So, what is a Pond Consultation?

“Learning is the only thing the mind never exhaust, never fears, and never regret”

— Leonardo Da Vinci

Leo as his friends would call him is regarded as quite the Renaissance Man, of course he was born during The Renaissance so it’s not surprising.  Kidding aside, what does Leonardo Da Vinci have to do with ponds in Minneapolis?  It’s all about learning, it’s all about doing better.  Our goal is for you to fully understand your water feature which will in turn lead to more enjoyment.

It’s not unusual to get a call from a frustrated new homeowner with a question about a water feature they’ve inherited.  They are looking for answers and oftentimes do not even know the questions to ask.  Can this be handled on the phone?  Yes, however being on site to see the water feature and to answer questions is always the best options.  Therefore, DIWhy offers evening on site pond consultations. 

A pond consultation runs approximately one hour, and we teach homeowners about basics of maintaining the water feature.  The consultation will cover filtration, aeration, water plants, fish, biological additives, how to improve the water feature, pest control and so much more.  Our goal is to provide everyone with the resources needed to care for their water feature and thus maximize the enjoyment.  The cost of a one-hour evening pond consultation is $100, but here is the kick, if there are improvements or repairs needed and you hire DIWhy to resolve these issues DIWhy will take the $100 consultation fee off that price (minimum $400 of work).

DIWhy services the entire metro area of The Twin Cities and The Twin Ports and we have worked on hundreds of water features.  Our experience comes from not only working in the field but also through workshops and networking with other pond contractors and pond suppliers and problem solving with some of the best…in the business.  We’d like to share this knowledge with you so you can enjoy your pond and the water garden hobby. 

“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding”

— Leonardo Da Vinci

Stressless Oasis

Pond care can be a labor of love.  CAN BE.  It takes desire, time and knowledge to keep a water feature a healthy functioning ecosystem.  Keeping a pond in balance using the pond’s designed filtration (whether natural or mechanical) with water plants, fish and biological additives can be a delicate task. Many homeowners revel in this task and water gardening provides a great way to enjoy the outdoors and to relieve stress.  However, for others their pond becomes a source of frustration.  Keeping that oasis beautiful now becomes a summer chore.  That’s where DIWhy comes in.  Starting in April 2020 DIWhy will offer Seasonal Maintenance Contracts!

How does a Seasonal Maintenance Contract work?  Every other week a DIWhy employee will be out to complete the following tasks:

·       Clean skimmer box net/basket/filters/brushes and pump 

·       Fertilize and trim and water plants

·       Change light bulbs

·       Add biological additives such as algicide, barley extract and beneficial bacteria

·       Weed along the peripheral of water feature

·       Adjust auto fill and/or pump auto shutoff

·       Net any floating debris

·       Visually inspect the water feature and make repairs if needed

·       Feed fish

Our maintenance visits begin after the Spring Cleanout & Start Up and run all season until the water feature is shutdown the last week of October.  So why choose DIWhy?  We are a full-service pond contractor that focuses on one thing, water features.  We build, repair and maintain water features and this has given us extensive knowledge in all aspects of water gardening.  We’ve worked with ornate fountains, bubbling boulders, pondless water features, small to large ponds, cement ponds, natural water filtration, mechanical filtration, uv filtration and so much more!  

So, what does it cost?  Each maintenance visit is $89.  The only other cost is the product (pond chemicals, light bulbs and so forth).  Large repairs are billed separately, and consent is given by homeowner prior to beginning the work.

Contact DIWhy for a Seasonal Maintenance Contract and transform your feature into a stressless oasis today!  Imagine stepping out your door and walking over to your water feature and simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the running water, the beauty of the water plants and the colors of the koi without adding to your to-do-list.

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.

How to Stop and Prevent Algae Growth in your Minneapolis Pond

If you have a backyard pond in Minneapolis, you probably have experienced the frustrations with algae growth. The green slime looks bad and smells worse. Thankfully, there are many ways to stop and prevent algae growth. 

How algae grows

To properly prevent algae, it’s important to know how it grows. Algae forms when there is direct sunlight and unused nutrients and oxygen in the water. Small amounts of algae are healthy for ponds, but too much algae can take away the oxygen in the water from other plants and fish. It can take nutrients from fish waste, dying plants, and other organic sources. 

Types of algae

There are many different types of algae that can form in your pond. The most common are green water and string algae. Green water algae is an algae that coats the surface of the pond and is too small to skim out. It is often seen in circles, called blooms, and spreads outward to the rest of the water. String algae, which is also called hair algae, grows in strings that can be picked up by hand. Even though it usually grows on rocks and by waterfalls, it can grow in larger ponds. If the strings get tangled together, it can form a larger, and heavier, clump of algae. Both types can be dangerous to your pond’s health if they grow out of control. 

