529 W Blueridge Ave, Orange, , CA,,92865

Professional Pond Maintenance Services

Category: Pond Repair Services

Koi ProsBlogPond Repair Services
September 10, 2018 1 Comment
Koipros Pond Repair Services

Is your pond or waterfall leaking?

All ponds will leak eventually. Understanding a true-leak vs water evaporation is a must. As a true-leak can be costly, and when caught earlier the better to avoid additional expenses.

Constructing a koi pond, waterfall, pondless waterfall, or other landscape water feature is a great investment for any property. When constructed correctly, water features can add tranquility and value to any property – residential or commercial. The sounds of water flowing freely, the greenery brought on by the beauty of a water garden, and the pleasure of owning koi fish, all bring delight to ourselves and customers renting the property. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end – or at least a subtle halt while your water feature is to be assessed and repaired effectively for any leak.

Found a leak! Which will drain your bank account as fast as your pond – get to this issue early!

Understanding how to assess and diagnose a pond and waterfall leak can save you time and money. Typically we see 1-2″ per month of water loss due to evaporation, sometimes slighltly more due to water deflection around waterfalls and fountain points (where water will bounce outside the pond due to rocks etc) and each issue must be approach in its own fashion. The first two – evaporation and water deflection are important, yet not typically a threat to your water feature like a true-leak is

The Leak Detection

Okay okay – you’re ready to learn how to assess your water feature for a leak. Lets start with the basics. Running through these questions will help pinpoint step 1 of the leak assessment. Do you know how much water you are losing? Is it 1-2 inches daily? Weekly? Or monthly? A great way to trace how much water is actually being lost, is filling your pond or water feature with enough water to the “full” point. Meaning to where it should be. Make sure to add DeChlor if using a hose as tap water can kill your fish! Once your pond is full, set a stick or similar marker at the water line, and reassess 24 and 48 hours after filling the water feature. Note how much water loss is accounted for via a tape measure or ruler. If its anything beyond 1-2″ p/day – you might have a leak. 

Water Feature Full of Water?

The next step is evaluating the waterfall or areas water is coming back into the pond from. If its via waterfall or spout, simply by-passing this is how we test for leaks in that area. 75-80% of leaks we see are in the waterfall area. Seeping deep in the rocks and cracks, bypassing this will tell you if this is the leak culprit. If you have a standard upflow filter box (with lava rock / or mesh) simply remove this, and screw in a pool hose with a 2″ threaded fitting (refer to image).

Still Losing Water?

Time to let it sit. We recommend having some sort of aerator if you have any koi fish or turtles as they will need some air supply during this process. Once you have proper air supply for your aquatic wildlife, fill your water feature up again to a recognizable point, and turn your pumps off to let the water sit. The water level lowering will tell you if the leak is in the basin vs the waterfall. Following waterfall leaks, we see the basins leaking due to aged pond liners, aggressive vegetation, and even pond maintenance companies walking inside the water features (which we never recommend on non-cemented features) 

Not Losing Water in the Basin?

The final leak assessment step is evaluating the pond equipment. If the waterfall isn’t leaking, the basin(s) aren’t leaking, then it’s most likely the pond equipment leaking. Walking the perimeter of the water feature and looking for wet-spots in the soil and leaks in the equipment is your best option. Referencing the UV-light, pump, filtration, and pipes for leaks and sun-cracks is most important. Often times we see pool-style plumbing with years of sun fractures and minute leaks which ultimately can lead to a replace in your pond equipment.

Original post: https://koipros.com/

June 26, 2016 0 Comments
Koipros Pond Repair Services, Water Feature Repairs

Repairing Your Koi Pond Equipment

Often with pond maintenance we see clients struggling to get their pool pumps used for their koi ponds able to prime again. This is a very common issue as these pumps (external centrifugal pool pumps) require an air-tight fit and be filled with enough water to catch. If you are struggling with this, here are a few areas to consider when having pump priming issues.

Sometimes debris backs up the pump’s impeller. Take the impeller off and get rid of anything that could be blocking it.

Priming Problems: What to Do When Your Koi Pond Pump Stops Working Properly

There are several reasons why your pump won’t prime. If you are unable to solve the issue by the time this article is over, contact a professional koi pond maintenance company. Read on to learn the most common issues associated with the pump, as well as how to solve the situation.

The water level in the koi pond/ waterfall is not high enough.

