Jungle Laboratories Corporation

Jungle Laboratories :: Aquariums and Ponds Made Easy!

I'm thinking of installing a pond. Where do I start?

Short Answer: The type and size of the pond you choose depends on several factors. You will need to determine what's right for you based on the following...
1. How much space do I have available?
2. How much work am I willing to do?
3. How much money am I willing to spend?
4. What size pond do I want?

You must also consider the effect you are trying to create with your pond.

Detailed Answer:

Amount of Space Required	Level of Work Required	Level of Cost	Average Size
small	low	low	10-50 gallons
small	low	low	25-100 gallons
small/medium	low	low/medium	30-300 gallons
small/medium	medium	medium	30-300 gallons
small/medium	low	low/medium	500-1,000 gallons
small/medium	medium	medium	500-3,000 gallons

You can add fountains, fish and plants to any size pond. JUST REMEMBER...the size of the pond dictates the number of fish and plants that are added.

Is owning a pond a lot of work?

Short Answer: Not at all. With the right pump and filtration system, and the easy to use treatments from Jungle Pond, pond keeping has never been easier.

Detailed Answer:
Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success

If you learn how to maintain good water quality and use the right treatment products from Jungle Pond, then you'll be able to reduce the amount of work and increase the enjoyment of owning your own pond.

The Jungle Pond product line is a carefully selected combination of products designed as a system for successful pond care. Each product has an indefinite shelf life, so there's no worry of spoilage or outdating before the end of a pond season. Jungle Pond knows that the average pond keeper cares for a pond that is 500 to 1,000 gallons in capacity. That's why their products are specially formulated and packaged for use with ponds this size. Uniformity in product size and dosage makes this pond care system effective and easy. Simple, yet thorough instructions are on each package, and each product can be used safely and effectively with any other products in the line. Pond keeping is made easy with the help of Jungle Pond products.

Where should I locate my pond?

Short Answer: As they say, LOCATION IS EVERYTHING...and so it is with a pond!

Detailed Answer:
Freestanding ponds do great on the patio, but if you intend to install something larger, be sure your location is at least 40-50 feet away from established trees. This will prevent falling leaves and seeds from becoming a source of debris which has the potential to make pond water toxic and harmful to fish and other wildlife. Your pond should also be in a place protected from harsh winds to prevent other types of debris from entering the pond. Be sure to regularly net out any debris, which can still find its way into a pond, because once it sinks to the bottom, it can contribute to the formation of sludge. Just as important is the amount of sunlight a pond receives. Fish and plants require plenty of sunshine, so make sure your location offers a minimum of six hours exposure of sunlight throughout the day.

What things do I need to start up my pond after I've installed it?

Short Answer: After you install your pond, the next most important thing is to make sure you have the right equipment and products to achieve GOOD WATER QUALITY.

Detailed Answer:
REMEMBER...Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success You will need the following to help assure you start with GOOD WATER QUALITY...

1. CIRCULATION PUMP - Healthy ponds require circulating water-stagnant water can cause unhealthy conditions.

2. FILTRATION SYSTEM - A good filter is needed to remove pollutants and small debris from the water. It also provides a home for the beneficial bacteria that sustain the natural biological cycle of the pond. Just like in nature, this will help keep your pond clean and healthy.

3. WATER TREATMENTS - The water you start your pond up with is not from nature but from a water supply that's probably been treated with chlorine and/or chloramine, as well as heavy metals. And, although that makes the water safe for humans, it makes it harmful-even deadly-to fish and plants. So be sure to condition the water with treatments that make water safe for fish and plants before they are added. Jungle Pond has been taking care of fish and ponds for over 40 years, and offers several water conditioning treatments to help start up ponds. Each product is part of the Jungle Pond system of pond care and is listed in this website as well as in a consumer brochure, including tips and instructions for product use.

4. POND WATER TEST KIT - Establishing, and maintaining, healthy water is easier when you regularly monitor the quality. Key measures of water quality are pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, hardness and alkalinity levels. Read test kit instructions carefully to understand how each of these can affect water quality and how to detect, as well as solve, any problems. Jungle Pond makes water testing easy with its Pond Test Kit featuring Quick Dip(tm) Multi-Test Strips. With five tests on one strip, one dip reveals water quality results in seconds! It's fast, accurate, easy and includes problem-solving charts.

Should I add fish and plants to my pond?

Short Answer: Once you have conditioned the water to make it safe for fish and plants, as well as prepped the pond for starting its natural biological cycle, then you are ready to consider the addition of fish and plants.

