There's nothing more unattractive than a pond full of plants and fish, when you can't see the plants or fish. There are many factors that contribute to murky water in a garden pond. What are some of these? It seems like a question that should have a fairly simple answer, but unfortunately, nothing in life is truly simple. Let's explore some of those things and see if we can find some simple solutions to them.
Muddy water is not only ugly to look at, but it can be very harmful to aquatic life. It can inhibit the growth of fish and plants through the limiting of sunlight penetration, increasing overall water temperature and reducing oxygen and plankton production. Clear ponds are capable of producing healthier fish because they allow the fish living in them to find food easier and breath without as much effort.
In order to solve the problem of water clarity, you must first ask the question, "What color is my water?" You will find that your pond will usually have either a greenish or brownish tint. Greenish water is most always caused by an excessive amount of algae growth, while brownish water is often caused by dirt, dust or other particulates infiltrating your ecosystem.
Excessive algae growth is not a problem this article is intended to solve. Maybe another day. Muddy ponds are on today's menu and are usually the result of soil erosion and/or leaves and debris breaking down in the water. The best solution to a problem is always the prevention of the problem. Terracing the land around the pond and securing the soil will stop a lot of future headaches before they occur. Planting grasses or vegetation around your pond will work wonders.
If you are beyond this point, try applying aluminum sulfate to your garden pond. "Alum" as it is called will bind the particles within your water, pulling them out of a suspended state. Be careful though as it will also lower the pH level of your water. Make sure that you add chemicals to your pond slowly, so as not to shock the plants and fish living there. Next, consider slowly vacuuming out the sediment (after it is bound by the alum) from the bottom of the pond. When vacuuming out your pond, try as hard as possible to not "shock" the fish. This can lead to them getting sick or even possibly dying. Some fish can be very fragile.
Remember, chemicals will only fix the current state of the water. If the problem of erosion still exists, you will be fighting this battle again. Muddy garden pond water is not only unattractive, but it can be very dangerous to the flora & fauna within your backyard ecosystem. Strive for pond water clarity and you will find that a multitude of headaches will go away! Your plants and fish will be able to breathe easier, eat better and live in a much more stable environment. Plus, as an added bonus, you will be able to see them through the water!
