So you want to try your hand at opening your own pond this spring?  Its certainly not a job for everyone but with the right mindset and the correct materials/tools—it is most certainly achievable.

There are several items you should have  to make this job easier.  A full Pond Clean out in the Spring is highly recommended for a good healthy pond, as it removes build up debris/sludge/muck, as well as, puts your pond water back in balance, should it have spiked in fatal areas such as ammonia, pH, nitrates and nitrites. Even if your pond water is CLEAR---your pond balance may still be dangerously elevated! 

Did you know?: Cleaning your pond in the Spring actually simulates mother nature.  In nature lakes which are fed by streams and  rivers get flushed out when the heavy Spring rains fall. Man-made ponds clearly don't have the same kind of flushing-out system in place naturally. Cue Pond Cleanout/Maintenance Season!

 If your waterfall was run during the winter, unplug it, and remove the checkvalve, this is to drain your lines and any water in your biofalls.  If you waterfall was off in the winter, remove the 2″ plug that’s in your biofalls (if you installed one last fall), and let the biofalls drain into the pond.

• Place your cleanout pump in the pond.  Depending on the pond size circumstances, you can either place it on the bottom immediately, or place it on a shelf to start.  If you can’t reach the bottom because its in the center of a very large pond ( we don’t recommend throwing the pump), start on a shelf and drain it to that level, then move it to the next lower shelf.
• Direct pond water into holding tubs for fish.  We use 100 gallon tubs and it is imperative that you net the top of the tub and use a bubbler in each tub that will hold fish because the fish are known to try to jump out of the tubs.  An aerator is recommended because smaller volume of water means lower dissolved oxygen levels.
• Catch fish: Wait for the water to be 12″ or less before even attempting to net your fish. Chasing fish could stress them out and reduce their slime coat if you try when the water is higher than this.
  * If you have larger koi, 12″-18″ plus sized fish you should be using a sock net.  The other nets are for smaller fish and goldfish, and will not properly support the back of your larger koi. Koi can break their backs  from being curled up in too small of a net. NEVER attempt to move more than 1 large koi at a time in a sock net because koi are more delicate as they get larger.
  * Use this time to inspect your fish.  Take a look at the fins and scales while checking the body for any parasites or ulcers. 
• Continue to drain the pond and start to collect the debris and leaves that have settled in the pond into a bucket. Cut back some of the perennials.
• Powerwash.   We usually turn the cleanout pump back on for this, as you will want to continually remove the dirty water. We’re powerwashing to remove algae stains and to dislodge jammed up sludge/debris from in between rocks and gravel. Be careful with the powerwasher where the gravel and bare liner, and be sure to use the tips with a wider spray pattern or a 30 degree tip. The gravel is blown EVERYWHERE if you are not careful and the zero degree (laser beam) tips will cut thru liner quick as a razor, so do NOT use them.
  
• Rinse all rocks and gravel one last time to get any detritus that splashed around down to the pump for evacuation from the pond.  At this point we try to rinse an area until the water runs clear.  
  
• Clean skimmer: You can put the cleanout pump right into the skimmer to drain the majority of water and vacuum the rest the water and sludge out with the shop vac.  Be forewarned!  You’re skimmer has the potential to really stink!  If any mice or frogs got in there over the winter, you’ll be quick to find out!  Vacuum them up.
• Clean Biofalls: Remove as much of the debris as possible, as anything left behind will usually only add to the nutrients that algae need to thrive.  Your biofalls may have filled with leaves in the fall, you’ll want to remove those and any other debris that’s fallen in.  If you haven’t already removed the 2″ plug (see step 1), you will want to do that now.
• Hookup biofalls and skimmer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  For the Aquascape systems we typically service, this means putting the rack, then filter pads, and finally media bags filled with bioballs in the biofalls.  And attaching the pump to the check valve and hooking them up in your skimmer, inserting the filter rack, and filter in the skimmer, and then finally installing the basket and lid for the skimmer.  *TIP* Always be sure to plug in your pump for a quick spin up to make sure its moving BEFORE you install it in the skimmer.  Many pumps may need a little “kickstart” after not running them all winter.
• Remove the cleanout pump from the deep end of your pond.  A trick we use is to NOT unplug the pump until you have fully removed it from the pond.  When you unplug it while it is still in the pond, water will backwash down and run back into the pond, usually bringing some muddy water (that you just worked so hard to remove) back with it.  If you wait until the pump is removed and on the lawn, any backwashed water will not go into the pond. 
• Add some Pond Detox and Cold Weather Beneficial Bacteria.  This will help to neutralize any ammonia, chlorine or chloramine, as well as detoxify heavy metals and make the water safe for your fish.
• Now, if you have extra water saved from when you drained the pond, we start adding that back.  You can also return the fish to the pond, carefully netting them out of the tub at this time as well.  Usually its a quick 200-500 gallons, but its enough to fill the lower shelf and get the fish back in.  Its also water that the fish have been used to (original pond water) and helps ease the transition, considering many times you change out 80% or more of the original water.

