There are a huge variety of plants to choose from for the garden pond nowadays, coming in practically every shape and size you could ever want. When buying try to think about the overall shape and form you wish to create in and around the water. Ideally have tall marginal plants around the back and sides, with perhaps a bog garden area for amphibians and other wildlife. Small marginal plants look good at the front, with a lilly and some oxygenating plants deeper under the water.
There are lots of diseases that may affect pond fish. The key with any disease outbreak is correct and early diagnosis and the swift administration of the appropriate remedy. Even just a day or two of an undiagnosed outbreak can be disastrous, particularly with the more virulent strains of whitespot seen in recent years.
How do i do it?
The first thing you need to consider is the location of your new garden pond. The ideal location would be in shade or semi-shade for at least half the day, in an area that will not recieve excessive runoff ie. the bottom of a slope and is close to power & water supplies.
Which Pond Filter Should I Buy?
There are several different types of garden pond filter on the market, varying widely in price and individual suitability. They all however, are designed to be the ideal residence and breeding ground of billions of bacteria, good bacteria! All these bacterial colonies need is a plentiful supply of Fish waste and oxygen.
The type and size of the pump you need really depends on the size of your pond, the type of filter you choose and what water features you wish to run in addition. I have always used the Blagdon Amphibious range, one P9000 ran continuously for ten years before it needed a new impellor!
Purchasing your first fish is a very exciting time after all the hard work of building your new garden pond, but there are a few things you need to bear in mind. Try to buy from local aquatic outlets, this will minimize the fishes transport time and the water quality they are used to will be very similar or the same as yours.
