Family Rural Lifestyle 10 tips for maintaining a large, natural pond By Successful Farming Staff Successful Farming Staff The content on Agriculture.com is by created by trained journalists who have become subject-matter experts in their fields. You may see some content using the byline "Successful Farming Staff." The content is primarily from information or a press release provided by other entities – such as the USDA, a university, or agricultural company. The press release has been vetted and reviewed by a staff editor. The content is edited and changed to reflect the voice and style of Successful Farming. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on August 28, 2013 Trending Videos Close this video player 01 of 10 Install an aerator Waterfalls, floating fountains, and lake bed aerators keep oxygen circulating in the water and decaying organic material from becoming toxic, preventing fish loss and algae growth. By Shirley Remes 02 of 10 Treat with bacteria Natural bacteria, such as in the products GreenEx or Microbe Lift PBL, can break down muck and sludge, cut down algae and aquatic weeds, and help reduce bad odors. 03 of 10 Add pond dye Blue or black pond dye limits sunlight from penetrating the water, thus, reducing the growth of algae and aquatic weeds. Many people also just like the color. 04 of 10 Phytofiltrate through plants Remove nutrients in the water that can cause algae through the use of floating plant islands, such as hibiscus, water willow, and water snowball. 05 of 10 Check pH The best pH level for fish is 7.5 to 8. Add limestone chips to raise pH; sprinkle calcium carbonate to reduce it. 06 of 10 Manually clean Use a pond rake to capture unwanted materials from the center of the pond. 07 of 10 Limit number of fish A suggested ratio is one fish for every 10 gallons of pond water. 08 of 10 Monitor water level You may need to add water in a dry season for aquatic life to survive. 09 of 10 Keep livestock away Fecal matter can contaminate a pond, and large animals could damage the banks. 10 of 10 Use herbicides Control weed growth by using a product that breaks down and is safe for wildlife. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit