Learn to Keep Algae Under Control

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A private pond is a beautiful addition to many homes. Ponds accentuate the beauty of the home and enhance the outdoor environment, providing a tranquil spot for people to relax and find a little peace. Ponds are definitely a beautiful thing, but they require maintenance, or else they won’t be so attractive. Neglected and stagnant ponds will begin to see a rapid buildup of algae and a certain smell that is, in no way, a pleasant one. If you have a pond, or are planning to have one built, be sure to take certain precautions. To keep you water clean, provide aeration, remove debris, and add pond chemicals, if necessary.

Aeration

Aerating your water is probably the most important thing you can do to keep your water clean and fresh. The process of aeration involves dissolving oxygen into the water supply, and this process can be achieved in many ways. Many people use pond fountains, or aerators. These devices pull water from the top few feet of the pond and shoot it into the air. As the water splashes back down, it breaks the surface of the water and mixes it with the surrounding oxygen. This process is so important because it allows the process of decomposition to happen much more efficiently. If the algae and organic materials are able to break down faster, they won’t stick around and start to smell.

Skimming Debris

One way you can make it a little easier on your pond is by taking time to manually remove debris from the water. It is common for wind and rain to wash leaves, sticks, and other materials into your water. These materials will begin to decompose in your pond, releasing gases during the process, and can eventually begin to become a real nuisance. With a regular cleaning, your pond will look beautiful, and your water will be fresh.

Pond Chemicals

Regular skimmings will keep the leaves and sticks away, but, there is only so much you can do about algae. Sometimes, you have to bring out something a little stronger. There are several fountain chemicals available to keep these nuisances at bay. Adding a little to your water can provide stunning results. Regular cleaning with chemicals that combat the growth of unwanted materials is a sure way to keep your water clean and free of bacteria and algae. Find which one is right for your body of water.

Your pond is one of the main elements of your landscape. It is a defining feature of your home and its surroundings. It’s important that you keep it looking fresh and presentable. With proper aeration, regular cleanings, and pond chemicals, you can be sure that your pond is as beautiful as it was meant to be.

Support the Health of Your Pond with Aeration

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Having a pond on your property is a wonderful luxury. It provides your landscape with beautiful scenery, and having a body of water of your own is a treat that everyone doesn’t get to enjoy. Such a treat does not come without responsibility. It is important to be sure to make the most of your pond, and keep it in its best condition. Not only are you maintaing a body of water, but you are responsible for the thriving of an ecosystem. If you have fish in your pond, this is especially important. One of the best methods for maintain your pond is through aeration, the process of dissolving oxygen into the water.

Methods of Pond Aeration

Pond Fountain

One of the most popular and attractive ways you can provide your water with aeration is with a stunning pond fountain. Pond fountains come in a wide range of spray patterns and designs, and they always produce a constant show of water design.  You can even accent the design with LED lighting. Available in a plethora of colors, they are a great way of adding an extra flair to your nighttime scene.

Pond Aerator

A pond aerator is a great choice for the pond owner who doesn’t want to put on as much of a show. Pond fountains and aerators both achieve the process by pulling water from the top few feet of the pond and shooting it upward. When the water lands and breaks the surface tension, the oxygen in the air near the surface mixes with the water, achieving the desired goal. The difference of the aerator is that is doesn’t shoot the water up so high to create a visual. The water stays near the surface, moving enough to mix with the air but not to create a scene.

Benefits of Pond Aeration

Health of Fish and Other Animals

If your pond contains wildlife or pet fish, it is important to aerate their environment to keep them healthy. Fish need oxygen to survive, and their only source for it is what has been dissolved into the water. If you keep your water properly aerated, you will be able to support a larger and healthier population of thriving fish.

Aerobic Decomposition

Whenever there is vegetation or other organic material in your pond, it must go through a process of being broken down. With a source for oxygen your pond will be able to achieve this process much more efficiently through aerobic decomposition. Aerobic decomposition utilizes the oxygen to rapidly break down organic material; anaerobic decomposition, on the other hand, takes much longer. This slower process produces undesirable organic compounds and acids that give off foul smells.

Be sure to avoid all of the consequences that come along with a lack of dissolved oxygen in your pond. Create a healthy and thriving ecosystem by giving the environment what it needs: air. Your fish will be healthy and abundant, and your algae will be tame and controllable. Enhance the beauty and health of your pond.

Build a Natural-Looking Outdoor Setting

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The weather has finally broken, and many people are beginning to take on those outdoor projects they had been fantasizing about all winter. When it comes to redesigning your outdoor space, there are endless possibilities to choose from, and a wide selection of accessories to help you create your vision. Sometimes these choices can be overwhelming. With all of the different types of fountains and water features, some people find it hard to settle on a single theme. One of the best themes you can choose is a scene that simply accentuates the beauty that exists in nature. With the right waterfall or pond, a collection to beautiful wildflowers and plants, and a couple of stone benches, you’ll be ready to create the perfect natural setting.

