| Keeping the water crystal clear, literally, is the | | | | the essential food and oxygen for the survival of |
| major challenge faced by most of the water | | | | fish and other aquatic species and will also prevent |
| gardeners. Generally, what looks like crystal clear | | | | the growth of algae. The water may turn green |
| water, is not so pure. It normally consists of | | | | for a few days but will clear up gradually within |
| numerous chemicals and mineral pollutants that | | | | weeks as the plants get settled. It is then you will |
| are harmful for the water garden. The ideal color | | | | start seeing crystal clear unadulterated gardening |
| of water should either be green or little brown. | | | | water. It will be time then to add snails, fishes and |
| On the first occasion that you will fill up your | | | | whichever water dwellers you may want. |
| pond, you will see maximum clarity in water. | | | | Algae growth in a water garden is a pretty |
| However, as mentioned earlier, it's only a visual | | | | natural phenomenon and such mossy algae on the |
| illusion and you must call up your local municipal | | | | sides of the pond are actually beneficial to the |
| supply authorities to find out which all chemicals | | | | garden as they filter out harmful toxins from the |
| and minerals have been added to the water. | | | | crystal gardening water. However, some balance |
| The most commonly added chemical to the tap | | | | needs to be maintained as excess of algae is also |
| water is chlorine. Allowing the water to stand for | | | | bad for the water garden. It will deprive the plants |
| a couple of days will let this chlorine dissipate | | | | of essential nutrients and further cause death of |
| easily, however, you may still require certain | | | | fish and other aquatic species that are dependent |
| chemicals to get rid of the chloramines and | | | | on the plants for their survival. Algae presence |
| chlorine dioxide. There are different types of kits | | | | can also take the sheen off your water garden |
| available with most of the garden stores, pet | | | | as it looks pretty ugly. |
| stores and pond supply dealers which help in | | | | Algae growth can be checked by putting water |
| conducting tests on the crystal gardening water | | | | lilies and a few floating plants in the water. They |
| to determine the presence of such undesired | | | | deprive the algae of the essential nutrients and |
| substances. | | | | also block the sunlight essential for algae growth. |
| The dealers normally have good knowledge and | | | | Even snails and some specific kinds of fish can be |
| can advise you well on treatments. In most | | | | employed to eat up algae. |
| cases, you must avoid the use of chemicals as | | | | Whatever means you choose to get rid of algae, |
| much as possible. You must also ensure that your | | | | you must ensure they are natural and |
| crystal gardening water is absolutely free of | | | | non-harmful to the water garden. You can also |
| chloramines before you put the plants and fishes | | | | simply skim off the algae from the water surface |
| into it. | | | | by using a mesh net, rake or a brush. Filters may |
| Once cleared of the unwanted chemicals, you can | | | | also be installed to remove the algae. |
| introduce plants to the water. They will produce | | | | |