A pond or lake makes a beautiful addition to your property. It can be visually appealing and attract a wide variety of wildlife to your home. But without proper maintenance, pond water can become dank and unattractive. Therefore, homeowners should learn some of the characteristics that make up a healthy pond or lake and strive to achieve this condition level in their home water feature.

Healthy Oxygen Levels

Small fresh-water bodies benefit from oxygen-rich water. The water’s oxygen aids in keeping the chemicals nitrogen and phosphorus at appropriate levels. Phosphorus and nitrogen help algae grow, and up to a certain point, this benefits the lake because water creatures feed off the algae. Moreover, both help water plants grow. If left unchecked, however, these two chemicals can increase algae’s growth, reducing the ability of lake water to absorb other needed chemicals that support healthy plant and animal life. 

Pond aerators and fountains can give the water in your lake or pond a boost of oxygenated water. These devices help bring oxygen down to the various layers in the pond water. Furthermore, fish and aquatic plants both require oxygen in the water to thrive, so fountains and aerators help to bring the needed oxygen right down where it most benefits the living organisms that reside in the lake. Likewise, having oxygenated water in the pond will also assist in reducing the growth of unwanted weed plants. If left unchecked, the weeds are not only unsightly but can take more than their fair share of the pond’s oxygen, thereby depriving other plant and water life. In addition, aeration of the water can help reduce ice buildup, which aids in preventing fish from dying in cold months.

See also 

Healthy pH Levels

pH refers to a substances’ quality of acidity or alkalinity. Water, for example, with more than a pH level of 7, would classify as alkaline, whereas water with a pH level of less than 7 would qualify as acidic. A pH level between 6.5 and 8.5 will allow your water plants, as well as decorative fish, such as koi, to thrive. Consequently, this makes keeping your pond’s pH level in a good range for this purpose beneficial to the overall quality of your water feature. Homeowners should note that certain plants and fish require various pH levels in the water to live, so what can grow and live in your pond or lake will depend on its pH level.

For the pond homeowner, the care and maintenance of a pond or lake can seem complex. For this reason, many turn to professional lake service providers. They bring all the expertise and equipment needed to keep your water feature healthy and beautiful.