Plant and fish solutions

Other plants and fish can help balance the pond’s ecosystem to keep algae growth at bay. Plants that cover the top of the water give algae less room to grow and less sunlight to absorb. Plants like lily pads and lotus cover and shade areas of your pond where algae would have a higher chance of growing. Underwater plants also help absorb nutrients that algae might use to grow. Balancing the number of fish you put into your pond is also important when preventing algae growth. Waste produced by fish has nutrients that plants use to grow. When there are more fish than plants in your pond, the excess nutrients are taken up by algae, allowing it to grow faster. 

Treatment solutions 

There are many quick treatment options that are available to get rid of algae. Algaecides are chemical and natural treatments that removes the algae without harming other plants and fish. Use each one as directed on current algae growth. To prevent algae from growing, install an algae filter or find other preventive measures, such as barley straw, that release counter nutrients that prevent algae growth, but are not harmful to fish or other animals.

If you are looking to find an algae solution that fits your needs and budget, call us at DIWhy for more information about ways to stop and prevent algae growth. We are here to help your pond look great and be healthy.

8 Steps to Adding Fish in your Minneapolis Backyard Pond

Warmer weather is in full swing in Minneapolis, which means yard work and pond maintenance is underway. If you’re feeling adventurous or want to try something new this year, adding fish to your backyard pond is a great way to spice things up. If you’re wondering how to get started, look no further. Here are eight steps to get yourself some fish in that pond.

Make sure your pond is large enough

Depending on the fish, they can grow to be over one foot long. The most common pond fish are goldfish and koi because they are hardy fish that might not need a filter, even though it is recommended. Goldfish are smaller and can be hosted in smaller backyard ponds. However, it is important, especially for freezing winters, to make a large portion of your pond be over two feet deep. When the water freezes, ice will stop around two feet in depth, allowing the water underneath to still be livable for your fish.

If the pond is new, let the water cycle

With new water, the nitrogen levels can be harmful for fish to be introduced to right away. It is important to let the water cycle for a couple of days before adding fish for the safety of the fish.

Test pH levels

The recommended pH levels is 7.2 and 7.8 for keeping fish. Unfiltered tap water might have too much chlorine for your new fish. Get a de-chlorinator or ask the Pond Doctor for tips about how to balance the chemicals in the water for your fish.

Install filter and/or plants

A filter is helpful to keep your fish healthy and happy. However, it does require regular checks and maintenance. Goldfish and koi can survive without a filter, but the pond itself will require more attention to maintain a healthy amount of chemicals. With or without the filter, plants are a must-have for your pond. Above water plants and underwater plants provide hiding places for the fish to relax, which is especially helpful to them during stressful weather. They also provide oxygen for the fish to breathe, especially underwater plants. Make sure all of the roots are buried in dirt and rocks or in a pot so the fish won’t get stuck or eat them, killing the plants.

Purchase fish

The number and type of fish you want will depend on how big your pond is. Goldfish are smaller and can live in smaller ponds, but they can grow to be six to twelve inches long, depending on the space they have. The recommended amount is around 100 gallons, but they can live in structures with fewer gallons. Koi are much larger, growing around twelve to thirty-six inches long depending on the type, and need a bigger space. The recommended amount of water is 1,000 gallons. Other kinds of fish can work, but will require more maintenance. Talk to the Pond Doctor for more options and the required work for those options.

Acclimate fish

Fish need time to adjust to the temperature of the water before being released into a new environment. Place the bag into the pond on a nice day for less stress on the fish. Wait for them to adjust for around thirty minutes, or as long as the air is in the tied bag. Then, add some of the pond water into the bag. After about fifteen minutes, the fish are ready to be released into the pond. Open the bag and allow them to leave the bag on their own into their new home. Fish can get stressed easily, so it is important to take your time during this process.

Feed fish

While they may eat some bugs to get nourishment, it won’t be enough for them to survive. Regularly feed your fish to keep them healthy and strong. However, it is important to not overfeed your fish either. Leftover food can release nitrogen into the water, harming the fish. The fish excrement will also raise nitrogen levels. Plants and bottom-feeder fish can help lower the nitrogen levels as well as some nitrogen eliminating kits. Different types of ponds use different solutions. If you would like help finding a solution for your pond, ask the Pond Doctor.

Check water frequently

Besides nitrogen, algae and the pH levels of your pond have to be checked frequently to keep the fish happy and healthy. Algae usually forms in shade from surface plants or structures around your pond. Removing the algae and plants and objects in the way could save your fish. The levels of pH should be checked every two weeks.

If you have any questions or would like advice while putting fish into your pond, call the Pond Doctor today. Here at DIWhy, we are ready to help you make your yard lively and beautiful.