To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond-Gardening
To Salt or Not to Salt Your Pond
The important question of whether or not to add salt to your pond is often confusing for beginners and forgotten by experienced pond-keepers. To newbies and pro's alike we have this to say:"Add Salt Today to Keep the Fish Doctor Away"True, there are some negative effects of higher salt levels on plants in the pond, but overall we think it is absolutely the very best thing you can add to your pond in terms of keeping your fish happy and healthy. Salt acts as a natural 'stress coat' and essentially thickens the slime coat on the fish's body - which is it's own natural defense system against bacteria and parasites.Salt is also very effective in killing bacteria and parasites in the pond. When added in proper doses, salting your pond can dramatically reduce the threat of disease affecting your fish.It's just like with humans - we are always exposed to the common cold cells in their body, but can usually resist if their immune system is strong. Similarly, pond fish and KOI are always exposed to some degree of parasite and bacteria presence in the pond, but by keeping their immune system strong and their slime coat thick, you shouldn't have any problems.Pond fish actively maintain a natural balance of electrolytes in their body fluids. Electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium and magnesium are removed from the water by chloride cells located in the gills. These electrolytes are essential for the uptake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide and ammonium across gill membranes.The lack of electrolytes can cause serious health problems to the fish. Pond Salt is an all natural salt, providing the essential electrolytes fish need to survive. Pond Salt is not just a table salt ( sodium chloride ). It is made from evaporated sea water. Evaporated sea water contains the necessary electrolytes pond fish need.How Pond Salt helps Improve Gill Function to Reduce Stress....During periods of disease and stress, healthy gill function is disturbed. This can lead to the loss of electrolytes through the gills, sometimes called osmotic shock. Osmotic shock interrupts healthy gill function by reducing the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide and ammonium from the fish. Pond Salt reduces the risk of osmotic shock by supplying natural electrolytes through the chloride cells in the gills.Nitrite ToxicityOvercrowding and overfeeding can lead to elevated nitrite levels especially in newly set-up ponds. The nitrite ion NO 2 enters the gills and prevents the blood from carrying oxygen resulting in nitrite toxicity or "methemoglobinemia". Pond Salt will temporarily block the toxic effect of nitrite.All natural Pond Salt is safe and non-toxic to all pond fish when used as directed. Pond Salt can be used safely with Pond Care water conditioners, filtration materials and fish foods.Directions for Use:1. When used as a general tonic for fish, and as a stress reducer, add 2 -1/2 cups full (728g) of Pond Salt for each 100 gallons (378 L) of pond water. Sprinkle salt evenly around the perimeter of the pond. Avoid any contact between salt crystals and pond plants. If this is not feasible, pre-dissolve salt first.IMPORTANT NOTE: Once added to a pond, salt does not evaporate and is not filtered out. Pond Salt should only be added as directed; with each water change, or when fish have been treated with medications.2. When used to reduce stress in separate treatment tanks or during fish transportation, use 4 tablespoons full (95.2g) of Pond Salt for each 10 gallons (37.8L) of water.For the health of your pond and environment, it is important that you test pond water regularly. We recommend Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Dry-Tab Master Test Kit for Ponds to test for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.For more information about Pond Salt, click here: http://www.macarthurwatergardens.com/Additives/pondcare_pondsalt.htmlAbout The AuthorBrett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several pond-related websites including macarthurwatergardens.com and pond-filters-online.com. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter called PondStuff! with a reader circulation of over 9,000 pond owners. To sign up for the free newsletter and receive a complimentary 'New Pond Owners Guide' for joining, just visit MacArthur Water Gardens at his website.
Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond-Gardening
Preliminary Considerations Before Building Your Own Backyard Garden Pond
This article is geared towards the beginner water gardener, who is comtemplating the installation of his/her first garden pond. The key to a successful do-it-yourself project is to gather as much relevant information that you can. To follow are some preliminary considerations and design tips that must be taken into account, before embarking on a water gardening project.PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS1. LocationInstall it as close as the house as possible to maximize enjoyment. For safety reasons, make sure that there are no underground utilities where you will be excavating. Check with your local utility company before you begin digging.Be sure to consider the slope of the land and the location of the pond in order to avoid rainwater runoff. If the pond is located in a low-lying area, lawn fertilizers and other chemicals can wash into the pond and harm the fish and plants.To grow healthy aquatic plants, you will require adequate sun exposure. Most aquatic plants require four to six hours of sunlight per day to ensure healthy growth.2. SizeMake your pond as large as possible, to give you flexibility when you later fill up the pond with fish and plants.3. PurposeDo you want to focus on growing water lilies? If so, locate the pond in full sun. Do you want to raise pond fish? If so, shady areas would be preferred.4. EdgingYou can edge your pond with stones, boulders, plants, beaches, and docks. Plan ahead how you would like to edge your pond.5. StyleNatural style ponds are built to create the illusion of a mountain stream with waterfalls. Larger boulders and flat stones can be used in combination to create the look of a naturally formed stream. The sound of falling water can be fine-tuned through the careful arrangement and placement of stone.Urban ponds are typically smaller in area, and are designed to fit well in smaller backyards.Koi ponds must be able to accomodate fish that can grow to about 2.5 feet in length. Many koi ponds have no plants because koi have a tendency to eat certain types of plants. You must plan for an extremely large pond, and provide adequate surface area for the absorption of oxygen into the water. Ponds for koi must be at least 3 feet deep to provide room for mobility. They also require filtration to keep the water clean.DESIGNNext, you must make a decision on the type of pond that you want.Pre-formed ponds come in a variety of shapes, usually with plant shelves built in. They are ideal for first-time pond builders because they are extremely durable, and less susceptible to tears and punctures. Furthermore, their sturdy pond lips ease the task of leveling during installation. Preformed ponds are easy to install and clean, but require more skill to fit the hole in the ground with the shape of the pond. When properly supported, preformed ponds are ideal for above-ground, indoor, and patio setups.Flexible liners are ideal for the more experienced water gardeners. They allow for easy and very forgiving installations, which consequently promotes greater creativity. Because you can create various shapes with liners, it is possible to construct larger, and deeper configurations (when compared to preformed ponds).Concrete installations usually require a professional installation. Concrete is a medium that tends to crack as the ground freezes and thaws.Use a garden hose to lay out your garden pond shape on the ground. This will allow you to experiment with the size and shape of your pond. Once you have a plan for your water garden, it is important to get your design on paper. The design drawing is paramount because it will help you to make an accurate estimate of the material you will need. The diagram also will allow you to plan for the placement of all the accessories. Be sure to take into consideration the space that rocks and aquatic plants will take in the final design. The pond may appear much smaller visually after all the ponds and rocks are added. At this point, you should also plan for the amount of plant material that you may need to landscape the pond.Finally, it is now time to make a list of materials required. These materials can be purchased from our online store. In our next article, we will provide detailed instructions on how to install both liner and preformed ponds.This article was reproduced with permission from http://www.gardensupermart.com/tips.aspTo view the complete article (with pictures), please go to http://www.gardensupermart.com/tips/intro.asp
Imagine Your Own Orchid Garden In A Pond-Gardening
Imagine Your Own Orchid Garden In A Pond
Who doesn't love to hear the water rushing and flowing through a very pretty orchid garden in a pond? Yes, this does not have to be only a dream. You can make it a reality.Almost by definition orchids are a tropical plant dependent on the rain for their nutrition and health. They are used to humidity of about 40 - 60%. What better place to have this then in a beautiful orchid garden pond.I think it the flow of the water that makes this site a very tranquil place. It is wonderful to have a sitting area near the orchid garden pond where you can relax and let the troubles of the day pass by.Constructing a water garden is fairly easy to do with many sites on the Web where you can get information. There are several points that you should take into consideration before you start your project according to expert Peter Mays at Pond Solutions.
the pond should be in full sunit should be away from any trees that drop their leaves, especially Willow, Elder, Poplars, Laburnum, Yew and Oak
try to be sure that the garden pond is not exposed to the North winds
avoid water-logged areas
consider the closest water source
also should consider the source of electricity if you plan on having fountains or waterfalls. I urge you to do this.
Consider the safety of children who may fall head first into the pond.Orchid plants can go into any garden pond but an orchid garden pond is super. If you are living in the South USA they can stay out all year round. In the North USA they would need to come in once the temps start going below 5055 degrees F.Having higher humidity will normally allow you to water less frequently. If they are in full sun be sure that you have orchids like dendrobiums, cattleyas or oncidiums.Then all you will need to do is sit back, relax, listen to your orchid garden pond and let you mind drift to some far away place. Wow.Visit our Orchid Store: http://www.orchid-store.orchids-plus-more.com** This article can be used freely as long as the author and the Orchids-Plus-More.com are identified within the article.It is great to learn more about orchids at Orchids-Plus-More.com. You will find many articles loaded with information about orchids. Our site also includes the Orchid Store which we hope you enjoy.
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