Answer 5:
It's important to establish the biological cycle BEFORE adding ALL the fish and plants you select. This way, you can achieve good water quality without jeopardizing the time and money you spend on fish and plants. All your pond needs to start cycling is a few fish. Waste from the fish starts the natural process which will lead to a healthy pond that's ready for its new inhabitants. There are many bacteria/enzyme products that can help boost the start of the biological cycle. Jungle Pond recommends Pond Clear-Zyme blocks or concentrate. The Clear-Zyme block is also included in the Action Cleaning Pack. The Clear-Zyme products offer a blend of beneficial bacteria and enzymes that will get your pond off to a great start!

POND FISH can be very ornamental and will add movement and color to your pond. There are many kinds to choose from including varieties of koi, comets and fancy-tailed goldfish. BUT DO NOT OVER STOCK YOUR POND...it can lead to water quality problems as increased fish waste and food can affect the healthy balance of water (i.e., pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity, hardness, etc.). Make sure you follow this rule of thumb: Stock you pond with approximately three to four inches of fish for every square foot of water surface in a filtered pond. Use Jungle Pond water conditioners (Pond Start and Pond Ammonia Chloramine Remover) to condition pond water and make it safe for fish immediately. Keeping healthy water will help keep fish healthy. However, for those times when fish do become ill, Jungle Pond has a variety of treatments for ornamental pond fish including Pond Anchors Away, Pond Fungus Eliminator, Pond Ick Guard and Pond Parasite Guard (see our information search in this website on fish care for diagnosis and use).

WATER GARDEN PLANTS are beautiful and beneficial to the pond and its fish. Plants offer shade and hiding places for fish. They also help deter algae growth since plants compete for the same nutrients. Most important, they add to the process of developing a natural biological cycle. Most aquatic plants are categorized as either deep or shallow water plants. Their roots are usually placed in a soil-filled pot which is then submerged. Just as with fish, there are a variety of plants to choose from that can add a decorative touch to your pond. Use Jungle Pond Aquatic Plant Food Tabs and Pond Plant Saver to start your plants off right. Each tab feeds plants needed nutrients for up to two weeks.

Why are treatments important for a pond?

Short Answer: Rivers, lakes and natural ponds have the help of mother nature to keep them healthy through a natural cycle called biological filtration. Jungle Pond offers treatments in their product line, that when added to pond water, help create the natural balance a pond needs to start and remain healthy.

Detailed Answer:
ALWAYS REMEMBER...Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success Pond treatments help ensure a balanced pond of clean, healthy water. And, healthy pond water leads to successful pond keeping. If you start a pond out right with the recommended treatments, then you can establish a great beginning for your pond. There are products to help take unwanted chemicals out of the water like chlorine, ammonia and heavy metals, as well as treatments that can help start your ponds natural biological filtration. However, even with the right treatments used at the beginning, a pond can still get out of balance. That's where treatments for clearing cloudy water and controling algae come in handy. They can help get pond water back in shape and on its way to becoming a healthy, thriving environment for plants and fish. A thriving pond is a beautiful pond.

How do I maintain my pond?

Short Answer: There are several things you will have to take care of when owning a pond. However, the most important thing is, once again, maintaining GOOD WATER QUALITY. This can affect everything else in a pond.

Detailed Answer:
ONCE AGAIN...Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success

Keeping pond water healthy and clean should be your primary goal in maintaining your pond. If your water is healthy, you'll have less problems with your fish and plants. The following are key measures of water quality (ppm = parts per million):

Harmful If Out of Range	low	ideal	high
pH	below 6.8 ppm	7.2 - 7.6 (7.0 is neutral)	over 7.6 ppm
hardness	below 50 ppm	50 - 150 ppm	over 150 ppm
alkalinity	below 100 ppm	120 - 180 ppm	above 200 ppm

Harmful If Detected	safe	unsafe
ammonia	0 - .25 ppm	over .25 ppm
nitrate	0 - 200 ppm	over 200 ppm
nitrite	0 ppm	over .5 ppm

Don't forget-Jungle Pond makes water testing easy with its Pond Test Kit featuring Quick Dip(tm) Multi-Test Strips. With five tests on one strip, a dip of the strip reveals water quality results in seconds! If one of the key measurement elements does not fall into the IDEAL range or reaches UNSAFE levels, then you'll need to adjust your water with treatments to help get your water back in shape. Be sure to read the problem-solving information included with the Jungle Pond test kit as well as their pond brochure. They recommend Jungle Pond products that can help you with water quality.

