Water X Scapes Blog

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

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 answer is yes, of course we can help you with your...

How to Hide a Waterfall Spillway

How to Hide a Waterfall Spillway

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. But who wants to see a big black box at...

Secure Your Pond Liner with Quality Underlayment

Secure Your Pond Liner with Quality 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 tell you ways that will save you the most trouble....

Keeping Fish Out Of Pond Skimmers

Keeping Fish Out Of Pond Skimmers

“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. Chasi...

Treating Different Types Of Pond Algae

Treating Different Types Of Pond Algae

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 different types of green algae found in your water...

Benefits of a Bog Garden for Ponds

Benefits of a Bog Garden for Ponds

"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 owners, we can use this idea to our benefit. Adding a...

Keep Mosquitoes Away from Your Pond

Keep Mosquitoes Away from 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 cause for mosquitos, it does have many natural defe...

Fertilizing Pond Plants

Fertilizing Pond Plants

‘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 chemicals into the water that would encourage the gr...

Learn the Many Benefits of a Floating Fish Feeder Ring

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, inside the ring, for pond fish to eat – but can be use...

Quick Guide to Understanding Your Pond's Ecosystem

Quick Guide to Understanding Your Pond's Ecosystem

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 waste, fish waste, uneaten food, etc. break down in...

A Pond Habitat: Frogs, Snails, and Birds

A Pond Habitat: Frogs, Snails, and Birds

“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 talking about an eco-system, which is much larger than...

How to Make a Floating Island for Your Pond

How to Make a Floating Island for Your Pond

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. There are numerous amounts of aquatic marginal pla...

What Fish Can Live In A Garden Pond?

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 choosing which pond fish are most suitable for you and yo...

Four Primary Pond Plants: Essential Choices

Four Primary Pond Plants: Essential Choices

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 best filters known to man. The combination of pla...

8 Ideas to Renew Your Pond

8 Ideas to Renew 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 your garden:1. Spitters or FountainsAdding a litt...

This is a Test…The Chemistry of your Pond Water

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 that you cannot see. ...

How to Build a Pondless Waterfall

How to Build a Pondless Waterfall

Pondless Waterfalls - How to Avoid Future Problems with your Water Feature: I cannot express enough how many headaches and how much money you will save if your water feature is built with the future in mind. Using the proper waterfal...

Learn How to Divide Water Lilies and Lotus

Learn How to Divide Water Lilies and Lotus

Did you know that dividing your water lilies and lotus is a good way to add protection for your pond fish with what you already have?Pond plants, particularly water lilies and lotus, covering the pond’s surface has an optimal range in being benefi...

Pond Water Treatments

Pond Water Treatments

So many products, but what do they do? Do I need to use them all? Let this guide help “clear it up for you.” Beneficial Bacteria colonizes within your biological pond filter, breaks down ammonia from fish waste and decomposing debris and...

Pond Thermometers and Pond Health

Pond Thermometers and Pond Health

“The Importance of your Pond Thermometer”Hard to believe that such a small thing, like a pond thermometer, can give you so much information throughout the pond season, but it’s true. Read on to find out what the temperature of your pond water act...

Oh No, My Pond Fish Did Not make It Through the Winter!

Oh No, My Pond Fish Did Not make It Through the Winter!

The weather is beginning to get warmer and I started to open my pond for spring, but there’s a problem... My koi and pond fish did not survive the winter! What happened?!Right away I’d like to express how sorry I am. After all, your finned friend...

Fun Facts About The Great Blue Heron

Fun Facts About The Great Blue Heron

I know you fellow ponders reading this are gritting your teeth saying; “What is so great about heron?” Well, with pond fish safety aside, this ginormous bird is quite beautiful. Here are a few facts about this ominous creature that may soften...

Focal Pieces for Your Water Feature

Focal Pieces for Your Water Feature

Ideas are limitless when it comes to building a garden fountain. Check out these examples for adding originality to your flower beds, patio or yard. Pottery: From a clay pot to a ceramic urn, there are countless ways to tilt, stack, spill and sta...

Learn how to Find the Right Hose for your Pond Pump

Learn how to Find the Right Hose for your Pond Pump

Finding the right hose for your pond pump is not rocket science, but there is a science to it. Here we explain the determining factors for proper hose sizing so you can enjoy the exact water flow you desire.Most pipes or hoses are measured by the...

The World of Water Pumps: Choosing the Right Pump for Ponds, Waterfalls and Fountains

The World of Water Pumps: Choosing the Right Pump for Ponds, Waterfalls and Fountains

Water pumps, so many to choose from...…with so many different brands, sizes and types of water pumps on the market these days how are you supposed to know which is the best pond pump. Knowing which one is best to use for your water feature can be...

Choose the Ideal Water Pump for Stunning Waterfalls

Choose the Ideal Water Pump for Stunning Waterfalls

What does the perfect waterfall look like to you? A soothing soft trickle, down moss-covered rocks? A loud raging river of turbulent, frothy white water covering jagged boulders? Or maybe something in between? The first ste...

