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Maintaining
An Ecosystem
Most
successful artificial pond ecosystems are comprised of three smaller
units. The first, and most commonly understood, is the pond’s
mechanical filter system. This is basically a screen intended to
clear your water of loose particulate material. The maintenance
of the pond takes place almost exclusively at this location. Here
there are filter pads to be cleaned and debris to be cleared from
your water. The more often you are able to clean this filter, the
faster water will be able to pass through the system, and the longer
the life expectancy of the pump. The most successful mechanical
filters are ones who enclose the pump and channel the water through
a series of nets and/or pads before finally entering the pump. However,
a very inexpensive screen attachment to you pump would also be considered
a mechanical filter. This screen would have to be cleaned much more
often, and is not usually as convenient to access. The significance
of mechanically filtering the pond is more than just to maintain
the flow rate of the water, it is also very important in controlling
the level of organic material within. When left alone, this debris
will begin breaking down and affect the quality of your water. Much
of this organic material is needed to begin nutrient cycling, however
excess can be damaging.
The
second step for all pond water is to a biological filter. This area
should not be cleaned! If you experience a high level of organic
buildup inside this filter, you may consider rinsing it out once
a year. But the less activity experienced within the filter the
better.
The
last step for a successful pond ecosystem is the plant material.
You normally won’t find this step as part of a kit, but plant
material is just as much a part of the filter system as your screens,
pads, and biological filter media. Here, much of the undesirable
product left after decomposition will be absorbed, and oxygen will
be returned into the pond. The plant material can be split, re-potted,
and fed when they become overgrown or before the water is at risk
of freezing.
Besides
the three items mentioned, there are certain chemical tests that
you may consider. The first would be pH level. This measure of water
acidity will tell you just how easy it is for your fish and/or aquatic
plants to survive. A salt level test kit will allow a better understanding
of your water’s salinity or salt level. This will be important
when considering the health of your fish. And an Ammonia test kit
is a must for all pond owners, because it tells you how successful
your biological filter is.
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