How To Use Stone In Your Pond
Apr 19th 2024
Stone is one of the most prestigious, coveted, and sought after materials for pond construction. They can be added in the form of river pebbles or decorations which are rounded, but there are a number of things you should take into consideration before doing so.
What Type of Stones Are Best?
River pebbles of various sizes can be purchased at local home improvement outlets. These pebbles are attractive due to their vivid coloration and the consistency they will bring to your landscape. They can be costly, but like most things that are, they are worth it. Plus, if you purchase from stone or rock distributors directly you can often get a discount. It is best to purchase stone in larger quantities, since a few bags won’t offer significant coverage.
Adding The Stones To Your Pond
Do not add stones to your pond until you’ve washed them. Should the stone be exposed to salt, nonconductive minerals or other contaminants, they can cause problems if not thoroughly cleansed. The good news about stone is that once it has been cleaned, helpful bacteria grows well on them. In terms of depth, it is best to position the stones a minimum of four inches. Stone is much better than sand when it comes to attracting helpful bacteria and plants will also root in it with ease.
The Downsides To Using Stone
While stone is an amazing material, it isn’t perfect. For instance, it can be difficult to clean when sludge builds up on the pond bottom. Sludge is essentially waste which is organic and that collects as time passes. It consists of materials such as branches, leaves, sticks and vegetation. Every pond will experience sludge buildup at some point, including those that occur naturally.
This waste will eventually break down, after which it will be replaced by waste which is new. And although this cycle is perfectly acceptable in lakes and natural ponds, it is less than thrilling in most backyard ponds. One way of efficiently getting rid of it is to purchase a special vacuum.
What Is The Best Bottom Medium?
The best bottom medium is a combination of soil which is sandy and stone pebbles. However, only pebbles should be used in the spillway and overflow areas. This provides protection against torrential rain, since the extra water will filter via the pebbles without washing away the smaller fish.
As such, knowing where to use stone in your pond is essential. The best location for it without a doubt is the pond overflow. However, when working with stone you must be aware of those that have sharp edges. Even professionally purchased stone isn’t always completely round, so if you come across those that have sharper edges, they should not be used to prevent damage to your pond liner.
Of course, stone makes an outstanding pond decoration. Stones used for this purpose should be large, clean and rounded. Avoid using stone that has been exposed to gasoline, pesticides, herbicides, oil or salt.
