Aquarium and Pond Care with EcoBio-Block

Once you have successfully built and set up your outdoor pond you may think that the hard part is over. While building your pond may indeed be the most difficult part of the process, you should also put a considerable amount of effort toward selecting the fish for your pond. You cannot simply go to the pet store and purchase a dozen feeder goldfish and expect them to thrive in your pond. There are only a few types of fish that are suited to living in outdoor ponds and each variety has certain requirements. Before you purchase the fish for your pond, perform some basic research to decide which type of pond fish is best for you and for your pond size.

Types of Pond Fish

Colorful koi

When it comes to outdoor ponds, koi are the most well-known species of ornamental fish used for stock. Koi come in a variety of shapes and colors including black, gold, red and orange. These fish look similar to goldfish but grow much larger and exhibit a wider variety of shapes in their fins and bodies. Because they grow to be quite large, koi require a pond capacity of at least 1000 gallons in order to thrive. These fish also require a variegated diet including fresh vegetables, fruit and specially formulated koi foods.

Goldfish come in a variety of shapes and colors which makes them a popular choice as a pond fish. Some of the most popular varieties of goldfish include Comets, Shubunkins and Orandas. Comets come in red, orange and white varieties – the calico varieties are called Shubunkin Comets. Orandas are a type of fancy goldfish known for the prominent hood that develops on top of its head.  In general, goldfish are a hearty species which does well in ponds with adequate filtration and aeration. Most goldfish prefer peaceful or slow-moving water and require a pond capacity of 250 gallons or more to thrive.

Precautions to Take with Pond Fish

Just as you should exercise caution when stocking your home aquarium, be careful when selecting the fish for your pond. Some species can grow very large or may become aggressive around other species. By doing some research before you purchase your pond fish you can prevent a disaster from happening later. Comets, for example, can be aggressive and should not be mixed with most other types of pond fish aside from koi. Goldfish and Orandas are generally peaceful species that can get along with a variety of species.

Tips for Keeping your Pond Healthy

A healthy pond requires routine maintenance in order to keep water quality high. Because goldfish and other pond fish are notoriously high producers of waste, adequate filtration is key to maintaining water quality. To give your pond a boost, consider installing one or more EcoBio-Block Waves. These blocks are infused with beneficial bacteria that multiply naturally to establish a colony in your pond. Once established, this colony of beneficial bacteria will help to break down organic waste products, remove odors and clarify cloudy pond water. While you should still maintain proper filtration and execute regular maintenance procedures, an EcoBio-Block Wave can help to keep your pond clean and healthy for your fish.

Your pond filter is perhaps the most essential piece of equipment when it comes to keeping your pond clean and healthy. Pond filtration systems circulate the water to prevent algae formation, to remove waste build-up and they may also facilitate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Because filtration is key to the success of your outdoor pond, you should not buy a cheap one or purchase one too small for your pond. If saving money is a necessity, however, you can build your own pond filter from scratch.

Materials Needed:
Large plastic planter or stock tank
3-inch plastic shower drain
Jig saw
Joint compound
1 ½ inch PVC pipe
1 ½ to 1-1/4 inch threaded nipple reducer

DIY Pond Filter

The first thing you need in order to build your own pond filter is a large plastic planter or stock tank. Visit your local home improvement store to peruse your options. Next, trace around the plastic shower drain on the outside of the tank just below the rim. Cut out the hole with a jig saw, apply a bead of joint compound around the outside of the hole then insert the shower drain and press it firmly against the side of the tank to create a seal.

Measure across the bottom of the tank and divide the measurement by two. Cut two pieces of 1 ½-inch PVC pipe to 2 inches shorter than the measurement you just took and attach a PVC elbow to one end of each pipe. Connect the two pipes in the middle with a tee connector and insert a piece of PVC equal to the height of the tank vertically into the remaining connection on the tee. Top the vertical pipe with a 1-1/2 to 1-1/4-inch threaded nipple reducer then place the assemblage of pipes in the center of the planter or stock tank so the horizontal pipes rest on the bottom.

Position the elbows on the horizontal pipes so they point in opposite directions – this will create a swirling effect at the bottom of the tank which will increase the efficiency of the filtration. Cut a piece of rigid plastic mesh to the size of the stock tank or, if you are using a plastic planter, purchase a plastic sieve large enough to fit inside. Cut a hole in the middle large enough to pass the vertical PVC pipe through. The mesh should sit several inches above the bottom of the tank – elevate it with wooden blocks if necessary.

Fill the tank with your preferred filter media. You can purchase filter sponges from your local pet supply store, but regular dishwashing sponges and scrubber pads cost less and work just as well. These materials are ideal for use in pond filters because the pores catch unwanted waste and debris while also providing a place for beneficial bacteria to grow. Finish up your homemade pond filter by positioning it on the opposite end of the pond as your sump pump. Insert the hose from your sump pump into the 1-1/4-inch threaded nipple in the vertical piece of PVC and turn on the pump. The water will pass through the PVC pipes, swirl around the bottom of the tank up through the filter media and exit via the shower drain in the side of the tank back into the pond.

To turn your homemade filter into a more efficient biological filter, consider adding an EcoBio-Block Wave in addition to the sponges. EcoBio-Block products are infused with beneficial bacteria which naturally clear cloudy pond water, keeping it safe and healthy for fish. The EcoBio-Block Wave lasts for three years and can accommodate between 300 and 1000 gallons of water which means that it will keep working long after it becomes necessary to replace your other filter media. You can also install EcoBio-Block Waves along the bottom of your pond, instead of inside the filter, to clarify water and remove odors.

If you are thinking about building a pond in your backyard, you should first consider some things before you make a final decision and start the proceedings. Adding a pond to your landscaping is becoming more popular, and will add value to your home, but did you know, for example, that in order to have a sparking and pristine pond with gorgeously colored fish swimming about, you must do certain things to maintain that look? That is just one of the aspects of being a pond owner that requires some thought.

Before you go out in your backyard with a shovel and start to dig, there is some pondering to do. It goes without saying that the size, depth, and design of the pond you buy should be decided upon well before you purchase the materials needed to make it. You will also want to make your mind up concerning the types of fish or other aquatic life that you want to add to your pond.

You may want to choose a natural pond design, one built and landscaped so as to give the initial impression that the pond has been there for many years. This design can take many forms if the person making it remembers to follow the natural curves and forms of ponds found naturally in nature. Roughly hewn rocks look fantastic in a design such as this, and you can choose plants that are taller and that appear more like what you would see in a nature setting.

You may be more interested in a more formal pond. This design is usually a geometric form, chosen to work well with the design of your house and any outbuildings you may have. Most of the time, it will be symmetrical and have an edge that is either of smooth, flat stone or paved. You can most definitely use plants with this type of pond, but the look is more subtle than the wild plantings more suited to a natural pond. Your formal pond may work best for you if it is raised off the ground, though it does cost more to build this design.

Remember what we spoke of above? We mentioned how maintenance is necessary to keep the water in your pond looking clear and clean. You can cut down a lot on the pond maintenance that would normally be necessary by making use of the EcoBio-Block nsM or the EcoBio-Block Wave products.

Choosing an EcoBio-Block product is one of the easiest methods around for keeping your pond water clear. Both have beneficial bacteria inside of them that will live and reproduce for more than two years. This naturally helps to keep the pond water clear, as these bacteria will also get rid of any organic matter by decomposing it. It also discourages algae which can also discourage mosquito larvae. It is safe for your fish and your plants, and will really save you a lot of time – time that can be spent enjoying the sight and sound of your new pond.