Aquarium and Pond Care with EcoBio-Block

With the right landscaping and proper maintenance, even the most basic koi pond can be beautiful. However, if you really want your backyard pond to make a statement you should consider turning it into a water garden. Though it may sound like a complicated project, transforming your existing pond into a water garden can be as simple as adding a few potted aquatic plants. Not only will these plants enhance the appearance of your pond, but they will also benefit your koi and make your pond a healthier environment in which your fish can thrive.

Types of Pond Plants

When it comes to aquatic pond plants there are a variety of options which can generally be divided into four different groups. Oxygenators are the category of pond plants which grow entirely beneath the surface of the water where they help to increase the oxygen content and provide cover for your fish when they need it. Floating plants are those that do not need to be rooted in a pot or planter. These plants float on the surface, providing shade which helps to reduce algae growth in your pond.
Deep water pond plants like water lilies and lotus are largely ornamental. Some of these plants produce beautiful blooms which serve to add color to your water garden. The final category of pond plants includes bog plants such as cattails, grasses and reeds. These plants grow best in shallow areas and are most often used to blend the pond into the rest of the landscaping in your yard.

The Benefits of a Water Garden

The benefits of transforming your koi pond into a water garden extend far beyond the aesthetic. By adding live plants to your pond you will not only be making the pond a healthier environment for your fish but you also will be decreasing the necessary amount of maintenance as well. Aquatic plants use the waste produced by your fish as fertilizer and, in exchange, produce the oxygen your fish need in order to breathe. This is an extremely important benefit because koi require highly-oxygenated water in order to thrive. Live plants will also compete for nutrients with pond algae, thus reducing the amount of unsightly algae growing in your pond.

How to Add Plants to Your Pond

Before purchasing your pond plants, perform some basic research to decide what type of plants you want. As you research, determine what the potting requirements are for each type you have chosen. Fabric pots and plastic pots with no holes are the most common types of pots used in water gardens because they keep the potting soil contained and they can be moved easily. For those of your plants which need to be rooted, fill your pots with clay soil and anchor them with sand or gravel. Place the pots in the desired location within your pond, positioning your plants in the arrangement you find most attractive. Floating plants do not require pots – they can be left to drift along the surface of your water garden.

If you want to get the most out of your water garden, try adding a few EcoBio-Blocks to your pond. The EcoBio-Block nsM is a four-pack of water-clarifying stones made from natural zeolite and infused with beneficial bacteria. The special nitrifying bacteria infused in the EcoBio-Blocks will multiply rapidly once you have added the stones to your pond. These bacteria will clarify the water, remove odor and help to decrease the frequency of necessary pond maintenance. If the water in your koi pond is kept clean and clear, it will be a better environment for both your fish and your aquatic plants.

Filtration is one of the most important factors in determining whether your pond will be able to provide a healthy, balanced ecosystem for your fish. Not only do pond filters facilitate water flow which helps to reduce the growth of algae, but they also remove harmful toxins from the water and filter out waste to keep the pond water clear. Adequate filtration is particularly important in ponds where goldfish or koi are present because these fish produce a large amount of waste and require highly-oxygenated water. In order to ensure that your pond fish remain healthy, do some research before selecting a pond filter so you can be sure to purchase the type that is best for your particular pond.

Types of Pond Filter

Before you can begin to peruse your options in pond filters you need to decide between the two major types: external and submersed filters. External pond filters can be very large and are not installed directly in the pond. Because this type of filter is not housed within the pond itself it is much easier to clean and to change or add filter media when needed. Though external pond filters have the capacity to support larger biological loads than submersed filters, they can be unsightly and difficult to disguise.

Submersed pond filters are those which can be installed inside the pond itself. This feature allows you to easily conceal the filter from view using an arrangement of aquatic plants or decorative stones. A submersed pond filter can be filled with different types of filter media, as can an external filter, but this type is more difficult to clean because it must be removed from the pond first. Although submersed pond filters are limited in their ability to support large biological loads, they are extremely versatile and can be used for water features as well as basic pond filtration.

Tips for Selecting a Filter

After you have made your choice between an external and a submersed pond filter you need to select the right model for your particular pond. One of the most important factors in determining which filter is right for you is the size of your pond. Different filters are designed to support different biological loads. The model you choose should be able to filter one half of the total pond volume in an hour. If your pond is located in an area that receives a great deal of sunlight you may need a larger filter to counteract an increased rate of algae growth.

