At Dreamscapes, we deal with the same pond pieces of equipment so often we forget how some of them may need explaining. Recently, for example, we were asked the following question:
                          What is a skimmer box?
If you've been ponding for a while, you should know! But if you're new here--that's okay, too. So let's take it back to basics for this blog and dive into the pros, cons (are there any?) and specifics of a pond skimmer!

"Skimming" is a method of filtration and filtration is a method to remove STUFF. You could relate this to a pool skimmer--whether it be the net skimmer you use manually to catch the bugs and grass or the automatic skimmer that does it for you.

Skimming your pond is similar and important because it remove leaves, pollen, seeds, grass clippings, insect larvae, floating algae and most notably- POOP. While these materials are completely natural, they can turn great water into unhealthy, smelly and grossly colored water if not removed. The easiest way we have found to keep your water-quality in check and free of the above items is with the Aquascape Inc. Skimmer box that (when properly spec'd) can filter your entire pond 2-3 times an hour.

A pond skimmer is essentially a place where your pump lives so that it can draw your pond water to it without clogging. The front of the skimmer has an opening cut into it with a small “floating door” called a weir attached. The skimmer “skims” the top layer where all the materials fall and float before water logging and sinking to the bottom of your pond to sit and decay. Instead, the skimmer pulls those materials into your skimmer and gathers them in a mesh net or a plastic basket. Many skimmers also allow for a sponge filter pad (the white piece in this picture) to be used to catch smaller/finer particles.
The pond skimmer does more than clear the surface of the pond. Pond skimmers increase oxygen levels in ponds helping to further purify the water, and of course provide rich oxygen for your koi and pond fish. Pond skimmers can do as much or more than any sort of submerged aerator, and they do not disturb the surface of the pond, allowing for nice visibility and reflections to be enjoyed from the surface of your pond.

If you are not skimming your pond, or you are doing it the old fashioned way of passing the net through the water, then you need to consider a pond skimmer-box addition to make your pond’s filtration system a more complete system. Pond skimmers greatly reduce the amount of pond maintenance you otherwise would need to do to keep your pond clean. The pond skimmer is easily one of, if not THE best piece of pond filtration that a pond owner should own!

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 | [email protected]

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

• 8 x 11   pond clean out cost – $ 675.00
• 11 x 16  pond clean out cost – $ 895.00
• 16 x 21 pond clean out cost – $1100.00
• Pondless Waterfeature (up to 15’) -- $525

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs and maintains waterfeatures all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly! For information on how to get your pond or waterfall on the 2018 schedule for a professional cleaning, fill out this form!

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 | [email protected]

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, P

Parrotfeather!

Parrotfeather is a semi-emergent OXYGENATING aquatic weed that is easy to care for and really helps to filter your pond’s water by sucking up nutrients from the pond while also helping to remove floating particles.

Oxygen?! Yes---much like an "anacharis" plant, parrot feather releases tiny bits of oxygen into the water. Not enough that would take the place of an air station or even enough to match what your recirculating system contributes as far as oxygen goes, but enough that your fish will be hap-hap-happy that it's in there! It may even appear like your fish are eating it!

Parrotfeather is indeed a nice looking plant choice for your water garden pond and will grow well at various depths within the pond. Did you know parrot feather plants can thrive with water up to 10” above its crown? YEP! But it also can grow in very shallow water, too. This makes the plant very versatile and popular. The depth and the size of the plant should be considered when deciding where to put the plant in the pond. For more information on planting, read our 7 Tips for Planting your Pennsylvania Koi Pond blog.

Parrotfeather is a nice green color (though there is a dwarf variety that has a red stem) and it is a soft looking plant, as well as, soft to the touch. This aquatic plant is sold at Dreamscapes Watergardens as a hardy plant, meaning it will over winter in areas that receive freezing weather and snow cover and STILL bounce back beautifully year after year.

The leaves of Parrotfeather grow along the surface of the water and can extend out 6+ feet from the plant container at maturity. This is very different from other popular aquatic plants, like Iris, that stand straight up out of the water.

To prune Parrotfeather, just pinch off the overgrowth. If you want more parrotfeather in your pond take the clippings and tuck them into some rockwork and gravel and let them grow. Fall/Winter care for this plant extends as far as cutting it back an inch or so above the water level. Not only does this help to make sure the plant is prepared to start dying back but it also ensures that it doesn't decompose into the water. Want more information on seasonal plant care in zones 5 and 6? Read our Fall Plant Care blog.

