Pond startup
Pond startup
Starting up a pond requires the right steps and products to create a healthy environment for plants and animals. Our package provides a good start with bacteria, plant nutrition and ensures a healthy soil and stable water parameters.
Pond Start-up Package - S - 100 - 1,000 L
- For 100 - 1,000 L
- pond supplies
- Placement: -1 to -100 cm
Pond Start-up Package - M - 1,000 - 10,000 L
- For 1,000 - 10,000 L
- pond supplies
- Placement: -1 to -100 cm
Pond Start-up Package - L - 1,000 - 20,000 L
- For 1,000 - 20,000 L
- pond supplies
- Placement: -1 to -100 cm
Pond Start-up Package - XL - 20,000 - 40,000 L
- For 20,000 - 40,000 L
- pond supplies
- Placement: -1 to -100 cm
Not sure how many gallons of water your pond holds?
Customers give us a 9.2/10
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention
Simon van der Velde
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention Package
Prevent problems such as thread algae and floating algae 100% natural. Year-round clear pond water with hardy oxygen plants.
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention Package - S - 100 - 400 L
- For 100 - 400 L
- Combats and prevents algae
- Placement: -1 to -80 cm
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention Package - M - 500 - 1,250 L
- For 500 - 1,250 L
- Controls and prevents algae
- Placement: -1 to -80 cm
Pond Startup and Alga Prevention Package - L - 1,500 - 3,000 L
- For 1,500 - 3,000 L
- Controls and prevents algae
- Placement: -1 to -80 cm
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention Package - XL - 3,500 - 6,000 L
- For 3,500 - 6,000 L
- Controls and prevents algae
- Placement: -1 to -80 cm
Pond Startup and Algae Prevention Package - XXXL - 10,000 - 15,000 L
- For 10,000 - 15,000 L
- Controls and prevents algae
- Placement: -1 to -80 cm
Not sure how many gallons of water your pond holds?
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!
Bart Timmermans
Removing soil sludge without a vacuum cleaner
Purchased: Soil Dirt Pond Removal Package - M
After years of accumulation by fish, quite a bit of silt had accumulated in my pond.
At first I thought about a pond vacuum cleaner, but after contacting customer service I opted for the bottom debris removal package. I was skeptical, especially because the water became murky the first week. But after a month, the silt has reduced considerably. No hassle with a vacuum cleaner, and great results!
I am a fan.
Johanna Brink
water lilies for more biodiversity
As lovers of greenery, we were looking for a sustainable addition to our project. Van der Velde's water lilies were a hit! With DROP & GROW, it was really simple: plant and enjoy. We asked for different varieties and this was no problem either. Delivery was perfect. Within a week we already saw leaves above water, and meanwhile there are several flowers blooming. Both we and our customer are very enthusiastic.
Raphael Blanchard
Oxygen plants save my fish
Purchased: Oxygen Plants Pond Package - L
My fish were gasping for air, so I was looking for an air pump. Then I read that oxygen plants could also solve this problem. I ordered the package that fit my pond, and now my fish are swimming around carefree again. Additional plus: my pond water is much clearer. Fish happy, me happy!
Greta Schultze
Very happy with my small pond
Purchased: Complete Pond Package - XS
This handy kit helped me set up my mini pond quickly. Everything you need is included! The service and advice were top notch, much better than at the garden center where no one really knows anything.
Maria Maes
From maintenance to an organic swimming pond
Purchased: Complete Plant Filter Package - L
I was tired of constantly cleaning the pump, so I decided to convert my pond to an organic swimming pond. With the plant filter package from vdvelde.com, it worked out perfectly! Now I enjoy a beautiful, natural filter and lovely swimming water.
Frequently asked questions about pond startup
Starting up a pond means making sure the water has a good, healthy balance so that plants and fish can live well. You do this by adding pond bacteria such as BACTA CLEAR. These bacteria help break down waste products such as fish food and leaves, preventing algae and keeping the water clear.
BACTA CLEAR should be added twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall to keep the pond functioning properly throughout the year. In addition, pond substrate helps the plants grow well and the bacteria adhere better, promoting biological balance.
To get your pond off to a good start, pond bacteria of BACTA CLEAR are essential. You add these bacteria 2 times a year (1x in spring and 1x in fall) and they break down waste products such as fish food, leaves and other organic material, preventing algae formation and improving water quality. Add bacteria in the spring to get your pond going and in the fall to prepare the pond for winter. You can also use pond substrate as an additional filter medium, which supports the growth of both plants and bacteria for a healthy ecosystem.
More information can be found here: BACTA CLEAR.
For a healthy, self-regulating pond, several types of aquatic plants are essential. Oxygen plants provide a constant supply of oxygen and help keep the water clean. Floating plants provide shade and reduce the risk of algae growth, while marsh plants at the edges of the pond remove excess nutrients from the water. A good combination of these plants provides the best results and helps keep the pond naturally balanced.
Want to know exactly what plants you need and how many? Then go through the pond check, which explains step by step what your pond needs for a natural balance: Pond Check.
If you'd rather be done setting up your pond all at once, check out our complete pond kits. These packages contain everything you need to properly set up your pond from the start and ensure that the water keeps itself clean and balanced: Complete Pond Packages.
A filter or pump is not necessary if you choose a natural approach by setting up the pond with sufficient aquatic plants, a layer of porous substrate on the bottom and beneficial bacteria in the water.
How to go about this step by step, what you need and how much can all be found in our pond check.
If you have a pond with a volume of 1,000 to 20,000 gallons of water, you can add BACTA CLEAR at one time. One bottle is sufficient for this volume, and you don't have to worry about overdosing because you can't add too much. Keep in mind, however, that BACTA CLEAR has a shelf life of only a few days after opening, so it is important to use it immediately as soon as you open the bottle.
If you have a pond of 100 to 1,000 gallons of water, choose a BACTA TAB. Specially designed for smaller ponds, it provides a simple solution to maintain water quality.
Add BACTA CLEAR or BACTA TAB 2x a year (1x in spring and 1x in fall) for year-round optimum performance.
Pond startup: the basic steps for a healthy pond
Starting your pond begins with proper preparation. At vdvelde.com, we recommend first determining the pond location, depth and bottom. Then start with the pond substrate, where plants can root well and the water is filtered. Fill the pond and use a water treatment product to neutralize any contaminants. With our bacteria and special plant food you will give the ecosystem an immediate healthy start, and after a few days of rest you can carefully add plants and fish for a balanced environment.
Order pond startup and supplies at vdvelde.com
With us, you can easily order all the necessary materials online, from pond liner and substrate to oxygen plants and filter systems. Our complete pond kits are formulated to instantly bring natural balance to the pond. These include bacteria that help with clear water and a stable pond. In addition to our extensive product range, at vdvelde.com we also offer advice and support to get the pond off to a good start.
Starting a pond with a filter: necessary for healthy water
A filter system is essential when starting your pond to prevent murky water and algae growth. We offer filters to suit any size pond that regulate dirt and nutrients. A filter with bacteria is ideal because it allows for the natural breakdown of organic waste. This promotes clear and clean water, which is important for the well-being of plants and fish in the pond.
Important tips when starting a pond
As a pond specialist with over 35 years of experience, we emphasize the importance of proper plant selection and the timely addition of bacteria. This prevents algae from taking over the pond and keeps the water quality stable. Leave the pond water without fish for several weeks to stabilize the ecosystem. For optimal results, vdvelde.com also offers a handy online pond check that helps you determine exactly how much substrate, plants and bacteria you need for your pond.