Water X Scapes Blog

How To Clean A Pond: The Complete Pond Cleaning Guide

How To Clean A Pond: The Complete Pond Cleaning Guide

A clean, well-maintained pond enhances the beauty of your outdoor space while providing a healthy habitat for fish and aquatic plants. Over time, however, ponds accumulate debris, algae, and sludge, requiring regular cleaning to maintain water qualit...

Pond Filtration Techniques For Koi And Goldfish Ponds

Pond Filtration Techniques For Koi And Goldfish Ponds

When considering pond filtration techniques for koi and goldfish ponds we divide pond filtration into three types (by function) biological, mechanical, and plant-based. Each filtration type has its own job to perform but having a combination of all t...

Why Not Kill Early Spring Algae?

Why Not Kill Early Spring Algae?

Well, Spring has sprung! Daffodils and perennial flowers are popping up showing us the signs of Spring! Our fish emerged from their cave this past week and began the ritual of begging for food. There’s plenty of hair algae and planktonic algae to mu...

What Is Montmorillonite Clay?

What Is Montmorillonite Clay?

Montmorillonite is a naturally occurring and versatile mineral used in various indrustries including agriculture, cosmetics, and environmental management. Among it's uses, it's proven to be particularly useful for ponds and beneficial for pond...

How Do Pond Vacuums Work?

How Do Pond Vacuums Work?

Pond vacuums quickly and effectively remove muck/sludge from the bottom of backyard ponds and water gardens. Organic material such as fish waste, plant debris, and excess fish food break down and settle into thick layers of muck at the bottom of w...

Lake Treatment Chemicals

Lake Treatment Chemicals

Chemicals are a common control method to treat problematic plants, algae, disease, and insects in and around lakes and earthen bottom ponds. Most lakes and earthen bottom ponds at some point struggle with some of these nuisances. For the...

Preparing Water Features For Winter

Preparing Water Features For Winter

Another year has gone by and the weather is beginning to change. Once again, nights are becoming cooler and the scent of fall is in the air. Sad but true, it is time to start packing up yard ornaments, putting away the lawn furniture (unless you h...

Common Pond Fish Problems

Common Pond Fish Problems

Ever wonder if your fish can talk to you? Paying close attention to their behavior or noticing symptoms on their body can speak loudly as to how your fish are feeling. Use this “symptom checker” guide to help pinpoint common fish problems and wha...

How To Repair Pond Liner

How To Repair Pond Liner

Patching Pond Liner Properly with a Seam Tape Kit could Save you the Trouble of Rebuilding your Water Feature..There comes a time in the life of a pond when leaks happen. Whether it’s from an overlapped liner, roots pushing through, or a hole chewe...

5 Trees To Keep Away From Ponds

5 Trees To Keep Away From Ponds

Although some of these plants are very attractive and have a reputation for growing near a natural earth bottom pond, it does not mean that they will do you any favors being planted close to the edge of your water garden. Birch Trees are...

The Life of a Pond: Sun vs. Shade

The Life of a Pond: Sun vs. Shade

Everyone has their own opinion about whether a pond can be built in the sun or should it be built it the shade. Here are a few facts that may help you determine where exactly to put your pond.Sun Benefits: Arguably the most common reason to build...

Chlorine, Chloramine, and Pond Water Conditioners

Chlorine, Chloramine, and Pond Water Conditioners

As a water gardener I am sure you have heard one or more of these terms over time. But what are they? Below, we define what each are, when to watch out for them, and when to add them.If you have “city water” running from the tap in your home then...

Biology in Your Own Back Yard!

Biology in Your Own Back Yard!

With the world in its current pandemic, spending time at home has become more prevalent than ever. Make your water garden more than just a stay-cation spot, let it become a world for education as well. Getting Fresh Air:Kids these days are all...

Pond Dyes are Safe for Fish, Wildlife and Swimming

Pond Dyes are Safe for Fish, Wildlife and Swimming

POND DYES - for lakes & large earthen bottom pondsUsing pond dyes for lakes is like putting sunglasses on your water’s surface. The dyes will protect your body of water from the UV rays of the sun that activate and promote the growth of sub...

Potted Vs Bare-Root Pond Plants

Potted Vs Bare-Root Pond Plants

A water garden is not complete without aquatic plants. In fact, they play an essential role in keeping your pond water clean, clear and healthy! Some plants are used for shading and keeping the water temperatures cooler, some are used for filterin...

The Sustainability of Pond Keeping

The Sustainability of Pond Keeping

Besides providing serenity through the peaceful sounds of running water and the graceful movements of swimming fish, your pond holds potential for providing you with so much more. This is to suggest the idea of growing fruits and vegetables in a b...

