The best way to deal with algae is to prevent it. If that ship has sailed, never fear – there are ways to get your water feature looking clear again.

Algae naturally occur in a pond’s ecosystem. But if your water is out of balance, these aquatic organisms can completely take over.

For preventative measures in the spring, we recommend draining and cleaning your water feature. This will remove excess nutrients and muck that can be food for algae. During this time, establishing a balanced ecosystem is crucial for keeping algae at bay. Beneficial bacteria eat the same nutrients in the water as algae, so giving these little microbes a head start can starve out the algae and keep your pond balanced. Supplemental bacteria like Aquascape Beneficial Bacteria for Ponds can jumpstart the good bacteria. There are even special cold-water bacteria you can add during early cleanings in March and April. Make sure your pond has areas where bacteria can live. They thrive on the surface of rocks and gravel, and love to hang out on filter mats and media inside a biofilter.

Despite doing a spring cleaning, you still may deal with an algae bloom. The most common algae in late spring/early summer are string algae. For small blooms, it may be easiest to just pull it out. Algae may look gross, but it’s harmless. Then, continue to add beneficial bacteria to your water feature. If it continues to occur or you simply can’t stand it, you can install an Ion-Gen. It releases copper ions into the water that target and kill string algae while being safe for your fish.

For filmy, slimy algae that coat your rocks, you can use a combination of SAB Stream & Pond Cleaner and EcoBlast granular algaecide. SAB contains a phosphate binder that makes it harder for algae to adhere to rocks, so it helps keep water clear. EcoBlast kills algae on contact and works best in a stream or a waterfall. When applying Ecoblast, it’s best to turn the pump off, apply the Ecoblast over the algae, and let it sit for a few hours before turning the pump on again.

These products can be helpful throughout the year, but they’re especially useful in the spring. They help balance your pond as the water is warming up and plants, fish, and bacteria are waking up after the winter.

If you have trouble remembering to add treatments throughout the weeks, considering installing an automatic dosing system. This device is like a drip IV for your pond and automatically adds beneficial bacteria and enzymes to your water feature.

When it comes to treating algae, sometimes you need patience. Give your pond time to rebalance. But if you aren’t seeing any improvement, don’t be afraid to call a professional. Good Earth Water Gardens is happy to help – call us at (816) 720-7577.

First, make sure the loss of water is actually a leak. There are several reasons your water level is dropping:

• Evaporation. Depending on the temperature, humidity, and sunlight, it’s possible that extra water loss is due to evaporation each week.
• Splashing. If water splashes off the rocks in your waterfall or stream, be sure that water falls inside your pond liner. If it doesn’t, you can move the rocks to redirect the water.
• Plants. If you have many plants in and around your pond, they’re drinking quite a bit. But if your water levels drop the same amount no matter the weather, plants probably aren’t the culprit.

Low edges are one of the most common causes of water loss. New ponds where the ground is still settling commonly have this issue. Look at the stream and waterfall and look for areas where the mulch or soil are wet. If you find a damp area, lift up the liner. Backfill some dirt to hold everything in the right place. You might also need to shift a few rocks. Work your way around the pond to make sure you find all problem areas.

When you rule out other reasons for water loss, it’s time to do some serious investigating.

Turn off the pump. If you have fish, make sure you have an aerator in the pond to keep enough oxygen in the water.

First mark the water level, then let the water sit for 24 hours. If the water level doesn’t change within those 24 hours, the issue isn’t with the pond itself – it’s with the waterfall or stream. But if the water is dropping? Let it keep dropping. Once the water level stabilizes, you’ll know the depth of the leak.

Look at your liner. The hard truth is that if the liner is older or not high quality, it might have multiple tears. Animals, UV rays, and shifting rocks can all damage a liner. It’s possible you should replace the entire liner. But if the liner is in good shape, you can patch any holes. Once you’ve applied patches and let them dry, replace the rock and refill the pond.

If you can’t find a leak, look at the skimmer faceplate to make sure it’s sealed correctly. It’s also possible that the plumbing is leaking.

There are easy fixes for pond leaks and then there are situations when you should call in the pros. When you need an honest, expert opinion, Good Earth Water Gardens can help. You can give us a call at (816) 720-7577. There are no dumb questions!

When it comes to water features, the only limitations are imagination – and the site. It’s tough to create a huge pond on a steep hill. But other than that? Dream big.

Some folks renovate their ponds because the water feature just isn’t functioning properly. But other homeowners find that what they want in a pond and how they utilize their outdoor space changes. Your water feature can evolve to meet these needs.

Each project is unique, so there isn’t one set of options when it’s time to renovate. As a first step, we suggest that you find images of what you like and what you might want your renovated pond to look like. Then, talk to the pond pros – not just a landscaper who promises they do ponds, too.

Don’t be afraid to talk to several pond builders. We hope you’ll use Good Earth Water Gardens, but we understand that not every company is for every client. However, we strongly suggest you work with a Certified Aquascape Contractor.