Five Common Pond Problems and How to Fix Them
Creating a pond benefits local wildlife, even in small spaces like balconies. However, maintaining balance is crucial. A healthy pond supports diverse plants and creatures, from skimmers to amphibians. When imbalance occurs—whether in water quality, plant distribution, or species interaction—problems arise.
You can maintain pond harmony by comprehending these problems, which will lead to a self-sustaining pond with minimal expense and labour demands. That Pond Guy, a well-known pond maintenance company in the UK, recommends using Evolution Aqua pond equipment for any pond.
Several challenges affect ponds, which we will analyse with solutions.
1. Persistent Green Pond
Green water is common in shallow ponds, sun-exposed pools, and those receiving nutrient runoff. Regular tap water top-ups add phosphates, fuelling algae growth. Large fish, ducks, overfeeding, and overstocking also disrupt balance.
To confirm algae presence, let pond water settle in a jar—if sediment is grey/brown, fine particles may be the issue. While algicides and flocculants offer short-term fixes, they can deplete oxygen and harm fish. Full water changes are temporary and may worsen algae growth.
2. Not Enough frogs
Don’t worry if frogs have not arrived yet! Amphibians may take years to find a new pond, especially if built in summer, as migration happens in early spring. Create wildlife passageways in your garden and encourage neighbours to do the same.
If waiting too long, make your pond more inviting with at least one square metre area, 60cm depth, and gentle slopes. Enhance the habitat with log piles, leaf piles, and compost heaps to attract amphibians.
3. Pond Plants are Dying
High nutrient levels from pesticides or fertilizers can harm pond plants and wildlife. Avoid pesticide use to prevent complications. Nutrient levels start low in new ponds and may drop if too many plants compete for them.
Use pond plant feeder to restore balance, but only after trimming excess vegetation. Overuse of feeders adds chemicals and becomes costly over time.
4. Pond is Disappearing
The water levels of ponds experience natural yearly variation because evaporation drains water during summer while winter brings recharge. The water level drop signals a possible liner tear, so keep the pond full to prevent wildlife stress.
When topping up your pond, avoid using water from another pond to prevent disease transfer. Tap water should also be used with caution, as its chloramines can disrupt the nutrient balance—let it sit for a week before adding it. The collection of rainwater in water butts proves more beneficial while remaining affordable as a solution.
New water temperature must match the pond temperature to avoid thermal shock that hurts both aquatic vegetation and wildlife.
5. Frozen Pond
A frozen pond can harm some of your pond plants, so it is best avoided. Adding a floating item, such as a tennis ball, will assist prevent your pond from freezing over in fairly low weather since it bobs on the surface and inhibits the water from becoming completely still.
If it gets very cold and the pond freezes, the simplest way to melt the ice is to remove any snow from the surface before pouring warm water on it.
