Blog

Posted by Bill Hoffman on Apr 12th 2021

The Benefits of Barley Straw Products: What Does Barley do for a Pond?

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 natu …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Apr 5th 2021

Do I Need to Clean my Pond Completely or Will a Water Change Suffice?

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 guidel …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 30th 2021

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 momm …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 25th 2021

Common Calculations to Know for Building and Maintaining Your Water Garden

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 b …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 22nd 2021

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 man …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 16th 2021

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 cap …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 9th 2021

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 a …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Mar 3rd 2021

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 fea …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Feb 10th 2021

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. …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Nov 3rd 2020

A Checklist for Preparing your Pond for Winter: Follow These Steps to Close your Pond for the Season

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, …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Oct 28th 2020

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 bo …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Oct 20th 2020

The Pros and Cons of Running Your Pond Pump all Winter: What We Suggest

“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 i …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Oct 13th 2020

How to Keep Pond Fish Alive in Winter: A Guide to the Winter Fish Life in a Pond

Do Koi Hibernate? Contrary to belief…your koi and other pond fish do not hibernate in the winter. What actually happens is their body temperature changes along with the water temperature - aff …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Sep 18th 2020

Just What the Doctor Ordered: Promote a Healing Space in Your Yard Through Water Gardening and Landscapes

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. …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Sep 9th 2020

It’s Never too Late to Add-On New Features or Upgrade your Backyard 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 lik …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Sep 2nd 2020

Rain Water Harvesting is Nothing New - Learn How Collecting Rain Water Can Benefit You and the Environment

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 wate …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Aug 26th 2020

Have you Decided to Build your Own Water Garden? Here are the Pond Supplies you Will Need to DIY

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 y …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Aug 18th 2020

You Built a Pond, Now What? A Guide on Starting Up your New Pond

You just got done building that backyard pond you have always dreamed of, but now what? Right now, it is just some rocks and water, but not for long. Before you start adding koi and other pond …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Aug 12th 2020

3 Types of Pond Filtration that every Pond Owner needs to Know About!

3 Types of Pond Filtration: Each type of filtration has its own job to perform, but having a combination of all three is the best solution for keeping your pond water clean, clear and healthy. Let's …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Aug 4th 2020

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid when Building a Pond

Every pond is like a snowflake or a thumbprint, no two are exactly the same. But often times, these same 3 topics get overlooked or underestimated in the pond planning and designing stages.  …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jul 21st 2020

HELP! This Pond was Here When I Moved In..

Every so often a customer will come in or call us saying; “We recently bought a new house BUT it came with a backyard pond.. The problem is I have no clue what to do with it, can you help?!” The an …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jul 16th 2020

How to Hide a Waterfall Spillway – Stick with us, We’ll Show you a Few Things

Tips for Hiding your Waterfall Spillway A pond waterfall box provides biological filtration as well as serving as the starting point for the re-circulation of your pond’s water. …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jul 9th 2020

Learn why we use Pond Underlayment Every Time we Install a Pond Liner – There are MANY Benefits in Using Underlayment!

Is it Necessary to use Pond Underlayment with my Liner? Keep reading to learn the benefits of installing underlayment when you use pond liner.There are many ways to get a job done, but we are here to …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 30th 2020

“How do I Keep my Fish Out of the Pond Skimmer?”

This is a very common question, so do not think that you are alone on this.  Below are the 3 most common reasons your fish might be going into the skimmer box and how to prevent it.1. Cha …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 25th 2020

Troubleshooting Different Types of Pond Algae: Learn How to Treat your Algae Problem at the Source - not just the Symptoms!

It’s true, algae can be very unsightly and sometimes disheartening, but it’s also true that some algae is actually good for your pond and water garden.The following content will help you identify d …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 23rd 2020

Do you have a Bog in your Pond? If not Learn all the Benefits you are Missing out on!

"So, what is a bog?" Bog gardens exist in nature - in low-lying areas, or around ponds, lakes or streams. Bog plants love overly moist soil, that is waterlogged, but not standing. As pond owner …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 19th 2020

Learn how to Combat those Pesky Mosquito's and Keep them Away from You and Your Pond

Mosquitos, Your Garden Pond and You Many people often have concerns about attracting mosquitos if they build a water feature. We can tell you that while a garden pond is not necessarily the ca …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 16th 2020

Fertilizing your Pond Plants: Learn When, How, Why and What Products we Recommend

‘Feeding’ your aquatics maximizes its beauty and will get you the most out of your pond plants. The plant food tablets we recommend, were formulated to feed all aquatic plants - while not releasing ch …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 11th 2020

Learn the Many Benefits of a Floating Fish Feeder Ring

What is a Fish Feeding Ring? A feeder ring is a light-weight tube formed into a circle that floats on the surface of the pond. Its main purpose is to hold floating fish food in one place, insid …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 9th 2020

Pond Plants and The Pond Ecosystem: A Quick Reference Guide for Pond Owners

WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM? A pond’s ecosystem is the balance between fish, plants, bacteria, critters and other living organisms. Within this ecosystem, the nitrogen cycle is occurring. Plant w …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Jun 3rd 2020

A Pond Habitat: Learn Who is Visiting your Pond [Frogs, Snails and Birds, OH MY!]

“If you build it, they will come.”Water alone is an attraction to so many different creatures. Some stay and some just stop in for a visit. When you start talking about pond water you are now talkin …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on May 29th 2020

How to Make a Floating Island for your Pond – Learn about the Benefits Today

Making the Most of your Floating Plants and Floating Planter Whether your water garden has plant ledges or not, you can still reap the benefits of floating pond plants with island planters.  …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on May 26th 2020

What Fish can Live in a Garden Pond?

We, of course, want you to have the best ponding experience possible. When you build an outdoor pond with fish in mind, you are creating a home for your new pets. Use this guide to help you in choo …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on May 12th 2020

The 4 Main Types of Water Plants for your Pond

Types of Plants for Your Pond: Pond plants are a hearty food source to bugs, critters and fish in and around the pond, but they also play an essential role in your pond’s filtration. They are the be …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on May 2nd 2020

​My Pond Needs a Face Lift: 8 Ideas for Renewing the Look of your Pond

You have now been a part of the ponding scene for years and just desire a fresh look, upgrade, or something new added to your water feature. Here are a few add-ons to bring that “newness” back to y …

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Posted by Bill Hoffman on Apr 29th 2020

This is a Test…The Chemistry of your Pond Water

“Testing your Pond Water Could Save a Life” Monitoring the water quality in your koi pond and performing regular tests of the pond water can give insight into what is going on inside the pond …

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