Now, if all of that didn’t scare you off, you can expect it to take a solid day if you plan to do a typical 11×16 pond by yourself.   When we have a crew cleaning a pond, both guys work as a team and it only takes a few hours depending on size.
If you feel like this is a task is a bit much for you to undertake and you would rather have someone else do it--contact us!!!  Dreamscapes Watergardens performs 200 koi pond and waterfall cleanouts/openings each spring, and our crews are the best in the business.  

For more specific information on your koi pond and/or waterfall Spring Cleaning/Opening, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Happy spring!!! Or is it? With all the snow on the ground, it's hard to look forward to warmer days--but alas, it is the first day of spring and it just wouldn’t seem like spring in the pond world without a word on the Great Blue Heron. As water garden koi pond owners, many of us have become familiar with the largest wading bird in North America.

With it's wide wing span, slow demeanor and it's prehistoric characteristics, this bird is hard to miss. Or it's just literally hiding in plain sight. 

The heron is a very smart and very territorial bird, boasting excellent vision and high level of awareness of its surroundings and physical characteristics that match perfectly to koi ponds. This makes it not only difficult to spot but it also makes these birds able to gain distance and altitude very quickly when running away. With these qualities it is no wonder that pond owners often think their "fish just disappeared". Like camouflage, I have been looking right at a Blue Heron in my pond and not even seen it right in front of my eyes until it moved.

Fortunately the activity of the Great Blue Heron is at the highest during spring when they have their baby chicks to feed. Eggs are usually laid from March-April and hatch within a month from the time that they were laid. The predatory level on our ponds seems to have a trend of slowing down dramatically once Summer starts coming around; but we pond owners still need to be on the lookout! I have seen blue herons here at the farm year round.

The most effective protection for your pond is netting, but how many of us really want to have a net on their pond all the time? Be aware that there are many types of predator control: heron decoys, motion detector deterrents, building fish caves and tunnels for your fish to hide, let your dog out to pee more...etc! It is our recommendation to use multiple defenses since there is not one single best defense.

If you see a blue heron at your pond, you can be sure that this was not by chance that it showed up. Herons tend to carefully watch to see what type of food is available, what type of human activity or other threats are going on (your dog may actually be helping to deter these winged-koi-eaters), and where is the best access point to your pond. Herons will take the time to figure out ways around fencing, strung lines, and other obstacles. They will also return again and again if eating is easy to do at your pond.  

Herons will wait YOU have left before swooping down for their prey. The worst part about heron is that they can clean out an entire pond in one day before you get home from work by swallowing any fish they can get into their mouths. A tragic reality is that a blue heron will spear larger pond fish in the area behind their head and flip them out of the pond before realizing the fish is too big to swallow---leaving them there to die along side the pond.

If your fish are acting more skittish than usual there is a great chance that you ad a visitor that scared them-- i.e. a blue heron! Some of the most common "skittish" behaviors include your fish hiding, not being as friendly as usual, not coming out for feeding time or swimming more erratically in response to bumps and sounds. Some fish have been known to hide for a whole week or two before coming back out to play! For more information on why your pond fish might be hiding, read our blog.

