Too much heat can have serious consequences for the garden pond. The increased growth of algae can lead to the pond tipping over and thus endanger the fish living in it. Optimal pond care in summer can prevent this.
A garden pond is the ultimate oasis of calm in a garden. But you can only really enjoy it if it looks clean and well-groomed. Many people give their garden pond an extensive care treatment in the spring. That's true, but that's far from the end of it. It is also important that the garden pond is not left to its own devices in summer. Because of the hot temperatures and the oversupply of food, which greatly increases algae growth, it quickly happens that the pond tips over and the animals living in it are endangered. In the worst case, they can die.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to always keep an eye on your garden pond in summer and to take a few precautions regularly. You can now find out exactly what these are.
Checklist for pond care in summer
❍ Check water parameters
The water quality determines life in the garden pond. In order to create a balance here, you must regularly check the water parameters. There are special test strips for this with which the water values can be read off very easily. The following values are decisive:
- pH value (pH)
- Carbonate hardness (kH)
- Total hardness (gH)
- Ammonium (NH4)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Nitrite (NO2)
- Nitrate (NO3)
» pH value
The pH value indicates how acidic ( 7) the pond water is. If this is too acidic, the fish's mucous membranes and gills will be burned. If the water is basic (alkaline), then ammonium is converted to ammonia, causing the animals to die in agony.
So you need to strike a balance to protect your plants and animals. The ideal value is between 7 and 8 (tolerance range: between 6.5 and 8.5 pH). However, the water is subject to constant fluctuations due to rain, fresh pond water and sun. Fluctuations of 0.5 pH are permitted, but they shouldn't be larger, sincethis can be harmful to fish and plants.
» Carbonate Hardness
As just mentioned, the pH value is subject to constant fluctuations. Ponds tend to acidify over time. This is due to the urine of the fish, rainwater or the release of acidic substances from some bacteria. The extent to which the pond can deal with these pH value fluctuations depends on the level of the carbonate value. In order to keep a stable pH value, the carbonate hardness must have a value between 6 and 10 ° dKH.
» Total Hardness
The total hardness in pond water indicates how many dissolved minerals are in it. These are necessary for many biological processes in water. If the water is too soft (low mineral content), they no longer work properly. Soft water is between 8 and 10 ° dH. You have the optimum water hardness when the value is between 10 and 15 ° dH.
» Tip: The value can be increased by adding fresh water to the pond.
» Ammonium and Ammonia
Ammonia is formed through excretions and degradation processes of organic materials. Does not matter. It becomes dangerous when this ammonium is converted to ammonia at too high a pH value. Even a low value can be deadly for the fish. The ammonia content in the pond water should therefore be 0 mg per liter.
However, if the measuring device shows you a value of 0.2 mg per liter or more, you should urgently replace some of the water. Replace 25 percent of the water at a level up to 1.0 mg per liter. For a higher value, however, you should exchange up to 75 percent.
» Nitrite and Nitrate
A detectable nitrite value can also be the cause of fish deaths. This ensures that the oxygen transport is blocked and the fish suffocate accordingly.
In a biological equilibrium, however, the toxic nitrite is immediately converted into harmless nitrate. Plants use this as fertilizer. An excess can increase algae growth. So make sure that the nitrate value is as low as possible - everything is fine up to 25 mg per liter. In addition, you should plant more water plants and carry out a partial water exchange with nutrient-poor rainwater.
| Component | Value |
| pH value | 6.5 - 8.5 pH |
| Carbonate Hardness | 6° - 10° dKH |
| Total Hardness | 10° - 15° dH |
| Ammonia | 0mg / l|
| Nitrite | 0mg/l |
| Nitrate | up to 25 mg / l |
| Oxygen | 5 - 10mg/L |
(Source: selbst.de)
If your measurements deviate more than the optimal values mentioned here, you should definitely take precautions in this regard. This is the only way to maintain the biological balance of the water.
❍ Cut back aquatic plants
In addition to numerous fish, water plants also belong in every garden pond. They influence the water quality and should therefore not be missing under any circumstances. But what can negatively affect the quality is the fact if the plants spread unhindered and grow too luxuriantly. In the worst case, the pond could tip over.
You can counteract this with a targeted pruning. So put on waders and thin out the plants with scissors. Be sure to remove all plant debris such as stems and leaves afterwards.
» Expert tip: Only one third of the pond should be planted.
❍ Remove algae regularly
Algae in the garden pond are not uncommon. On the contrary - they should even exist. But only to a small extent. However, as soon as the temperatures rise and the sun shines on the pond, algae growth increases. Filamentous algae in particular are a troublesome problem. So that the algae do not get the upper hand and thus disturb the biological balance, they must be removed. Nets, rakes or special thread algae brushes are suitable for this. Alternatively, of course, a long stick works.
The aids mentioned above are suitable for a normal infestation of thread algae. However, if this is already too far advanced, special algae killers (found on aquagart.de) are the simpler and, above all, time-saving alternative. The algae killer is applied directly to the thread algae and removes them within 24 hours. It has no negative effects on the fish and plants in your garden pond.
❍ Top up with water
Particularly smaller ponds quickly reach a temperature of over 22 °C in summer. When this value is reached, you should definitely top up with cold water to prevent a lack of oxygen in the pond.
The same applies to evaporation. In particularly hot summers with little rainfall, many garden ponds lose up to 120 liters per square meter. Here, too, it is regularly cold waterrefill.
❍ Pond pumps and pond filters in continuous operation
Pond pumps and filters should work continuously in summer. This is the only way to ensure that there is always enough oxygen in the garden pond.
The filter pump should definitely be cleaned once a week. This is the only way it can deliver full performance and keep your pond clean.
❍ Special summer food for fish
Fish need valuable nutrients in the warm season. The food should be high in protein in summer to ensure optimal growth. It should also be enriched with micronutrients so that the fish can use it better. At the same time, this has the advantage that the excretions are reduced and the nitrate content in the water remains low.
❍ Create a shady spot
As mentioned above, algae grow more when the garden pond is in the blazing sun. The fish also need a shady spot to avoid getting dangerous sunburn.
The location cannot be changed afterwards, but you can provide shade at the garden pond. A sun sail, for example, can be installed quickly and easily. But a bridge also offers a cool shelter for the fish.