. As co-owner and operator of CJ Grounds Maintenance Company, Craig worked tirelessly alongside us year after year to help...

Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC is the leading distributor of professional pond products, koi fish and aquatic plants in Connecticut. We have a six acre aquatic nursery in Portland, CT where we stock the full line of Aquascape pond and waterfalls kits, fountains, maintenance supplies, replacement parts, pumps, and water treatments.

Our company foundation was built on a simple premise... keep it simple, and work with nature, not against her. The relationship between building a pond, and respecting how nature intended it to work, is fundamental...

Our Mission, at Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC, is to create beautiful water features that inspire people to go outside and embrace nature. We hope to make your backyard a bit more eco friendly, support native wildlife, and create unique water features that will bring you and your loved ones joy, peace, and relaxation.

Ethics

We support our local community, donate to charities ( American Cancer Society ), recycle, and buy American-Made if possible. We proudly support...

Robert Townsend began his career began over 30 years ago with his own landscaping business. Always on the lookout for new challenges and opportunities, in 1991 Rob built his first pond. So satisfying was the planning and execution of this project, his mind was made up to enter a new phase of landscaping design. He began his search for information on Pond Ecosystems.

In 1996 Rob attended what would be the first of many seminars presented by Aquascape Inc. The show so impressed Rob, it took little time for him to make Water Gardens...

I am the manager at Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC. I’ve worked in the pond industry for over 10 years and have had my own pond for almost 20 years. If you have a pond problem, I have a solution.

I have a bachelors degree in Multimedia Web Design and Development from the University of Hartford, class of 2014.

Our staff is knowledgeable when it comes to ponds and pond maintenance. We take pride in our customer service, work ethic, and workmanship. And while we might not always have the answer to every pond problem, we do our best to lead your pond in the right direction.

Lotus grow up and out of the water. Water lilies grow on the water's surface. Lotus are tubers. Lilies are rhizomes. Plant your lotus plants in a mucky substrate a few inches below the waterline. Lotus prefer a dirt/sand substrate and should be fertilized to promote larger foliage and more blooms.

Water lilies grow well in 18" of water and love sunlight. The more muck & sludge in the pond, the bigger they will grow.

Best Landscape Design, Best Use of Perspective, Best Use of Moving Water, Best Use of Aquatic Plants, Best Use of Creative Features, and Favorite Landscape Award from WFSB Channel 3

Aqua Scapes of CT, LLC building a medium pond at the Westbrook Hunt Club in Westbrook, CT (2018)

- The less you clean your filters (unless you have a canister filter) the better.

- Only clean Filter / Bio Media once a year, at the beginning of the year.

- Get your pond up and running in April or May. This way, your pond ecosystem will have a chance to get established before the weather gets too hot.

- It is common to get an algae bloom a week or two after a pond cleaning. This is because your pond has not had enough time to build up a strong colony of Beneficial Bacteria.

-...

I cut off my lotus pod about a week after they lose their flowers. When the seeds start drying up in the pods, its been too long.

After I remove the seed, I set them aside for a few weeks to dry out; then I sandpaper or cut into one side, not too deep, but enough to puncture the outter skin. I put the seed in about an inch of water, in a shady spot.

They start sprouting in 4-7 days usually. The seeds should look similar to the one in this picture, dark, plump, and should feel firm.

'When Sandy Hook happened the next day I awoke with one thought and a vision. The thought was that I wanted to create something that would celebrate and honor those who lost their lives. The vision was the fountain with each component of it chosen specifically for the healing properties and symbolism associated with it':

Quartz base - transforms and energizes, empowers and attunes chakras, amplifies prayers and reminds us we are spiritual beings;

Iris flowers (representing the 6 adults) - iris...

Special thanks to Frau Zinnie Blog for taking this awesome photo at the 2015 Hartford Flower Show. Also thank you American Gardening for your interesting insight and plug. #tbt

By Sam Kantrow, Meteorologists for WTNH Connecticut News

John Woke

Austin Foose arranges sod around a display for the 36th annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show at the Connecticut Convention Center Wednesday, in preparation for the show