Pond water testing
Testing pond water? Don't do it!
Often specialists recommend testing your water values to prevent fluctuating water values with remedies to stabilize KH, PH and GH.
What do water tests do?
Water tests, as the name suggests, test the water values of pond water. As many people know, water values fluctuate continuously, for example due to rain, cold and heat. This makes water values testing an intensive task.
We have the solution!
Stabilize water values with BACTA CLEAR and INSTA CLEAN. This duo offers a simple and natural solution to make water testing a thing of the past. BACTA CLEAR and INSTA CLEAN make cloudy water and floating algae a thing of the past and tackle filamentous algae quickly and effectively. They allow aquatic plants to grow lush and strong again, and keep GH, KH and PH levels perfectly balanced. In addition, bottom silt is efficiently broken down and removed. This keeps your pond clear and healthy without having to constantly test the water quality.
Discover the Power of BACTA CLEAR and INSTA CLEAN
After years of testing, we proudly present our innovative solution:
BACTA CLEAR and INSTA CLEAN.
This duo offers a simple and natural solution to all your pond problems. No more complicated water testing or chemicals needed.
The benefits of BACTA CLEAR & INSTA CLEAN:
- Cloudy water and floating algae: Are a thing of the past.
- Thread algae: Are dealt with quickly and effectively.
- aquatic plants: Grow lush and strong again.
- GH, KH and PH values: Remain perfectly balanced.
- Soil sludge: Is efficiently decomposed and removed.
Make your pond clear and healthy again with BACTA CLEAR and INSTA CLEAN. Enjoy a beautiful, trouble-free pond.
Developed by Simon van der Velde
With 35 years of experience in pond maintenance, Simon van der Velde knows exactly what is needed for a healthy pond.
His expertise led to the development of BACTA CLEAR & INSTA CLEAN, a unique blend of bacterial strains that keep your pond clear and healthy.
At products are 100% natural and not harmful to humans, plants or animals.
This is what our customers say!
Excellent 
200+ reviews at 
Marjoke Bakker
Oxygenating plants and a bottle of Bacta clear
Purchased: Pond clear package - M
My pond was quite murky, so after a good conversation with Simon, I decided to follow the advice: more oxygen plants and a bottle of bacteria. I ordered the recommended package, but after four days no improvement was visible. Full of disappointment, I contacted customer service. They advised me to be patient and give the process 2-3 weeks. Although I had my doubts about it, I decided to wait anyway. And what turned out? After two weeks, the water started to clear and I even saw frogs that I had never noticed before! Thanks team vdvelde, and apologies for my impatience!
Patrick Müller
Plants are growing much better now and water is crystal clear
Purchased: POND SUBSTRATE pond substrate - 40 liters
Last year I had a landscaper install a plant filter at my swimming pond, recommending lava and some plants from the local garden center. Unfortunately, things went completely wrong; the plants died one by one and I suffered an algae infestation. After contacting customer service, I was advised to replace the lava with pond substrate and order some more plants. Now, several months later, the plants are growing well, and my filter is finally free of algae.
Fenna Schmidt
My little city pond
Purchased: Complete Pond Package - S - Red
I had been dreaming of having a pond in my urban garden for some time, but it always seemed like such a hassle. Online I found a complete package and decided to take the gamble, although I was skeptical about the quality of plants sent through the mail. But to my surprise, everything was delivered neatly and well-packaged. Within no time I had my pond set up. To my delight, after only two months I saw the first water lily bloom, and as icing on the cake I discovered salamanders in my pond. No idea how they got there, but it only adds to the joy. Truly enjoying it!
Susi Werner
A must for anyone with a pond (large or small)
Purchased: Simons Pond Advice Book
This book completely meets my expectations. A great guide with lots of great tips on pond construction, pond plants and design.
Highly recommended purchase on my part.
Great book!
Jules Chabot
Blue lily: beautiful!
Purchased: Hardy Blue Water Lily - Nymphaea Blue Queen
Thank you very much for the generous delivery of the swamp iris "Blue Lis".
The new plants have been planted and I am curious to see if they will bloom this year.
There is good news about the water lily "Blue Queen": It is also blooming here in blue - and how beautiful!
BACTA CLEAR & INSTA CLEAN
INSTA CLEAN 5 liters + BACTA CLEAR
- For 1,000 to 10,000 L
- Prevents and combats floating and filamentous algae
- Removes silt and stabilizes KH, GH and PH
- 100% eco: quickly clear water, safe for people, plants and animals
INSTA CLEAN 10 liters + BACTA CLEAR
- For 1,000 to 20,000 L
- Removes silt, prevents duckweed and stabilizes KH, GH and PH
- 100% eco: quickly clear water, safe for people, plants and animals
Testing pond water? Don't do it!
Save hundreds of dollars by not testing water but instead using my step-by-step plan and tips.
The hidden pitfalls of commercial pond water testing
Often I see people walk into garden center outlets or specialty stores with a jar of pond water to have their water tested. The employee does a test and, surprisingly, there almost always turn out to be abnormalities in the water values.
On advice, people then purchase various remedies over the course of a month to bring and maintain the water to the "right" value. For a small pond, this can quickly cost between 200 and 300 Euros. Box office!
But here we are focusing on symptom relief rather than actually solving the underlying problems. It is reminiscent of political decisions: spending a lot of money without addressing the root of the problem.
More important is to scrutinize the problem itself.
The key to a healthy pond: observation and logic
Personally, I don't test the water, but I observe. My 5 checkpoints are of greater value than a commercial pond test from garden centers or specialty stores. Following my advice can quickly save you hundreds of dollars!
Is the pond constructed correctly?
Is the water temperature controlled? At the edges, in the marsh area with often only 10 inches of water, the water can get warm in the summer, which can lead to growth of filamentous algae.
Are the fish behaving and feeding normally? Is the number of fish in the pond not too many?
Are the plants growing well and is the plant selection appropriate?
Is the equipment, such as pumps, filters, UV lamps and hydrogen extractors, properly installed? Are they doing more harm than good?
It is crucial to understand that in nature, water values fluctuate due to weather conditions and seasonal changes. The goal should be to create an "all-season" pond, much like all-season car tires or a four-season quilt.
Actually, everything makes perfect sense, but we often forget to think logically.
Common pond problems are:
Excessive algae growth
Poorly growing plants
The solution lies in my roadmap. With this you can check if your pond is properly constructed. If it is not, isolated remedies will not help.
You also get access to my pond tips, including special offers. I guide you through all seasons, from starting up in early spring to winterizing in fall. Plus, you can always ask questions through our support team.
