Should I chose Koi or Goldfish?
This is a question that often gets asked when new pond owners are planning on ow to stock it. On the face of it, both species can be very attractive with lots of bold colours on offer. However the route you chose needs to be dictated more than just by…
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How to tell male and female goldfish apart
I have a bit of problem in my pond at present, I have too many fish and am going to have to give some away in due course. But the question is, how to tell what is male and female, as currently my fish breed very successfully every year. As good as it is…
Read MorePond Sludge Buster – What is it?
So I must confess, having failed to get the fallen leaves out the bottom of the pond at the end of last autumn, I now have a problem with a lot of sludge and muck in the bottom of my pond. The fact that this is there is just causing further water quality…
Read MoreWhat is aquatic compost? Why does it matter?
Here is an important one for anyone who is starting out with their own pond. Aquatic compost is actually very different to normal soil or compost If you are looking at a bag labeled “Pond Compost” (or Aquatic Potting Compost) in a garden…
Read MoreBuilding a wildlife pond
Here is our short guide to building a wildlife pond, enjoy! Building a wildlife pond is one of the single best things you can do for local biodiversity. Unlike a traditional fish pond, a wildlife pond focuses on shallow edges and easy access for…
Read MoreWildlife Pond vs Ornamental Pond
With this, we have two contrasting and very different approaches to having a garden pond. While both options will add beauty and value to your home, they also serve very different purposes. A wildlife pond is an aquatic invitation for nature to move in,…
Read MoreThe joys of water lilies
In a previous article I wrote about how marginal plants are the “walls” of your pond, using the same logic you could easily say that Water Lilies (Nymphaea) are the “rugs.” As pond plants go, in my opinion they are the crown…
Read MoreWhat are “marginal” plants?
Marginal pond plants are the “edge dwellers” of the water world. They grow in the shallower areas around the perimeter of a pond (the margins), typically on built-in shelves. Their roots will stay submerged in the water or mud, while their…
Read MoreWhat do fish do in winter?
The often repeated statement that fish hibernate over winter is actually untrue and a bit of a myth. Technically, fish don’t “hibernate” in the way bears do (which is called torpor). Instead, they enter a state called torpor or brumation. As…
Read MoreWhat type of food is best for your fish?
When it comes to pond food, it’s not just about choosing a food based on what the fish like to eat—it’s also about what the water in your pond can handle. High-quality food keeps your fish vibrant, while cheap food will largely up as sludge on the…
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