Of course fish and plants will need special care. Fish feeding schedules offered by pond food products you purchase should be followed. Jungle Pond Food offers ornamental pond fish a nutrional diet in floating pellet form. And, just as with any kind of pet, fish can get sick too. Everything from fungus and bacteria to parasitic problems can occur. Jungle Pond has a variety of treatments for ornamental pond fish including Pond Anchors Away, Pond Fungus Eliminator, Pond Ick Guard and Pond Parasite Guard (see our information search in this website on fish care for diagnosis and use). Be sure to learn as much as possible about prevention, detection and treatments available to help you with the care of your fish. Plants also require nutrients that can help them to grow and flourish. Use Jungle Pond Aquatic Plant Food Tabs and Pond Plant Saver to start your plants off right. Each Aquatic Plant Food Tab feeds plants needed nutrients for up to two weeks.

My pond water is cloudy and/or discolored and/or there's algae and/or sludge-WHAT DO I DO?!

Short Answer: There's nothing worse than having your pond look unhealthy and unsightly. So, use the information below that provides the right pond maintenance solutions for your pond.

Detailed Answer:

Situation	Cause	Jungle Pond Solution
Cloudy Water	Common in new ponds, suspended organinc / inorganic particles such as dirt, clay, silt and debris cause sloudy water conditions. In established ponds, cloudiness can occur when water has been agitated by adding water, cleaning the pond or rain showers.	Pond Water Clear® clumps these particles together which settle to the bottom of the pond for easy removal by the filtration system of from siphoning.
Discolored / Cloudy / Odor Water	Decaying organics in pond water give off tannins that can discolor and/or cloud the water, as well as cause an unpleasant odor.	Pond Guard® purifies pond water, leaving it crystal clear and free of odor.
Algae and Green Water	Algae blooms and algae form in pond.	Pond Block® (four pack) clears water of algae growth and prevents it from coming back. As part of the Action Cleaning Pack®, it's an essential part of regular pond maintenance. Use Fountain Block® for smaller freestanding water fountains and patio ponds.
Sludge	Decaying debris from uneaten food, dead plants / algae, and fish waste accumulate at the bottom of a pond forming a sludge layer.	Clear-Zyme® is part of the Action Cleaning Pack for regular pond maintenance. Clear-Zyme blocks contain beneficial bacteria and enzymes that break down the sludge layer and establish a pond's natural biological balance.

Is there any special care I need to give my pond through seasonal changes?

Short Answer: Yes. Ponds have different needs and situations that occur depending on the time of year. Becoming familiar with these seasonal factors and what products work best, will help you become the pond keeping expert. Jungle Pond provides an appropriate solution for every seasonal need.

Detailed Answer:
WINTER: Activity in a pond slows down...

Feed fish less food and only when the temperature is above 40°F. If and when fish are active, offer them more food.
If pond becomes frozen over, be sure to keep an area of the surface free from ice. Use a heater, air pump, or hot water to melt surface ice. This will assure that fish continue to receive oxygen, and it will also help to prevent the buildup of toxic gasses that my hurt fish, as well as other wildlife around your pond.
Continue to use an enzyme product to help reduce sludge buildup.

SPRING: You may need to restart your pond...

If you restart your pond, be sure to use a water conditioner and enzyme product to boost the biological cycle.
Test water quality regularly.
Watch fish for signs of stress or disease and treat.
Feedings should be regular, as fish are beginning to rebuild their energy level.
Combat any green water or algae problems with a regular maintenance product.
Plants and water tinted with a water conditioning shade product will also help prevent algae blooms.

SUMMER: This is an active time of year for both fish and plants...

Feed fish regularly a nutritionally balanced food that will accommodate their high energy levels.
Make sure plants are given nutrients, using fertilizers as needed, to keep plants vital.
Continue with regular water changes and water quality checks using a pond water test kit.
Eliminate, and prevent, cloudy water and algae with products that can be used for treatment and prevention.
Should fish disease occur, be sure to monitor closely and use disease specific products when necessary.
Continue using an enzyme product to assist in removing sludge buildup.
Be sure to top off evaporated water using water conditioners.

FALL: This is a good time to clean out your pond....

Remove as much sludge and debris as possible, and replace half of the water. Be sure to use water conditioners and enzymes when replacing water.
Feed fish less food, and decrease number of feedings as their metabolism begins to slow down. Use food that is easily digestible.
Cut back your water garden plants and remove any dying leaves on a regular basis. Regular netting of the pond will help to reduce debris buildup.

See our information search and product catalog sections in this website to find out more about specific Jungle Pond products to use during the seasons.

AND...don't ever forget the first and most important thing about successful pond care no matter what season:
Good Water Quality = A Healthy Pond = Pond Keeping Success

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