Professional Water Feature Equipment Repair Services

Check your skimmer seal / opening

The water should be at the mid-level or higher in order for the pump to work properly. If it is not, the circulation system could take in air via the skimmer. If too much air goes in, the pump will not prime. Take off the cover. Look for the gasket and take it off as well. Look to see if it is in good working order. Typically, it is the gasket that is causing issues; if this is the case, put in a new one. Add a little lubricant when you put it in. Vaseline is not appropriate for this situation. Put the cover back on and make sure everything is secure. Do not tighten it with a tool, because you may inadvertently do too much.

The strainer basket might have something in the way

Take out the skimmer basket and clean it to remove any issues. Use a hose for the best results. Often-times, large debris can get sucked into the filter. From rocks, to vegetation, to fish, and other wildlife. Making sure your filtration returns are covered appropriately on the ponds edge is very important for good pond circulation. Pond pumps can pull around these objects and cause the water pressure to drop significantly.

The glued fittings have leaks.

There are glued fittings near the suction area of the pump. Occasionally, the glue is not evenly distributed around the pipe. As a result, there will be air channels that pop up. Sometimes, when the pump is turned on, water then comes out of this opening. If the pump works as it is supposed to, air is sucked in the hole. If you do not notice any water coming out, flip the pump on and put a little water near the joint. If water moves in, there is a hole present.

The threaded fittings have leaks.

Does the pump have threaded fittings near the suction side? There could be a leak. As with the glued fittings, test to see if there is a problem. If there is, remove the fitting and put plumbing tape around it (about four layers). There is more help available in the “How to Glue Pool Fixtures Together” guide. Also consider if one of these fittings is closed when it should be open, sometimes these get turned off and issues arise. If you still can’t figure it out – Give us a call today (714)613-0123

REACH US

529 W Blueridge Ave #F110 Orange, CA 92865

(714) 613-0123

koiprosorangecounty@gmail.com

June 22, 2016 0 Comments
Koipros Pond Repair Services

About water garden and pond maintenance

What is a water garden?

A water garden which is also known as an aquatic garden is a type of a man-made feature hosting a great place for koi pond plants and other perennials. Water gardens can be defined as any exterior or interior landscape or architectural element whose major purpose is to display, house or propagate a particular aquatic plant variety. The primary focus is on koi pond plants but at times, they can be used to house ornamental fish which may feature in the pond.

Constructing a waterfall, koi pond, or other landscape water feature is a great investment for any property. When constructed correctly, water features can add tranquility and value to any property – residential or commercial. The sounds of water flowing freely, the greenery brought on by the beauty of a water garden, and the pleasure of owning koi fish, all bring delight to ourselves and customers renting the property. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end – or at least a subtle halt while your water feature is to be assessed and repaired effectively for any leak.

Water gardens can be similar to aquaponic systems used to generate fish nutrients for the aquatic plants

Water gardening is a type of gardening which deals with the growing of aquatic plants adapted to the pools and ponds. Even though water gardens can be any size or depth, they are mostly small and shallow. They generally measure less than 20 inches in depth. This is supported by the fact that most aquatic plants are depth sensitive and need a specific depth of water in order to grow. The surface area and depth is determined by the species inhabiting the water garden.

Space required for your water garden

The average water garden measures about 11 feet wide by 16 feet or about 2000 gallons. They can also be as small as 6 feet by 8 feet or about 550 gallons. You should have 2 to 3 feet of landscape bed area around the pond for flowers and plants. Koi ponds and water gardens can take up considerably more space than that of a pondless waterfall or rock column fountain. We recommend hiring an experienced pond service provider to walk you through the difference between using a rubber liner vs cement, and how to best build your water feature based on the dynamics of your landscape as not all properties are the same.

Pond Safety

It is recommended that a water garden should have a minimum depth of 24″. A depth of 30″ is better since it provides more area for fish to winterize in the pond. This also provides a deeper area for fish to retreat in case a predatory bird comes into the pond. The first ledge of the pond is mostly 8-12″ in depth. This is meant to provide a shallow area around the ponds perimeter. This is shown in the water garden cross section on the following page.

Water Garden Cost

Water gardens are considered the most costly water option. A water garden  installed professionally will range from $2,500-$75,000. This will depend on the size and type of rockwork. Considering the additional benefits and enjoyment of fish and aquatic plants, then a water garden is worth your investment. Yes we’ve had customers with pond builds over $250,000 – we realize not everyone has this budget, but in order to build what should be considered as a “custom fish tank”, with proper filtration and all – a typical budget of $10,000 – $30,000 would be good for a cement pond with decent filtration (similar to the cost of a Jacuzzi)

Maintaining your Pond with Aquatic Plants

It is very easy to maintain a water garden. The maintenance will only take 15 minutes a week. You will have to clean the net and mat found inside the skimmer once every 10-14 days. This will only take you 5 minutes. Apart from the regular maintenance of the skimmer, add beneficial bacteria to the pond every week. One of the best things about water gardens is the fact that a variety of plants can grow in them. The most sought out aquatic plant is the water lily. What makes them a very good choice because they spread across the ponds and flower throughout the season. The Lily pads provide a shade to the pond from the heat of the sun during summer. This allows the fish use their leaves as shelter.

