PLANTS IN PONDS

By Clifford Woods

Plants in ponds will reduce the amount of algae that is able to grow, but also use the waste from the fish to give a natural water filtration system.

Plants below the water:These plants are the major contributors to water quality. They will oxygenate the water during the day and provide oxygen for the fish as well supplying excellent shade. Submerged plants compete with algae for use of nitrogen produced from fish waste and decaying plant material.
If you pot these plants it will allow for easy removal for thinning or when winter comes.

A few examples

Jungle Val - Hornwort - Cabomba

Floating and Surface Plants
Pick plant species that grow flowers and leaves on the surface of the water. The difference between floating and surface plants is that floating plants float freely on the water’s surface without attached roots, while surface plants have roots that extend down and anchor into the pond’s soil. Remember to remove plants if coverage exceeds two-thirds of the pond's surface area.

A few examples

Floating Plants:Duckweed - water lettuce

A few examples

Surface Plants: Hawthorne - Four Leaf Water Clover- Water Lotus

Side or Marginal Plants
Plants that grow well in moist or soggy soil or that grow well in standing water. Plant them along the side or edge of your pond. They will root in the soil and their foliage will spread out over the water. Careful to not choose plants that grow rapidly or that will spread to much and too far.

A few examples

Western Blue Flag Iris - Sweet Flag - Dwarf Bamboo

Advice: cleaning your pond and using only organic pond cleaners, makes for healthy ponds, happy fish and thriving plants and it also contributes towards a safer environment for any adults, children or pets spending time in the yard.

Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services

and Organic Environmental Technology.

We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Environmentally Friendly products.

Controlling Algae Naturally in Your Pond

By Clifford Woods

You have two choices in dealing with algae in your pond and that is with chemicals or naturally.
Chemical methods are fine if you there are no living creatures or plants in your pond because algaecides and chemicals will kill any and all life in the water. Normally chemicals would be used in a swimming pool or perhaps outdoor fountains, any water feature that does not have plants and or fish in them.
The natural way works with Mother Nature, not against her. You could use plants and fish, or good bacteria that would create and maintain a healthy well balanced ecosystem. Algae itself is a plant, it needs nutrients and light to grow so when you add plants to your pond they directly compete for the nutrients available. Add enough plants and you naturally minimize the nutrients available to the algae.
Over feeding your fish. Fish food that is not digested by the fish is the main pollutant in many ponds. Fish eat many things in the pond and that includes algae. Too much food for the fish increases waste and provides nutrients that feed the algae. When the algae goes on an over population bloom reduce or eliminate feeding until it is under control.
Reduce sunlight penetration: Cover at least half of the surface area of your pond with plants. Water that is not covered is much more difficult to keep in balance than ponds filled with beneficial plants.

Add beneficial microorganisms

colonies of healthy bacteria found in Pond Magician are a crucial part in ensuring a naturally balanced pond. When cooler water temperatures are present add more and during the warmer months add less.
Keep the water moving: pulling water from one end of the pond and then filtering it before it returns at the opposite end will greatly improve water quality. Oxygen is added to the water as it is circulated.
Water run-off from lawns and surrounding gardens can overload the pond with nutrients and that is not good for the life in your pond.
Create a run off or add a drain tile.
You must manually take out the dead and decaying plants and their leaves: Decaying leaves and or plant debris will also create excess nutrients in your pond. Skimmers are by far the most efficient and easiest way to keep your pond free of debris.
Water change: A partial water change (10-30%) every month or month and a half may also help reduce excess nutrients in some situations.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Organic Environmental Technology. and Effective Environmental Services.

They brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins in the environment and sell Environmentally Friendly products

My All Natural, No Chemical Pond Never Turns Green!

By Clifford Woods

"My all-natural, no-chemical pond never turns green" is a statement made by our Founder's wife about their pond. She uses Pond Magician and Magic Sinkers all-year-round!
This astonishing statement got me curious! I knew the products worked; but never turns green? This I had to find out more about. So, being naturally curious I asked her how they did it. She explains how they keep their pond fresh and clean all-year-round with natural, organic no-chemical products.
No Chemicals and tips for a clean, all natural, organic pond that you and your fish will love!

• The first point is NEVER put any chemicals what-so-ever in your pond. They damage the environment; destroy natural vegetation and they can HARM your fish! If you are currently using chemicals, it is strongly recommend that you cease using them. At the very least, they are not safe for the environment.
• Use the recommended dosages - always!

When asked to elaborate on the pond itself, she says she has a 2500 gallon pond and that she always uses the recommended dosages of Pond Magician, every 6 weeks or so, ALL-YEAR-ROUND!

• No Ultra Violet Lights - ever. Ultra Violet light does reduce the bacteria in the pond; however, the UV cannot tell the difference between the good bacteria and the bad ones.
• Because of this, a UV light kills the friendly bacteria in the Pond and in the Pond Magician - right along with the bad guys!
• Use your dechlorinator. If your water is chlorinated or every time you add fresh water to your pond; dechlorinate. Chlorine is not good for the microbes in the Pond Magician.

No sludge build-up! Because she uses Pond Magician - about once every 6 weeks or so, no black, stinky, smelly sludge builds up on the bottom of the pond.
Using Pond Magician, at the recommended dosages, all-year-round (every 6 weeks or so) and keeping your pond dechlorinated whenever you add fresh water, will give you:

1. happy fish
2. thriving and beautiful plants
3. no green water
4. a clean, healthy, beautiful pond all-year-round!

Pond Magician

gives you a clear, natural pond that never turns green all-year-round!


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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Organic Environmental Technology.
You can find out more about Pond Magician & Magic Sinkers at www.effens.com
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins in the environment and sell Environmentally Friendly products