Best Hardy Marginal Pond Plants for Filtration

Best Hardy Marginal Pond Plants for Filtration

Filtration plays an important role in the health of your pond water. Did you know that many pond plants help naturally filter your pond water? Follow along as we cover the top 10 hardy marginal pond plants that will help with your pond filtr...

Pond Lights: Lighting Your Water Garden

Pond Lights: Lighting Your Water Garden

Adding lights to your water feature adds hours of enjoyment to be had while being able to take advantage of sights and feelings that you would typically miss out on during the day. Landscape and pond lighting can create elegance, dimension, mystiq...

Identifying Good and Bad Pond Snails

Identifying Good and Bad Pond Snails

"Are All Snails Good for my Pond?"As with anything, there are pros and cons to having snails in your water garden. Here, we identify the most common snails found in a backyard pond and discuss what they can do (or not do) in the water.Trapdoor Sn...

Why is my Pond Losing Water?

Why is my Pond Losing Water?

The heart-sinking feeling of walking out to your pond and hearing the pump sucking air because the water level is down, is enough to put anyone into a panic. Don’t fret, we are here to help you determine whether it’s a leak or possibly evaporatio...

Pondless Water Feature Maintenance and Care

Pondless Water Feature Maintenance and Care

There is no such thing as a ‘no maintenance’ water feature, but a pondless water feature is about as low maintenance as you can get. Here are a few tips to make it even easier.WHILE BUILDING YOUR PONDLESS WATER FEATURE:A few suggestions to take i...

It Is Better to Give Than to Receive | Ronald McDonald House Charities

It Is Better to Give Than to Receive | Ronald McDonald House Charities

Charity is the act of extending love and kindness to others unconditionally. This is a conscious act, but the decision is made by the heart. Our hearts, this year, are pouring out for, and with, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio,...

Boost Pond Health With Effective Lake Aeration

Boost Pond Health With Effective Lake Aeration

What is Aeration?Any procedure by which oxygen is added to water can be considered a type of water aeration. This allows for various techniques to add dissolved oxygen to the water; but they also have varying degrees of successful benefits.Natural...

Top 5 Tropical Marginals for Pond Filtration

Top 5 Tropical Marginals for Pond Filtration

Filtration plays an important role in the health of your pond water. Did you know that certain pond plants can help naturally filter the water? Follow along as we cover the top 5 tropical marginal pond plants that will help with your pond filtrati...

Rules when Stocking and Feeding your Pond Fish

Rules when Stocking and Feeding your Pond Fish

There are many things in a pond for your koi and fish to eat - such as insects, plankton, string algae, and sometimes pond plants. So sometimes it may not be necessary to feed your fish at all. BUT feeding your finned friends can be f...

Chemical vs. Natural Water Treatments

Chemical vs. Natural Water Treatments

Chemical treatments (like copper) for lakes and larger earthen bottom ponds are often the first thing reached for to control, or eradicate, algae blooms or excessive and invasive plant growth. Application is initially a success. Water is “cleaned...

Maintain Clear Pond Water with Ecosystem Balance

Maintain Clear Pond Water with Ecosystem Balance

Keeping your pond’s eco-system balanced can be tricky at times but does not have to be hard.When you build a water garden, you are not just creating a space for your koi and fish to live. You are creating an eco-system where your pond fish can thr...

How To Fix Green Pond Water

How To Fix Green Pond Water

A common question amongst many pond owners is; “Why has the water in my garden pond turned green?” Let’s take a look at what this green pond water is, what may cause it, and some effective ways to treat and remediate the p...

What is the difference between a lake and a pond?

What is the difference between a lake and a pond?

If we are comparing two naturally occurring bodies of water, then size is what matters. If we are speaking in terms of the treatments for a lake versus the treatments for a koi pond (or backyard water garden), then there is much more to discuss.&n...

Pond Salt Treatments

Pond Salt Treatments

Why Pond Salt Treatments? Adding salt to your pond has many benefits, but the one thing in question here is whether maintaining salt levels throughout the season is good for your fish. It is true that pond salt, at certain dissolved levels, can be...

Benefits of Barley Straw for Ponds

Benefits of Barley Straw for Ponds

The Wonders of Barley StrawEveryone has an aversion to seeing algae growing in their beautiful water garden, but where there is water, sunlight and nutrients, algae will grow. Let’s explore a natural solution to keeping that unsightly green stuff...

Pond Cleaning versus Changing Water

Pond Cleaning versus Changing Water

To clean or not to clean… that is the question.Whereas many of us love to see a sparkling clean pond, as if it was brand new every spring, it is not always best to clean it out. Follow these guidelines to keep your water feature healthy and beaut...

