If you have an existing pond on your property, you might be thinking about adding fish to it. Here at Modern Design Aquascaping, we love the elegance and liveliness of a fish pond and hope to inspire you to take the plunge!
 
Here are some important considerations you'll need to make before you bring fish into your pond:
 
Is your pond big enough to support the fish?
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when determining whether or not your pond is big enough to accommodate your desired fish life. First, consider depth. If you plan to add koi, your pond should be at least three feet deep. If you'd like to introduce goldfish, you can get away with a pond that is two feet deep.
 
You will typically need at least 10 gallons of water in your pond for every inch of fish--keeping in mind that those fish may grow. Within a few years, your koi could double in side and require much more water than in the beginning, so it's important to consult with an expert for a proper calculation. The ultimate goal of any fish pond is that it be a healthy and happy environment for those gorgeous fish.
 
Do you need to add more aeration?
To maintain adequate oxygen levels in your pond means that your beautiful fish can breathe freely. The way you increase dissolved oxygen levels in the water is by adding aeration to your pond in the form of a waterfall, fountain nozzle, or aerator.
 
A few signs that fish aren't getting the oxygen they need from their pond? They may start to collect at the surface of the water, or you might notice they close their mouths even when they're not being fed. If you notice those things happening, it's a big hint that you need to add more aeration to your pond.
 
Have you brushed up on your cleanup?
As with any other pet, you still need to clean up after them. The way to clean up after fish is to use a high-quality filtration system. This is one of those areas where you can't have too much of a good thing. That means it's a wise move to select a filter that can handle a higher pond volume than what you have, and one that also uses UV Clarification to help reduce the need for algaecides when it warms up.
 
These are just a few of the beginning considerations you'll need to make when you decide to add fish life to your pond, but we hope it helps get you imagining the possibilities. All of us at Modern Design Aquascaping are well-qualified and happy to help guide you in the transformation of your pond. Would you like to learn more? Call us today and schedule a consultation 865-995-1234.

Here at Modern Design Aquascaping, we love aquatic plants! There are so many wonderful reasons to use aquatic plants in your pond. In fact, aquatic plants are a key component to a balanced ecosystem and offer far more than just additional beauty to your pond. In case you didn't know, they can help:
    •       Limit the growth of algae
    •       Naturally filter water and break down toxic pathogens
    •       Offer more surface area for beneficial bacteria
    •       Provide shelter for your pond’s inhabitants
    •       Add oxygen to your pond

Not sure that aquatic plants have a place in your pond?

Here are four main groups of aquatic plants:

Submerged
Plants which grow completely underwater are called submerged plants. These make great hiding places to help protect fish from predators. You might also hear people refer to these as oxygenating plants because they are so effective at taking carbon dioxide out of the water and then releasing oxygen. Some examples of submerged plants are Eelgrass and Fanwort.

Marginal
Also called bog plants, marginal plants are those that grow in shallow water around the margins of a pond. Marginal plants help extract detrimental nutrients from your pond environment before they accumulate and become a bigger problem. Some bog plants include Irises and Cattails.

Emergent
Deep water emergent plants grow very deep roots on the bottom of a pond. The flowers and leaves of an emergent plant spreads out upon the surface of a pond and offers shade and hiding spots for fish and other pond creatures. Emergent plants include the more well-known aquatic plants like the Lotus and Water Lilies.

Floating
These plants sit on a pond's surface with roots that drift into the water and act as filters and help improve water clarity. They also offer additional shade and hiding spots for fish. Some floating aquatic plants include Giant Duckweed and Water Hyacinth.

If you're ready to add beneficial plants to your pond, call on the experts at Modern Design Aquascaping. You can visit our website or call 865-995-1234 to learn more about our experience and services for those in the Knoxville, Maryville, Blount County, Knox County, and East Tennessee Areas.