parkes landscaping

How To Keep Your Pond Water From Going Green

WMM

This is a big subject so I’ve just listed below, a few of the golden rules to help.

Pond

Flow Rate

All of the water in your pond and filter (e.g 1000 gallons), needs to flow through your filter every 2 hours, to allow the good bacteria in your filter to break down all of the harmful elements in your water.

(e.g A flow rate of 1000 gallons/2 hours = 500 gallons per hour)

*If your pool is in direct sunlight for most of the day, you must add 25% to your flow rate (e.g 500 + 25% = 625 gallons per hour)

*If your average pool depth is less than 2 feet deep you must add a further 25% to your flow rate (e.g 625 + 25% = 781 gallons per hour)

How do you measure it?

Divide your flow rate by 60 (e.g 781/60 = 13 gallons per minute).

Now place a 3 gallon bucket under the return from your filter to the pool for 1 minute, and check the volume returned. You may need more than 1 bucket!

A Good Filter System

Use a good filter system such as this one manufactured by CD Aquatics of Cannock:

  1. Airate your alphagrog and flowcore
  2. Clean out your brushes at least weekly
  3. Introduce a sachet of bio start every spring, to replace good bacteria killed by the cold winter
  4. Change your Alphagrog once a year (ideally Spring) and introduce the correct amount of Bio Start
  5. Change your U.V filter bulb every 6 months for optimum performance
  6. Regularly clean debris from the bottom of your pool to keep ammonia levels down

Follow these golden rules and your pool water will look clean enough to drink!

If you are not sure, or still having problems, why not contact us today.

© Simon Parkes and www.parkeslandscaping.co.uk, 2014.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Simon Parkes and http://www.parkeslandscaping.co.uk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

 

How To Choose The Right Patio

simonparkes2501

Your patio area should compliment your house. There are a vast array of colours, styles and patterns to choose from.

You want to make the right choice first time. To help you with your choice we offer the following guide.

1st Decision – Slab Pattern

ParkesLandscapingBlog1PatioMar14.jpg

2nd Decision – Product

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Traditionally concrete slabs were cheaper than natural stone.

That is no longer the case, indeed many good quality Indian stone products are now cheaper and harder wearing than concrete paving.

3rd Decision – Colour

ParkesLandscapingBlog1ColourMar14.jpg

You need to decide whether you want a patio that blends with the colour of your house or contrasts with it.

(This is especially relevant if your house bricks are dark and your garden lacks light – a buff patio can brighten your whole patio area).

I hope this helps, but if you require further advice why not try our D.I.Y Landscaping Consultancy Services? Or alternatively contact Parkes Landscaping for an installation quotation.

© Simon Parkes and www.parkeslandscaping.co.uk, 2014.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Simon Parkes and http://www.parkeslandscaping.co.uk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.