With proper management and care this is a top pick water garden plant that helps filter water through its uptake of nutrients and a great area for fish fry to hide and grow.

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 | [email protected]

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,

It was a LONG winter and now your fish are swimming around staring at you like they're starving.
-Is it 'okay' to feed them?
-Are you starving your fish by waiting?
-Will they die if I don't feed them?


The difference between regular house pets and the average fish is the type of interactions you have with them. When your dog greets you at the door when you come home, do you automatically assume he's wagging his tail because he's starving? He's probably just happy to see you. Chances are that so are your fish but because our interactions with them only extend to feeding time-- there is often confusion with their personality and their hunger signs. How much and how often you need to feed them, anyway? Right?

It's always most critical to check the fish food container for temperature sensitive information because it can be unsafe and even fatal to feed certain times of fish food at the wrong time of the year. Most outdoor fish foods have a COLD WEATHER variations to their regular season fish food and this is important because the fact that a fish digestive system works at a reduced rate when the water temperature drops below 55 degrees. In fact, you shouldn't feed your fish at ALL during some portions of the year.

Dreamscapes carries Microblithe Fish Food in Cold Weather, Summer Staple and High Growth and Energy varieties during regular retail hours from April-November. The temperature parameters for our food are as follows:
Cold Weather fish food should be fed when water temperatures range 50-65 degrees.
Summer Staple fish food should be fed when water temperatures range 66-85 degrees.
High Growth and Energy fish food should be fed when water temperatures range 66-85 degrees

In fact, fall feeding recommendations are that when water temperatures dip below 50 degrees in late October, you should stop feeding your fish entirely until spring. Historically in the zone 5-6 spring, fish feeding can begin as early as mid-April depending upon Mother Nature and if your pond is full sun or full shade.

In the Spring if your water temperature hasn't quite reached the parameters on the back of your fish food container but your fish look hungry, WAIT. They are okay-- I promise. Drop your thermometer into the pond periodically and check it out. Remember, they may look hungry, but it's dangerous to feed them earlier than their bodies can handle.

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 | [email protected]

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

While flowering waterlilies are the most popular, marginal plants play a crucial role in the function, balance and beauty of a properly-conceived water garden. Without marginal plants, the water garden will look out of place and unnatural as they provide many textures, colors, and blooms that soften the edges and help blend the pond into the surrounding landscape.

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 | [email protected]

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

How do you know if you should invest the money in a professional to do your spring maintenance on your pond or not? Should you do a spring maintenance on your pond yourself? Is it even necessary to spring cleaning on your waterfeature? Every spring (sometimes even as early as January and February) Dreamscapes gets a number of phone calls from new pond owners and old pond owners alike asking if it's necessary to clean out this pond when spring rolls around and what should they expect from their spring water feature as the temperatures begin to rise again. Even if you're familiar to the pond lifestyle, always remember that what worked for you ONE year, does not mean that it will work for you this year--especially if ANYTHING has changed in your pond.

• Have your fish grown?
  
• Did you add any aquatic plants last season?
• What kind of fall shutdown did you perform on the feature?
  
• Do you like to gamble? No, really--this is a serious question!

The best (or most obvious) indicator that you need to have a Spring Maintenance Service performed on your water feature is if the color of the pond water is anything but clear. Sometimes it's tea colored or muddy looking. Sometimes it's one of many different possible shades of green, indicating algae.

Even when the water is clear, we suggest to stick something (like the end of a broom) to the bottom of the pond and stir it up a bit. If you see the area around the broom get cloudy--- you NEED to do a spring cleaning! Debris and waste can settle pretty well in the long months since the pond was actively running and unless you stir up the settled muck, you may not notice it at all at first. But once the ecosystem is awake again, that left over debris will cause a whole other set of problems for you.

But SOMETIMES the ice thaws and all your fish are belly up and you're just not quite sure why because the water looks clear and the broom isn't stirring anything up.

Ammonia- the silent killer of the pond world. Ammonia does not always stick out like a sore thumb, unless of course all your fish went belly up before you realized it's presence. The visual clue of ammonia spikes barely exist---which is why it's always important to start each season with a clean slate. Gambling with your fishy friends life can be more frustrating than it's worth.

Ammonia exists from the decomposition of waste (fish still poop over the cold winter months), dead organic matter like leaves, and even frogs and fish that didn't make it through the winter. Any ammonia is absolutely toxic to fish and pretty much invisible. The easiest way to treat ammonia spikes is by removing it: i.e. drain and clean.

