If you have a pond, you must ensure that it has enough oxygen to keep your fish healthy. A pond that has adequate oxygen levels filters itself naturally. One of the reasons that your pond may have lower levels of oxygen is too much algae growth in the pond. If the water is warm, the oxygen levels will automatically get lower, putting your fish at risk. You need to keep the oxygen levels sufficient, especially during the summer when algae are most likely to thrive. If left unchecked, it can become a big problem for the fish. You can ensure your pond has sufficient oxygen by using an pond oxygen pump. These pumps are available at hardware stores.
A pond’s oxygen levels are likely to get lower in the night, which may cause the fish to get sick and die. If you suspect that your pond has low levels of oxygen, you can purchase a test kit and test the water. Aeration is important for your pond because it ensures the debris decays properly instead of producing toxic gases that poison the fish.
Here are some ways to oxygenate a pond if you find that it has low oxygen levels.
1.A Pond Air Pump
As mentioned before, a pond air pump is a good way to oxygenate your pond. The pump has a hose that pumps bubbles into the pond. Once the surface of the water is broken by the bubbles, oxygen will enter the water. During winter when there are chances that the pond will freeze over, the pump ensures that the water surface is always moving. When there is movement, the surface does not freeze and the pond gets oxygen from the air.
There are electric pumps and solar pumps. The pump must be kept dry, which means it can be stored in the garage. Solar pumps can be set up outside when the sun is out.
2. Adding A Fountain
You do not need a large pond to have a fountain because they come in various sizes. Adding a fountain to the pond will mean that the water surface is not still. Whenever the water breaks, fresh oxygen is introduced to the water. Your fish will have enough oxygen, and there will be a lesser chance of algae growing in the pond.
3. Spraying Water With A Hose
A hose is a cost-effective way to oxygenate your pond. You can take a hose and spray the water surface of the pond with fresh water from your tap. It will keep the water moving and ensure that oxygen from the air and the freshwater gets into the pond water.
4. Adding Water Plants
There are oxygenator plants that you can place at the bottom of the pond. When they produce oxygen, it will be absorbed by the water in the pond, ensuring that the life in your pond is safe. It is worth noting that this could be a risky solution as the plants only produce oxygen during the day, which still places the oxygen levels in your pond at risk of dropping during the night.
5. Buying A Diffuser
A diffuser works similarly to a pump in that it produces air bubbles to ensure the water surface is not stagnant. The air bubbles also produce oxygen which is then absorbed by the water in the pond.
Some signs that your pond does not have healthy oxygen levels are;
-Foul odor coming from the pond. These come from decaying material and a lack of proper filtration.
-Fish gasping for air at the surface of the pond. They may also be swimming close to fountains or streams.
-Fast algae growth in the pond.