So now that Spring is here, Heron season is on! Make this year the year of growing your ponds population by protecting your pond with heron defenses. We can still win the battle with the local heron population. The more we know about the Great Blue Heron, the safer our ponds are.
For more specific information on your Lebanon County Koi Pond or Waterfall, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Why is it important to really consider the type of pump you're operating your waterfeature with? Well I'll tell you why--it's because your pump is designed to not only circulate your water for that beautiful tranquil noise that mimics mother nature, but because that circulation of the water also adds oxygen necessary for your fish and helps to filter your water if you have a skimmer box or pressure filter set up, as well. Some pumps clog more than others because it's being used in the wrong type of waterfeature set-up. If you have fish, you no doubt have fish that are pooping in your water. Birds, squirrels, frogs, ducks (EVERYTHING THAT VISITS) inevitably poops in your water and if that waste isn't being properly filtered out of your water, it can become toxic for your fish, fertilizes algae growth and creates displeasing looking water.

As a general rule, you want to make sure you’re
circulating the entire Pond’s volume
a minimum of 2-3 times every hour.

The best way to choose the right pump for your pond is to check instructions on the pump’s box or in the owner’s manual. Most manufacturers list information to include a pump chart on the outside of the box to make it easy for you to choose the right pump for the size of your pond and waterfalls. The pump size is completely dependent on not only the type of pond and the size of the pond, but the size/height of the waterfall, if one exists.

Dreamscapes Watergardens installs and retails the Aquascape line of pumps that come complete with a 3 year warranty from the time of purchase. Aquascape Inc. has a different style pump for every type of pond, waterfall or fountain and it is important to note that a pond with mechanical filtration (skimmer/biofalls) requires a different pump than a pre-form pond would need.

An asynchronous, solids-handling waterfall and filter pumps designed to be submerged directly into the pond water. The AquaForce has a protective pre-filter cage that reduces clogging and is able to pump solids up to one quarter of an inch, making it ideal ponds without skimmers and can be used with external pressure filters.

Available Models from 1000-5200 GPH

An asynchronous skimmer, waterfall and filter pump that is ideal for use in skimmer boxes and falls filter systems as well as Pondless Waterfall filter vaults.

Available Models 2000-5000 GPH.

This fountain and filter pump is the complete solution for small preform ponds because it not only provides a stunning water fountain with the choice of three included fountain heads but it also has an integrated diverter valve to support a small waterfall, external filters or spitting ornaments.

We have a handful of customers that use this pump to maintain a hole in the ice during the Winter months as well.

Available Models from 600-2000 GPH

Intended for use in small ponds, fountains and waterfalls and is ideal for supplying water to run fountains, external filters and spitting ornaments. This kit includes a three-way diverter valve and multi-size hose connection making it adaptable to almost any hose or tubing size.

Available Models from 400-2000 GPH

Statuary pumps are magnetically driven ideal for supplying water to run fountains, water features, external filters, spitting ornaments and indoor or outdoor water fountains.

Available Models: 70-320 GPH

You want to make sure you’re circulating the entire Pond’s volume a minimum of 2-3 times every hour. This means that if you are operating a 200 gallon system, you should be operating a 600 GPH to properly filter your water. Likewise, if your pond is 2000 gallons, you should be using a 6000 GPH pump minimally!

Naturally, proper filtration also goes hand in hand with great plants. If you haven't had time to read our plant blog, go ahead--read it!

If your water quality just never seems to be where you want it to be, check out your pump! Correct pump type/size for properly filtered water is a HUGE factor is maintaining that crystal clear water that allows you to see your fishy friends better. For more information on finding a pump that fits your pond or waterfall, contact Dreamscapes Watergardens directly!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Good quality water plays such an important role in a pond habitat---from fish and plant health, to the color of the water and even the things (like algae) growing in it. If you're new to ponding, however, not knowing how to get or keep ideal water quality can be challenging and discouraging right out of the gate.  If your pond fish are not acting like you’re used to seeing but your pond water seems to be clear-- something might be a little off in your pond’s water! Testing water is a great REACTIVE measure to your fish being a little wacky-- but what about the PROACTIVE measures?

1. Maintain a healthy fish population
If you read our blog about fish population, then you're up to speed. The general rule for thumb is to know your pond's magic fish number (i.e. 10" of fish for every 100 gallons of water). If you have more than 10” of fish for every 100 gallons of water, your pond is likely over-populated. Obviously the more fish you have, the more fish poop will exist in your pond.  Excessive fish waste can cause an imbalance in pond water. Consider finding some of your fish a new home. 
 
