Regular, partial water changes help to improve water quality by flushing out dissolved waste materials and replenishing essential minerals.

Goldfish make ideal pets for small ponds because of their modest size. They typically grow 8”- 10" long, although they can occasionally get bigger. The best types of goldfish for outdoor ponds are Comets, Sarasa Goldfish and Shubunkins.

Having some algae in your pond isn’t a bad thing. In fact, algae consumes nutrients and waste products and helps to purify your pond water. Many small zooplankton feed on algae which then become food for small fish.

While Tropical Water Lilies may be a bit expensive and will not survive the winter in the pond except in very warm climates, they are definitely worth it. They bloom profusely all summer long; they are available in many colours and they often have large exquisitely patterned leaves.

Floating plants like water lettuce and water hyacinths provide shelter and hiding places for koi and goldfish and can protect them from predators like herons.

Frogs typically hibernate during the winter by burrowing in the mud found in ponds and lakes. Their metabolism slows down enough that they can absorb all the oxygen they need through their skin.

Nisai is the Japanese term that refers to a koi that is 2 years old. Learn more Japanese koi Terminolgy

Body flukes (Gyrodactylus sp.) are a fairly common parasite found on pond fish. They do not lay eggs like gill flukes, instead they produce live young. They are found both on the gills and the body of fish.

Covering 50%-65% of your pond’s surface with plants is recommended to help shade the pond and keep the water cool in the summer months. Plants also consume excess nutrients from the water reducing algae growth and help to maintain optimal water quality. These 'Clear Water Plants' are some of the best plants for maintaining a clear, healthy pond.

If you plan to keep koi in your pond, it should be at least 4’ deep to give them enough space to swim and develop properly.

The beautiful koi we see today originally started out as bland coloured carp that were raised for food in Japan. It wasn’t until the early 1800's when farmers began to  notice interestingly coloured fish appearing in their rice paddies and began selectively bred for colour.

Although algae can be a pond owners worst problem, it has many potential benefits outside of the pond such as, a source for biofuels, fertilizers and nutritional supplements

Nualgi is a product that natural fights algae in your pond. Nualgi provides essential nutrients promote a diatom bloom. These invisible diatoms outcompete the algae in your pond for the nutrients they feed on. The algae soon starves causing the water to clear.

Most water lilies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to bloom, however there are some Shade Tolerant Water Lilies that will perform well in more shade and bloom quite well.

Costia is common microscopic parasite that is active in cool water. They are smaller than most parasites and are shaped like a comma when viewed under a microscope.

Performing regular, parial water changes is a great way to maintain optimal water quality. Changing 10%-15% of the pond water every week or 2, helps to flush out nitrates, tannins and other waste products while replenishing essential minerals.