How to Clean a Pond: The Complete Pond Cleaning Guide

How to Clean a Pond: The Complete Pond Cleaning Guide

Life can get busy sometimes and time just gets away from you… Maybe you didn’t have time to cut back your aquatic plants in the fall…Maybe you forgot to put the beneficial water treatment in last summer…Maybe a hole was torn in the net and the po...

How to Build a Water Feature

How to Build a Water Feature

“I’ve Always Dreamed of Having a Water Feature…”Let us help you turn that dream into a reality. Hoffman’s Water X Scapes has the know-how and the resources for you to be successful from the beginning. So, let’s get started and plan the right featur...

Koi Fish Winter Survival

Koi Fish Winter Survival

Water temperatures start to decrease in the fall, and that change to cold temperatures start to slow down your pond fishes’ digestive processes. Koi and other pond fish have a hard time digesting protein when it’s cold – water temperatures below 5...

Chemical Versus Natural Pond Treatments

Chemical Versus Natural Pond Treatments

Editor's note: We received this question from a recent customer and thought we would share it with all our readers - as well as the answer!Question: I just bought a house and there is a 1/3-acre pond located on the property. Most of it is covered...

Pond Algae Solutions for Green Water

Pond Algae Solutions for Green Water

Green Pond Water? We have the Solution! So, your pond water has turned green. You've changed the water and it turned green again. What do you do now? Get a bigger pump? More fish? A larger fountain? More bacteria? What exactly c...

Acclimate New Koi or Fish to a New Pond

Acclimate New Koi or Fish to a New Pond

Properly acclimating your new koi and other fish to your pond is very important! When acclimating your new fish, the goal is to decrease the stress as much as possible. We do this by gradually allowing them to get used to your pond water’s tempe...

Spring Pond Opening Guide

Spring Pond Opening Guide

Spring pond openings take a little time and energy; however, it will get your pond ready for an enjoyable, fun summer of relaxation. Maintenance of your backyard pond during the late spring, summer and early fall should not take a lot of work unless...

Learn Why Pond Aeration is Important if you have Fish - Especially during Winter

Learn Why Pond Aeration is Important if you have Fish - Especially during Winter

In preparation for the cold winter months, ponds are being winterized, plants are being cut back and most pond pumps are placed into storage until Spring. This means less oxygen is available for your fish. Fish health is directly influenced by yo...

When to Stop Feeding your Fish for Winter

When to Stop Feeding your Fish for Winter

When and how we feed our koi and other pond fish is very important. Knowing when to stop feeding plays a crucial role in their health over the cold Winter months. Please keep a few things in mind when it comes time to stop feeding your...

Creating your Own Container Garden or Patio Pond

Creating your Own Container Garden or Patio Pond

You do not need a huge pond dug into the ground to have yourself a water garden. Container Ponds, or Patio Ponds, have become very popular lately. Steps in Creating your Very Own Container Garden/Patio Pond: 1.) Find the Right...

Keeping Unwanted Critters out of your Pond

Keeping Unwanted Critters out of your Pond

One problem pond owners sometimes run into are when predators come in and get to our beloved fish. This can be both annoying and heartbreaking. Below are a few tips by using decoys, netting, plants and shelters to keep those predators out and y...

Eye Catching and Unique Plants for your Pond

Eye Catching and Unique Plants for your Pond

There are many different types of aquatic plants that can be added to your pond and they all serve a purpose. Whether it is to help build your eco-system, managing algae, protection for your fish or simply for aesthetic reasons. A common trend...

Planting Zones for your Pond Plants

Planting Zones for your Pond Plants

Zone 1: Bog plants (moisture loving plants) > Planting depths of 0-1/2 inch. >> The crown of the plant should be just above the water line with its roots in moist/boggy soil. Zone 2: Marginals&nb...

How Many Fish Is Too Many In My Pond?

How Many Fish Is Too Many In My Pond?

You just finished building this awesome pond and one of the first things you want to do is add some koi and other beautiful pond fish. These fish will soon turn into pets with names and are fun to watch, bringing a lot of enjoyment to your day. Whi...

Floating & Submerged Pond Plants

Floating & Submerged Pond Plants

When it comes to ponds, plants play such a huge and important role in creating a balanced ecosystem. Two important types of plants are submerged and floating plants. Submerged Plants: Submerged Plants, like Hornwort (Ceratophyllum d...

A Guide For Cleaning & Opening Your Pond

A Guide For Cleaning & Opening Your Pond

As the weather is starting to turn into true Spring weather, it is time to clean up those ponds and get them started for the Spring and Summer!We recommend the following steps: Step 1: Remove your pond netting and rake up and remove any exc...

When To Feed Your Pond Fish In The Spring

When To Feed Your Pond Fish In The Spring

Last week we had some lovely, warm, Spring weather. Warm weather makes your pond fish more active and starts bringing up questions on when koi and other pond fish can start being fed. However, we live in Northeast Ohio, which means weather is almo...