What Do Healthy Ponds And Beneficial Bacteria Have In Common?
At Superior Ponds, we’re always being asked by homeowners how to maintain and clear the water in their water feature. What we always come back to is the core foundation of what we do—”connecting people to water the way nature intended”. Achieving clear water hinges on a balanced ecosystem, and there’s no product more important than beneficial bacteria.
What Is Beneficial Bacteria?
You can’t see it, you can’t feel it, but it’s there! Beneficial bacteria are aerobic microorganisms that transform harmful substances like ammonia into less harmful ones like nitrates.. In other words, they’re tiny microscopic workers helping you keep your system in shape. They work around the clock to break down sludge and waste from your plants and your fish. By incorporating pond bacteria, your pond will appear cleaner and clearer because the natural breakdown process is happening and reducing impurities. Besides merely helping clear the water, beneficial bacteria plays a role in keeping your fish safe and healthy, contributing to an overall healthier pond environment.
How Do I Add Beneficial Bacteria To My Pond?
Adding beneficial bacteria to your koi pond and water garden is almost as easy as sitting back and relaxing! Using a high quality liquid or powder treatment, all you do is squirt or scoop the recommended dosage to match the estimated gallon size for your pond, and then you can sit back and relax. That’s it!
When you add beneficial bacteria, it immediately begins to break down fish waste, organic plant material, sludge, and excess nutrients, letting you enjoy more time admiring your water feature rather than maintaining it. While it may take some time for you to start noticing its effect, it is working. Additionally, the peace of mind it gives as it makes your pond safe for fish, plants, pets, and wildlife is worth its weight in gold.
What Will Beneficial Bacteria Not Do In My Pond?
Beneficial bacteria will not do everything for you. You still need to have all the components of a properly set up ecosystem pond. In a properly functioning pond—equipped with adequate filtration, aeration, plants, and bacteria—your water will naturally stay cleaner. Everything works together. If your pond lacks any of the critical elements like proper filtration or aeration, your normally low-maintenance water feature could become a high-maintenance burden, beneficial bacteria or not.
How Often Do I Add Beneficial Bacteria To My Pond?
Consistent application is crucial. With a new pond and after a cleaning, we recommend adding two doses a week. After a few weeks, a dose of bacteria at least once a week is sufficient. The precise amount varies by pond size and will be specified on the product instructions. To simplify the process, you can install an automatic dosing system to any new and existing water feature system. This device consistently administers the right amount of bacteria to your water feature, eliminating the need for manually dosing your system. For most ponds, these systems only need to be refilled every couple months.
It’s important to understand that beneficial bacteria is an integral part of every natural ecosystem. Bacteria will be present no matter what; give the good stuff a boost so these tiny microscopic workers will help you have the healthy water you’ve been looking for all this time. Keep your ecosystem healthy and balanced by having all the right parts working together!