In addition to the size of your pond, the type of filtration you desire should also be a factor when making your decision. Mechanical filtration is the most basic function of a filter which involves removing solid waste from the water as it is drawn up through the filter media. Chemical filtration serves to remove toxins from the water and biological filtration involves maintaining a colony of beneficial bacteria which help to break down wastes and clarify the water.

Regardless of what type of filter you choose there are a few simple things you can do to keep your pond water clean and clear. Avoid overfeeding your fish and take steps to prevent your pond from becoming too crowded. You may also consider adding an EcoBio-Block Wave or EcoBio-Block nsM to your pond in order to facilitate the growth of a colony of nitrifying bacteria. EcoBio-Blocks are made from natural zeolite and infused with beneficial bacteria which will quickly multiply after being introduced into your pond. The presence of these bacteria will speed up the nitrogen cycle in your pond which will result in cleaner, clearer water and a healthier environment in which your fish can thrive.

Few things are as disappointing as the water of your beautiful pond turning a horrible green color. When you have a pond, the last thing you want to look out and see is ugly green water. This problem is common and it is aggravating pond owners everywhere.

While green water is not a major problem in koi and goldfish ponds, the owner will undoubtedly be incredibly bothered when they can no longer see their gorgeous fish swimming around in aquatic bliss.

Why Pond Water Turns Green

Green water results from the growth of several single-celled algae, which live suspended in water. Algae are fueled by light and excess nutrients in the pond water. Algae typically make an appearance when sunny days increase during the spring. Algae most commonly occurs in ponds that have been constructed recently, because the water chemistry has not quite settled down. However, older ponds with more established waters are not immune to the green water curse.

The main culprit when it comes to green pond water is nitrate, which is a nutrient that forms naturally as the decaying of fish feces, leftover fish food and dead plant matter occurs. Some people use nitrate test kits, but more often than not, just cleaning out any leaves that may have fallen into the pond, maintaining plant foliage, using Eco-Block Family Products and not overfeeding your fish will make a huge difference.

Keep Your Water Clear

To control algae in your garden pond you need to do the following. It depends greatly on whether the water in the pond is re-circulated with a pump, or if the pond is still.

• Re-circulate water with a pump, mechanical filter and bio-filter
• Shade the pond if you don’t have plants
• Use of chemicals, such as algaecides, will kill off algae, but it will harm aquatic plants also.
• Include pond plants that will establish themselves and take over from algae
• Use bales of oat hay or barley straw in the water where it will break down gradually to eliminate algae
• Keep good bacteria population high
• Add EcoBio-Block pond products containing beneficial bacteria to rid the pond of the nutrients necessary for algae to thrive

EcoBio-Block is infused with beneficial bacteria and keep beneficial bacteria population high which not only helps to control algae problems, but reduces the need for frequent maintenance.

If you have a pond with water which is re-circulated, you can control algae with the installation of an ultra violet clarifier. Ultra violet clarifiers have become increasingly popular within the past few years because they are not only effective, but also easy to install.

When you use ultra violet clarifiers in conjunction with either a mechanical or a biological filter, it will kill the algae. In addition, it will also eliminate bacteria as well as a number of harmful fish parasites. Ultra violet clarifiers also help to clear cloudy water in your pond.

Although your fish may enjoy the shade that green pond water provides during the hot summer months, no pond owner should have to miss fully enjoying his or her pond all season long.

Waterlily

Did you know that plants are an essential element of the ecological system of your pond? Water plants are also an important part of the maintenance of your pond. If you haven’t planned to have plants in your pond, you might want to rethink that decision.

Many people do prefer the rather stark look in pond design, and are very happy with a no-live-plant pond. However, if you do not have plants in your pond, it will soon become full of algae, which is not a pretty sight. The reason for this is that algae vie with the plants for all of the different nutrients that are in the water.

Plants are beautiful, and they can do even more for your pond if you do decide to use them. A varied selection of plants in your pond will help to filter the water by turning the fish waste into food for the plants. Plants will also provide oxygen for your fish, and by covering the surface of the water, will protect your plants from predators. By having plants in your pond, your fish will have a perfect habitat for spawning.