REACH US

529 W Blueridge Ave #F110 Orange, CA 92865

(714) 613-0123

koiprosorangecounty@gmail.com

May 25, 2016 0 Comments
Koipros Pond Repair Services, Water Feature Repairs

Rebuilding Your Pond? Consider These Options

Do you need our water feature repaired? This is a quick intro to diagnose your pond liner

Well, your Koi pond liner has been in there for more than a decade and is starting to show its age now. You may also have a few patches that you put on it. Some of them may have worked well while the others may not have served their purpose. Hence, it is high time that you think of replacing the pond liner. But how are you going to do it without breaking your neck in the process? Without the right kind of planning, you may find yourself in a great mess. Certainly you may have better things to do with your time. So, let’s take a closer look at how we are going to do this.

What to do with the Fish when you rebuild your Koi Pond?

How many fish are there in your pond? Where are you going to keep the fish until you replace the pond liner? Most likely, it may take more than a day to complete the process and you should consider hiring a company who can handle such a large task. You might expect the items to arrive on time, but they may delay, who knows! If this happens, you may need to store the Koi a lot longer than you expected. This may affect their health. Hence, you need to be on your toes – if you don’t have proper storage, consider calling a local water feature repair service vs risking the lives of your fish or turtles.

When rebuilding your water feature, we offer storage and transport of your fish and wildlife

Water gardening is a type of gardening which deals with the growing of aquatic plants adapted to the pools and ponds. Even though water gardens can be any size or depth, they are mostly small and shallow. They generally measure less than 20 inches in depth. This is supported by the fact that most aquatic plants are depth sensitive and need a specific depth of water in order to grow. The surface area and depth is determined by the species inhabiting the water garden.

If you do have a fish storage tank, here are a few reminders

Number one, although storing the Koi can be a bit tricky, they should survive the temporary time they are in the holding tank as long as you follow the simple rules. Aerate the water to supply the Koi with air and filter the water. These are essential steps in this regard. Just because the Koi are in a holding tank, it doesn’t mean they do not require air and filtration. A portion of the water needs to be changed regularly to assist in the filtration process. A few days without food will not harm the fish. Hence, cut down on feeding them.

This will prevent the extra waste in a smaller environment which will only serve to overwork the filtration system. If the tank is shallow, make sure to place a net over it. It will prevent the fish from jumping out as well as keep away the predators in search of a free meal.

Make sure you take pictures of the pond before disassembling

There are a lot of plants and rocks around the pond that gave it a natural look. The last thing you want is to try to remember how your pond looked before. Most of the time, we take something apart and assemble it again, only to find a handful of extra parts left with you. Such a situation is no fun at all.

Inspection your Pond Liner when you Remove Material

Third, this is the time to check for any plumbing issues you might have. Remember the time you first assembled the pond? You did everything right, filled the pond with water and put the fish in the pond. Finally, you saw that one darned pipe! Yes, that pipe that should have been there instead of being here. Now is the time to put it right. Inspect all the plumbing for any sort of wear and tear. In fact, freeze/thaw cycles can play havoc with plastic pipes. Check all the visible joints for any repairs.

Consider Replacing Undergarment if you Replace the Liner Entirely

Number four, make sure you check the undergarment. You may not only require a new liner but find the undergarment deteriorated as well. Since you are replacing the pond liner, why not replace the underlayment too? Do not use old carpets as underlayment. It is quite messy and unprofessional in one way, and it is not the right product for the pond.

When in Doubt – Consider Replacing Entirely

Finally, number five, do not shortcut any process. In fact, the rock that holds the outer edge of the liner in place needs to be removed so that the new liner could be installed properly. Although this type of task is not done that often, we recommend any liner over 10+ years to be restored/ replaced completely. You can lay a new liner ontop of the old if needed, just make sure to order the appropriate amount. If you cheat yourself by skipping these important steps, you may have to soon get back to the yard fixing what should have been done correctly in the first place. Take pride in your work since it will be something that you enjoy day after day. Performing the task right the first time around will help you relax in that lawn chair for longer, instead of toting a shovel later.

REACH US

529 W Blueridge Ave #F110 Orange, CA 92865

(714) 613-0123

koiprosorangecounty@gmail.com

Original Source: https://www.koipros.com