San Diego Ponds had the opportunity to rebuild an existing Koi Pond in Carlsbad this week. The results were breath taking. The home owners and their prize winning Koi Fish could not be happier.

Before Koi Pond Remodel

Koi Pond Inspection

The existing Koi Pond was sagging and leaking. Due to poor filtration the Koi Pond was thick with swamp like water.   The Koi Fish were unable to be seen.  San Diego Ponds carefully inspected the existing Koi Pond, made a plan of action and got to work.

Koi Fish Remediation

First on the agenda was to make a temporary above ground house for their amazing Koi Fish. Then came the removal of the existing pond to make room for the new.

Pond Renovation and Construction

San Diego Ponds carefully disassembled all existing rock, removed the old broken equipment then started carving the earth to make way for the new Koi Pond and Natural Rock Waterfall. New equipment was brought in to ensure healthy water quality. The edges of this pond were reinforced with cement block to provide extra strength. A new 45 millimeter rubber pond liner and underlayment were placed as well as a bottom drain filtration system. This filtration system included a Savio Skimmer, Ultima Filter, Sequence pump and an ultraviolet light. Filtration in the key ingredient in a healthy Koi Pond.

Pond Lighting and Natural Rock Waterfall

To add to the enjoyment low voltage lighting was also added to the Koi Pond and Natural Rock Waterfall. It was a reward in itself for San Diego Ponds to watch the Koi fish explore their new amazing environment. We knew it was a hit when the Koi parked under their new waterfall enjoying the slow current and extra oxygenated water. Speck, a large white Koi Fish soon came over to his owner for a snack where he fed out of their hands at the Natural Rock Pond Edge.

This type of job is what fuels San Diego Ponds and inspires us as we move onto our next pond adventure. What can I say. We LOVE what we do.

Contact us today for your free design consultation!

Getting dirty can be beautiful. San Diego Ponds meticulously sculpts the earth into a masterpiece.

In ground pond construction starts well before you pick up a shovel.

This half acre lake in Vista CA has created its own natural ecosystem that attracts a wide array of fish and birds.

Winter is a time when the whole world slows down. This is true for your pond life as well. Days are short and our life giving sun is farthest from us. In turn your pond temperature can drop significantly. If your pond water goes below 60 degrees there are a few tips that can help keep your fish and plants  more comfortable.

- Remove your tropical water plants and store in a greenhouse for a few months.

- More hardy water lilies can be transferred to deeper water to keep  frost away from its root. You may also store them wrapped in moist newspaper in plastic bags in a cool dark place like a cellar or closet.

- Cut upright plant stalks 1 - 2 inches above water surface.

- Remove all dead foliage and grasses.

- Koi food can be changed as well. In the warmer months Koi food should be high in protein. When the seasons change and the water cools Koi food should  be high in carbohydrates.

I can not emphasize enough the importance of properly aerating your pond water. Pond water must circulate to maintain healthy oxygen levels. If oxygen levels drop there will be unpleasant and possibly deadly consequences. Low levels in pond and lake water can cause a number of issues.

The two main problems that occur are algae blooms and  fish kills. Algae blooms are unsightly and once set in motion hard to stop. It is so much easier to prevent an algae bloom than to eradicate one. Algae blooms further strip essential oxygen from your pond and lake water making it uninhabitable therefore, if things get bad a fish kill will follow. Fish require certain levels of dissolved oxygen in the water to survive. Without healthy levels they will in fact die.

So, how can you properly aerate your pond or lake? The answer is simple. Creating a waterfall that empties into your lake or pond is both visually pleasing and gets the job done. Other popular and effective ways to aerate your pond or lake include; fountains, spitters, and both floating or subsurface aeration devices depending on the size of your body of water.

San Diego Ponds installs every type of aeration device from small container ponds to lakes. We will build it or fix it.

The Koi Club of San Diego is hosting their 23rd anual Koi Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  February 12 - 14 2010. Check out the link below for more information.

Koi Show Del Mar Fairgrounds

Koi shows are a great way to network with experts of the Koi industry. Come check out  some of the most beautiful Koi in the world.

Hope to see you there!

Have a "stay-cation" in your own yard. Imagine being able to disconnect from your every day routine as you lounge by your water feature and enjoy the sounds of splashing water, birds singing as the soothing sounds of nature take you away.

San Diego Ponds specializes in the design and construction of  tropical water gardens.

With the first day of spring less than a month away it's time to start thinking about cleaning up your water feature. Aquatic plants will start to come out of their winter slumber and flourish.  Fish and other aquatic animals will start revving  up and growing as well. Clean pond water will help both your aquatic plants and animals thrive. Here are a few tips on spring cleaning your pond or water feature:

• Clear topical debris with your net.
• Some aquatic plants will need to be trimmed of dead foliage.
• Remove excess sludge and excess debris from bottom of pond.
• Do a partial water change.
• Clean your filters.
• Add beneficial bacteria to  jumpstart the biological process for the next season.
• Don't forget to dechlorinate any water used in your water changes.
• If your pond or water feature has a uv light this would be a great time to clean the lenses and change out the bulb.
• Don't forget that it is important not to overfeed your aquatic animals. Any excess food left in the water will both get trapped in your filter and make for dirty water.

If you take the time to follow this short list we promise you will be rewarded with a beautiful water feature that you will enjoy for years to come!

San Diego Ponds  provides annual pond cleaning services. Give us a call or use our form to contact us, we will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment.

San Diego Ponds specializes in the design and construction of Koi Ponds, Pondless Waterfalls, Water Gardens, and Lake Filtration. The possibilities are endless!

Contact San Diego Ponds today to schedule your FREE design consultation.

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Give us a call at 760-420-7127.

San Diego Ponds is Licensed and Bonded.

CA State License #842583

Spring is in the air. The Wild Animal Park will be hosting a Garden Society Celebration April 3 and 4, 2010 from 9am - 4pm. Come by and speak with representatives from dozens of local plant and gardening groups. Mat McLeod, owner of San Diego Ponds will be there with the Koi Club of San Diego to answer questions and share his knowledge of Koi fish, Koi Pond Construction and Water Gardening. Stroll the gardens of the Wild Animal Park and walk away with useful information. Make new contacts while networking with local experts. Admission into this special event is free with a paid ticket into the park.

See you there!

For more information visit the link below:

San Deigo Wild Animal Park Garden Society Celebration