...using the logic of ecology

What to do with green ponds?

Lakes, ponds and any permanent areas of water form the central hub for wildlife in the ecological garden, providing food, shelter and a place to reproduce for many British insects and mammals. Ducks and other fowl paddling along in a little pond full of frogs and water-lilies evoke the perfect setting in a natural garden. However idyllic the sight of a natural pond may be, it seems that it still has to fall within the boundaries of certain aesthetic requirements and green pond water is rarely welcome in the modern eco garden, it seems.
Ducks, just like any other creature, produce faeces which is high in Phosphates. These Phosphates are the principal cause of the over-production of algae in duck ponds.
It seems that ecology is fine and easily embraced, until it begins to turn green and smells, therefore, I have been perfecting a natural pond filtering system that has been in use for years in UK gardens. Natural pond filters can be easily installed with little expense to the homeowner, while maintaining a perfectly clean, functional and ecological natural pond. Natural pond filters deploy the use of aesthetically pleasing areas of the pool that are given over to natural water filtering.
Natural pond filters function by pumping dirty pond water through a natural gravel filter that is also planted with marginal plants that also filter and consume organic debris. Over time, as the water passes through the gravel, algae and other organic debris accumulates and ‘friendly’ bacteria begin to form. This bacteria essentially eats and consumes the free-floating organic debris that is present in every natural pond and exude beneficial enzymes. The water then passes into an oxygenating tank, containing oxygenating plants where the water is enriched with this precious, cleansing gas. Oxygen is essential in maintaining the ‘freshness’ of the water by preventing stagnation.
When the ecosystem is finally established (usually after just a few months) the water is maintained clear and essentially clean, having had the bad (stagnating) bacteria removed. Natural ponds that have their water filtered biologically still support all the usual rich pond life that the natural pond encourages, without the misery and stagnation of what can essentially become just a ‘dirty’ puddle. So, if you are wondering what to do with green pond water, there is now a perfectly ecological solution.

On the slide to your right you can see the development of a natural pond filter that I am currently working on in Tuscany. It's clearly not finished yet but feel free to watch as it develops ...