Aquatic plants perform many essential jobs while at the same time adding beauty to your pond. In the daytime, the plants in your pond take in carbon dioxide, and then release oxygen into the air. At night, water plants do the exact opposite, and take in oxygen, then release carbon dioxide into the air.

Mother Nature has her own system for making pond water that has become cloudy clear again, and for purifying water in general. This is done in nature via the use of beneficial bacteria. The bacteria break down the organic waste that any pond naturally will have, and then returns it back from whence it came. You can give Mother Nature a boost by using EcoBio-Block nsM, a product that makes use of this system of nature. The beneficial bacteria live and multiply in the block, and keep your pond populated with beneficial bacteria that will make your pond‘s environment clear and healthy.

The EcoBio-Block nsM and EcoBio-Block Wave does not take the place of plants. Nor does it take the place of proper pond maintenance. What it will do is cut down on the amount of maintenance that your pond will need. The block decomposes organic matter, which clarifies the water in your pond so that it is beautiful and clear, while eliminating odors . The nitrifying bacteria in the Eco-Bio Block nsM establishes itself quickly in new pond setups as well as in ponds that have been in place for some time.

You’ll find that the Eco-Bio Block nsM is easy to use. All you must do is rinse the block well and soak it in a container overnight, then place it in your pond near anywhere the water is flowing. An Eco-Bio Block nsM will give you more than 2 years of improved water quality in your pond. Since the Eco-Bio Block nsM was originally used in Japan to clear up pollution in rivers, canals, and even the ocean, it will do an amazing job for you in your backyard pond.

Healthy aquarium with EcoBio-Block L

One of the first lessons a fishkeeping hobbyist learns is that preparing a good habitat for aquatic pets is all about breeding beneficial bacteria. The famous “New Tank Syndrome” or “Cycling” of a new aquarium setup basically describes the period when bacteria colonies are initially propagated in the aquatic habitat. In effect, the overall health of a fish tank and its inhabitants relies heavily on the steady and sustained growth and proliferation of bacteria.

Two types of beneficial bacteria are required to keep ideal water conditions in a fish tank. The first type is called “nitrosomonas,” which are aerobic bacteria that convert deadly ammonia (generated by fish waste and decaying food) into another toxic substance called nitrites. The second type is called “nitrobacter,” which converts the toxic nitrites into less harmful nitrates. Microbes in gravel in established tanks can process nitrates into nitrogen gas which then dissipates (which in large volumes will also stress the fish); can be absorbed by aquatic plants (and algae) as fertilizer; or can be removed from the tank through regular partial water changes.

In a new fish tank, ammonia must be present to start the nitrosomonas colonies, but the ammonia levels should be just enough to feed the bacteria because excesses will harm the fish. The same is true with the nitrobacter – they proliferate in the presence of nitrites but until there are enough colonies to process the nitrites, excesses will cause distress to the fishes. Therefore, the tank’s ability to sustain more fishes improves as the colonies of beneficial bacteria increase.

Because the speed of aquarium cycling depends on how quickly bacterial colonies grow, fishkeeping experts suggest several ways to rapidly proliferate bacteria. The most common method is to migrate bacterial colonies from disease-free established aquariums by moving gravel, décor, or filter media to the new tank.

If migrating established bacterial colonies from existing tanks is not feasible, there is always the “canned bacteria” option. Preserved nitrosomonas and nitrobacter bacteria can be purchased from reputable fish hobby vendors. Some providers claim that their bottled bacteria colonies can jumpstart the cycling process as well as revitalize a failing or overstocked aquarium.

Another bacteria-proliferation option is the EcoBio-Block Family Products. These porous volcanic stones are mineral-rich and imbedded with a type of beneficial bacteria called “bacillus subtilis natto” from Japan. These bacteria, which multiply every half hour, perform the nitrification process required for a stable fish tank, effectively degrading organic matter and making the tank clear and odor-free. Bacteria-rich EcoBio-Block products are used to speed up cycling and maintain a clear and healthy tank for years.

Undoubtedly, setting up a fish tank involves not just acquiring an aquarium setup but also growing and sustaining large colonies of beneficial bacteria to render the water habitable to aquatic pets. Whether the bacteria colonies are from a friend’s tank, the bottled variety, or the EcoBio-Block strain, as long as they are fed, aerated, and prolific, they will do their job to ensure the health and success of the fish community in their environment.
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