Waterfalls or Ponds

When it comes to choosing which type of fountain or water feature to use in your outdoor environment, a waterfall or pond is best for the person looking to evoke a natural feeling. What better way to accentuate the beauty of nature than recreating processes that occur naturally. There are a wide range of waterfall and pond kits to get you started. You can choose from many styles and sizes. If you are looking to make a major installation, contact your local professional. There are plenty of dedicated people out there who are willing to help you create your vision.

Wildflowers and Plants

One of the most enjoyable things about having outdoor space at your disposal is the possibility of growing your own plant life. Many people enjoy growing vegetables and herbs, while some people enjoy the simple gratification of growing a bed of flowers. When deciding on plants for your natural scene, remember to keep it simple, but diverse. Choose a collection of some of your favorite flowers and greenery, and plant them in a seemingly random design. To create that all-natural scene, some people even mix seeds and allow plants to grow where they may. The trick is to not be too precise. Mother Nature will help you along the way.

Stone Benches

To better enjoy the time spent in your newly built home oasis, it would be beneficial to have seating for you and your guests. While there are a wide range of outdoor furniture and seating options, not all would complement a more natural-looking setting. If you are looking for something that will accent your outdoor scene, opt for classic stone furniture. There are a wide range of benches, stools, and tables made from quality stone, such as granite, jade, marble and more.

When it comes to cultivating the perfect scene, don’t let the endless options send you into a fit of frustration. If you enjoy being outdoors for the simple fact that it’s the outdoors, decide to build a scene that accentuates those properties. With the right water feature, greenery, and stone furniture, your natural oasis will be complete in no time!

Enhance Your Private Pond

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Has the time arrived for a major landscaping change at your home? Every so often, it is a great feeling to reimagine the look and feel of your surroundings. It’s refreshing to go out into your scene and have a sense of new energy. There are countless ways you can enhance your outdoor setting. A beautiful, beneficial, and popular way that many people decide to do this with the installation of a pond. You can enhance your pond with a pond fountain, the presence of fish, and even a connecting waterfall. You will love the new scene that you have created.

Pond Fountain

If the pond that you install is large enough, a great enhancement to consider is the installation of a beautiful pond fountain. Pond fountains come in a wide range of spray patterns and designs. You will be able to add a stunning and energetic touch to your outdoor scene. Pond fountains also help to keep your water clean and fresh by constantly aerating the water and keeping algae at bay. You can accentuate the beauty of these fountains and their designs with the installation of LED lighting. The nighttime visual that is created will be even more dazzling than before.

Pet Fish

Another great way to make the most of your pond is by introducing fish into your body of water. It’s a great way of enhancing the visual, while giving your scene even more energy, and an enhanced connection to nature. The fish will also be very appreciative of the pond fountain. The aeration process provides them with the oxygen they need to survive. There are many types of fish that you can get for your pond, the most popular being koi fish, a type of carp. Not only will your landscape be even more beautiful, but you will have new pets to care for.

Waterfalls

If you are looking to make a grand change to your landscape, why not go for installing a dynamic waterfall to flow into your pond. The water cascading over rocks and into the calm pool will create a wonderfully serene setting. The steady flowing sounds of the water will mitigate unwanted surrounding noise. This is great for people who enjoy their peace. It is a major change, but well worth the transformation. You will enjoy the benefits of this impressive enhance immensely.

Your outdoor space shouldn’t be plain and bare. Install a beautiful pond to accentuate the beauty of the surrounding nature. Make the most of your new pond with gorgeous enhancements. Fish will add life and energy, while the right pond fountain or waterfall will completely create a new look. Allow a pond to change the look and feel of your space!

How a Pond Fountain Will Add to Your Landscape Design

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Water Feature Pros loves to work with landscapers and be a part of large scale design projects. A type of fountain that we recommend would be a lake fountain. Lake fountains add a floating or diffused element to man-made or natural bodies of water. If you are designing for a place that already has a pond or lake, then a lake fountain will add much to your entire project.

A lake fountain keeps the water looking great

An aeration device will make sure your natural or man-made lake looks great at all times. Aeration is very important in multiple ways. Dissolved oxygen needs to be present throughout the lake so that the fish can live off of it. Also, aeration keeps the water from becoming stagnant. We all know stagnation is a terrible thing and symbolizes death and decay. I’m sure you do not want that. Stagnation works to destroy bodies of water in another way. Unwanted algae or other vegetation growth will prosper if the pond or lake becomes stagnant. Your client will appreciate how their lake area always looks pristine.

