A lush, green surrounding and even a little bit of algae growing off the rocks near the waterfall. Even in the healthiest of ponds, algae can form. Full Sun, warm weather and insufficient pond depth and water circulation can contribute to algae growth. A little is fine, but too much can plug up filters and pumps as well as turn the water a nasty green. A general rule is to try to have 40-60% of the pond surface covered with plants such as water lily's and hyacinth. Plants shade the water from direct sunlight which reduces the growth of algae. Plants take nutrients from the water which algae feed on.

This little frog has been in the pond all summer. Most of the time basking on a lily pad, or hiding in the vegetation surrounding the pond. Trying to find him in or around the pond has become an evening adventure as we relax from a long hectic day.

Look carefully in the top left corner and you will see a Blue Heron standing guard over the pond. He is made of wood and has an important job. To prevent real Herons from showing up to feast on the fish. The year before this was installed a Heron had decided to stop buy almost daily for his supper. Since they prefer not to dine together this pond is no longer in danger.

Fish add interest to any pond. Although Koi are quite common in ponds, we found simple goldfish (Shubunkins, Comets and Fantails) to be both hardy and relatively inexpensive. The stone and concrete platform extends over the waters edge and provides a feeding location as well as allowing the fish to quickly hide underneath. An overhang generally prevents animals such as Raccoon's from taking that first step plunge.

Consider installing low voltage accent lighting around the pond. Both decorative and effective. Watching the light shimmer off the water late in the evening while listening to the sound of the waterfall is wonderfully soothing. (This one was custom made and is not available for sale - sorry!) But we do have many others.

The weather is becoming quite cool and most of the lily's have stopped growing. As they yellow and die they have been clipped off to prevent a buildup of vegetation on the bottom. The small fountain sprinkler came with 2 interchangeable heads and is shown using the tri-fountain head. It has an adjustable flow control, extension tube and can also be diverted to another small water feature using the built-in tee.
  Available in 158, 368, 550 gallons per hour flow.

In early November the tropical plants were removed, the remaining leaves on the lily's cut back, and then pushed into the deeper end of the pond. The only plant left was the papyrus grass which was left mostly for decoration. The waterfall has been left running and the small fountain pump placed 6" below the surface with the head removed..

Yes the fish are fine! They can be seen very slowly moving under the 3 or 4 inches of ice which has formed. The waterfall, although frozen over still is running and circulating the water. Yes if the power fails, or it becomes too cold for too long there is the possibility of the water freezing in the lines. If this happens you have no choice but to unplug it and wait for spring.

The snow is gone and the pond sits unfrozen but still very cold. There is little chance of the pond freezing over thickly at this point. The Bioforce Filter is place back into the ground beside the pond and the tubes and pump connected and turned on to begin filtering the pond water. If algae is a problem in your pond a filter with a Ultra Violet (UV) light can be utilized to help eliminate algae bloom.

The signs of life are blooming everywhere and is very noticeable on the weathered limestone boulders used to surround the majority of this pond. Lichen, moss and many other small bits of vegetations are greening up quickly. 

A new year of pond watching begins with minor reconstruction of the waterfall. 2 new tropical plants purchased from the local greenhouse. Our old lily's are beginning to grow and the small fountain has been pulled up off the bottom and a water-bell head attached this year instead of the sprinkler. 

The plants are still fairly young and there is a lot of growing still to occur. For interest a few silk floating water lily blooms have been placed in the pond They add color for the time being until the real flowers begin to bloom..

Soon real blooms are poking above the water surface and everyone enjoys the colors.

This small water feature gets it's water from the in-ground water filter. The small fountain pump with the tee diverts water up and out of the pond to the cyprio filter. The water returns to the pond through this copper leaf and frog feature. It is the spot where birds gather to drink from the ledge below and to bath in the clear clean water.

The fish have figured out that every time we approach the pond they probably will get fed. But when the local raccoon shows up they are nowhere to be seen. A water hyacinth in bloom makes having these plants worthwhile. The blooms are amazing.

As the weather begins to cool we find our little frog still with us. We only hope that she is not confused over the lack of movement from the little stone frog beside her. Once again we will prepare for another winter. Looking forward to next years unique experience and the sound of water splashing over rocks on warm summer nights.