Frequently Asked Questions

+ Why buy from Pond Hobby?

Pond Hobby have been trading successfully since 1999 and our aim has always been to provide a first class service to all customers, giving the knowledge and support needed to maintain and enjoy their water gardening hobby.

Having achieved success within our retail centre we have now decided to offer the same service nationwide with our on-line store, we want this to be a reflection of the service that you would receive if you visited us in person.

Our Offer

We aim to provide a wide range of aquatic products delivered to your door safely and securely – we trade only with the leading manufacturers and sell only the products that we can trust.

We will provide as much information as possible on products, enabling you to make the correct choice for your needs. Our staff are always at the end of the phone to give any further advice.

We will constantly strive to offer the latest deals available from our suppliers and keep our site updated with new and exciting products as they become available. Should you be unable to find what you are looking for please contact us and we will do our very best to obtain the item for you.

Our aim is to keep 100% of the products available in stock ready to be despatched as soon as possible, should we be unable to fulfil an order we will keep you updated as to how quickly we will be able to deliver.

Our Promise

Our promise to you is simple: We will process and despatch your order as soon as we can. We will be at the end of the phone to provide any further advice you may need and to resolve any issues you may have. Our prices and offers will be the best we can provide.

Online Payments

Online payments are processed by paypal (www.paypal.com). Pond Hobby do not record or store any credit or debit card details.

+ I have a lot of algae in my pond. What can I do to get rid of it?

Algae is a recurring problem for even the most experienced pond enthusiast. But, it is very easily resolved. By maintaining the correct water chemistry and by using the appropriate treatments, a crystal clear pond can be yours. Why not contact us today and we can find the best solution to suit your needs.

+ Do I need to have my pumps running all the time?

Pumps give your pond water circulation. If they are the right size for your pond and are properly placed, they eliminate stagnant water and provide oxygen to your pond. If they are connected or pumped to a filter, you reduce the effectiveness of the filter if your pump is not on and may end up having unsightly water and elevated levels of ammonia providing you have fish. If you have multiple pumps, you most likely may not need to have all of them running as long as you have at least 1/2 the total litres of your pond pumped every hour (there is a different formula for very large ponds - contact us and we will assist you in calculating proper aeration for your pond) for good water circulation. So, as long as you have good circulation and enough oxygen in your pond, you don't necessarily need to have all of your pumps running all of the time.

+ Why do I need a filter?

There are 2 types of filters, biological filter and a mechanical filter with most filters actually being 2-in-1. Mechanical filters filter out debris and algae from your pond. Biological filters help break down pollutants and toxic ammonia from fish wastes and turns it into useful nitrates (see the nitrogen cycle). If you want a clear pond that isn't murky and full of debris, you should use a mechanical filter. If you have fish, frogs, etc. you will additionally want to have a biological filter. If you don't have a biological filter your precious fish that you expected to live and enjoy will most likely die from toxic ammonia. These are some reasons why you should have a filter and what benefits each of them bring to your pond.

+ Do I need to use special soil or pots when I plant my water plants?

Yes you do! You cannot use typical garden soil as it will cloud your pond water and if there are any chemicals or fertilizers in your soil, you will be adding them to your pond. Special pots may not be totally necessary but pots that are designed for ponds and water gardens have "slotted" sides that allow for water passing through. If water did not pass through it could create an anaerobic (without oxygen) environment and spur the growth of bad bacteria, which you definitely don't want. You can find our water garden potting soil and pots by clicking here.

+ My koi fish keep digging up my water lilies. What can I do to protect my plants?

Koi are pretty notorious for digging up water lilies and other plants. It can be a never ending battle depending on how aggressive your koi are. Alternatively you can place round cobble stone's 25-30mm in diameter in the basket around the base of plant. This is usually sufficient to resolve the problem.

+ How often should I feed my fish?

This is something that each enthusiast usually has to gauge for themselves, depending on the volume of their pond and the quantity of fish they have. Generally, if you are feeding your fish at least once per day, you should be fine. It is worth noting, here in Ireland it is common practice to only feed your fish daily in water temperatures above 10°C.

+ Do I leave my pump and filter running during the winter?

If you have fish in your pond, you will need some source of aeration during the winter. In Ireland, it is best practice to leave your pump and filtration system running throughout the Winter months. Fortunately, all filtration products supplied by Pond Hobby are designed to be the most cost effective and environmentally friendly systems on the market.

+ How often should I test my pond water?

We test the water chemistry of our ponds once a week. It is good practice, particularly for anyone keeping fish and is surprisingly easy. Frequent testing allows us to prevent water quality problems associated with fish keeping. People often wait for algae blooms or fish loss before implementing basic monitoring procedures, ultimatley having negative consequences. We offer in store water analysis to all our customers, provided they bring a sample! For wildlife ponds which require less maintainance, we would still advise monitoring the water chemistry every couple of weeks.

+ My koi fish are always around the pump. Is there something wrong?

Two things come to mind when I hear that fish are "hanging around" the pump. The first thing is questioning if they have enough oxygen. Most ponds will maintain adequate oxygen levels from the circulation of the water through the filtration system alone. However, if you are not recycling the water quickly enough, you need to consider adding an air pump!

If your fish are not at the top of the water gasping for air or around the air pump, then they are probably just fine. Koi fish are pretty playful fish and like to hide in different things in your pond whether it is between plants or "hanging around" the pump. They also may be hiding in the only shade your pond has.

+ I want to start a pond but I don't know what pump or filter size I need?

There are several parameters we must consider when choosing a pump and filter for our ponds. For example, how many litres will I have in my pond? Do I want to keep fish? How much water will I have to circulate in my pond per hour? Do I want to run additional water features/ water falls off my filtration system?

Why not contact our expert team today, and let us walk you through this process step by step?

+ Our pond has a lot of "muck" and sludge build up on the bottom, what can we do?

First of all, the sludge on the bottom of the pond is from decaying algae, fallen leaves and other organic material. This sludge not only smells unpleasant, but it also contributes to increased algae growth. If you have decided not to have a filtration system in your pond, there are still a number of methods at our disposal when it comes to clearing pond sludge. It is unadvisable to completely empty your pond for a thorough cleaning too frequently, so pond vacuums can be incredibly useful tools. Alternatively there are biological treatments available that can eradicate pond sludge through naturally occurring chemical reactions.

+ How do I find out where my leak is in my pond?

First you want to make sure there are no leaks in your outside plumbing. You can do this by feeling around in the soil or digging near where the plumbing is. Check for wet or damp soil. Remember that water travels along with gravity, so if you do find damp soil the leak could be there or anywhere up hill. If you're certain the leak is not occuring from any of the plumbing, next let the water level drop to where it doesn't drop any more. Make sure that you have adequate water for any fish and that the water level doesn't go below where you have a pump or anything that could burn out. Once the water level ceases to drop, look at the pond liner all along the edge just above the water level to see where the leak is coming from. If you've joined any liners together (in case for large ponds) check out the seam where you joined them together and make sure that is secure and not leaking. If you do find a tear we have a Universal Repair Kit that can be used to patch the leak. If your leak is in the plumbing, you may have to cut the hose and reconnect (and possibly glue it with pvc cement) it together properly. If you have leaks around a waterfall area, you can use expandable foam that will help to seal an area or 100% silicone caulk. Make sure you follow the directions with the caulk as the fumes are toxic and the caulk has to dry for at least 24-72 hours before pond water can go over it. The area must be properly cleaned and dried before applying either the caulk or the expandable foam. By following any of these instructions, you should be able to find your leak.