Add a spectacular sight to your lake

High powered water works will represent your amazing water feature. You can buy your pump at whatever horse power suits your lake. A typical statuary fountain flows with gravity, but lake fountains send water skyrocketing, keeping your client’s head high and expression amazed.

The flow pattern

Other than sheer power, lake fountains have varying flow patterns. These patterns have multiple streams which bend in varying degrees. Our online catalog features the different lake fountains according to their flow patterns.

Lighting

Lighting is essential for all outdoor landscaping in our opinion. Lighting insures that your clients will not be bored with their outdoor space once the sun has gone down. Actually, lighting should add an element that will encourage the clients to stand outside and watch the light show that their lake fountain can give them. For the price, it is certainly a worthwhile investment. Lights are often times interchangeable and can be turned off as need be.

Other things to consider

Lake fountains can be either floating or diffused. Floating lake fountains obviously float and pump only the top two feet of the lake. These fountains are appropriate for shallow lakes. Diffused lake fountains have an element that can gather water that is deep in the lake.

How to best remove algae from your fountain

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Algae is the green plant formation that can appear in most bodies of natural or man made water sources. When the water is stagnant, algae has a ripe breeding ground to multiple and expand. Algae is both an unpleasant sight and a harmful organism to the functionality of your pump. By running the fountain often and cleaning it you will be able to prevent invasive vegetation. However, we have plenty of suggestions on what to do when algae does from on your stone or metal water feature.

 

Add algae inhibitors

There are many algae forming inhibitors that we recommend to use. A natural method is to add barley to the pool or bottom tier of your outdoor fountain. Wrap the barley straw in some netting place it all under the water in the deepest areas of the fountain. If the barley flows, weigh it down with a rock or brick. The barely will decompose which omits an enzyme prevents the formation of algae. This is safe for fish in the water as well.

There are also chemical algae inhibitors which you can purchase from us in our pond products collection. Applying once every three months is a standard to be followed. However, you can add these chemicals more often if algae does visibly form. These chemicals are usually not safe for fish. It is best to simply check the label regarding this issue.

Shade your water feature

Algae love stagnant water will much sunshine. Just like any other plant, they require sunlight to perform photosynthesis. In fact, almost half of the world’s photosynthesis processes come from algae

If you can move our fountain easily, then place it in a shady area. You could also plant other vegetation that will grow and cast a shade on the water feature. These plants might include lattice, bamboo peach trees.

Remove algae as you see it forming

Aside from preventative measures, we also have tips on the best way to clean your fountain of disgusting algae. Firstly, use a pond net to pick up all of the algae flowing in the basin and tiers of the fountain.

Once the rogue algae is fished out of the water, you will need to drain the feature. Scrub algae off the sides using a nylon brush and vinegar. You could also use bleach if it will not discolor your fountain.  This should remove all of the algae. We recommend you rinse the feature thoroughly before refilling it. Follow up with the preventative chemicals that we discussed above.

The Importance of Water Aeration

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A beautiful pond or lake is always a beautiful feature to have present in your landscape. A fact of those bodies of water that people often forget is that they are living, breathing ecosystems of their own. If you have a pond or lake on your property, it is your responsibility to maintain the health of that ecosystem. The main thing you must do for your water is to maintain a healthy level of oxygen through a process called aeration. This process introduces necessary oxygen from the atmosphere into the water.

The Benefits of Aeration

In nature, the motion from the wind creates waves and introduces oxygen to the water at the surface, while the photosynthesis of the plants and algae underwater release oxygen from below. But, with the unpredictability of nature, it is easy for water to become stagnant or to be deprived of a healthy amount of sunlight. This leads to unwanted algae, dirty water, and unpleasant odors. Aerating your water is also necessary for keeping it fresh and healthy for your fish and other organisms.

Methods of Aeration

Aerating Fountains

One of the most popular choices for water aeration are floating decorative lake fountains. These devices allow you to keep your water fresh and to improve the look and feel of your landscape. They accomplish the process of aeration by pulling water from the surface of the water and shooting it up into the air in various patterns. The oxygen mixes with the water as it lands, agitating the surface.

Pond Aerators

For people who would like to put on less of a show, there are options that are not as commanding. One of these options is the floating pond aerator. This device uses the same method as decorative fountains for introducing oxygen into the water without shooting the water up to such great heights.

Diffusers

Decorative fountains and aerators are useful for many applications, but they aren’t quite capable enough once the water reaches certain depths. If a body of water is greater than 8 feet deep, diffused aeration is sure to be more beneficial. This method occurs by releasing compressed air into the bottom of the water and creating motion that affects more than just the top few feet of water.

