Water values pond | Advice on pH value, gH value, kH value pond.

Measuring water values is not necessary if you provide your pond with what it needs. We like clear water without the addition of chemicals. Read what to do if the KH, pH and GH values are not up to standard in your pond.

Keeping the water in your pond clean and clear seems to be quite an art. Water values fluctuate and so it is constant work for the small biotope that is your pond. Yet it is possible to get and keep your pond in balance without a pump or filter, but especially without measurements and water tests. At Van der Velde Aquatic Plants we like to make the pond water clear in a natural way.

Ideal water hardness does not exist

A beautiful, clear pond full of healthy aquatic plants and all kinds of insects and animals that come to visit the water; it is the wish of many pond owners. Such a pond is within reach without having to measure the pH, KH or GH levels in the pond every so often. The ideal water hardness does not exist; after a rainstorm or a day full of sunshine, the values are completely different again. Water values in the pond fluctuate continuously. In our opinion measuring is not necessary, and don't let anyone tell you that you need all kinds of remedies to get your pond in biological balance. You will be advised an expensive test and then all kinds of remedies to improve the water parameters. But we don't do this in nature, so not in your pond either. Rather, help nature by adding extra pond plants, such as oxygen plants or water lilies. What your pond does need for good water values? We'll explain.

KH value pond; carbonate hardness

KH stands for carbonate, KH value for carbonate hardness. The amount of carbonates in your pond affects the health of the pond water. Too many carbonates will cause algae to find a food source and grow. To prevent this, it is important that bacteria and enzymes are present in the pond water that provide enough CO2 for the pond plants present. If you add these bacteria to the water when starting up the pond and every spring and fall thereafter, the KH level will be balanced. A layer of pond substrate at the bottom allows these single-celled organisms to settle well in your pond.

PH value pond; acidity

The acidity of the pond is indicated by the pH value. The more acidic the water, the worse it is for pond animal life. Less CO2 is present in acidic water, which makes growing difficult for oxygen plants in particular; there is a lack of nutrients. A pond that is in biological balance therefore contains not only enough bacteria and enzymes, but also (plenty of) pond plants. The bacteria release CO2, the pond plants absorb it and release oxygen in its place. To keep the water parameters good, we recommend at least 1 basket (with 4 plants) of pond plants per 1 m2, but this can also be double or triple.

GH value pond; water hardness

The GH value of pond water indicates the hardness of the water. This means the level of minerals (mainly calcium, magnesium and potassium) found in the water. Oxygen plants in particular need the minerals to grow. A higher GH value means harder water, which is beneficial for your pond plants and unfavorable for algae. Hence, adding pond plant clay, which is high in minerals, to the pond will help fight algae, but also provide your aquatic plants with sufficient nutrients.

Water lilies against warming

An asset to any water feature are water lilies. You have them in all shapes and sizes, so you can find suitable varieties for large and small ponds. They are super useful because with their large leaves they block the sun and thus the water does not heat up as quickly. This is nice because then algae stays away. Another plus is that water lilies absorb nutrients from the water that therefore cannot be used by algae. In short: water lilies help enormously to maintain the water values in your pond.

Oxygen plants purify the water

No pond will function properly without oxygen plants. They are an important foundation, along with pond substrate and pond bacteria. These aquatic plants grow completely under water and thus release oxygen completely under water. Hence, they are such good water purifying plants. In addition, a healthy population of oxygen plants in the pond makes a pump or filter unnecessary; after all, you have a natural filter growing in your pond. See all the benefits of oxygen plants.