How do I Protect my Koi & Pond Fish When There is no Plant Coverage?

How do I Protect my Koi & Pond Fish When There is no Plant Coverage?

When Spring has sprung, not only are the pond predators waking up or returning, but it is also time for mating season. They are hungry, after a long winter’s nap, and so are the newly pregnant mommas. What can you do to save your fish when it is...

Water Garden Calculations

Water Garden Calculations

Knowing your pond inside and out will help you to have a successful and pleasant ponding experience for years to come. From planning your build to maintaining the water quality, these calculations below will prove useful at some point in your pond...

The Signs of Spring in and Around your Water Garden

The Signs of Spring in and Around your Water Garden

Excitement abounds when the signs of spring start to show after a long gloomy winter in north east Ohio. Soon we’ll hear the sounds of running water and feel the sun on our faces again.There are many things I have learned to look forward to each S...

Ponds Aren’t Just for Fish Anymore

Ponds Aren’t Just for Fish Anymore

Ever consider what your water garden can be used for besides homing your favorite pond fish? Let’s take a look at the versatility of your back yard oasis. What is a pool but a hole in the ground capable of holding water so that on the hottest day...

Hoffman's Water X Scapes is More than Meets the Eye

Hoffman's Water X Scapes is More than Meets the Eye

The stresses of modern living are abundant and becoming increasingly so - with pandemic scares, social distancing, and uncertainty of the future. Staring at a computer screen all day, whether you are entering data, home-schooling, on a ZOOM call,...

De-bunking Some Water Garden & Pond Myths

De-bunking Some Water Garden & Pond Myths

With all the stresses in society these days, who wants to add more maintenance and responsibilities to their daily chore list? We have heard from many people who love the idea of having a water feature, but express that they just do not need anot...

Winter is for the Birds

Winter is for the Birds

We are not the only ones out there longingly awaiting signs of spring and warmer weather. But at least we don’t have to forage for our food under a foot of snow - or take a bath in a frozen puddle.With your help, these charming symbols of summer...

Pond Winterization Preparation: A Checklist

Pond Winterization Preparation: A Checklist

Backyard ponds require some extra attention when preparing for fall and those cold winter months ahead. Temperatures start dropping which means more and more questions on what to do next are arising. Remember, doing some fall pond maintenance mean...

What Happens to the Frogs in my Pond During the Winter?

What Happens to the Frogs in my Pond During the Winter?

Our amphibious friends can sometimes become just as special to us as our koi fish and other pond fish, but where do they go to survive the cold winter months?Frogs can be found hanging out at the bottom of the pond where the water temperatures are...

Pros And Cons Of Running Your Pond Pump All Winter

Pros And Cons Of Running Your Pond Pump All Winter

“Can I Keep my Pond Pump Running All Winter?” Many pond owners have had success with leaving their pond pump run all winter. And I am of the opinion, at times, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, with the unpredictability of Ohio we...

How to Keep Pond Fish Alive in Winter

How to Keep Pond Fish Alive in Winter

Do Koi Hibernate? Other common questions that will be answered: How to keep koi fish alive in winter? Feeding Pond Fish in Winter? Should I cover my pond in winter? What to do with pond fish in winter? How do fish survive in a frozen pond dur...

Promote Healing with Water Gardening

Promote Healing with Water Gardening

People who suggest that water gardening is a dying fad, have clearly not heard about the beneficial effects splashing water can have on your environment and incidentally on your physical well-being. In case you need another excuse to have a pond,...

Add or Upgrade Your Water Feature or Pond

Add or Upgrade Your Water Feature or Pond

Often times we build exactly what we think we want for a water garden…and then learn of something new. Or, it may just be time to upgrade. Either way, it’s not too late to add-on extra features like waterfalls, skimmers and bog filters to your pr...

How to Collect and Harvest Rain Water

How to Collect and Harvest Rain Water

Anyone who has lived in Northeast Ohio, for any amount of time, knows the instability of the weather is one could bank on…going from one extreme to the other at any given time. Harvesting rain water is a great way to plan for droughts as well as m...

Pond Supplies for Building Water Gardens

Pond Supplies for Building Water Gardens

Knowing what the job entails before you start is half the battle. Of course, Hoffman’s Water X Scapes is your one stop pond shop. We have all the pond supplies and knowledge you will need to help you become a successful water gardener from the ver...

Pond Start Up - First Steps

Pond Start Up - First Steps

A Pond Start Up can seem daunting at first. You've just built that backyard pond you've been dreaming of and now what? Right now, it is just some rocks and water, but not for long. Before you start adding koi...