No matter your method for aeration, it is a necessary process for maintaining the health of your pond or lake. If you have fish or other organisms in your water, this process can not be overlooked. Create a new scene with a floating decorative fountain, or maintain a peaceful scene with a pond aerator of diffuser.

Choosing the Right Garden Fountain

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Do you love spending time knelt in the dirt, hands in the soil, with the aroma of fresh plants and flowers filling your senses? Having a garden at home is a fun, therapeutic hobby, and a great way to produce your own flowers and vegetables. Installing a water feature in your home garden is perfect for enhancing the soothing and therapeutic qualities of your space, while contributing to the beauty of the scene. There are a wide range of outdoor water features. If you are considering adding one to your garden space, some of your best options are stone statuary fountains, small ponds, or spillways.

Stone Statuary Fountains

Do you have a large classic garden? A classy hand-crafted statuary fountain serves as the perfect accent or centerpiece. There are many different styles and designs of statuary fountains, available in many sizes and shapes. The classic tiered fountain is a popular choice for this type of application. There is nothing like watching the water flowing from a round or pineapple shaped finial, and raining over the edges of multiple tiers. Many of them feature sculptures and classic designs that evoke an old-world atmosphere. These fountains add new levels of life and energy to an already thriving space.

Small Ponds

Sometimes, you want a more subtle and natural look for your garden. If so, installing a small pond is likely to be your best bet. They are a great way of enhancing the landscape surrounding your garden space without being too visually overwhelming. They are also perfect for cultivating even more life in your space. You can add fish to your pond and take it to the next level. You will love the feeling of growing flowers and vegetables, while sustaining wildlife in your area. With these small changes, time spent in your yard and garden can become much more than just a hobby.

Spillways

If you would prefer to forgo the classic scene or the natural look, you might want to consider installing a spillway and basin near your garden. These are a great way of taking water’s natural soothing abilities, and giving it a modern and contemporary display. The stream flows out in a smooth sheet, splashing gently into the water below. If you are looking for ways to accent and enhance the style and class of your garden area, these are a great choice for you. Their sleek and minimal design is truly incomparable.

If you have a garden at home, take full advantage of your space. You will be truly surprised when you feel how much of an improvement installing a water feature can make. Stone statuary pieces complete your classic scene, small ponds enhance a natural look, and spillways brings your water display into a contemporary realm. For an extra touch, you can install LED lighting into any of these water features, accenting the beauty of your scene, even after the sun sets. The dazzling displays of water and soothing flowing sounds combined with the calming hands-on act of gardening makes for a truly blissful experience.

 

Accent Your New Home with Water and Lights

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Developing the look and feel of your new home and yard is an important process. Some of your most precious memories will be spent there. Think about keeping warm in your living room during the holidays with your family, having a cookout on a beautiful summer day, or relaxing on the patio hammock, enjoying the springtime breeze. When you look back on family photo albums, your home will be the backdrop for some of your most treasured experiences. Create a backdrop that is welcoming, calming, and beautiful. There are several ways that you can utilize water and light to accent the beauty and style of your home.

Indoor Water Panels

When you are deciding how you want to create the look and feel of your indoor space, consider the many benefits that come along with installing a fountain or water panel inside of your home. Water walls come in many colors, materials, and styles. From natural looking rock and slate pieces with copper frames, to bold and unique custom art pieces, there are many ways they can enhance the style of your space. But, that isn’t their only use. The steady flowing sounds of the water produce white noise, which is proven to calm and assist a restful sleep. The water flow also assists in purifying and humidifying the air.

Waterfall Spillways

There are several ways you can make changes to your backyard, but one of the most stylish and contemporary ways to accent your space is with spillways. Installing one (or a few) of these is a great alternative to a more traditional fountain. A statuary fountain will serve well as a centerpiece or garden accessory, but a spillway will accent your setting with a sleek sheet of water, flowing gently into a basin below. They look great along walls and staircases, or in conjunction with a small pond.

Illuminate Them

Water panels and spillways are great ways of accenting your home and patio space with water, but you can take these water features to the next level. One of the best ways you can accent your space is by installing LED lights in your water features and landscape. Lighting is a powerful element that people often overlook. When applied thoughtfully, lights can completely transform your nighttime scene. LEDs come in all types of colors, some even color-changing. With so many options for light, you can create light themes for certain moods and events, and truly make the most of your property.

When you’re planning out how you want your space to look and feel, make sure you are thoughtful with your choices. Small improvements can make all the difference. Subtle accents to your home and landscape are a great way of bringing out the natural and structural beauty of where you live. With well-placed sources of flowing water and soft light, you can truly accent your space without overwhelming the scene. You will love to come home to such a beautiful, calming, and relaxing place.