If a garden pond is designed correctly it will have a natural balance and take care of itself. Man made ponds can be just like natural ponds. They can require only a little attention to keep them in great looking condition. You need pond plants and pond fish. Together they will create a natural balance in the pond. Both need to be healthy and acquired from a good source. You do not want diseased plants or fish in your pond.
Different pond plants add different essentials for pond health. Water lilies, which are the most common pond plant, are mainly used for beauty. They are planted in containers and sit on the bottom of the pond. Fish will use them for cover. They are planted in containers because they can be invasive plants and take over your pond. Oxygenator plants are ones that will give oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. Most of these plants float on the surface of the water, although they can become rooted. They can also spread fast and the excess will have to be controlled. Other plants for ponds are called marginals and will sit in containers around the edge of the pond. Floaters do just that, they float. Some of these will sink to the bottom during the winter. Most floaters will have beautiful flowers. Some ponds can have marsh type pond plants. You may not want all types of pond plants together. Ask you pond expert just what you may need for your size pond.
Most pond plants are grown in containers and put at the bottom of the pond. Gravel is put on top of the soil to prevent fish from disturbing the soil. You want to prevent cloudy water in your pond. A proper pH will also need to be maintained in your pond. Ask your garden pond professional about this also. Do not use regular garden soil, as the pH will be quite different.
Fish are very important for the health of a pond. Goldfish varieties are good for smaller ponds and Koi are good if you have a larger pond. There are many different varieties of each. Always purchase your fish from a good source. Some of these fish can grow to be very large. Find out how many fish you should safely have for your size pond. The pond should be a certain depth for the variety of fish you have. If the fish will overwinter in the pond it will need to be deep enough for them to survive. Also, some fish species will jump, so the pond has to be designed for that consideration.
Algae is a common problem in garden ponds. An algicide can be used. A good filter and purifier should be initially installed to help prevent that problem. The pond will need to be areated, so some sort of fountain is a good idea to incorporate into the pond design. The main problem with ponds is leaks. If your pond springs a leak, fix it right away if possible. The fish may need to be transferred. The pond may need to be drained and repaired.