Aside of ammonia spikes, if your pH, phosphates or nitrites are out of balance, a drain and clean essentially resets your water feature so your ecosystem starts the pond season in good shape. You should also consider testing your pond water balance regularly during the season so that you can correct any issues before they become fatal for your fish! Click here to read more about keeping your pond water clean by reading this blog.

All the muck and build up left over on the bottom of your pond contributes to the growth of algae during the warmer temperatures. While algaecides are designed to kill algae, they are temperature sensitive which gives algae free reign to feed off of those excess nutrients until May. By that point, getting the pond in balance in order to ENJOY your water feature may be a losing battle.

Lastly, your fish are often curious and bored and if there is an abundance of muck and sludge, it is common to have it stirred up frequently during the summer as the fish root around.

You know your backyard pond better than anyone else and are the one that gets to enjoy it regularly. If you're able and willing to perform a spring maintenance on your own-- do it! If you're looking for a professional to handle the spring maintenance hassle for you, give Dreamscapes a call!

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 | [email protected]

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

Every season we go into great detail on the benefits, processes and pricing for Spring Maintenance/Opening Services for backyard koi ponds in Central Pennyslvania. But what about pondless waterfalls, also known as disappearing waterfalls? What kind of work, if any, is put into a pondless waterfall to get it up and running for the spring and summer seasons? Should you contract a professional contractor to service your disappearing waterfall in the spring or are you able to tackle it DIY style?

What: Pondless Waterfall Spring Opening
Why: A majority of water feature owners "shut down" their waterfalls late Fall/early Winter by pulling the pump and bleeding the pipes free of water to avoid extra work when freezing temperatures hit. Despite possibly adding a net to the feature to prevent leaves from falling all over the stream, by spring your waterfall may be looking a different color than you remember it. You may find a majority of your waterfall covered with dead/black algae residual and leaf debris, while your basin may have become home to a few inches of sludge-like matter that coincidentally fertilizes MORE algae growth come warmer temperatures. If not taken care of, these factors together create a maintenance nightmare by June and July.

When Dreamscapes opens pondless waterfalls near Lebanon and Harrisburg Pennsylvania, we follow the following process:

• Manually remove any debris from stream portion: i.e. leaves, sticks, etc.
• Cut and divide aquatic plants, as needed
• Pressure wash, as needed, areas with unsightly residual build up.
• Shop-vac out the basin reservoir of all accumulated sludge and old water
• Re-fill basin with water
• Put pump in water and attach the hosing to the pump fitting with a hose clamp.
  
  
  At this point, we check for any diverting water from rock displacement or low liner caused by rocks settling over winter.
  

Every April-June, Dreamscapes services approximately 200 water features within Lebanon County, Lancaster County, Dauphin County and Cumberland County for spring maintenance. For pondless waterfalls up to 25' in length, we charge $525 for our spring maintenance service. Custom waterfalls larger than that may result in additional servicing fees. Click here for information on our 2018 backyard koi pond pricing.

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 | [email protected]

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,

"The reflection garden is a peaceful place where staff and students can go to think, reflect and converse with one another. Thanks again for this awesome water feature project at NL." -Erik Bentzel PhD

This past summer, Dreamscapes had the fun honor of creating an amazing fountain-waterfeature project for the reflection garden at Northern Lebanon Middle School in Fredericksburg, PA. Part of the goal for this project was to make creative use of a dark dead zone that existed under an overhang at the main entrance of the school.

Let us know if you think we did a good job of doing just that. ;)

Featuring 5 stacked slate urns, 6 spillway bowl and 3 bubbling moss rocks all operating with 3 powerful Aquasurge pumps by Aquascape, Inc... it was pretty obvious the type of attention this waterfeature would bring to this particular corner, which. conveniently sits right outside the window of the principal's office. Because of which, we installed some bamboo fencing to act as not only a real attractive backdrop for the waterfeature, but to also give the principal some privacy.

Given some inspiration, one Northern Lebanon Middle School staff member found a photo on Pinterest of stone seating made with railroad ties and gravel. Paired with a traditional style paver patio, the unique outdoor seats give a physical place for students and faculty to spend time before, during and after school. They've even seen an increase of families enjoying the waterfeature, as well.

