Home of The Pond Doctor of Warrenton, VAHome of The Pond Doctor of Warrenton, VA

The Pond Doctor

Our Watery World

Backyard ponds, water features, aquatic gardens... they all have one thing in common... water!  The presence of water in a landscape brings a higher quality of life to those that live there. Perhaps it's built into the human DNA.  We drink it, wash with it, even play in it.  It's no accident that people flock to the water for recreations.  Our species loves the water.  We love the look and feel of it, and the sound of it cascading to the force of gravity.

Koi pond water gardenWhen a small pond or water garden is added to our world, it becomes a place of beauty, a spot to escape from the traffic and busy lives we lead.  Around our ponds, we're free to daydream, watch the fish swim by, unwind from the trials of the day.  But none of this happens without the application of a little human energy.

Pond Problems

We're not the only ones who love the water.  So do algae, bacteria, mosquitoes and other things that can foul the water.  Unlike a stream, which has the natural filtration of constant water replacement, a self-contained pond doesn't clean itself.  In the fall, leaves land in the pond and form a thick mat of muck on the bottom.  Aquatic plants get out of control, trapping rotted plant.  Bacteria and algae take over.  Fish and other living specimens die because their world has become polluted.

Some of the most common problems The Pond Doctor encounters include:

Pond cleaning and installation of filtration system

Common services offered by The Pond Doctor include:

Pond cleaning and installation of filtration system

The Pond Doctor sees inadequate (or absent) filtration as the biggest problem pond owners face in maintaining a beautiful pond.  When left to itself, any self-contained pond will eventually revert to a smelly mud puddle.  In the past, many home ponds were not equipped with filtration at all.  This requires more frequent draining and cleaning to prevent the water from fouling.

A pond filter need not be complicated.  Probably the most basic system involves a re-circulating pump and skimmer.  Water is constantly pumped in a closed loop through the pond, and the skimmer removes debris from the water.  But modern filtration systems can go way behind that.  Freestanding filtration tanks can be installed just like they are for swimming pools.  Some contain both biological filtration as well as UV light sources that keep bacteria and algae under control.  Which one is right for your pond?  Ask The Pond Doctor.

Modern Water Fixture, includes fountains and waterfallsModern Water Fixtures

Today's ponds often include fountains and waterfalls, all of which add beauty and the soothing sound of running water.  But these systems can break down.  Because they are under (or in) water, most pond owners don't have the resources to drain their pond and repair the problem.  The Pond Doctor specializes in the maintenance of all types of water features.  He can also add a waterfall or fountain to your existing pond.

Fish and Other Live Specimens

Koi and goldfish do well in our mid-Atlantic climate, and are common water garden residents throughout the area.  These fish can winter over under the ice, provided the pond gets fall maintenance to prepare it for winter.  Other living creatures in a pond include frogs, turtles and aquatic plants.  Keeping them all healthy and happy is, by and large, a matter of water quality maintenance.

The Pond Doctor has years of experience with the careful removal of fish and other pond inhabitants.  They're placed in nearby holding tanks while pond maintenance is performed, and then gently released back into their home once water quality is established and the temperature is correct.