Planning a lake in your back yard

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by: Rick Carlisle1
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Word Count: 536

Pond or Lake...What Type of Supplies Do I need?

Generally speaking, ponds are smaller than lakes and can range in size from 1000 gallons in a back yard up to an acre or so on a farm, while most people will think of a lake as being several acres and very large and expansive. For this reason, ponds and lakes require different supplies to help maintain them.

Ponds, because of their smaller size and amount of aquatic life they contain, typically will require more care and attention than a larger pond or lake. A backyard pond, water garden or fish pond will almost always benefit from a pond pump and pond filter combo to help circulate the water and filter out fish waste that can compromise the health of the water. Pumps and filters are selected based on the amount of water they can circulate. Typically you will want to select and pond pump and filter that will move at least the entire volume of water of the pond in an hour. It is important to note that it is best to by a pump or filter that is too large rather than too small to ensure the most waste is being filtered out.

Small ponds also need more treatment products than a lake. For instance, if your pond is home to fish, you will need a water conditioner handy to help dechlorinate and remove toxins whenever new water is added, particularly if it comes from tap water. Small ponds will also benefit from the use of pond bacteria additives to help control excess nutrients coming from fish waste, excess fish food and dead vegetation. Small pond owners may also want to keep products on hand like barley extract or an algaecide to help with any algae problems or they may need various fish medications in case any fish get sick.

Lakes, due to their usual size, often do not require as much special attention. Usually the larger the body of water the more that its natural processes are able to keep the lake in ecological balance. However there are a few lake supplies than can be of use to ensure your lake stays healthy. The first and most significant is an aeration system. No matter if the lake is shallow or deep, an aeration system will help maintain high oxygen levels to keep organic waste broken down and maintain a strong fish population. Depending on the depth, owners may opt for a surface aerator or bottom based diffuser aerator to oxygenate the water. Also, large ponds and lakes can benefit from pond bacteria additives just like a small ponds. However, if the lake is really large, it could become cost prohibitive. Another popular lake maintenance product is a lake dye. Dyes can help shade water and protect it from sunlight penetration which can cause problematic aquatic growth. Dyes are much cheaper than bacteria, so they can economically be used on larger bodies of water.

So, while it seems like there is a lot to consider when owning a pond or a lake, just remember a little patience and time and it can be very rewarding.