What Is An Ecosystem Backyard Pond And How Is It Different?
Find Out Why Ecosystem Ponds Are The Best Ponds For People In Maryland, DC, And Northern Virginia
Like watches, ponds are made of small, separate parts that all work together. This way they can complete their goals – watches to measure time and ponds to thrive.
Backyard ponds can have its own ecosystem too, even though it’s man-made. It can function perfectly if it has all of the necessary parts:
- Water
- Filters
- Aquatic Plants
- Algae (yes, algae)
- Rocks & Gravel
- Animals
Every size pond, small, average, and large, should have these parts. Let’s find out more about how they interact as an ecosystem.
You can also learn about the 5 components of an ecosystem backyard pond >>
What’s In A Backyard Ecosystem Pond?
Water
Without it, there’s not a pond. The average size of a residential pond is normally an area between 100-200 square feet and are 2′ at the deepest point, perfect for fish.
As for keeping the water in place, concrete or plastic tubs can be used. EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber liner is rising in popularity as a replacement for them.
Then most everything else in the pond cleans the water in one fashion or another.
Pond Filtration
This can be mechanical, biological, or both.
Mechanical filters are like the Autobots of filtration. They include skimmers, filter boxes, or intake bays.
A biological filter (also known as biofalls) provide an area for beneficial bacteria to grow. These bacteria eat excess nutrients in the water that algae like to feed on.
Find out if UV lights actually filter ponds too, or just get rid of green water.
Aquatic Plants
Aquatic plants are like the perfect spouse: amazing to look at, likes to clean, and will provide food, shade, and shelter. This is what aquatic plants are and do.
They add charm and elegance to every level of your pond: deep water, marginal, floating, and tropical! At every level they also help remove nutrients algae feed on, keeping your pond clean and clear.
But, a little algae is actually good for your pond.
Algae
Important! There should always be some algae in your pond!
Algae is natures way of telling you that your pond is healthy. If fish and plants aren’t getting the job done, there are other methods of controlling algae you can turn to:
- Algae treatment products
- UV sterilizers
- The IonGen
Ion-gens are one of the best ways to go because UV sterilizers won’t get rid of the algae growing on the rocks.
Rocks & Gravel
The biggest debate in the pond world: what to cover the bottom of the pond with?
Koi enthusiasts and pond owners say that rocks and gravel provide:
- An area for beneficial bacteria to grow (which aid in filtering the water)
- Protection for the pond liner from the sun’s damaging light
- A natural-looking choice to decorate a pond’s bottom
Some people question if ponds need gravel at all because they can have drains.
Pond bottoms will look good regardless, drain or no drain. Drains can help decrease maintenance by keeping the bottom of your pond cleaner and clearer. But there’s more to drains than just that.
Whichever you choose, the animals will still be happy.
Pond Animals
The most popular pond animal may be hard to pet, but it’s a fantastic addition to any pond – koi fish.
Not only do they add color and beauty, but they also eat algae, help move stagnant water around, and provide entertainment. Watch them swim around, play with aeration systems, and even feed them!
Other pond animals can include:
- Other types of pond fish
- Turtles
- Birds (keep predatory herons away)
- Frogs
- And more!
It’s Possible To Have Too Much
Don’t add too many plants or fish to your pond’s ecosystem!
You’ll want to have the right amount of fish per gallon. Too many fish will cause too much waste, plants and filters will be blocked, and the water will get…murky.
If you avoid this, you can have a thriving ecosystem and an amazing pond.
Enjoy Your Personal Ecosystem
You can find out more by downloading our ultimate guide to spring pond cleaning >>