2. Don’t over-feed your fish
Fish will eat way past the point that they are hungry and afterall, the more you feed, the more they poop! Be careful not to feed your fish more than once per day, and no more than they can eat in 2 to 3 minutes because when you feed fish more than they can eat, the uneaten food is left to decay in the pond. Uneaten fish food sinks to the bottom of your pond or it gets caught in your skimmer box--ultimately becoming a mess and fertilizing algae growth.   Remove all excess, leftover food by use of a net!
 
3. Create a proper balance of plants
There is a fine line between not having enough pond plants and having too many pond plants-- who knew? Pond plants remove toxins from water and they also compete for the exact same nutrients that algae does so it is important to make sure you have enough plants for your size pond. At season’s peak, however, you should have no more than 40% to 60% of the surface area of your pond either covered or shaded by plants because too many plants can cause oxygen deficiencies at night due to the photosynthetic process, when the plants take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide.

Pond Size     Gallons of Water      Marginal Plants     Lillies
4x6                        300                             7                  1
6x8                        400                             9                  1
8x11                      500                            11                  2
11x11                    700                            12                  2
11x16                  1000                            14                 2-3
16x16                  1500                            16                  3
16x21                  2000                            17                  4
 
4. Choose the right size pump for your pond
You should be circulating the entire pond’s water volume a minimum of 2-3 every hour. Make sure your pump’s flow isn’t restricted by debris and be careful not to pump water higher than it was intended. Every pump has its flow limitations. Refer to the chart on the outside of the pump’s box to make sure you’re making the right choice for your pond.
 
5. Clean debris from pond before it has a chance to decay
Decaying debris, combined with fish waste and leftover fish food, can cause ammonia levels to spike in your pond. Clean out your pond and add beneficial microbes such as Aquascape’s Beneficial Bacteria to help keep it healthy and clean. Beneficial Bacteria colonizes on your biomedia and on the rocks and gravel in your pond and it breaks down the dead organic matter in your pond.
 
6. Choose proper filtration for your pond
Your filter should match the size of your pond. Remember, most manufacturers rate their filters based on ideal circumstances, and if you exceed those, your filter becomes less effective. Always up-size your filter so that it can handle more than the capacity of your pond. Also remember to clean your filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
 
7. Keep your pond cool during the dog days of summer
When pond water exceeds 75º Fahrenheit, it has a more difficult time retaining acceptable levels of dissolved oxygen. This is why it’s important to have your pond shade from aquatic plants and landscape plants. An aerator or bubbler can also help with reducing the temperature.

For more specific information on your pond water balance, please contact us directly!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

From colorful water lilies that dance on the pond’s surface to aquatic Forget-Me-Nots that hug the edges of your water garden, it’s the amazing pond plants that put the “garden” in “water garden.” You can apply many of the same tips and guidelines you use to create your terrestrial flower beds. Things like color, height, and planting conditions are things you’ll want to consider when it comes to naturalizing your pond with plants.

Know Your Plant Size. One of the biggest mistakes novice water gardeners make is knowing how big their chosen plants have the capacity to become in a few seasons. Be sure to take height and width of the mature plant into consideration and allow enough space for future growth.
Create Interest with Variety. Random placement of plants with different colors and textures will create more interest than using plants that have all the same growth habit or leaf shape. Consider how Mother Nature feels more random than anything else.
Group Plants Together. Remember to group like objects together will create visual impact.  Plant a row of marsh marigolds along a stretch of the ponds edge, as opposed to dotting them all around the pond in single locations.
Short in Front, Tall in Back. This might seem like a no-brainer, but in order to not lose the visual impact of plants, always put shorter plants in front of taller ones. Keep in mind where you generally view your pond from and plan your pond plantings from that place, whether your deck, patio or sunroom window.
Go Green. A soft, calming space is created by using different textures and shades of green foliage. The combination is effective on its own, but also looks great when accented by pops of colorful flowers. You can also play with color based on leaf selection alone, since you’ll find aquatic foliage in a range of colors such as red, purple, yellow, and several variegated combinations.
Consider Each Plant’s Needs. Be mindful of how much sun your aquatic plants require, along with their planting depth. If a plant requires full sun, that’s a minimum of 6 hours of unobstructed sun per day. If you’re not sure what your plant needs, ask the pro at your local garden center or search online for information.
Play with Colors. Choose colors you like best and consider the type of lighting your pond receives. Yellow, orange, and white help brighten shady areas, while cool blue and violet tone down the intensity of the sun’s rays.

