HELP YOUR POND BREATHE

BY BARRY GOODHEW

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my name is Barry and I run Glorious Ponds Ltd, based in Bognor Regis. It was my passion for angling and the environment that led me to studying for a degree in aquaculture and fisheries management. As with looking after your garden, timing is everything and it’s the same with ponds, summer is just around the corner and it is this time of year that is most crucial for ponds.

Ponds require oxygen to help fish and other aquatic animals thrive, however during the warmer months when the water temperature increases the water doesn’t hold as much oxygen as colder water does. Here are my top tips to help oxygenate your ponds:

• Clear excess aquatic weed from the surface of the pond, the surface is thinner when there is movement on the surface and therefore oxygen exchange is more efficient. Although there are oxygenating plants for ponds, you must understand that during the evenings these plants will not be producing oxygen as this only occurs during daylight because of photosynthesis. The fish will still be consuming oxygen but it’s not being replenished by the plants.

• Adding an air pump to your pond is a quick method to introduce oxygen, plus you can control it by running it during the evenings when oxygen levels are at their lowest.

• And finally, if you have the time, build and create a waterfall, there is nothing more pleasant than the sound of running water that also adds oxygen to your pond.

If you would like to talk to Barry about your pond you can contact him on 01243 974280 or 07473 144274. Email info@glorious-ponds.com Or visit www.glorious-ponds.com