How to Put up Lights for Your Minneapolis Outdoor Pond

The summer and fall are times to enjoy the backyard a few more times until winter comes. Lights around your outdoor pond can give it that glow you’re looking for to complete your backyard. If you want to try to do it yourself, we are here to support you. Here’s how to install your outdoor lights. 

Before installation

Before you start to installation, you will want a safe power source. An outdoor transformer can be installed with just enough electricity to safely power your lights. Usually a 12 volt outlet with a weatherproof box will light up your pond safely. Contact your electrician to find the best solution for your outdoor lights. You’ll also want to make sure that the lights you buy have waterproof seals to avoid electrical complications.

Light choices

The most common type of bulb used are LEDs up to 12 watts. It is important to consider the maintenance costs of keeping up the bulbs. These bulbs are more energy efficient and last longer than most other bulbs. Call your electrician to find out more of your options.

Downlights

Downlights are lights that are above your pond. While the lights will not be submerged, they will have to be outside in all kinds of weather. String the lights around surrounding trees, or use tall stakes to string up the lights around your pond. This kind of lighting is easy and provides a natural look to your pond. 

Submerged lights

Lights that are submerged in your pond are more difficult to place, especially with plants and fish. To install them, the pond will have to be empty for your safety. Place them wherever you like to light up your pond into sparkles. If you have a pond waterfall, a great place to put a light is right behind the waterfall. Mount the lights on the side or secure them with weights. 

If you want to learn more about your pond lighting options or want us to do the hard work for you, call DiWhy Exteriors. We are ready to help you with your outdoor pond and landscaping needs.

Summer Pond Maintenance Checklist for Minneapolis Pond Owners

The summer months are for enjoying your Minneapolis backyard in the sun with the pond that you worked hard to put together. Maintaining your pond through the heat, rain, and sun is important to the overall health of the pond and the plants or fish you have. If you need to know how to maintain that pond, we made a summer checklist for you.

Trim plant growth

Summer is the time for plants to grow and thrive, but too much growth can choke out other plants and cover your fish. It is important to keep trimming back your plants each month, or week if there is excessive growth, to keep your pond healthy. Small bugs often find homes in large plant growth, which could endanger the fish. Check your plants and filter for any beetles or other bugs that could take food away from your fish and plants. There are also chemicals or dyes that can be added to your pond to restrict pond growth, but it is important to be careful when choosing the chemicals or dyes. Some will encourage algae growth or be harmful for your fish. Talk with your professional pond expert to find the best solution for your pond. 

Check the filter

To keep your pond looking great and stay healthy, cleaning out the filter every week or more is an important step. Larger ponds should be checked every day to avoid clogs or damage to your filter. After a strong storm, winds, or rain, check your filter for excess debris in your pond. The strong winds carry plant life into your pond, putting extra stress onto your filter. Keeping up to date with checking your filter can save you time and money from a broken pond filter.

Add healthy bacteria and chemicals

While some bacteria is harmful, there is helpful bacteria that encourages a healthy environment for your plants and fish. Regularly adding natural bacteria, about once a week or once a month, will make your pond look great and your fish stay healthy. There are many kinds of healthy bacteria, so talk with your pond expert to learn more about which solution is right for you. Having the right amount of chemicals can influence the hardness, pH levels, and oxygen levels in the water. Checking those levels on a regular basis and adjusting it as necessary will keep your fish and plants growing strong. Talk with the Pond Doctor if you have any questions about how to maintain water hardness, pH levels, and oxygen levels.

Feed your fish

It might be obvious, but your fish need food. With a sprinkle of food every day, your fish will be happy and full. Smaller amounts of food are important during the summer months because they also eat the plant debris that falls into the pond. If you go on vacation for a couple of days, your fish will continue to eat the debris and stay healthy. If you go on vacation longer than a weekend, you may want to have someone check on your fish while you’re away. Remember that there are different feeding methods for fall and spring, so be sure to ask your pond expert about your fish if you have any questions. 

Check the water level

The heat of summer and storms that blow in will evaporate the water or overflow your pond. Be careful to add treated water so that your fish can adjust to the new water. Most ponds can be checked for water level every week, but each pond is different. Talk with your pond professional if you have any questions about what healthy water levels look like for your pond. 

Maintaining your pond can busy your day. Talk to the experts at DIWhy to take care of your pond and get the best advice. We are happy to help with any pond and landscaping maintenance.

6 Key Steps to Prepare your Minneapolis Outdoor Pond for Winter

Preparing your yard for the winter months is important when you live Minneapolis. When you have an outdoor pond, you’ll want to know how to prepare it for the freezing winter months ahead. Here are some simple steps to preparing your pond for winter.

1. Reduce food for your fish

   Before the weather starts to drop below 50 degrees, you will want to start lowering the amount of food you give your fish. That way, they will be prepared for the lack of food in the winter and survive until spring. An indicator that it’s time to stop feeding them is when the outdoor temperature drops below 50 degrees. If your pond is shallow, it is a good idea to bring your fish inside. Typically, ice will freeze around four inches thick, but can get up to ten inches or more.

2. Clean out your pond

   Dead plants and leaves can decay and poison your fish and other plant life if left in your pond over the winter. Rake out all the leaves and plants in your pond for healthier water in the spring.

3. Move or remove plants

   Living plants can easily survive the winter if properly taken care of. Plants that are more hardy can stay in your pond if pushed more than 18 inches below the surface of the water. If your pond is not that deep, it is best to remove all plants to a warmer area. More delicate plants, like tropical lilies, need to be in a place where they won’t freeze at all. Remember to keep them watered while inside. Most plants can be wrapped with damp newspaper to keep from dying and placed in a warm area. Ask the Pond Doctor for more tips on plant health to keep your plants alive over the winter.

4. Clean and move the pond filter

   Removing any dirt and filth from your filter will extend the life of your filter year to year. To protect your filter from ice damage, you will want to think about moving it out of the pond for the winter. Make sure to drain all the water before putting it in storage. Another option is to move it closer to the surface of the water so that any bubbles it creates will keep the water from completely freezing. Because of our Minnesota weather, we recommend removing it for the winter.

5. Vacuum the pond if necessary

   If your pond is at a depth where you cannot scoop out the dead plants and leaves at the bottom, it is a good idea to vacuum them out from the bottom of the pond. It will keep your pond healthier over the course of the winter and  provide clean water in the spring.

6. Cover your pond

   The last step is to cover your pond with netting or tarp over the winter. After all the cleaning you did, you’ll want to keep it clean until spring. The net or tarp will catch all the leaves and snow before it can get into your pond. Remember to clean off the netting or tarp every once in a while so that it doesn’t weigh down and fall into the pond.

Following these easy tips will prepare your pond for winter, and help you rest easy until spring. If you’re ready to learn more about Fall and Winter pond maintenance, then we’re ready to help. Simply contact us for more information.