Mimic-ing Mother Nature can be fun if you have experience or a guideline to follow. Variety is the spice of gardening life, so don’t be afraid to experiment … or follow our handy planting guides below! You’ll want to ensure an interesting mix of aquatic plant types for your water garden. Plant a few marginal at the pond’s edge, include colorful water lilies or even a lotus, add floating plants like water lettuce, and include submerged plants to help add oxygen to your pond.

Pond Size    Gallons of Water      Marginal Plants      Water Lillies
4x6                         300                         7                          1
8x11                       500                        11                          1
11x11                     700                        12                          2
11x16                   1000                        14                          2-3
16x16                   1500                        16                          3 
16x21                   2000                        17                          4

For more specific information on plants and your pond, please contact us directly!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com


Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Is there a better jewel of your backyard paradise than your watergarden? Some would say it’s the koi fish found within them! Everyone who has a Koi fish raves of the joy they have not only while feeding them but of watching them swim through caves and waterfalls, naming them and what their family and friends think of them. But Koi fish aren't the only beautiful fish you can have swimming in your pond. Dreamscapes takes great pride in being able to sell these family pets right here at our retail location in Lebanon, Pennsylvania (PA)!

One of the things that is so wonderful about welcoming a fishy friend into your pond is that they are pretty low maintenance. You won’t see a Koi scratching at the door to go for a walk, or choosing your prized sofa for a litter box. Nope. Fish live, breath, and eat in the exact same place … your pond. They truly are one of the most low-maintenance pets you can have. AND some fish species are actually helpful to the ecosystem that they live in, nibbling on algae and contributing to the conversion of the nitrogen cycle.

Fish can also “over-winter” in your pond in a state called dormancy underneath all of the ice and snow produced by Mother Nature here in Central, Pennsylvania (PA). Caring for these guys during these months involves just a maintained hole in the ice, allowing any toxic gases from the production of fish waste to escape, as well as, supplemental aeration for koi fish larger than 10” in length. You also stop feeding these fun creatures once the water temperature dips below 55 degrees, which makes caring for them even easier. For more information on fish during the winter, read our blog:

When it comes to feeding them, you may notice that there are several different recommendations filling the internet and book pages alike. An important point to note is that the more you feed them, the bigger and the faster they grow! While fish will continue to eat and eat, long past the point that they’re hungry, koi fish will actually nibble on algae in the event you have not fed them enough.

If your fish are part of a balanced ecosystem, as is the case with the Aquascape system, your best bet is to feed them as much as they will eat in two minutes, being careful not to leave too much food floating at the surface. It is also important to mention that the more you feed them, the more they will poop--leaving you more work to clean up after in terms of maintenance and water treatment applications. We recommend once a day or once every other day to cut down on poor water quality conditions.

One of the greatest things about owning a pond is the variety of Pond-living pets available. But before you go ahead filling your pond with all your favorite fish finds, it is important to first figure out how many fish your pond is designed to hold-- did you know you can have TOO many fish? Check out our other fish blog if you still need to know your magic "fish" number!

Goldfish and Shubunkin are two great fish species that live harmoniously with Koi, are cheaper than koi and are available at Dreamscapes Watergarden’s Aquatic Center. Goldfish are incredibly resilient and can be a great starter fish for a new pond owner. Best of all, they come in all, shapes, sizes, and colors! Dreamscapes carries strinkingly beautiful orange, white and black goldfish, making it easier to spot them through your pond water. While Koi fish continue growing and have been known to grow as large as 3’ in length, Goldfish will only grow as big as their environment, making them a perfect fit for a preformed pond, patio pond or container pond.

Another fish that is sure to find its way into your heart resembles the Koi, but is much smaller. With a flow-y tail a "SHUBUNKIN" differs from the Koi in the fact that it doesn’t have “barbells,” which are a sort of whiskers that are used to root through gravel.

The Aquatic Center and Retail store at Dreamscapes Watergardens opens officially every season in April and will begin selling fish for the year later in that month. Please advise that adding fish to your Central Pennsylvania pond sooner than late April can be fatal for the fish, as Lebanon County temperatures are historically too low at that time for safe acclimation.

To get your pond up and running for the season, stop by Dreamscapes for a full line of Aquascape Inc. products.

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | info@dreamscapeswatergardens.com