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 | [email protected]

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

Ponds unfairly get pegged as mosquito breeding territory. With minor tweaks, a true mosquito pond could be solved and become breeding grounds no more. If you don't have a pond but you're wondering--- fear not and read on. A common concern that new or soon to be pond owners express is whether their pond can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The life cycle of the mosquito is just like any fly with 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult. The first 3 stages are aquatic and last for just over a week, the adult stage lasts about a month or so.  To lay eggs in the first place, mosquito prefer stagnant water; i.e. slow moving or motionless still water with low oxygen levels and high nutrient levels.

If your watergarden is correctly built, there should not only be no stagnant water areas, but attract many types species that happily and aggressively eat mosquitoes. These species include but are not limited to: fish, dragonfly, frogs, and birds. If mosquito are still coming, there may be a swampy area elsewhere on your property or the neighbors. Check around!

If your pond is built different than the Aquascape Inc. set up, consider adding something like a spitter decor fountain to churn up the stagnant water areas you're finding. Spitters can be a fun decorative addition to the water feature anyways. The addition of an air station, such as a bubbler, will also churn up the water AND add some extra oxygen to your fish. If it's filtration you're lacking, considering adding a skimmer box, as it will help solve more than just a mosquito issue-- it'll clear up all sorts of maintenance problems you might be having, too!!!

WATER CONDITIONS in your pond

• High oxygen levels because of aerators, waterfalls, and streams.
• Low nutrient levels because of filtration systems, water treatments, and aquatic plantings.
• Lots of water movement from pumping systems, skimmers, decor spitter fountains
  

ENVIRONMENT of your pond

• Fish, dragonfly, frogs, birds and bats  all either eat mosquito larva or mosquito adults!

TREATMENTS for your pond

• Mosquito Dunks is a popular and effective treatment.

It is perfectly normal to wonder about the potential mosquito issues with a pond---especially if you inherited a pond with a new home purchase. Fortunately, a well-managed pond is exactly NOT the place that mosquitoes want to be or lay eggs. Our well balanced ponds will be home for all sorts of critters that have an appetite for mosquitoes and their eggs.

Dreamscapes has a full service maintenance program that travels all over the Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin County areas constructing and installing pond tents. We also carry 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 | [email protected]

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

Fish predators…they are everywhere- sometimes more during some seasons than others. Whether you’re new to ponding or just need a new trick at keeping the predators uninterested in your stock..you’ve come to the right place for a short list of some pretty effective methods. If your fish are missing, please know it wasn't the dog or cat that hangs out by the pond. While some of the below solutions may seem odd, they all have worked for our customers at one time or another. It’s important to note that some of these work better when combined with each other.

Heron are absolutely beautiful birds and they happen to be protected here in Pennsylvania. Territorial birds, younger ones are shy and prefer to hunt without humans around and will take off if there’s noise. Older birds are more brave and require much more effort at keeping them away once they’ve pegged you as a reliable buffet. A heron will come back repeatedly and eventually clear out every koi it can find if you don’t act fast.  

Heron Decoys – Fake herons work well if you move them when you spot a bird in the area. During spring, we recommend moving them daily as there are more rentless birds searching for food for their babies.

Fishing Line / Net Barriers – Heron do not fly into the pond---they walk into it. Because of which, you should string fishing line around/across pond to deter the heron from getting in. When they go to step, the line will get caught in their feet/wings and cause frustration.

Mink are known to hunt in Winter when the pond is iced over and your fish are just hanging out dormant. To do so, they will use the hole created by the bubbler / heater you installed as a "Life Support" to get under the ice. If you notice small footprints near the hole or blood/drag marks coming from the hole, these are indicators a mink has come for your fish and may come back.  

Pond Dye – Mink hunt by sight and have no sense of smell underwater. Adding pond dye to your pond will make it so they cannot see what they want to hunt.

You may find raccoons prowling around the pond from here and there, however, normally found at the scene of the crime, after-the-fact, raccoons are rarely capable of killing koi. Obvious signs that koi was killed by a heron and not the raccoon is usually the large puncture wound in the fish.  Once the heron has speared a fish too large to eat, it throws it on the shore, and the raccoon is found with it later.  

Motion Activated Devices – Motion activated lights, motion activated scarecrows, anything that can detect motion at night can help.  

Water lilies, water lettuce and water hyacinth can all help hide your fish from the prying eyes of predators during the pond season.  Koi tunnels and or koi caves give your fish places they can hide when they feel threatened. Lastly, an aerator will not only add oxygen to your pond in the hot summer months but it will also break the water surface up and help to obscure a predators view to whats beneath the surface.

Dreamscapes has a full service maintenance program that travels all over the Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin County areas. We also carry 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 | [email protected]

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